Purchased an HX in 2017 and just opened the box tonight.

[tugscout]

Hi Gang,

 

Yup, no ones going to accuse me of rushing into things  :)

 

I purchased my HX along with a new guitar and subsequently had a whole series of events take place and I never got around to using either of them. I'm guessing COVID boredom got the better of me and I decided to pull them out of the closet tonight. I've spent several hours going through this forum after registering my unit and I've got two questions if I may:

 

1. I want to start of right with the latest firmware. My unit presently has version 2.5. Can I jump directly to the current version or do I have to go through and load each previous update?

 

2. I primarily play acoustic guitars which have passive K&K mini soundboard pickups which I run through a L.R. Baggs Paracoustic-DI and then into a soundboard. In reading this forum there seems to be mixed opinions on which input to plug in an acoustic guitar. Can someone please shed some light on this for me and can I use the HX preamp or do I have to continue using the PARA-DI?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

 

 

[the_bees_knees22]

Just update to the latest and greatest directly.  It's fine.

I can't help you on #2.  I never use my acoustics with my helix.  /shrug

 

[silverhead]

2. There’s no ‘right’ answer. Experiment. What sounds best to you is right for you.

 

Using your PARA-DI box experiment with using the Helix Mic input and it’s associated preamp. Helix has a global setting to adjust the mic input gain if you need to boost or cut the input level. If your PARA-DI box has a 1/4” output experiment with using the Helix Guitar input.
 

When you are experimenting without your PARA-DI and connecting your acoustic directly to the Helix using the 1/4” Guitar input you may find the input signal level low due to your passive pickups. Try using the Helix Studio pre-amp model. You may even want to boost the signal before it hits the Studio pre-amp using e.g.a Gain FX block or an EQ block with neutral tone settings and just a Level boost. You can also boost the signal further at the Output block if necessary.

 

 

[Schmalle]

The passive K&K pickup should work better on the Helix instrument input. It has 1MOhm input impedance to provide a natural balanced signal. The L.R. Baggs has 10MOhm which should result in a hotter signal with slightly pronounced bass. What sounds better depends on the instrument and personal preference. It's only a marginal difference though. This comparison might give an impression.

 

Keep in mind that cascading audio devices adds noise, too.

 

 

[tugscout]

Thanks everyone, I look forward to loading the latest firmware and begin playing with the unit tonight.

[shanecgriffo]

wow i opened mine within 30 seconds of arriving.. ah well everyone is different.. at least you know you still have the latest model ;) 

I find going in to the aux in with my acoustic gives me the richest signal/sound

[LynyrdDeVille]

Hey there,I just wanted  to chime in and say I have an HX Effects and s very inexpensive Yamaha scoustic (solid  top though), and I just love running my acoustic which I  forgot to mentinn I have put in a very cheap pop in Dean Markley pickup into the HX Effects and then into a battery powered Blackstar Fly3 with its extension nspeaker turning it into a staggering 6 watt device of audio bliss! I enjoy the Vetta Comp as a super easy bigger than life instant compressor, maybe an eq for extra sparkle, then the fun stuff, I like the Elephant Man echo with modulation. The effects sound fantastic, and I just love having that cushy lush sound of those modulated repeats as a core sound. Endless fun, you are gonna love it!