Helix 2 guitar routing questions

[DOndek]

Hi all.  Novice Helix user here, but I'm trying to learn quickly!  I run an electric guitar with magnetic pickups, but also has a Fishman piezo power bridge.  There is one 1/4" TRS output and that cable splits so that the magnetic signal and the piezo signal are distinct and separate.  The intention is to be able to use each signal at the same time and therefore, I've created a patch that can do both simultaneously, and while I can get both to work together, and even have footswitches on each channel for Lead and individual effects on each path, however, I've encountered several challenges. The magnetic runs into Guitar In and I've assigned Return 1 for my piezo input, and both are being fed to the Multi output so as to only use one channel on the mixer (I balance them via the volume knobs on my guitar).  

 

1. In speaking with Line  6 support, they said the looper can only be used with one path (currently assigned to the magnetic path), but if I'm summing both the magnetic and piezo signals to the Multi Output, why can't the Looper capture what's coming from both signal paths?

2. In order to create the 2 signal paths, Line 6 support helped me create the base patch, which has a Split Y and a Merge block inserted, however, I have read up on this, but can't figure out how to move this. Ideally, I'd like to add more blocks to the piezo signal path, but I'm unable to figure out how to create more space for additional blocks and I think it might have to do with the placement of the Merge block (?).  I also wonder if the location of the merge is part of the challenge with the next issue.  

3. My master volume expression and Wah pedals are currently in the electric / magnetic path How can I move these blocks to be effects on the summed output? This is more important for the Volume pedal, as I'd like to be able to use the Volume pedal to adjust the overall output that is being summed to the Multi Out for the patch (in essence, use it to control the overall volume of both paths being sent to the mixer).

 

I've attached my frankenstein test patch to this thread.  Thanks in advance for any help!  

Electric & PiezT.hlx

[theElevators]

37 minutes ago, DOndek said:

3. My master volume expression and Wah pedals are currently in the electric / magnetic path How can I move these blocks to be effects on the summed output? This is more important for the Volume pedal, as I'd like to be able to use the Volume pedal to adjust the overall output that is being summed to the Multi Out for the patch (in essence, use it to control the overall volume of both paths being sent to the mixer).

 

I've attached my frankenstein test patch to this thread.  Thanks in advance for any help!  

Electric & PiezT.hlx 29.3 kB · 0 downloads

For the master volume question -- that's easy.  You can control several things with one expression pedal.  So simply add as many volume pedal blocks as needed.  In your case, put one volume pedal at the end of your acoustic path.  Put another one at the end of your electric path.  Use the "learn" feature to assign the expression pedal to your 2nd volume pedal.  Disable bypass -- since you always want the volume pedal to work.  And you will have 2 volume pedals moving in synch.   But that's besides the point....

 

 

 

For all the other questions... you route your acoustic to "multi", and also route your electric to "multi".  Instead, you want to route both electric and acoustic to a combined path 2A.  That way you can put effects on the combined path (2A), and only need one volume pedal.  That's the main issue you are having.  You should also be able to put the looper on the very last "line", and it will combine both acoustic and electric sounds and loop them.  

 

 

You need to look at this as a real wiring diagram.  Figure out what you need to accomplish.  Like, do you want 2 instruments to be routed out independently, or combined into one signal path and processed together.  

[DOndek]

Hi.  Thx for the reply!  Glad to hear you think these issues can be resolved.  I hear you on looking at it like a wiring diagram, and that's how I think of it, which is why it's confusing to me when Line 6 Support says the looper can't be shared across the 2 signal paths and why I can't figure out how to route it (admittedly, it could very well be user error / lack of understanding).  

 

That makes sense about the 2 volume pedal blocks, and I can move my current volume pedal block to the end of the electric chain, but I can't add another block to my piezo path (per #2 in my post).  I can't figure out how to make that path chain longer to add more blocks?  

 

Were you able to take a look at the patch I attached?  The reason I ask is because I believe I do have a 2A, and the Multi is just to route the output for both so that they are summed and can be sent as one signal via XLR (preferred) or 1/4" or whatever, but with one cable to the mixer.  Apologies if I'm misunderstanding, but that's how I thought I had it set up.  ?  

[theElevators]

 

[datacommando]

5 hours ago, DOndek said:

I've attached my frankenstein test patch to this thread.

 

Hi,

 

I had a quick look at your patch and made a couple of modifications.

 

Connect your mag pups to the Guitar In and the Piezo jack to the Aux in. Now everything should run in parallel as separate paths up until the looper which will merge both paths and that's followed by a single volume pedal that controls the final output. There was a Send/Return block  on the first slot of the Piezo path - not sure why it was there so I took it out - easy enough top put backing if you really need it.

 

Anyhow, load this up and see if it gets you near to where you want to be.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

Attached Preset: Elec & Piezo 2.hlx

 

Elec & Piezo 2.hlx

 

[DOndek]

@theElevators thanks for sending that video, appreciate you taking the time.  I understand how to move blocks, it's more about the separate and merged paths I need.  Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I tried to do what you suggested, and when I change the output of each path to 2A, it ends up sending my piezo path through my amp&cab block, which I definitely don't want.  I then tried to free up space on the first path (since I still can't get it to extend or create a parallel path by dragging an existing block down  ??) .  

 

@datacommando thank you as well for your reply and the edited patch, I will check that out shortly.  Based on the description you sent, this is exactly what I'm looking for with the looper and volume pedal in the end of the 2 paths after the merge.  I had the piezo input set as Return1 as Line 6 Support told me to use that vs. Aux In due to the volume pad built into the Aux In jack.  Will let you know once I upload it and give it a test, thanks! 

[theElevators]

2 hours ago, DOndek said:

@theElevators thanks for sending that video, appreciate you taking the time.  I understand how to move blocks, it's more about the separate and merged paths I need.  Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I tried to do what you suggested, and when I change the output of each path to 2A, it ends up sending my piezo path through my amp&cab block, which I definitely don't want.  I then tried to free up space on the first path (since I still can't get it to extend or create a parallel path by dragging an existing block down  ??) .  

 

Not sure why you don't want to add the amp block to the signal path as it suits your needs.  If you don't want both guitar signals to be processed by the amp, then relocate the amp block up above.  I think you should watch some videos about how to route multiple inputs.  It's just a wiring diagram.  What you see is what you get, no surprises. 

 

There are some people who do preset building workshops remotely.  Otherwise, watch this video, this guy is excellent

 

 

[DOndek]

@datacommando I just put the patch through it's paces, and it does everything I was looking for!  I never answered your question about the Send/Return block; it's for a TC Helicon BodyRez pedal which I feel adds some life to the piezo acoustic sound, so I added that back in at the front of the piezo path.  I made a couple small adjustments; I moved my wah pedal to the end of the path (post merge) that way I can use it on the piezo signal as well as the electric signal.  Thanks to you both for your help, and especially to @datacommando as you nailed it on what I was looking for!  THANK YOU! 

[datacommando]

1 hour ago, DOndek said:

THANK YOU! 

No problem - happy to help you achieve what you were aiming for.

 

Enjoy.