small studio comfiguration

[john-callahan]

I have a Helix floor and would like some advice on how to configure my equipment. I have electric guitars, Variax JTV89F, electric acoustic, and standard acoustic guitars that I would like to record. I have 2 tube mics and some drv100 mics. When I record vocals they will be going through a Boss VE-20. I have a Focusrite 2i2 as an interface so I can use the monitor knob to control my PC volume for youtube, spotify etc. The monitors are JBL LSR308's. I have a Headrush FRFR108 that I haven't used much. I was always listening to my guitars through the JBL's but I probably should be playing them through the FRFR which would sound better and simplify my setup I think. For a DAW I am still trying to find what I like, right now they all seem way over my head with setup and recording flow. I did buy Helix native when it was on sale so I have that also.

What I want to accomplish is being able to swap mics easily when I record vocals or my acoustic guitars. My electric guitars will plug into the helix, unless going into the 2i2 and using Helix native would be better?? Can the Helix and 2i2 coexist in one DAW and would I ever want to do that?  I am totally up for any suggestions.

[rd2rk]

Helix Floor has a mic input, as well as Variax, and is a great recording interface. It's only flaw (IMO) is latency when playing (AND MONITORING) through plugins.

If you pick up a small mixer you can take your computer and Helix audio outs to it and with the speakers connected to the mixer you can easily control the mix of streaming audio and DAW to your speakers while still direct monitoring your guitar/variax/mic through the FRFR108. This is essentially what I do in the office (no variax, don't sing) with my HXS and FRFR112. In my studio (the living room) I have a Scarlett 18i20 to handle inputs from the computer, DAW, Helix, synth and eDrums. It takes the place of the small mixer, and provides much better latency when I'm using plugins.

 

If you have a MAC you can use the 2i2 and Helix by creating an "aggregate" device. I've read that people who do that have mixed results. You can try doing it with a PC by replacing the ASIO drivers from L6/Focusrite with ASIO4ALL. Again, mixed results, IF you can get it to work. IME, not the way to go. Either way you lose some of the functions of the Helix as interface.

 

In summary - get a small mixer OR an AI with enough I/O to handle your needs. If you go with a better AI, get one with S/PDIF so you can use the Helix S/PDIF and cut out the additional AD/DA conversion and free up the audio I/O. The Scarlett 6i6 i believe is their smallest AI that has S/PDIF.

[DunedinDragon]

My first question is what are you trying to accomplish here?  I only ask that because you mention using the Headrush for output instead of the LSR308's which would be uncommon for a setup that will be actually used for studio recording, and more indicative of a setup for live performance, and in my experience those two worlds tend to be very different.

I have mine separated on two separate systems, but they wouldn't necessarily have to be.  In my case I use the Helix as my direct audio interface to the DAW via USB for all inputs (mics, guitar, keyboard, etc) which I record track by track.  My studio monitors are also connected to the Helix for playback either through my monitors or through my headphones for recording and playback purposes while in the recording process.

For live performance playback I have a very simple audio interface connected to my computer via USB which sends the playback of the recorded output of the DAW via two 1/4" outputs to two stereo channels on the mixer which is connected to my Yamaha DXR12 FRFR speakers.  Likewise my live vocal mic is sent directly to that mixer on a separate XLR input as is the Helix XLR output with it's own separate mixer channel so each source can be independently gain staged and mixed for live performance.

I don't know if that's what you're after, but that's how I do it.

[john-callahan]

Thank you for the replies. I should have said that the FR108 would be for practice or playing outside the house. The LRS308's would be for recording, mixing and for computer audio. I think the mixer would be my best bet if I can switch to different inputs without having to disconnect and reconnect devices.

[rd2rk]

16 minutes ago, john-callahan said:

Thank you for the replies. I should have said that the FR108 would be for practice or playing outside the house. The LRS308's would be for recording, mixing and for computer audio. I think the mixer would be my best bet if I can switch to different inputs without having to disconnect and reconnect devices.

 

Keep in mind that multi I/O interfaces ARE mixers. They DO cost more (8i6 $300 vs Yamaha MG06X $140 for example). 

Consider what you can afford vs what you're going to wish you'd spent down the road.

[DunedinDragon]

11 hours ago, john-callahan said:

Thank you for the replies. I should have said that the FR108 would be for practice or playing outside the house. The LRS308's would be for recording, mixing and for computer audio. I think the mixer would be my best bet if I can switch to different inputs without having to disconnect and reconnect devices.

One VERY important reason for using a real mixer for the Helix is you get access to a legitimate analog signal meter on each channel.  That's actually one of the main reasons I always have my mixer in my live setup.  The USB output of the Helix sends a digital representation of your sound whereas the XLR or 1/4" outputs send an analog signal after the internal Helix output is converted.  The internal signal meter in the Helix gives your a rough idea of the digital signal level, but isn't representative of the actual signal level that is used in live performances and is based on whether you specified the output to be sent at Line, Instrument, or Mic level from your analog outputs, which can dramatically change the actual output signal.  Because everything I do ultimately ends up in a live performance it's very important that I have consistent levels across everything I'm sending to the live mixing console so it can be easily gain staged in a live setting.  That's MUCH harder to do using a audio interface which typically doesn't really provide an accurate and easily measured representation of the output signal especially when it comes to ensuring all your presets, snapshots and recorded audio outputs are at consistent volumes for a live performance.

[john-callahan]

4 hours ago, DunedinDragon said:

One VERY important reason for using a real mixer for the Helix is...

Thank you for that explanation. I am getting a Pyle PMX466 today to see how having a mixer will benefit my setup. I'm not sure about the quality of sound it will deliver I just want something with inputs for multiple sources.

 

P.S. DunedinDragon are you going to the VH tribute concert at Gill Dawgs?

[DunedinDragon]

7 minutes ago, john-callahan said:

Thank you for that explanation. I am getting a Pyle PMX466 today to see how having a mixer will benefit my setup. I'm not sure about the quality of sound it will deliver I just want something with inputs for multiple sources.

 

P.S. DunedinDragon are you going to the VH tribute concert at Gill Dawgs?

 

No...I'm at the stage in my life where the only concerts I go to is the live performance of 'Frozen' at the Straz with my granddaughters.....LOL

[john-callahan]

now that's funny. I'll be there in a few years myself.

 

[CraigGT]

56 minutes ago, DunedinDragon said:

 

No...I'm at the stage in my life where the only concerts I go to is the live performance of 'Frozen' at the Straz with my granddaughters.....LOL

 

Aww come on, you're never too old for gigs, although I have told my daughter that one day she'll be taking me rather than the other way round :-)

 

Craig