Outputs question on the Helix

[Mosat]

Hi, I just ordered the Helix and am primarily using it to replace my pedalboard, no amp/speaker simulation, into the front of two amps, JCM 800s with no effects loops. My current rig includes and A/B/Y switch. One amp is always on and the switch is set as a Y, so when I hit hit, the signal goes to the other amp as a boost/coloration of sound. I am wondering if it is possible to set such a configuration in the outputs section of the Helix and assign a footswitch to be the Y selector. I see the unit has two 1/4-inch outs, but I have not found answer to my searches on this forum, Youtube, etc. to this question. I assume right now the setup is mono (L) and stereo when both are in use. Thanks so much. 

[rd2rk]

Assuming a MONO signal chain, you can use Left out to one amp and RIGHT to the other, then assign a FS (or Snapshots) to the PAN parameter in the Output Block, full LEFT or full RIGHT.

If you want it 3-way you'll need to use Snapshots to send the signal L/R/Both.

[Mosat]

6 minutes ago, rd2rk said:

Assuming a MONO signal chain, you can use Left out to one amp and RIGHT to the other, then assign a FS (or Snapshots) to the PAN parameter in the Output Block, full LEFT or full RIGHT.

If you want it 3-way you'll need to use Snapshots to send the signal L/R/Both.

 

Perfect! Thanks.

[Mosat]

FYI - If on the rare chance that anyone is running this kind of thing, you can assign a footswitch to a mono send to a second amp to send/kill signal. So, I have an "Amp B" switch that sends out from send 1 to the front of an amp. 

[zappazapper]

Just something you might want to check. Years ago I had a Fender '65 Reissue Twin Reverb that had a Normal and a Vibrato channel, but they weren't switchable, they had separate inputs. I had found out somewhere that Fender preamps generally have a built-in mid scoop that can be cancelled out by setting the Treble and Bass controls at 0 and the Mid control at 10, so in the absence of an FX Loop, I figured this would be the best way to use the amp modeling of my X3 Live, but I still wanted to be able to use the natural sound of the amp sometimes, so I connected the Left 1/4" output of the X3L to the Normal channel with the Treble and Bass controls at 0 and the Mid at 10, and the Right 1/4" output of the X3L to the Vibrato channel. The plan was that if I wanted to use amp models, I would pan the signal to the left in the Output settings, and if I wanted to use the Vibrato channel of the Twin, I would pan the signal to the right. But what I found out was that there was crosstalk between the 1/4" outputs - if I had a signal panned to the left, there would still be a tiny bit of signal coming out of the right output, and vice versa, and depending on what I was trying to do, it would often be enough to make it impossible to get the tone I was after, because there'd be a bunch of high frequency fizz coming from the other channel. So it might be a good idea to check and see if there's any crosstalk between the 1/4" outputs of the Helix before trying your suggested setup. I no longer have that Twin, I have an amp with an FX Loop which I run in 4CM so I'm no longer trying to run things in that way anymore so even if there is crosstalk between the outputs, it's not an issue for me anymore, but it might be an issue for you. 

[Mosat]

1 hour ago, zappazapper said:

Just something you might want to check. Years ago I had a Fender '65 Reissue Twin Reverb that had a Normal and a Vibrato channel, but they weren't switchable, they had separate inputs. I had found out somewhere that Fender preamps generally have a built-in mid scoop that can be cancelled out by setting the Treble and Bass controls at 0 and the Mid control at 10, so in the absence of an FX Loop, I figured this would be the best way to use the amp modeling of my X3 Live, but I still wanted to be able to use the natural sound of the amp sometimes, so I connected the Left 1/4" output of the X3L to the Normal channel with the Treble and Bass controls at 0 and the Mid at 10, and the Right 1/4" output of the X3L to the Vibrato channel. The plan was that if I wanted to use amp models, I would pan the signal to the left in the Output settings, and if I wanted to use the Vibrato channel of the Twin, I would pan the signal to the right. But what I found out was that there was crosstalk between the 1/4" outputs - if I had a signal panned to the left, there would still be a tiny bit of signal coming out of the right output, and vice versa, and depending on what I was trying to do, it would often be enough to make it impossible to get the tone I was after, because there'd be a bunch of high frequency fizz coming from the other channel. So it might be a good idea to check and see if there's any crosstalk between the 1/4" outputs of the Helix before trying your suggested setup. I no longer have that Twin, I have an amp with an FX Loop which I run in 4CM so I'm no longer trying to run things in that way anymore so even if there is crosstalk between the outputs, it's not an issue for me anymore, but it might be an issue for you. 

Thanks. I’ll report back if that happens. But in the scenario I’m describing, I’m not using the amp profiles in Helix. I’m just using it as a pedal board into two amps, the second going on and off.