Helix with a soft synth on a MacBook over USB

[JMP45]

I have a Helix Floor that I connect to a PowerCab Plus via L6 Link.  I run guitar and an analog synthesizer through it using separate signal paths.  The synth goes into the Return 2 1/4" jack and runs only through the 2nd signal chain on the Helix. 

 

I've recently gotten into soft synths on my MacBook (Arturia V Collection) and am curious if I can run the USB from my laptop into the Helix's USB input for audio?  My theory is that it would be a cleaner signal and one less A/D/A conversion versus running an analog audio out from the laptop into a Helix 1/4" input.

 

Can this be done?  Is there a better way?

 

Thanks,

Mike 

[datacommando]

On 5/16/2022 at 5:56 PM, JMP45 said:

I have a Helix Floor that I connect to a PowerCab Plus via L6 Link.  I run guitar and an analog synthesizer through it using separate signal paths.  The synth goes into the Return 2 1/4" jack and runs only through the 2nd signal chain on the Helix. 

 

I've recently gotten into soft synths on my MacBook (Arturia V Collection) and am curious if I can run the USB from my laptop into the Helix's USB input for audio?  My theory is that it would be a cleaner signal and one less A/D/A conversion versus running an analog audio out from the laptop into a Helix 1/4" input.

 

Can this be done?  Is there a better way?

 

Thanks,

Mike 

 

Hi Mike,

 

You can play back any of your soft synths through your Helix floor via the USB.

 

I have also the the Arturia V collection and when recording in Logic the whole stereo output from Logic plays back through the Helix on USB 1&2, bypassing all the onboard Helix effects and playing out to my monitors on the Helix XLR.

 

If you wish to have the soft synths on a separate path, as you do with the analogue hardware, set them to send on USB 3&4 from your MacBook, and set input for the second path to receive USB 3&4. That way you can add effects from your Helix floor to the synth signal if you wish.

 

Hope this help/makes sense.

[JMP45]

On 5/16/2022 at 5:54 PM, datacommando said:

 

Hi Mike,

 

You can play back any of your soft synths through your Helix floor via the USB.

 

I have also the the Arturia V collection and when recording in Logic the whole stereo output from Logic plays back through the Helix on USB 1&2, bypassing all the onboard Helix effects and playing out to my monitors on the Helix XLR.

 

If you wish to have the soft synths on a separate path, as you do with the analogue hardware, set them to send on USB 3&4 from your MacBook, and set input for the second path to receive USB 3&4. That way you can add effects from your Helix floor to the synth signal if you wish.

 

Hope this help/makes sense.

Great!  I have not had the opportunity to set the USB ins/outs on the Helix before, so this will be new to me, but I'm hoping I will figure it out.  And since V Collection has its own effects I think I will go with your first recommendation and bypass the Helix effects.  My USB cables come in today, so you can bet what I'll be doing this evening.