Helix Native + Yamaha MG10XU + Reaper only gives me feedback noise

[Cliffhanger]

Hello Community,

Well, I'll try to be as clear and concrete as possible and I hope someone out there can help me...

 

I'm connecting my guitar/bass to a mixer Yamaha MG10XU (to its latest drivers) to my PC which has Windows 10 and my intention is to use Native on Reaper. From the beginning the only thing I could notably hear was the dry sound of my guitar and the wet signal very far in the mix. In the beginning I was kind of disappointed thinking that I would not be able to use Native in real time and get those amazing tones that I already get from my Helix floor unit.

I have tried my very everything possible to get Native work properly but the only thing I get is feedback noise...

 

*I have plugged into channel 1, set the levels to a reasonable volume and when I turn up channel 10 (corresponding to the USB connection to the laptop, the feedback noise starts without stopping). The funny thing (to me) is that turning up this channel lets me hear some wet signal but too weak for any purpose.

*I have tried everything enabling and disabling the monitoring on Reaper and on the mixer without results.

*I have tried sliding up and down the input/output levels on Native without results...

I have tried using the corresponding drivers for the mixer as well as the ASIO4all ones without results. I just managed to get rid of the feedback loop but interrupting the signal flow on Native....

*I have uninstalled/reinstalled both native and mixer's drivers and the same old story...

*I have tried messing with the "Plug-in pin connector" button on Reaper. I've noticed that the sound gets a bit clearer when panning full left Ch.3 (where I plug the guitar) and full right Ch.10 (USB connection) but again, nothing close to usable whatsoever...

 

If you have read so far, it's obvious that I am not an expert, I have to admit. But I really appreciate your help. I'm including s couple of images that I hope can be helpful in order to determine what the hell I am doing wrong.

 

Thank you very much!

 

 

 

 

[datacommando]

On 6/21/2022 at 7:44 PM, Cliffhanger said:

in order to determine what the hell I am doing wrong.

Hi,

 

Well, having had a very quick glance at the Yamaha MG 10X U Owner’s Manual, regarding channel USB 9/10, it notes with an asterisk:

 

1. NOTICE: If you set the switch [TO ST] when you use the DAW software, a loop may be produced, possibly resulting in feedback.

 

And, an even quicker look at you photo of the mixer, it looks to me that the MONO/STEREO button is engaged as Stereo.

 

Oops!

 

Oh, yeah, you may need to press the [PROGRAM] button 5 times to set the computer playback level to between -24dB and 0dB, then press [PROGRAM] once more to confirm.
 

Oops #2 It also looks like you have the FX turned on on the mixer. No, not until you know how it all works with nothing else acting as a potential screw up.

 

Start with that, then report back.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1sq+yJRuoL.pdf

 

 

 

[Cliffhanger]

Hallo datacommando,

 

Thank you very much for your quick response. That was very sharp! 

 

Disabling the red button from ch.9/10 (TO MON) eliminates the annoying feedback loop and the sound coming from the STEREO OUT disappears. 

 

The magic comes out of the PHONES jack. Through the headphones I can hear the full sound of Native and play in 'real time'....

 

But then I wonder if I am using the mixer the wrong way. I mean, I currently use the STEREO OUT to feed my desktop monitors and keep the MONITOR OUT, specifically the PHONES jack, to record or to play silently without annoying my wife and the neighbourhood. 

I don't use the mixer for live situations, it never leaves the desktop at home.

 

Should I specifically use the MONITOR OUT instead, rather than the STEREO OUT as the mixer is used for home recording exclusively? 

It might make sense after all, as I am the 'operator' and there's no crowd here around waiting for the FOH sound.

Perhaps I'm already responding my own question but a more experienced opinion is always valuable.

 

Thanks again!

[datacommando]

On 6/22/2022 at 10:37 AM, Cliffhanger said:

But then I wonder if I am using the mixer the wrong way.

Hi,

 

Yep - most folk take offence at the mention of the dreaded Read The Funky Manual (RTFM) comment, but to save me from typing out here all the same info that is provided in the “Yamaha MG 10X U Owner’s Manual”, it may be easier if you spent some time familiarising yourself with the routing functions of the mixer. My response is not meant to offend, but it is the simplest solution - “give a man a fish and he will be hungry again in an hour - teach a man to fish, etc.” and all that.

 

You can grab the downloadable version of the manual by clicking on the link that I posted in my first reply.

 

Although, the Yamaha MG 10X U Mixer is a USB Audio Interface, unless you get to grips with all its functions, you may find it rather awkward to get it to work as a home studio Audio Interface hub where you can monitor on both powered speakers and headphones at the same time. 
 

You said that you are using Helix Native in Reaper, but your profile shows 3 registered Line 6 products. This leads me to think that you may already own a Helix hardware unit, and if you do then they all have an 8 channel USB audio interface built in, your mixer only has 2. Using the HX hardware also allows you to record a direct injected dry unprocessed audio track alongside a fully processed stereo track simultaneously. The dry track can then be re-amped as many times as you like within Native. Another example, if you had 2 people playing together (guitar and bass) each could have their own separate tracks - using the MG 10X you would have only the stereo mix going into Reaper.

 

Alternatively, you could buy a really inexpensive AI from Foucusrite, PreSonus, or Behringer which may be more flexible in a home studio environment. Mixers are great for live work and multi instrument recordings to a final stereo signal “mix”. 
 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[Cliffhanger]

Well, yes. As I mentioned above, I've got a Helix floor, and the HX Effects among other Line 6 products. The Helix restarted the romance that started many years ago with the Pod XT Live and slowly faded away with the X3 and the HD. 

The reason I've got this mixer as interface is because prior to the pandemic I used to rehearse at home with other musician and singer. The COVID washed everything away but I kept the mixer as I got used to it. 

It's since I decided to replace hardware for software when this inconvenience started. I would record all my previous stuff with the Helix floor.

But I have changed the output connections and now I'm really enjoying Native as I enjoy the floor unit. In the meantime I was trying to give my POD HDX a second chance but I have to admit that the Helix - software and hardware- beats the 500x all the way. Hands down!

 

Well, my best wishes! If one day you are around Frankfurt, gerne I'll invite you a couple of Apfelwein.

 

 

[datacommando]

On 6/22/2022 at 2:07 PM, Cliffhanger said:

As I mentioned above, I've got a Helix floor

 

Hi,

 

Apologies for missing that in your first post, although now I'm a little confused, because if you have the Helix floor - all your troubles are over, you really don't need the MG 10X (unless you want to track a band direct to disk in stereo). Your Helix floor would allow you to record your second musician, the singer and yourself all at the same time, each with their own track using Native as a plugin on each channel if necessary. Print the audio to disk and then change it as you wish. No need for the mixer for recording but great for a live gig.

 

I have been using my Helix floor nearly everyday as the main audio interface to Logic Pro (with Native) on my iMac for 6 years - it never fails. USB 1&2 stereo in on one track plus a second DI on USB 7 to re-amp within HX Native. Easiest setup ever. I previously used a Focusrite Saffire interface for a long time but when FireWire was no longer supported I simply plugged in the Helix. Once the tracks are in Logic, along with any other additional material, I have a Behringer XTouch Universal MIDI Control Surface for automated mixing. Simple.

 

i started on this digital stuff way back with the Original Kidney Bean POD and a now very rare Lucid Technology ADC. I still have 3 Variax guitars (among several others) plus my old PODxt Live and a POD HD500 gathering dust in the corner along with a Roland GR33 guitar synth and a rack full of 1980s synth modules and outboard that never get switched on now.

 

Thanks for the offer of the drink, but I don't travel much nowadays. Many years ago though, a friend of mine used to travel to Frankfurt every year for a big Expo over there. He would aways return with a bottle of ApfelKorn and a bottle of Jägermeister for us to enjoy. Excellent!

 

Have fun recording your stuff, how ever you choose to do it.