line vs instrument

[rwinking]

I am using the Helix 4CM into a Synergy SYN 2 and then into an egnater RM50 so I have a bunch of tube preamp choices. The issue is what to do with  the line level vs instrument knob. After watching a video I got a little confused. All of that out board gear....should it be line level or since they are all tube preamps should they be instrument? and with the FX loop, I have the same question.

thanks

rick

[rd2rk]

If you're plugging your guitar into the Helix input it should be Instrument. If you're plugging the line out from a preamp into the Helix input it should be Line.

If you're using some crazy complex routing scheme with switchers and A/B boxes you'll need to be more specific.

[rwinking]

Here's what it looks like:

Guitar into Helix

Helix FX Send to Syn 2 input

Syn 2 FX send to Helix return

Helix main out to Syn 2 FX return

 

So all of those should be line level except the Helix input?

[rd2rk]

Helix Input should be Instrument.

Is the Syn 2 Input intended to be used for guitar? Then set that Helix Send to Instrument.

The rest should be Line.

 

TIP: If the FX Loop seems noisy, try using Send 1 and Return 2.

This requires using separate Send/Return Blocks but has worked for me in the past.

If you go that way don't forget to set the Dry Thru on the Send Block to -120db or whatever all the way left is.

[Amarasco]

What happens if you're supposed to use instrument level but you keep using line? 

In my situation, using sometimes Helix in 4cm I've never heard that much of a difference in sound but I've always liked the sound with line level a bit more.

Any cons?

 

[datacommando]

On 9/2/2022 at 11:14 AM, Amarasco said:

What happens if you're supposed to use instrument level but you keep using line?

Distortion!
 

“If you send a line-level signal into a device that's meant for instrument or mic-level input, you will get distortion.”

 

You must like distortion. 
 

Here’s the tech explanation.

http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/linelevel.shtml

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

Edited September 2, 2022 by datacommando
Link

[rwinking]

But if you use instrument when it should be line, there would be no distortion? Just a little less signal maybe?

[datacommando]

On 9/2/2022 at 4:47 PM, rwinking said:

But if you use instrument when it should be line, there would be no distortion? Just a little less signal maybe?

 

From the same article - linked above:

 

"Generally speaking if you send an instrument-level signal into a device that needs line-level input, you will get weak sound, inadequate processing, and probably extra noise as you boost the signal to compensate."