Tone issues with IR or Speaker Settings using AES/EBU to control PC 212+ from Helix

[srcorey77]

I am hoping someone has seen this before and has a resolution.  I am new to the PC, but so far I am pleased with my purchase.  

 

I am having an issue with the signal from my Helix to my PC 212+ when using a digital link.  This does not occur in FRFR mode, or if I hook the Helix to the PC using 1/4" cables.  

 

When using the Digital output I experience ticking and sometimes distortion from the PC.  To make it even more interesting, if I pan the output all the way to the right, it goes away.  If I pan it left, I hear the problem.  I know it is not a speaker issue, since using analog connections works beautifully.  

 

I only have one AES/EBU cable, but I did try a high quality XLR cable wondering if it was the cable and the issue was still there.  I have made sure no cables are crossed, I have even moved the unit in case there was some sort of radio interference in my office and still get the same results.  

 

Any help that someone could provide would be appreciated, as I have been loading some custom IRs into the PC and I have liked the results versus using them in the helix and just using the PC as an FRFR speaker.  It is a pain to have to change the settings on the PC every time I switch to a different preset.  

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

[PerS]

Not sure I can help all the way, but let’s try… I have been running my Helix LT and PC112+ via L6-Link for 3 years now and it works well. It has some “behaviors” but in the whole picture OK. I mainly control both units via my PC (HX Edit, to control Helix and PC+ in presets, and PC Edit, to load IR/PC+-config etc.).  

 

Guess your main problem is the “ticking sound and sometimes distortion”. I presume you use HX Edit and PC Edit on your PC or MAC.

• Are all involved units (PC/MAC, Helix and PC212+) on the same power strip? If not try that.
• If you have anything else powered or connected, disconnect them (power or signal wise) (sound card, mixer… or any kind of lamp’s)?
• Have you disconnected your USB cables from both Helix and PC212+? If not do so.
• If you have the possibility, try Helix/PC+ in another power outlet, even if you can, try it in another location.

 

You say “I have been loading some custom IRs into the PC and I have liked the results versus using them in the helix and just using the PC as an FRFR speaker.  It is a pain to have to change the settings on the PC every time I switch to a different preset” – I may interpret this wrong, but you know that you can control the PC+ from your HX Edit? If you click on the output block, select it to Digital and click on the PowerCab tab, find picture below. Now you can run it in any mode you want, per preset, with different voicings etc. The only thing you can’t do is to see what positions your IR’s are loaded, you only see the position numbers. To load and see which IR are loaded where you need the PC Edit.

 

 

One comment on distortion – Maybe it’s connected with the ticking, but it can also be a gain staging problem. First check is the signal input LED, keep in the yellow zoon, occasionally red (maybe not for now until rest is fixed). You may also check the Helix, that nothing is “accumulating” in the signal path or you have blocks that are “non liner”/not the headroom to handle the level in the signal path (eg Transistor Tape delay)(some block has a headroom control, turn it up, eg. Transistor Tape Delay). This means that even if you have the correct output to PC+, the signal path may have a problem. There are many videos on this, eg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqesqtuDjzc&ab_channel=JasonSadites and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlWoWMz3Ugo&ab_channel=JasonSadites

 

Hope this may be a clue to a solution.

 

Edit: Sorry, forgot two things – In the Line6 Helix LT v.30 Owner’s Manual, rev D (if you have the “floor” check that manual, probably similar pages)

• Level meters in the Helix – On page 44 – Description of the level meters in the Helix, both input and output blocks.
• PowerCab+ with Helix – Page 27/28. Description of all the output block parameters to control the PC+ from Helix and HX Edit.
  In Global Setting under Ins/Outs, last choice on 2’nd page, check the digital out level sent from Helix. Mine is set to +2 db, I think it’s the default value… Just in case…

 

 

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by PerS
Forgotten referenses