Pulled The Trigger On A Helix Floor

[bobcalvanese]

Ordered it from Sweetwater, and got it for $1,500.00 (including the backpack). The main reason I went with the floor is, because it has the mic input, and I can use it for guitar and vocals. I have the HX Stomp, but that does not have the mic input.

 

I will be using it with my Fender American Ultra Telecaster, and running it directly into my EV Evolve 50M column array system. I also have a Focusrite 18i8, but would like to use the Helix as my recording interface instead, which brings me to a question...

 

Would I be able to set the USB output in such a way, that I can record vocals and guitar on separate tracks, and at the same time send the main outs to my Evolve 50M, and my studio monitors?

 

Another thing I think this would be handy for is open mic nights. I can just bring the Helix, guitar, and mic, and I would have full control over my guitar and vocals, instead of being at the mercy of some deranged sound person... lol

 

Also, and pointers are welcome.

 

Thanks,

Bob

[silverhead]

Yes you can record guitar and vocals simultaneously on separate tracks (assuming your recording program supports this. Most do). And yes, you can send the outputs to both your Evolve system and your studio monitors. 
 

Also, you can record the dry unprocessed guitar and mic signals for later processing using plugins like Helix Native. You may be entitled to a discount on Helix Native with your purchase of the Helix Floor device. Ask Sweetwater if it is a brand new device (discount available) or a used device (previous owner may have used the discount). Preset files are transferable between Helix Floor and Helix Native so you can bring the exact same tone from your studio to the open mic stage.

[bobcalvanese]

On 9/17/2023 at 9:13 AM, silverhead said:

Yes you can record guitar and vocals simultaneously on separate tracks (assuming your recording program supports this. Most do). And yes, you can send the outputs to both your Evolve system and your studio monitors. 
 

Also, you can record the dry unprocessed guitar and mic signals for later processing using plugins like Helix Native. You may be entitled to a discount on Helix Native with your purchase of the Helix Floor device. Ask Sweetwater if it is a brand new device (discount available) or a used device (previous owner may have used the discount). Preset files are transferable between Helix Floor and Helix Native so you can bring the exact same tone from your studio to the open mic stage.

 

Thanks, and good to know I can do that. Yeah, I also got the Helix Native for free with the deal.

[bobcalvanese]

Is this a good way to send the guitar and vocal to USB so they can be recorded on separate tracks?

 

I created a main (multi) path for each (which go to my PA), then branched off the guitar one and sent it to USB 3/4, and branched off the mic one and sent it to USB 5/6.

 

I couldn't really figure out a better way to do it.

 

If there is a better way, please let me know.

 

I'm a newbie... lol

 

 

[datacommando]

On 9/18/2023 at 4:50 AM, bobcalvanese said:

I couldn't really figure out a better way to do it.

 

If there is a better way, please let me know.

 

I'm a newbie... lol

 

 

Hi,

 

If you got that to work for you - fine, but in a recording situation, possibly not the most ideal. For example, when recording, you probably don’t need your PA to be connected and powered up, and unless you are recording a live performance you don’t require USB out. You could be better off just using you dedicated studio monitors.

 

The Helix can handle 8 channels of USB audio, and specifically, USB 7 is for a DI guitar signal and USB 8 is for a Microphone DI. This allows you to record dry, unprocessed audio from both the guitar and mic, giving you the option to re-amp the guitar/vocal take using Helix Native, and also additional plug-ins to further enhance your recording.

 

Generally, my recordings are guitar only into Logic Pro, with the fully processed stereo signal recorded from (Multi) USB 1&2, with another track set to record the direct injected dry audio from USB 7, but you get the basic idea, yeah? The audio from USB 7&8 is tapped off prior to any processing and doesn’t need to be set on the output blocks. You could have the stereo Guitar output from USB 1&2, the processed Vocal on USB 3&4, and simply add 2 mono tracks in your DAW (Ableton) to record the dry inputs from USB 7 and 8.

 

Various aspects of setting up and using USB for recording are featured on pages 68-71 of the Helix Owner’s Manual.

https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a3f041b611d61cac763b/application/pdf/Helix 3.0 Owner's Manual - Rev F - English .pdf

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[DunedinDragon]

There's any number of ways to do it.  What you have there will work fine if you want to record guitar and mic simultaneously.  I prefer to do them separately so I can concentrate on one track at a time.  The other benefit for myself is I do have some rather complex guitar presets that I need both signal chains to accommodate the processing load.  The other thing that plays in my favor is I prefer to use a Blue direct mic which has it's own USB connection to the PC rather than try use the Helix for vocals since I do all of my vocal processing within Ableton.

 

But the way I work with Helix in the studio is very different than how I use it on stage.  On stage I'd never consider using the Helix for both vocals and guitar because the Helix doesn't really have all the appropriate tools for gain staging and mixing that a typical mixing board has.  And that's VERY different than how you mix a recording because on stage you don't really get to stop and adjust things.  You set things up in the very beginning and they need to work correctly for the duration of the performance regardless of how many different presets you use on the Helix.

 

My point is you can do it a number of ways and not just one single way for recording.  That's the REAL beauty of the system.

[bobcalvanese]

Thanks for the replies. I know I have a lot to learn, and there are probably several ways to do it. I already figured out a better way in fact...

 

I ran the outputs into my PA as usual, then I added a send/return block (send 1) to the end of the guitar path, and another one (send 2) to the end of the vocal path. Then I just ran the cable into 2 separate channels of my audio interface for recording. Then I can record the guitar and vocal on separate tracks at the same time. If I did want to record dry tracks, then I could just move the send/return blocks to the beginning of the paths.

 

I am starting to prepare for going back to open mics again, and I want to hear how I sound through my PA, hear how I sound through my headphones, and also be able to play it back, and hear how I sound just listening to myself. This will be as close to actually performing at an open mic as I can get right now, and having full control over my guitar and vocals is important. I've been to open mics where the hosts were not very good/attentive at doing the sound, and it kind of ruins it for the performers.

 

I am also learning to do the adjustments on the unit itself, rather than the desktop app, because I realize that I will have to be able to do tweaks on the fly, because of differences systems/rooms/volume/etc...

 

Anyway, thank you so much for the tips, and feel free to give me more.

 

Bob