Havukruunu Posted October 7, 2023 Share Posted October 7, 2023 Hello all, I am using HX Stomp for 4 years now mainly for recording guitars for my band (extreme metal). I was quite happy with it but recently I did the 3.60 update (in July I think) and since all my presets sound really dirty when they are recorded. The strange thing is that it sounds exactly how it was when I am playing without recording, but just when I am recording the sounds are dirty and louder than what I am hearing when I am playing. Any idea / thoughts on the origin of this issue? I am on Reaper tool but it does not come from there as I tried Audacity and the result is the same. I also precise that I did a backup from all my parameters / sounds before the update and I restored it but the issue remains. Thank you for your help. Hugo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted October 7, 2023 Share Posted October 7, 2023 Do you record via USB? If so check: Global Settings -> Ins/outs -> USB In1/2 Trim - default is 0.0 dB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havukruunu Posted October 7, 2023 Author Share Posted October 7, 2023 Yes, as you can see this is on the right parameters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 After the update did you restore your Global Settings from the backup file? The update restored them to factory settings and that could be causing the problem. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 On 10/8/2023 at 1:13 AM, Havukruunu said: Yes, as you can see this is on the right parameters My point is: if your signal level in the Helix is too high it can digitally distort the USB output. The visual waveform representation of recorded tracks in your DAW will hint at that when it hits the upper and/or lower borders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 The USB In Trim parameter controls the level of the incoming USB signal from the computer and is useful for balancing the audio level of the Helix and the computer when jamming along with applications like Spotify or other audio generating programs on the computer. It does not affect the Helix USB Output level that the DAW receives when recording. The input level for recording is usually controlled at the DAW input, not the audio interface USB output. But yes, if the record level is too high, as indicated by the waveform, clipping will occur. I also use Reaper and I know there is a track input level control for this but it only appears in the track’s detailed view; it does not appear in the track overview. Try the Console view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luissywayne Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 @silverhead Hi I am new here and sorry for posting my 3rd post here which is totally off-topic, but I think it is necessary for me to know because it is too frustrating, I made to posts before this one which are still pending for being approved by the moderators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 After the update completed, did you perform a factory reset BEFORE you restored your backup? Perform a factory reset then repeat the restore. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havukruunu Posted October 8, 2023 Author Share Posted October 8, 2023 Hello all and thank you very much for all your answers, this is really heartwarming! @Schmalle @silverhead the upper limits from the DAW are far from being reached, so there is no saturation from the sounds. It is a bit louder but also a lot more dirtier than before. And in any case I have never had to control my input level before rhe update. @rd2rkthat is a good question. If I remember well (I am not sure), I did the Factory reset due to the update (mandatory) and then after I performed a reset from my backup done before the update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havukruunu Posted October 8, 2023 Author Share Posted October 8, 2023 I am able to send you a sound sample if you want so that you can hear my issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 On my Ubuntu system Audacity changes the system's audio settings - I sometimes need to unplug / reset my audio interface after using Audacity. Try record something with Audacity. Then save as .wav and close. Open the file with a player and listen. If it sounds wrong open a normal music file and listen if that sounds wrong, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havukruunu Posted October 8, 2023 Author Share Posted October 8, 2023 You will see here a sample of my problem: https://we.tl/t-TKg8dCAer5 0:00 - 0:25 is my preset recorded 1 year ago before my update 0:25 - 0:50 is the same preset but I just recorded it 5min ago For sure you will notice it is +3 DB higher in the sound, but it is also a lot more dirty. Hugo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 Sounds like a high On 10/8/2023 at 6:07 PM, Havukruunu said: You will see here a sample of my problem: https://we.tl/t-TKg8dCAer5 0:00 - 0:25 is my preset recorded 1 year ago before my update 0:25 - 0:50 is the same preset but I just recorded it 5min ago For sure you will notice it is +3 DB higher in the sound, but it is also a lot more dirty. Sounds like it's just a low and high cut that is missing in the second clip. Edit: With Reaper's RBJ Highpass/Lowpass set at 80Hz and 4800Hz applied to the second clip they sound identical. There is overall boost btw. Global EQ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 On 10/8/2023 at 12:07 PM, Havukruunu said: You will see here a sample of my problem: https://we.tl/t-TKg8dCAer5 0:00 - 0:25 is my preset recorded 1 year ago before my update 0:25 - 0:50 is the same preset but I just recorded it 5min ago For sure you will notice it is +3 DB higher in the sound, but it is also a lot more dirty. Hugo The difference is very subtle. I had to listen to it several times to pick out the differences. The second sample has is bit more clarity and articulation than the first sample which I would associate with the oversampling that's been introduced in more recent updates. Distortion-wise they're pretty much identical. I don't hear a +3db boost but that doesn't mean it's not there. I suspect it's likely related to some peaks that would naturally result from better clarity. Quite honestly I prefer the second sample as it would blend better in a mix and retain more of the guitar's presence and character when combined with other instruments and vocals. I listened to it using my Beyerdynamic DT 770 Studio 80 ohm headphones to get the best isolation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havukruunu Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 Hello all, Sorry I was traveling last week. Thank you very much for your answer. Overall I could accept that my new sound is like this due to the HX update but what I don't get is that when I am playing without recording I still hear my old sound, the boost / articulation is only here when I record @DunedinDragonI think you are right regarding the oversampling because I never updated my HX Stomp since I bought it 4 years ago, so I went from the 2.3.X version to the 3.6 if I recall correctly, so maybe my sounds were just old but what I don't understand is how come that I still hear my "old" sound when I am not recording ?? @Schmallethank you for your tip, I will try this evening. Yeah there is a boost but as I restored my eq from my backup file, it comes from the update and maybe the "oversampling" as DunedinDragon suggests but again when I am just playing I don't hear it :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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