HX Effects & preamp: Mono/Stereo?

[DaveStarns]

I've been using a Helix LT as my sole live rig since 2019, so I'm familiar with the architecture, HX Edit, etc. But I've recently purchased a Friedman IR-X and an HX Effects, and I'm putting a pedalboard together for the first time in years. I'm trying to figure out the best way to configure the two. Before the HXE came in, I played one gig incorporating the Friedman with my HLT; I made copies of my. patches then disabled the IRs and replaced the amp in each with an FX loop, then just sent Send 1 to the Friedman input and Return 1 to the Friedman output. It was OK, if a little thin sounding. Now that I've got the HXE, I've hooked it to the Friedman using the 4C method, which sounds much better. My only issue is that it forces me to send a mono signal to my FRFR stage rig  (and/or FOH). Admittedly, I send a mono signal at 90% of my gigs anyway, but I do like using stereo when I deem it worth the trouble (i.e. when I feel like it's worth the energy of setting up two powered wedges as a stage rig). So this is my question: what options--other than the 4CM--would sound good while allowing this flexibility? I don't necessarily need to be able to use any Helix blocks in front of the Friedman, since I've got a couple of overdrive pedals and a compressor pedal, so the main advantage of the 4CM (being able to insert the preamp wherever I want it in the chain) is moot anyway. Thoughts?

[Schmalle]

On 1/26/2024 at 3:28 PM, DaveStarns said:

My only issue is that it forces me to send a mono signal to my FRFR stage rig  (and/or FOH).

How did you come to that conclusion?

[DaveStarns]

Well, the Friedman’s effects loop is mono, as is the output. Since the 4CM has me going to my speakers (and FOH) from the Friedman output, I don’t see how—short of getting a second Friedman and using the 7CM—I’d be able to send stereo. Do you?

[DaveStarns]

MWG-Alberta, you weren’t talking down to me at all; you were essentially restating my point. I don’t expect to get stereo out of a mono preamp, which is why I was asking to see whether anyone had any clever configuration options I hadn’t considered. As I said, I’ve already tried just putting the Friedman into the HX effects loop (a simple HX send to Friedman input, then Friedman output into the HX return), which sounds ideal on paper, since I can position the preamp anywhere I want in the effects chain, and I can still get stereo outs. But in practice, it didn’t sound nearly as good. Maybe it’s an impedance thing?