mrmichaelgibson Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 Hi all! I am using some different apps and sounds via my MacBook and want to plug the audio into the Helix. I tried running a cable from my MacBook headphone out --> into the AUX IN port in the Helix, but that just routes it through the preset I am using. Is there a way to hook this up to basically use the Helix as the monitor (I have the Helix connected to studio monitors and it sounds perfect) so I can play music or anything on the Mac and have it play through the Helix? FYI - I already have the USB running to my PC, and I can play audio via that perfectly through the Helix, but was hoping to also be able to play via the MacBook audio out in a similar way without having to switch the USB cable back and forth. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwandering Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 I imagine you could use one of the various HX Stomp inputs set to line-in and then route that through clean. But I think you would be much better off putting a monitor controller in front of your monitors. The HX Stomp won't improve anything in that signal chain, and may result in an extra thing to mess with to get the sound you want out of your Mac. I have a PreSonus Monitor Station v2. It has several inputs, setup like this: "ST1": Main outs from my interface (USB to my DAW) "ST2": A CUE (aux bus) from my interface that mixes live inputs and DAW output "AUX/analog": RCA cables from an external USB DAC from my other desktop computer. "AUX/SPDIF": S/PDIF routed through my interface's mixer from my Helix's main outs. For your use case, you would go HX Stomp in (perhaps as "ST1"), and then computer output (headphone jack) into the RCA inputs or 1/8" jack (as "Aux"). There are other -- simpler -- monitor controllers though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 For simple monitoring, get a $50 mixer and plug the PC and MAC HP Outs and Helix Outs into the inputs with the monitors connected to the mixer. This is how I do it in the office with my HXS using a Behringer XENYX502. If you need to record those sources in a DAW along with your playing get an AI with 2XLR In for Helix and 2 Line in for the MAC. I use a Scarlett 18i20 in the studio with my Helix, but the Scarlett 4i4 (2nd gen at least - earlier had weak pre-amps) can be found used for $100-150. Behringer equivalents can be got for even less, but the actual HW/knobs/jacks are not as good IMO. YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou-kash Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 2/1/2024 at 1:52 AM, mrmichaelgibson said: into the AUX IN port in the Helix, but that just routes it through the preset I am using. Don't know about other Helix models, but on the HX Stomp, if you use the Return input as Aux In, you need to switch Global Settings → Ins/Outs → Return Type to Aux In to bypass the processing. (page 51 of HX Stomp 3.0 Owner's Manual - Rev D - English) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 2/1/2024 at 6:42 AM, lou-kash said: Don't know about other Helix models, but on the HX Stomp, if you use the Return input as Aux In, you need to switch Global Settings → Ins/Outs → Return Type to Aux In to bypass the processing. (page 51 of HX Stomp 3.0 Owner's Manual - Rev D - English) Only an HXS thing. The AUX In on Helix is just another input, without the auto impedance feature, intended for a synth connection? Does not bypass processing and only useful as a beginning of path input (can't be placed elsewhere in the chain or assigned globally). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmichaelgibson Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 Thanks for everything so far, all! I realize I do have a Motu M2 (https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m2/) that I had forgotten about. However it's USB bus powered, so I am not sure it would work as a simple monitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 2/1/2024 at 11:14 AM, mrmichaelgibson said: Thanks for everything so far, all! I realize I do have a Motu M2 (https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m2/) that I had forgotten about. However it's USB bus powered, so I am not sure it would work as a simple monitor. That should work but be aware that some bus-powered AIs are noisy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmichaelgibson Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 Wow, I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Just hooked it up and works perfectly. Makes it easier to control the volume from the desk too! Helix --> XLR L/R outs --> MOTU M2 --> studio monitors connected via 1/4 cables MOTU 2 --> usb connected to MacBook Pro My only remaining question - is it better to use the 1/4 outs from the Helix, or the XLR outs? I assume they would basically be the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwandering Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 2/1/2024 at 10:36 AM, mrmichaelgibson said: My only remaining question - is it better to use the 1/4 outs from the Helix, or the XLR outs? I assume they would basically be the same? Sorry, I don't know why I thought you were talking about a Stomp . . . you should get the same result whichever out you are using, though consider that the XLR is balanced line out, and the others (I think) are unbalanced and switchable between instrument and line-out. I think the most important thing is that you have a physical -- analog -- volume dial. I say that b/c I used to have a MOTU Ultralight and would control my volume through its dial. But every once in a while it would decide on startup that volume was at maximum. I think my ears are still ringing from that. That's when I bought my monitor controller. That or an outboard mixer allows you to know -- with 100% certainty -- where the volume is before you play anything and nothing will change it on its own. Except maybe one of your pets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 2/1/2024 at 12:52 AM, mrmichaelgibson said: FYI - I already have the USB running to my PC, and I can play audio via that perfectly through the Helix, but was hoping to also be able to play via the MacBook audio out in a similar way without having to switch the USB cable back and forth. Hi, Well, taking the USB Cable out of the PC and plugging it into the MBP is the easiest solution, and it would work exactly as it does when connected to your PC. Why complicate things? Oh, yeah - XLR are balanced and 1/4” are unbalance outputs. Hope this helps/makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmichaelgibson Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 Thanks for all the input and advice! This is now set up and working for me based off all of your help :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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