spdif in direct into phones out

[fantast99]

Hi - I have learned so far that any output(!) of the Helix can be routed to the phones for monitoring.

 

Actually I would like to route the spdif input directly to the phones. Do I need to set up an extra line - having "spdif in" routed to some output (without any processing) and route that output to the phones? Or is there a less complicated way to do it ... My circumvention would also consume one output line, which might be needed dor other routings.

 

Thanks for any feedback :-)

Claus

[datacommando]

On 10/6/2024 at 2:52 PM, fantast99 said:

Or is there a less complicated way to do it ...

Hi,

 

As only the Helix floor and rack models have S/PDIF connections it must be one of these that you are asking about?

 

According to the Helix 3.0 Owner’s Manual > page 63 > Global Settings > Ins and Outs > Headphones Monitor.

 

“Determines which signal(s) are heard from the PHONES output. Normally you would set this to Multi (1/4"+XLR+Digital+USB 1/2), but there may be a situation where you only want to hear what’s sent from the 1/4" or XLR outs, particularly if they are fed different signals (or band members!)”
 

Multi to the phones includes Digital - (S/PDIF) 

 

You might want to have a read:-

https://line6.com/data/6/0a00050b287e6643b71cda93a/application/pdf/Helix 3.0 Owner's Manual - English .pdf
 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

[fantast99]

Thanks dacatocommando,

 

it's the Helix floor. In my situation I would like to hear solely the spdif and not the 1/4 jack. Becaus e 1/4 jack goes to the amp, is taken up by the mic and back to the mix (which arrives to the helix via spdif). So I do not want to hear 1/4 jack , which only leaves to set it to XLR out. But then I have to add a second track for each preset (spdif in to xlr out - there is no global routing option). And I have to "waste" my XLR out.

 

The mix cannot come by usb as the usb connections are already taken up by the rme interface and preamp.

 

 

[datacommando]

On 10/7/2024 at 4:55 AM, fantast99 said:

I would like to hear solely the spdif and not the 1/4 jack

Hi,

 

Sadly, there are only 3 options on the Helix headphone monitor: - 1/4”, XLR or Multi.

 

Having read your reply, it has left me rather confused as to your working, and signal paths? Also, you don’t mention what computer and DAW you are using. I mention this because on Apple OS, you have the option to create an aggregate USB device which would allow you to expand your in and out count by combining various outboard interfaces.

 

As I say, I don’t quite follow how you are using the Helix in this situation. The Helix has 4 input and output paths with each one in stereo. I would guess that with a little bit of clever routing you should be able to devise a way to hear just the S/PDIF.
 

Just a thought, and I have not tried this - how about adding a Send block to tap into the S/PDIF path you want to monitor in isolation, and have that signal go to an external headphone amp. Without more clear information of what you are trying to achieve, and how everything is connected, that’s about all I can suggest.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

[fantast99]

Thanks! Sure there are ways .. To clarify confusion: It's centered around a drumset, which delivers most mics into a 12mic which is connected via madi usb to a windows computer running cubase. Cubase Mix goes back by madi into the 12mic, out via ADAT to an ADI 2pro, which serves the drummer as headphone amp. Now the Helix is on the opposite side of the room, feeding a 112 cab via a Freyette PS-100. The cab is mic'ed and the signal fet back to the 12 mic and is added to the mix in cubase. 

 

Now I want the guitar player to hear the final mix. Sure I can send it over in all kinds of formats (the Adi2 can do so) and digital would be best. So I thought it was convenient to use the spdif in of the Helix to serve as an headphone amp for the guitar. By now the mix goes via RCA to a seperate headphone amp which provides the mix for the guitar.  Using the helix would probably improve signal quality (digital) and it's one device less. 

 

Hope this helps (but might even increase confusion :-))