How to use correctly the line6 HELIX output on a pc

[AliaS_21]

EN Hello,

I recently bought a Line6 Helix LT, which I connect to my computer using the provided USB cable. I’m using Reaper to record and play sound through my speakers.

However, I’ve encountered two issues:

1. Even with the buffer size set to 16 and the sample rate at 96 kHz, I’m experiencing slight latency.
2. I’m struggling to get a clean sound through my speakers, even with presets downloaded from the marketplace.

Do you have any advice or solutions to fix these problems?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

 FR Bonjour,

J’ai récemment acheté un Line6 Helix LT que je connecte à mon ordinateur via le port USB fourni. J’utilise le logiciel Reaper pour enregistrer et faire sortir le son sur mes enceintes.

Cependant, j’ai remarqué deux problèmes :

1. Même avec une taille de buffer réglée sur 16 et un taux d’échantillonnage à 96 kHz, j’ai une légère latence.
2. J’ai du mal à obtenir un son propre sur mes enceintes, malgré l’utilisation de presets téléchargés sur le marketplace.

Auriez-vous des conseils ou des solutions pour résoudre ces problèmes ?

Merci d’avance pour votre aide !

 

[silverhead]

Make sure Reaper is configured to use the LT and it’s ASIO driver as the audio input and output device.

[Schmalle]

Helix is 48kHz. With 96kHz you basically record every sample twice via USB.

[waymda]

On 12/4/2024 at 7:30 AM, Schmalle said:

Helix is 48kHz. With 96kHz you basically record every sample twice via USB.

 

Pardon?

 

pg 68 rev 3.0 of the manual

USB Audio
Helix functions as a USB 2.0, multiple-input/output, 24-bit - 96kHz, low-latency audio 
interface for Windows and Mac computers, as well as for iPad or iPhone mobile 
devices (with optional Apple Camera Connection Kit adapter), and is compatible with 
all major DAW software

[Schmalle]

On 12/4/2024 at 10:20 PM, waymda said:

Pardon?

From what I understand the Helix algorithms run at 48 kHz on the DSPs and while the USB interface offers other sample rates these are converted from / to 48 kHz.

 

96 kHz isn't making stuff faster or better - it's twice the amout of samples without a benefit is what I was trying to say.

 

I might be wrong about this.

[datacommando]

On 12/4/2024 at 10:52 PM, Schmalle said:

From what I understand the Helix algorithms run at 48 kHz on the DSPs and while the USB interface offers other sample rates these are converted from / to 48 kHz.

I might be wrong about this.

This was discussed in this thread from way back in 2018.

 

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[DunedinDragon]

 

The VAST majority of folks doing PC studio work tend to use 48000Hz because it's quicker and faster to perform the mathematics on the conversion and therefore avoid latency.  There's generally no audible advantage to higher rates at least as far as humans are concerned.  Your dog may disagree.....

[BassBase]

Bonjour @AliaS_21,

 

on the 48kHz / 96 Khz discussion: I would recommend setting to 48kHz first, get everything up-and-running and solve the problem. Because normally you will not solve latency issues by increasing the sample-rate. That may bring in other problems - so let's start with 48kHz or 48.000 Hz. At least for problem solving.

 

Second - as written by @silverhead : Be sure you installed the latest driver from Line 6 and use ASIO in Reaper.

 

Then the question is: Where do you get latency? And what is your setup.

 

What I understudt is the following setup:

 

Guitar --> Helix --> Speakers

And the Helix is connected to PC (Reaper) via USB - as soundinterface.

 

In this setup you got two options - I would say one ... but the second just for the record:

 

Option 1 - direct monitoring + recording: pls. Test these steps:

• Disconnect your Helix from computer:
  You play your instruments via Helix. Input --> Helix --> Speakers. No PC connected. You can play and have no latency. Correct?
• Connect your Helix to the computer:
  You do "Playbacks" from Reaper via the Helix - and hear the output on your speakers. Correct?
• When all is connected this way and you play your instrument, esp. when recording: Is then the problem occuring? Do you hear some "echos" now (latency due to direct and Reaper-Monitoring? Then got to the Reaper mixer. There is a small "Speaker-Icon" on every track. That could be whit (with "empty speaker") or red in different versions. Click on this, to make it "white" and "empty". Then reaper is not sending the input signal via PC back to the Helix output. That could cause latency and is not "direct monitoring".

What I try to get here: Is the latency introduced by PC / Reaper? If test 1 is successful - I would assume "Yes". So changing it to direct monitoring should solve your problem.

 

And for the reaper or device latency - or buffer setting: In this scenario this will only affect the latency of the playback. Since reaper will by itself compensate the device latency. So will say: Increasing the buffer size to e. g. 512. That will introduce a slight delay when you start or stop playback or recording in reaper. But this will not affect the latency of your heard signal. Everything will be "fine". In case you are using Reaper just "like a tape machine" for recording - don't bother the buffer settings. Reaper will compensate this normally. And buffers to 16 ... well ... that will be a challenge even for performant systems. You maybe will hear clicks or pops in this setting. So got to 512 - and if fine - good. You can then go lower and test, what your PC is able to handle. But just for recording or mixing - there is no reason to go low.

 

Disclaimer: The only reason you want to go with low buffers (and reduce DAW latency) is when you are playing virtual instruments (keyboard sounds via midi in plugins) or use Reaper / your DAW for live-effects on your played (not recorded!) instruments. But since you got an Helix ... you don't need this - my opinion. So go with the Helix effects, use Reaper "just for recording and playback" and the mix of course. But don't bother on buffer size.

 

And Option 2 - basically my disclaimer: If you want to use Reaper / DAW / VST effects while recording. Then you need monitoring via Reaper / DAW. But as I understand - that is not the situation here. You just want to play your instrument via Helix and want to record in Reaper. With having playback / backingtracks / programmed drum / instrument tracks from reaper. Then pls. go with Option 1.

 

So ... did it help? If you got any questions, pls. come back to me. I can also provide Screenshots for HX Edit oder Reaper if you need them!

 

Best regards

 

Stefan

 

 

 

 

 

[datacommando]

On 12/3/2024 at 3:25 PM, AliaS_21 said:

EN Hello,

I recently bought a Line6 Helix LT, which I connect to my computer using the provided USB cable. I’m using Reaper to record and play sound through my speakers.

However, I’ve encountered two issues:

1. Even with the buffer size set to 16 and the sample rate at 96 kHz, I’m experiencing slight latency.
2. I’m struggling to get a clean sound through my speakers, even with presets downloaded from the marketplace.

Do you have any advice or solutions to fix these problems?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

 FR Bonjour,

J’ai récemment acheté un Line6 Helix LT que je connecte à mon ordinateur via le port USB fourni. J’utilise le logiciel Reaper pour enregistrer et faire sortir le son sur mes enceintes.

Cependant, j’ai remarqué deux problèmes :

1. Même avec une taille de buffer réglée sur 16 et un taux d’échantillonnage à 96 kHz, j’ai une légère latence.
2. J’ai du mal à obtenir un son propre sur mes enceintes, malgré l’utilisation de presets téléchargés sur le marketplace.

Auriez-vous des conseils ou des solutions pour résoudre ces problèmes ?

Merci d’avance pour votre aide !

 

Hi,

 

Since 2015 I have used my Helix floor unit as the main audio interface with my Mac running LogicPro with no latency issues. 
 

The way to do this is to connect your monitor speakers to your Helix LT and this should eliminate the latency. Until early this year I had my Tannoy Reveal 802 powered speakers connected via the XLR Helix outputs (now using Kali Audio IN-8 v2) - this is the way to go. I would also recommend recording at 48kHz sample rate, unless you really do need to run at 96kHz.

 

You might want to check out the Helix LT 3.80 Owner’s Manual  > page 72-76 > USB Audio, which explains Hardware/Software monitoring. 
 

https://line6.com/support/manuals/helixlt

The earlier v3.0 version is available in French and should contain the same information as it hasn’t changed.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

 

Salut,

 

Depuis 2015, j'utilise mon unité au sol Helix comme interface audio principale avec mon Mac exécutant LogicPro sans problème de latence. 

 

La façon de procéder consiste à connecter vos haut-parleurs de contrôle à votre Helix LT, ce qui devrait éliminer la latence. Jusqu'au début de cette année, mes enceintes amplifiées Tannoy Reveal 802 étaient connectées via les sorties XLR Helix (utilisant désormais Kali Audio IN-8 v2) - c'est la voie à suivre. Je recommanderais également d'enregistrer à une fréquence d'échantillonnage de 48 kHz, à moins que vous n'ayez vraiment besoin de fonctionner à 96 kHz.

 

Vous souhaiterez peut-être consulter le Manuel du propriétaire de l'Helix LT 3.80 > pages 72-76 > Audio USB, qui explique la surveillance matérielle/logicielle. 

 

https://line6.com/support/manuals/helixlt

 

La version antérieure v3.0 est disponible en français et devrait contenir les mêmes informations puisqu’elles n’ont pas changé.

 

J'espère que cela aide/a du sens.