Helix Floor connecting to FR-12

[Carlosg98]

Hi! 

I have Helix Floor and Fender Tone Master FR-12. 

I know I can use an xlr cable.

But I can also use 1/4 Jack, should it be TS or TRS?

If I can use TRS there will be no difference with XLR, right?

If i can only use TS and XLR, up to what length will TS be effective? I would like to push fR-12 to the wall and angled Jack 1/4 will be better than xlr which sticks out. I just don't know what length i can safely use and when should i use XLR.

Best Regards

[Schmalle]

The FR12's input is a balanced TRS/XLR combo socket which means you can use it with XLR, TRS and TS cables.

 

The choice between those option is a matter of noise added by the Helix -> FR12 connection, not the signal quality itself and TS is fine for this in most cases.

 

[Unlike TS,] XLR and TRS provide the same benefit of common mode rejection of noise from the electromagnetic field along the cable and the possibility of lifting ground which helps with ground loop issues (50/60 cycle hum).

 

If you use a TS cable and experience hum (without a guitar plugged in) or strange noises then XLR with Ground Lift is probably fixing that.

[Carlosg98]

Does helix support TRS?

Does ground lift in fr-12 also work with trs?

 

[Schmalle]

Helix's 1/4" Outs are impedance balanced TRS outs.

 

I don't know whether the FR-12's ground lift works with TRS but you can test it: Connect Helix to FR-12 via TS so that you hear a signal. Then engage that ground lift. If the signal is now gone then it works with TRS.

 

If it doesn't you can use TRS->XLR adapters with the 1/4" Outs; with those the FR-12's ground lift will definetely work.

[Carlosg98]

The Line 6 Helix manual says the 1/4 outputs are unbalanced.

[Schmalle]

No, the manual doesn't say that the 1/4" are unbalanced. It suggests to use TS cables with the 1/4" Outs. That passage in the manual is badly written IMHO and has been subject of debate several times.

 

The 1/4" Outs are impedance balanced with TRS cables and unbalanced with TS cables.