? for those using Helix just for its effects w/amp via 4CM

[boynigel]

Old habits die hard, which means i've been keeping my Helix LT's big volume knob at noon for assumed unity gain.  I think i recall reading more than once though that many people dime their big volume knob, although i can't recall if there's any good sonic reason for doing it this way or not.  is there some benefit i'm unaware of?  

 

To me, turning up the Helix volume knob means having to turn my tube amp down to compensate, which is never ideal w/tube amps.  still curious though if there is some good reason to have it maxed out.

 

[silverhead]

My understand in is that diming it provides unity gain at the analog outputs. This is convenient for consistency when connecting the outputs to a mixer or PA system. Sonically it theoretically provides the best signal-to-noise ratio. Personally my Helix almost never goes outside my studio where the outputs are connected directly to studio monitors. Like you I typically have the vol knob set around noon and don’t feel any downside or lack of sonic quality.

[waymda]

There's some good discussion here about what the big knob does and doesn't do. As I run straight to FoH I bypass it, but my read of the thread suggests no discernable sonic impact with what you're doing. 

 

 

[theElevators]

On the Helix, unity is the volume knob on max.  You also have different level settings for your effects loops, 1/4" out, XLR out (mic, instrument, line).  For 4-cable method, line makes the most sense. 

To overdrive your tubes better, you can even use a compressor, or a gain block. 

[gbr13697]

We have always been told that having the Volume knob at Max is unity gain.  However I have always found that unity is between 1 and 2 o'clock. Setting it at Max adds quite a significant boost. I have tested it with an empty signal path, compared with guitar straight into the amp. I also recall an old thread where a couple of other users had tested theirs and found the same thing. Like all gear, individual units will have some variation. The only way to know where unity gain is on your unit is to test it.