Need help with switch pedal for Fxloop in back/front of the amp !! I might be too stupid to figure out

[herkid]

Hello, I have one problem and I don’t know how to solve it .

have helix LT which is awesome device and Iam overwhelmed with options and opportunities BUT let me explain  you something…  okay we are starting :

I run hybrid board with helix ,real amp cab and of course my precious  real pedals, I use helix both ways :1)I run my real pedalboard into fxloops and use it as block in the patches which is cool , problem is my dirt pedals dont sound that “Alive” through the fxloops, something is off especially with guitar and less off with bass( Im mostly playing bass guitar ) .

2) I use helix into amps fxloop as additional modulation/synths platform or use effects on Helix and just bypassing my real amp and use ampsims from helix .

 

my question is -can I route my signal that way where I can switch between “helix main Center with real pedalboard as block in the patch”  and “ helix supporting device / helix effects with sims” just w/ one footclick to put my pedals from helix fxloop into amp and back ? It seems that regular ABY switch won’t help me or am I wrong ? 
Some of  you guys have maybe routing guide how to do it ? Or did it before ? Have something to share ?

please !

 

Thank  you 

[silverhead]

Have you looked into the 4-Cable Method (4CM)? This setup is not Line 6 specific; you will find info on it with a Google search.  

[Schmalle]

Before answering your actual question this might help:

 

To get the most equal experience compared to plugging directly into the pedals it is important to match signal levels, because pedals can sound different with different input levels. Same goes for amps.

 

If you don't use the guitar pad:

Make sure that Global Settings -> Ins/Outs -> Send/Return 1/2 are set to Instrument and you use stock settings on the FX loop blocks.

Make sure that Global Settings -> Ins/Outs -> 1/4" Output is set to Instrument and the big volume knob is cranked.

 

If you use the guitar pad (you have a loud guitar, probably with active pickups that clips the input):

Make sure that Global Settings -> Ins/Outs -> Send/Return 1/2 are set to Line and you use stock settings on the FX loop blocks.

Make sure that Global Settings -> Ins/Outs -> 1/4" Output is set to Line and the big volume knob is cranked.

 

In the input block (first block in the signal path) there is a Guitar Z option that you can set to 1 MOhm and listen if it changes things (Auto can change the input impedance if you use certain drive pedals first in the path).

 

Have fun!

[rd2rk]

I'm not sure I understand everything that you are asking, but here goes:

 

1) First, the FX Loop should be set to INSTRUMENT Level in Global settings. Second, IMO, dirt pedals don't sound good when used in FX Loops. By the time the guitar signal hits the pedal it has already undergone two digital conversions AD at Helix Input and DA at FX Loop SEND, then another AD returning to the main signal chain and another DA when exiting Helix to the power amp/speaker. Add another complete DA/AD conversion if there's a second FX Loop involved. Something gets lost in translation when using dirt pedals. Also, there's a small amount of noise in the FX Loops which is amplified by the dirt pedal. It's not much, but all things considered, your dirt pedals are better off placed between your guitar and the Helix Input. Someone is bound to jump in here and say "It sounds fine to me!" and all I can say is try both methods and judge for yourself. Note that placing any pedal between guitar and Helix that's not TRUE BYPASS will load the guitar's pickups to the pedal's Input (usually 1M) and negate the benefit of the Auto Impedance function of your Helix. This only matters if you're using Helix FX that are other than 1M, such as certain Fuzzes. You can get a pdf which shows the impedances (and much more) of Helix FX here (THANKS to @PerSfor this excellent resource!):

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3ye2g1okvx18ypsww746w/Line6-Helix-Model-and-DSP-Summary-3.80.pdf?rlkey=8ygh0iqax8ewds0i3yn0nxc86&e=1&dl=0

 

2) If you're asking about switching between your amp's preamp section in 4cm and bypassing it to use Helix Amp Sims, place the FX Loop Block next to the Helix Amp Sim in the signal chain. Assign both to the same FS and SAVE the preset with one ON and the other OFF. Each press of the FS will bypass one or the other.

[herkid]

On 3/4/2025 at 5:08 PM, rd2rk said:

I'm not sure I understand everything that you are asking, but here goes:

 

1) First, the FX Loop should be set to INSTRUMENT Level in Global settings. Second, IMO, dirt pedals don't sound good when used in FX Loops. By the time the guitar signal hits the pedal it has already undergone two digital conversions AD at Helix Input and DA at FX Loop SEND, then another AD returning to the main signal chain and another DA when exiting Helix to the power amp/speaker. Add another complete DA/AD conversion if there's a second FX Loop involved. Something gets lost in translation when using dirt pedals. Also, there's a small amount of noise in the FX Loops which is amplified by the dirt pedal. It's not much, but all things considered, your dirt pedals are better off placed between your guitar and the Helix Input. Someone is bound to jump in here and say "It sounds fine to me!" and all I can say is try both methods and judge for yourself. Note that placing any pedal between guitar and Helix that's not TRUE BYPASS will load the guitar's pickups to the pedal's Input (usually 1M) and negate the benefit of the Auto Impedance function of your Helix. This only matters if you're using Helix FX that are other than 1M, such as certain Fuzzes. You can get a pdf which shows the impedances (and much more) of Helix FX here (THANKS to @PerSfor this excellent resource!):

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3ye2g1okvx18ypsww746w/Line6-Helix-Model-and-DSP-Summary-3.80.pdf?rlkey=8ygh0iqax8ewds0i3yn0nxc86&e=1&dl=0

 

2) If you're asking about switching between your amp's preamp section in 4cm and bypassing it to use Helix Amp Sims, place the FX Loop Block next to the Helix Amp Sim in the signal chain. Assign both to the same FS and SAVE the preset with one ON and the other OFF. Each press of the FS will bypass one or the other.

I’m mostly was asking about have pedals in helixfxloop and ability to switch in between helix loop and real amp, so I can use helix with my pedals as block in helix or just switch it my pedals bypassing helix and going straight to the amp

[Schmalle]

Again, check your levels to make sure you're not trying to fix something that you can avoid with a proper gain staging.

 

To exclude Helix from your signal chain but still be able to use your pedals you need an additional switcher with three or more fx loops:

Loop 1: Helix IN -> Send 1

Loop 2: pedals

Loop 3: Helix Return 1 -> 1/4" Out

 

If you just engage Loop 2 you exclude Helix.

If you use Loop 1, 2 and 3 you have the Helix setup like you have now.

 

You wouldn't even need to change your Helix patch.