Where can Tonex One be inserted for HelixLT 4cm?

[GrampaBob]

Hi.  I've been using 4CM for a long time with my HelixLT and tube amp.  I'm using Jason Sadites setup so I have 2 blocks for send 1 (instrument) and return 2 (line) and all is well.

 

I now have a Tonex One and curious where can I insert this into the cabling so I can use those amps instead of mine and just use the power of the amp.

 

Thank you for the assistance.

[Schmalle]

This is kind of a blind spot of the Helix / HX units. The loop send and return seem to be designed to work as a pair and 4CM seem like an afterthought. The send and return levels should be independent for this use.

 

If you use Instrument on the Send then the level to the amp / Tonex is correct. If you use Line on the Send then the level to the amp / Tonex is boosted and you need to lower the FX Loop block's Send Level. This increases the signal to noise ratio compared to Instrument.

 

If you use Instrument on the Return then the input impedance is 1 MOhm while Line is 10 kOhm. Besides the different level the tone is sligtly different because of impedance matching. Sadites uses Line because it matches the lower impedance of the Tonex Out (which applies to most Sends on amps, too). 

 

You'll need to decide for a compromise - I'd go for Instrument on both FX Loops because I hear the difference in noise but it's hard for me to hear the tonal differences of the Return impedances.

 

Hope that helps!

[rd2rk]

I'm not sure why JS does it that way, but it is completely unnecessary. Input and Output are BOTH Instrument Level.

The following is IK Support's reply when I questioned them on this regarding the original ToneX pedal but also applies to the TX1.

Of course, you can also ask them to confirm if you want.

I use my ToneX in a Helix Loop at INSTRUMENT level and it sounds fine.

 

_________________________________________________________________

Thanks for your patience while we got back to you.

TONEX Pedal has an instrument level output with lots of headroom.

If it's in bypass state and the MAIN OUT option in the global menu is set to 0dB, what comes in goes out just like in a Boss or any other buffered stompbox when bypassed.
Maximum output is +8 dBu when set like this.
Raising the MAIN OUT to +3dB, brings it close to +12dBu.

We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If you still have any question, interests, or concerns, please reply to this email and an agent will get back to you as soon as possible. Please make sure to reply to this email and do not open another support ticket.

Jason W - Technical Support Supervisor
IK Multimedia. Musicians First.

[GrampaBob]

Thanks for the replies.  So does it really matter where the pedal physically sits in the loop?  Would you place it on the send side going into the FX loop of the amp or on the return side coming back out to the helix?

[rd2rk]

I use a single FX Loop Block set to INST for the ToneX and another set to INST for the amp. When one is active the other isn't.

IOW - dual 4cm.

 

In the attached example Cat-TX 1 I have the FX Loops in an A/B Split. The Split is controlled by a FS.

In Cat-TX 2 I've used the Split to run FX in parallel and the FX Loops are side by side toggled by a FS.

 

In both configurations I'm hearing some hiss in the TX Loop, depending upon the TX preset.

There's no hiss from the Catalyst loop, even on the hi-gain presets, so I think that's in the TX presets.

I tested this by using separate SEND/RETURN Blocks (JS method) with the TX and it sounded the same.

 

Cat-TX1.hlx Cat-TX2.hlx

[GrampaBob]

Thnx for the info and share.  I'm going to take this knowledge and try a few configs out this weekend.