Line 6 Helix

Musicwolf · May 2023

bloodandtears said:

But I still wonder which volume control is "best" to use..

I don't think that it makes any material difference from a sound point of view, it all comes down to operation.

As you've already de-activated control of the main XLR outs you have handed control of the FoH level to the Sound Engineer, which is how it should be. When it comes to adjusting your monitor levels then things are in your hands and it's just a case of saying - which is easiest for me to control / which am I least likely to move accidentally?

Since I'm the person mixing from the stage I make all of my adjustments, FoH and monitor, from my mixer. If I had the luxury of an Engineer out front then I'd proberly adopt your method and use the Helix vol control.

bloodandtears · May 2023

yeah. well it's easier to adjust the dial at my feet than reach around the back of the cab... but.. should I be giving the cab a louder signal perhaps??

robinbowes · May 2023

bloodandtears said:

Musicwolf said:

bloodandtears said:

1) for those using frfr speakers with their helix, do you prefer to max out the volume from the Helix and adjust frfr amp volume, or have the frfr amp volume turned up and therefore have a lower output from the helix?

I've bypassed the volume control on my Helix by assigninging it to 'Digital' (I am not using the digital out). Global Settings > Ins / Outs > Volume Knob Controls = Digital. It saves me from getting caught out whereby I don't spot that the volume control has shifted in transit, since the mark on the dial isn't very clear.

I'm direct to PA with my monitor being fed from an aux bus on the desk so I am, in effect, adjusting the FRFR amp volume.

I have also changed that setting, to 1/4 inch only, which is how I feed my FRFR. I feed the PA with an XLR.

But I still wonder which volume control is "best" to use..

I feed the PA from the XLRs, set to mic-level and fixed volume, and I rely on the PA monitoring to hear myself. If I have my own monitor on stage, I set the level on the monitor to max and feed that from the 1/4" output, set to line-level and controlled by the volume knob on the Helix.

R.

bloodandtears · May 2023

robinbowes said:

bloodandtears said:

Musicwolf said:

bloodandtears said:

1) for those using frfr speakers with their helix, do you prefer to max out the volume from the Helix and adjust frfr amp volume, or have the frfr amp volume turned up and therefore have a lower output from the helix?

I've bypassed the volume control on my Helix by assigninging it to 'Digital' (I am not using the digital out). Global Settings > Ins / Outs > Volume Knob Controls = Digital. It saves me from getting caught out whereby I don't spot that the volume control has shifted in transit, since the mark on the dial isn't very clear.

I'm direct to PA with my monitor being fed from an aux bus on the desk so I am, in effect, adjusting the FRFR amp volume.

I have also changed that setting, to 1/4 inch only, which is how I feed my FRFR. I feed the PA with an XLR.

But I still wonder which volume control is "best" to use..

I feed the PA from the XLRs, set to mic-level and fixed volume, and I rely on the PA monitoring to hear myself. If I have my own monitor on stage, I set the level on the monitor to max and feed that from the 1/4" output, set to line-level and controlled by the volume knob on the Helix.

R.

So you prefer to have the monitor volume cranked as opposed to the Helix volume knob.. interesting.. I have been doing it that way for years but recently questioned if it was the "right way" if you get me.. It certainly allows a lot more headroom control immediately at my feet (my Laney LFR112 is backline form factor and thus positioned behind me).

robinbowes · May 2023

bloodandtears said:

robinbowes said:

bloodandtears said:

Musicwolf said:

bloodandtears said:

1) for those using frfr speakers with their helix, do you prefer to max out the volume from the Helix and adjust frfr amp volume, or have the frfr amp volume turned up and therefore have a lower output from the helix?

I've bypassed the volume control on my Helix by assigninging it to 'Digital' (I am not using the digital out). Global Settings > Ins / Outs > Volume Knob Controls = Digital. It saves me from getting caught out whereby I don't spot that the volume control has shifted in transit, since the mark on the dial isn't very clear.

I'm direct to PA with my monitor being fed from an aux bus on the desk so I am, in effect, adjusting the FRFR amp volume.

I have also changed that setting, to 1/4 inch only, which is how I feed my FRFR. I feed the PA with an XLR.

But I still wonder which volume control is "best" to use..

I feed the PA from the XLRs, set to mic-level and fixed volume, and I rely on the PA monitoring to hear myself. If I have my own monitor on stage, I set the level on the monitor to max and feed that from the 1/4" output, set to line-level and controlled by the volume knob on the Helix.

R.

So you prefer to have the monitor volume cranked as opposed to the Helix volume knob.. interesting.. I have been doing it that way for years but recently questioned if it was the "right way" if you get me.. It certainly allows a lot more headroom control immediately at my feet (my Laney LFR112 is backline form factor and thus positioned behind me).

Yeah, that's what works best for me. It's typically how things work in the PA world, ie. you set your stack/monitors to full-volume and control the actual level by what you send to the stack.

R.

bloodandtears · May 2023

robinbowes said:

bloodandtears said:

robinbowes said:

bloodandtears said:

Musicwolf said:

bloodandtears said:

1) for those using frfr speakers with their helix, do you prefer to max out the volume from the Helix and adjust frfr amp volume, or have the frfr amp volume turned up and therefore have a lower output from the helix?

I've bypassed the volume control on my Helix by assigninging it to 'Digital' (I am not using the digital out). Global Settings > Ins / Outs > Volume Knob Controls = Digital. It saves me from getting caught out whereby I don't spot that the volume control has shifted in transit, since the mark on the dial isn't very clear.

I'm direct to PA with my monitor being fed from an aux bus on the desk so I am, in effect, adjusting the FRFR amp volume.

I have also changed that setting, to 1/4 inch only, which is how I feed my FRFR. I feed the PA with an XLR.

But I still wonder which volume control is "best" to use..

I feed the PA from the XLRs, set to mic-level and fixed volume, and I rely on the PA monitoring to hear myself. If I have my own monitor on stage, I set the level on the monitor to max and feed that from the 1/4" output, set to line-level and controlled by the volume knob on the Helix.

R.

So you prefer to have the monitor volume cranked as opposed to the Helix volume knob.. interesting.. I have been doing it that way for years but recently questioned if it was the "right way" if you get me.. It certainly allows a lot more headroom control immediately at my feet (my Laney LFR112 is backline form factor and thus positioned behind me).

Yeah, that's what works best for me. It's typically how things work in the PA world, ie. you set your stack/monitors to full-volume and control the actual level by what you send to the stack.

R.

Well that makes sense in that scenario; you can hardly go around all the speakers adjusting each volume control.. I guess I just thought any speaker needs the best (loudest?) signal it can get..

chris45 · May 2023

Can anyone help with the following:
I want to be able to connect my Helix via USB for stereo recording. I want the audio output from the Helix and the PC itself to go to my mini monitors. The obvious solution is to connect the monitors direct to the Helix BUT ...
...the PC has become a family PC and I would rather not have to power up the Helix in order to have PC audio output (basically, kids, get away from my music stuff).
So I am guessing I need some sort of (always on) mixer that can take the audio out from the Helix and the audio out from the PC, and route to the monitors.
Is this the best solution? If so, please suggest appropriate hardware - thanks!

Musicwolf · May 2023

When you are not using the PC for guitar, i.e. when the family are using it, are you still using the mini monitors?

bloodandtears · May 2023

chris45 said:

Can anyone help with the following:
I want to be able to connect my Helix via USB for stereo recording. I want the audio output from the Helix and the PC itself to go to my mini monitors. The obvious solution is to connect the monitors direct to the Helix BUT ...
...the PC has become a family PC and I would rather not have to power up the Helix in order to have PC audio output (basically, kids, get away from my music stuff).
So I am guessing I need some sort of (always on) mixer that can take the audio out from the Helix and the audio out from the PC, and route to the monitors.
Is this the best solution? If so, please suggest appropriate hardware - thanks!

I have a set of speakers attached to the PC for general usage.

I have a set of monitors attached to the Helix for that purpose.

So rather than buy a mixer that you have to turn on.. get some cheap PC speakers.

chris45 · May 2023

Musicwolf said:

When you are not using the PC for guitar, i.e. when the family are using it, are you still using the mini monitors?

Yes - they provide the PC sound output

Musicwolf · May 2023

chris45 said:

Musicwolf said:

When you are not using the PC for guitar, i.e. when the family are using it, are you still using the mini monitors?

Yes - they provide the PC sound output

I'd go with @bloodandtears suggestion above then.

sgosden · May 2023

is it possible to do the stacked snapshot thing on the big helix?

bloodandtears · May 2023

sgosden said:

is it possible to do the stacked snapshot thing on the big helix?

stacked snapshot??

sgosden · May 2023

bloodandtears said:

sgosden said:

is it possible to do the stacked snapshot thing on the big helix?

stacked snapshot??

yeah. where on the stomp/fx you can change the application of a button after its pressed.

bloodandtears · May 2023

sgosden said:

bloodandtears said:

sgosden said:

is it possible to do the stacked snapshot thing on the big helix?

stacked snapshot??

yeah. where on the stomp/fx you can change the application of a button after its pressed.

Never seen this, button given the helix had 8 snapshot buttons I doubt it.

Musicwolf · May 2023

Yes, you can do this with the full size Helix.

shuikit · May 2023

This is just using command centre to assign snapshots to footswitches (you have to be in stomp box mode) so this is all the same for the Helix, though I can't remember if I've specifically tried it.

Voxsupertwin · May 2023

Just gone back to Helix after 2 years trying/using inferior gear…..bought a rack for home studio use….excellent, like an old friend ….

Musicwolf · May 2023

shuikit said:

This is just using command centre to assign snapshots to footswitches (you have to be in stomp box mode) so this is all the same for the Helix, though I can't remember if I've specifically tried it.

Command Centre is the key. I've also had it set up whereby you start in say Snapshot 1, you press and hold a footswitch and whilst you hold it you are in Snapshot 2 then, when you release it, you are in Snapshot 3.

duotone · May 2023

duotone · May 2023

Hold Down both FS1 & FS7 (bottom left hand buttons) to enter Snapshot foot switch mode. The camera should appear on the screen (top right) with a number inside, showing which Snapshot number you are playing with.

Helix LT Cheat Sheet —> https://medias.audiofanzine.com/files/helixlt-cheatsheet-480092.pdf

duotone · May 2023

Voxsupertwin said:

Just gone back to Helix after 2 years trying/using inferior gear…..bought a rack for home studio use….excellent, like an old friend ….

@Voxsupertwin ;
What gear did you use before the switch back? Neural?

normula1 · May 2023

shuikit said:

This is just using command centre to assign snapshots to footswitches (you have to be in stomp box mode) so this is all the same for the Helix, though I can't remember if I've specifically tried it.

What I tend to do is have a default snapshot set (typically 2) and FS 7-11 set to snapshots 1,6,3,4 so a press on FS8 selects snapshot 6. In snapshot 6, FS7-11 are set to 1,2,3,4 and so on. So all 8 snapshots can be selected by a max of two button presses. The rest of the foot switches enable stomps etc.

The only downside is that the LED rings don't light up on the button pressed, but it's easy enough to work out from the label.

bloodandtears · May 2023

normula1 said:

shuikit said:

This is just using command centre to assign snapshots to footswitches (you have to be in stomp box mode) so this is all the same for the Helix, though I can't remember if I've specifically tried it.

What I tend to do is have a default snapshot set (typically 2) and FS 7-11 set to snapshots 1,6,3,4 so a press on FS8 selects snapshot 6. In snapshot 6, FS7-11 are set to 1,2,3,4 and so on. So all 8 snapshots can be selected by a max of two button presses. The rest of the foot switches enable stomps etc.

The only downside is that the LED rings don't light up on the button pressed, but it's easy enough to work out from the label.

Do you mean FS7-10? 4 buttons in total..

I'd love to see one of your patches in hx edit, share one?

sgosden · May 2023

Command centre ! I hadn't looked there!

(I hadn't looked hard at all If in honest. Easier and more conversation starting to ask)

Theres some good ideas here.
@normula1 that sounds very confusing , but I'm sure its logical when it's at your feet

Musicwolf · May 2023

sgosden said:

Command centre ! I hadn't looked there!

Command Centre really is key to unlocking the Helix so it's well worth getting to grips with it.

You don't need to be constrained to using either Stomp (switching individual 'pedals' on or off) or Snapshot. You can assign any pedal to operate individual pedals or Snapshots within the same board. Equally you can make a single footswitch operate more than one pedal simultaneously (without using Snapshots) or to change settings in an effect (rather than just on or off).

I have mine set so that I have the minimum number of pedals active for that song, that way I avoid hitting things accidentally. If a song has just two states, say rhythm and solo, then I can have just two switches active (called 'Rhythm' and 'Solo') or even a single switch to toggle between the two states. Press to go from 'Rhythm' to 'Solo', press the same switch again to go back.

Voxsupertwin · May 2023

duotone said:

Voxsupertwin said:

Just gone back to Helix after 2 years trying/using inferior gear…..bought a rack for home studio use….excellent, like an old friend ….

@Voxsupertwin ;
What gear did you use before the switch back? Neural?

EVENTIDE H9, Humboldt Preamp

normula1 · May 2023

bloodandtears said:

normula1 said:

shuikit said:

This is just using command centre to assign snapshots to footswitches (you have to be in stomp box mode) so this is all the same for the Helix, though I can't remember if I've specifically tried it.

What I tend to do is have a default snapshot set (typically 2) and FS 7-11 set to snapshots 1,6,3,4 so a press on FS8 selects snapshot 6. In snapshot 6, FS7-11 are set to 1,2,3,4 and so on. So all 8 snapshots can be selected by a max of two button presses. The rest of the foot switches enable stomps etc.

The only downside is that the LED rings don't light up on the button pressed, but it's easy enough to work out from the label.

Do you mean FS7-10? 4 buttons in total..

I'd love to see one of your patches in hx edit, share one?

Yes, just the 4 buttons for all 8 snapshots... I typically have clean with modulation & delay, clean, crunch and lead, with alternates for snapshots 5-8.

More than happy to share a patch

Sporky · June 2023

Does anyone know if it's possible to set up a pair of Boss FS5Us to emulate the record and play buttons of the looper? Because cello, I need to work them with my right foot, but because cello I can't put the whole thing to my right.

fretmeister · June 2023

Sporky said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to set up a pair of Boss FS5Us to emulate the record and play buttons of the looper? Because cello, I need to work them with my right foot, but because cello I can't put the whole thing to my right.

@Digital_Igloo ;

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