Line 6 Helix

Sporky

DanR said:

Just so I don't have the wrong expectations I can basically use this in front of amp as just fx and then into my MacBook with the amp modelling?

Can this just power a cab like my Kemper could?

Yes to the first; you can set up your patches so that there's one output to the amp, then the amp/cab modelling, then the USB output.

No to the second - there's no onboard power amp. But you can run out to a powered speaker. Again you could set up the patches so that (fer example) the main outs go to your normal amp, then the USB and a send are post amp/cab and go to the Mac and a full range speaker setup.

BintyTwanger77

Teetonetal said:

Updated reverbs are a popular request so you'd think line 6 would act on it. But only line 6 can answer that!

Could I connect my Big Sky to one of the effects loops and with midi, and have Big Sky reverbs as part of my presets controlled with MIDI, or would I have to control the BS separately?

DanR

Sporky said:

DanR said:

Just so I don't have the wrong expectations I can basically use this in front of amp as just fx and then into my MacBook with the amp modelling?

Can this just power a cab like my Kemper could?

Yes to the first; you can set up your patches so that there's one output to the amp, then the amp/cab modelling, then the USB output.

No to the second - there's no onboard power amp. But you can run out to a powered speaker. Again you could set up the patches so that (fer example) the main outs go to your normal amp, then the USB and a send are post amp/cab and go to the Mac and a full range speaker setup.

So if we assume I'm dumb I need the following.

Helix
Powered Monitors

Am I missing anything else to run it through my MacBook and record?

sweepy

That's one of the ways i used mine. 

Cabicular

Yup that's fine

Sporky

DanR said:

So if we assume I'm dumb I need the following.

Helix
Powered Monitors

Am I missing anything else to run it through my MacBook and record?

 I didn't mean to assume anything - sorry if it sounded that way.

Your list is correct. I have a pair of Eris E8s for my Helix and that works nicely. There are many good alternatives.

DanR

Sporky said:

DanR said:

So if we assume I'm dumb I need the following.

Helix
Powered Monitors

Am I missing anything else to run it through my MacBook and record?

 I didn't mean to assume anything - sorry if it sounded that way.

Your list is correct. I have a pair of Eris E8s for my Helix and that works nicely. There are many good alternatives.

Ha no I'm saying let's assume I'm dumb and point out all the obvious stuff as I tend to have habits of missing stuff and making return trips.

Teetonetal

BintyTwanger77 said:

Teetonetal said:

Updated reverbs are a popular request so you'd think line 6 would act on it. But only line 6 can answer that!

Could I connect my Big Sky to one of the effects loops and with midi, and have Big Sky reverbs as part of my presets controlled with MIDI, or would I have to control the BS separately?

Yes. You can also hook the bs up in stereo if you like.

Sporky

DanR said:

Ha no I'm saying let's assume I'm dumb and point out all the obvious stuff as I tend to have habits of missing stuff and making return trips.

Ah! Right.

Well, then, worth pointing out that the Helix does come with a USB cable, but you'll need appropriate cables from the Helix to the monitors. The Helix 1/4 outs are unbalanced, so better to use the XLR outputs for the monitors.

Cabicular

Good call on the XLRs
work out what your monitors take but XLR to XLR is preferred 
lots of good Sporkvice though

DanR

I thought I'd read that you could have the 1/4 outs at line or instrument level.

I could be thinking of something that has no relevance to what your saying though.

Sporky

You can, but they are always unbalanced (ie they have two conductors, one hot and one ground), whereas most monitors will have balanced inputs (ie a ground, a hot and a cold) which means less noise picked up in the cable.

It doesn't make a vast difference in this sort of setup - it might not even be audible - but if you're going to get a nice set of monitors you might as well hook them up with the best connections, especially given that XLR cables aren't expensive.

Also it means not messing up which cables you take for what.

Digital_Igloo

BintyTwanger77 said:

Could I connect my Big Sky to one of the effects loops and with midi, and have Big Sky reverbs as part of my presets controlled with MIDI, or would I have to control the BS separately?

Absolutely. If you check out the blue table on page 36 of the 2.0 Owner's Manual, you'll see we had Big Sky in mind when designing how Snapshots can control external gear. A big goal of Helix's Command Center was to make it feel as if your favorite external pedals were built in.

BintyTwanger77

@Digital_Igloo Thanks for your help, much appreciated!

Unorthodox

Received mine today. Very impressive bit of kit, going to take me a while to set everything up and running well.

Need to get some decent IRs, learn the midi commands for the Strymon trio in the fx loops, midi commands for the DT50, and then setting it up for a wet/dry/wet rig...

Think I'll be kept busy for a while.

BintyTwanger77

Before I leap into buying the Helix, I want to be absolutely sure...

I have a board of pedals I absolutely love and a fantastic amp which gives me amazing tone.

I want now and again to be able to practice without disturbing any future housemates with my ambient shoegazey nonsense...

I want variety, versatility, ease of use, fantastic effects (mainly reverbs and delays) and practicality...

Should I definitely be going for the Helix? Or is there something like amp/cab simulator (like a Mesa CabClone) I can plug my existing board and headphones into?

I know the Helix is magnificent, I just want to be sure.

FreddieVanHalen

BintyTwanger77 said:

...Or is there something like amp/cab simulator (like a Mesa CabClone) I can plug my existing board and headphones into?

Ah man, if we'd had a bit more time we could have talked about this a bit :-)

I often use load boxes so I can run my amps into my computer. It's possible to get good results but it's a little bit more faff. I've not owned a Helix/Fractal so can't say how they compare, but I went down the load box road to make use of the amps and gear that I already had.

BintyTwanger77

@FreddieVanHalen Shame! I will research load boxes then. How's the new addition?

FreddieVanHalen

Not had much chance to play as I had to work late but first impressions of the gentle settings are that there are some lovely basic tones to be had out of that little box :-)

Let me know when you've done some research, Ive used a few of them...happy to share my thoughts and I think someone who has is @digitalscream ;

BintyTwanger77

FreddieVanHalen said:

Not had much chance to play as I had to work late but first impressions of the gentle settings are that there are some lovely basic tones to be had out of that little box :-)

Let me know when you've done some research, Ive used a few of them...happy to share my thoughts and I think someone who has is @digitalscream ;

That would be hugely helpful, thanks.