Line 6 Helix Tips: Volume Leveling

[@Joop5000]

Hey Ben, your one cool dude! I just bought my Helix Lt a few months ago and love it but, Whoa! A lot to learn. Thanks for the help!

[@bvesco]

It’s deep but I know you will learn to swim! And rock!

[@grahamlyell6774]

A bit late to the party but I'm doing this with my Helix. It's a great demo thanks. I see a similar one from another demo now too but yours is shorter which is good. However I think (unless I missed it) there's an important point you missed in relation to the MLoudnessAnalyzer setting you are using in the demo. You have it set with the target at -23. So inreality when you are setting yours between 6 and 0 they are actually absolute value of -17 and -23. Especially important if you are using a different loudness meter.

[@vamband]

Came to the comments to mention this as well. The -23 is the default target in the upper left corner of this plugin. In this video, it sounds like you're aiming more for -20 LUFS, which you can update the 'Target' and then all the readings will be in reference to the target. In other words, the viewer on the right showing 0-6 is in relation to the -23 target, so "6" is actually -17 LUFS.

[@jeeeeev]

So what would you have it set on?

[@musicalgroovesaucet.v.1789]

I'm going to try this because I love my Helix and I have a bunch of killer patches but there is nothing more annoying than to have volume discrepancies from patch to patch - some too low, some too high and some just right - drives me up the wall.

[@indianrockstrat]

I've been using the free Orban loudness meter can't say whether it's better or worse than this approach but I don't have to open a daw to use it

[@Jrocketsands]

I have a question. I have purchased some patches. But the volume pedal has no effect on them. We'll to lower or raise the sound. How do I fix that?

[@jeeeeev]

would you apply the same rule/db level with a patch that does not have a cab/ir? Only Amp sim.

[@balazsjb]

I wonder if the new version of MLoudnessAnalyzer has all the whistles and bells in the free version as the previous one shown in the video. For me it seems the whole GUI was redesigned, so this video is just a hint now, not a step-by-step aid. Still very good starting point though, thx for it, Ben!

[@DavidMacVicar]

I did this with my Firehawk FX; not a helix but I think the same principles apply...and to get my levels where you are at, my channel volumes were 'way down'...about 20 - 25 percent...is this normal? Seems awfully low but maybe this is common with digital modellers so that you have more headroom with the master volume?

[@bvesco]

David MacVicar , yes, it is normal. In this case it is more about internal headroom.

[@DavidMacVicar]

What about a patch that has a few stomp's or something involved....how do you factor these in when levelling off volumes? Do you test it with all FX turned on and that is your baseline?

[@bvesco]

David MacVicar , are usually think in terms of song sections. Then I try to make every section the same volume unless it is a solo or something that needs a boost.

[@musicbynaush]

Ben Vesco this is awesome thanks. How many db do u recommend adding to a solo boost?

[@roneysmathews9993]

HI Ben, I use the Helix for Praise and Worship....Would you be able to do a video of the Helix connected to a PC using the free Orban loudness meter to show me how to level my patches? I dont have a DAW at home and hence would truly appreciate it if you could share a video using a standalone meter such as the one mentioned above to level patches. Also would you recommend I change the volume level on the amp or the overall loudness for each preset? Thanks

[@bvesco]

Roney S Mathews, I use the channel volume to equalize the two amps in a dual amp sound. Then I use the cab level or output block for overall level.

[@MrFboccia]

I set up a Send to my personal mixer and included a compressor and limiter in the signal. I Played for about an hour with this set up and the in ears sounded OK. there is no distortion or drop out. The jury is out on the compression and limiter. At the end of the day I realize that using a mono jack in the stereo headphone out was probably the cause of the drop out and distortion in my ears. I should have realized this sooner. Thanks

[@DanSZiegler]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@sendforacar9323]

Ben I tried to reach you at you store site but didn't see a contact. Can you make a costume patch? I'm looking for Muse Uprising and Audioslave Like a Stone.

[@bvesco]

SEND FOR A CAR, those are two great times I’d love to be able to nail. They’re already on my very long list!

[@fisch723]

you said how to measure and compare them, but you didn't say how to adjust the volume. Ch. Volume? Output vol? or did I just miss it?

[@bvesco]

All of the above! There are lots of ways to adjust. For me, I generally try to always do it with "Channel Volume" on the amp model. It's not right for everyone. You can use the volume control of any block that gets your desired outcome.

[@deparko]

Hey Ho, Let's Go! Good demo..thanks

[@MrFboccia]

I use my 1/4” Helix headphone into a personal monitor mixer into my earbuds. There is a reoccurring dropout in signal strength where I loose signal strength in my ears. Its weird because at set up, my ears sound great. About fifteen minutes into a rehearsal the signal drops out. When try to dial in more signal at the Helix my earbuds clip. i have tried various Global Line & Instrument settings with no resolve. Any ideas? Trying to protect what remains of the hearing I have left.

[@bvesco]

Frank Boccia, if going into a mixer, try the line or xlr or a send. The headphone out is not appropriate for feeding into a mixer. Good luck!

[@BrendanCFontaine]

Ben, I play worship as well and have a Pod Xt pro and a flextime 3 XL. Do you have any worship presets for these line 6 amps?

[@bvesco]

I have used every version of POD made but only started doing P&W worship guitar since I've had my Helix. Sorry!

[@bvesco]

Yep!

[@bvesco]

XLR is generally lower noise, but either will be fine. Use whatever you got!

[@chuckraudonis315]

Ben, what reaper skin are you using?

[@XLR8Wales]

Ben love it cheers Man:)

[@douginny]

Most new Helix players don't have a DAW so this is useless to most new Helix users who have used pedals their whole life.

[@bvesco]

Thanks for the feedback. Also, this same theory applies to any LUFS meter whether hardware or software.

[@douginny]

@@bvesco The Helix users told me of an Orban free meter. He referred me this video. What would be extremely helpful is to show us how to balance levels with the Orban---(No DAW, no importing 3rd party hardware into DAW). There is not one vid anywhere to show us lifelong pedal guys how to do this. I was sort of instructed on the Helix site. Where I'm at. Had the unit for a month. Have almost all the presets I need. I'm ready to balance the volume now.

[@joerodriguez8146]

Very Useful. Thank you!!