Use Your HELIX to Process MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS! 4 Inputs/Outputs

[@sturgandfriendsmusic7420]

This gave me a whole new perspective on the helix. Thank you!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

You’re welcome! 🤘

[@chriscatalano831]

Thanks Scott. I have a Fishman Powerbridge on my LP, so I have a stereo output jack (mag pickups and piezo). I run the mag pickups into the guitar in and run the piezo into the aux. Then I have 2 paths in the Helix patch and can process each signal totally separately. I put a volume pedal in the patch that allows me to morph between the mag pickup path and the piezo path.

[@geraldhartley]

Scott, you are a genius. I'm so impressed with your technical skills. I'm still using a Pod Go, but have been looking at the Helix for vocals, and backing track implementation. This is an excellent demonstration of the unit's capabilities. You are a master! Thank you! 🙏

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thank you for the kind words 🙏🙏

[@pawemachulec8404]

I got annoyed by carrying my huge amp all the time, and started to consider Helix. I've found your channel and your videos are super helpful. I've already made my mind to get Helix because of your videos. Keep up the good work man

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Glad to help! Welcome aboard 💪

[@johnrigby6758]

Really useful video. Thanks for posting this.

[@sbbperson]

Thanks Scott. Another amazing video.

[@gail7961]

Thank you Scott. This saved me buying a larger mixer (home setup) when I was short for inputs from my synth. I used both paths as one for the guitar processing and then return1/2 from the synth inserted just before the single output so no extra processing other than a gain block for boosting as the synth was a bit quiet. ❤

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Awesome! Glad to help 🤘

[@elpajaropez]

Excelente video Scott!! Muchas gracias!!

[@amdenis]

Great video-- very useful and a real time-saver. Thanks!

[@poorbrokeguitarist]

I have been trying to figure this out for hours and then I find your video. EZ as can be and you can do it in the editor as well. Thank you so much.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Great to hear!

[@Corey_G]

Great Video, *** Rather than snapshots, what about using three channels like a 3 channel amp …. Then save one for backing track connection. So why am I asking to do it that way other than snapshots you might wonder? So I could do 1) Clean (Any Amp) 2) Rhy Dirty ( Any Amp) 3) Lead ( Any Amp ) 4) Backing Track Thanks for sharing.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Ah interesting! That would be a way to use it too if you don’t run out of DSP. Great idea!

[@WhoDareChillYouN]

Thank you

[@Spidouz]

thanks for the video, this is exactly what I needed to know. Thumbs Up, Cheers!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

🤘🤘

[@mikezingone9471]

Awesome thanks! I’m going to use this routing to control a boss GP -10 and a iPad synth. I use a ik multimedia irig to run my guitar in and out of the iPad. I use sample tank and garage band for soft synth. The helix is basically a foot controller for all of them. I blend sounds using snapshots volume. Snapshot 1 just guitar. Snapshot 2 GP-10, snapshot 3 iPad synth. Snapshot 4 a combination of sounds. Also important to mention I use midi guitar 2 before sample tank and garage band awesome tracking that way. 👍

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Nice! That’s awesome 🤘

[@steventhompsonlivetoplaylive]

Great tutorial as always, I am setting up a duo, acoustic and vocals. and only need 2 ins and outs, this will save a lot of hassle Cheers!

[@6OSCARMIKEBAND]

😳🤯🤯🤯Holy shit dude! That’s so awesome! I just sent this video to my band to show them what we can do with this thing! I got a helix floor months ago and a line 6 212 PowerCab plus that’ll be here in the morning and just watching videos on how to set all that up and came across this. Love your vids man! I’d be lost without them as this stuff is pretty freaking overwhelming. But, I’m on a quest for killer tones, and you know the insanity we all go thru in our quest. 😂

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks man! Glad you found it helpful! 🤘🤘

[@deekod1967]

iPad usb 1/2 set to Xlr tip saved me buying a di box to take the iPad headphone out to FOH - huge thanks 🙏

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Glad I could help!

[@KyleCanessa]

Thank you!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ScottUhlMusic]

🤘🤘

[@johnware5605]

this is great info, thank you! I have a theater gig where we play 6 nights a week, 50 weeks a year, and we are trying to clean up the stage a little. I normally run 3 guitars, electric, steel acoustic and nylon acoustic. with this setup, can you also use multiple IRs? I use IRs for both acoustics, and often are included with my electric patches as well. I am trying to find a unit like this where I can do one unit, one CAT 5 controller onstage, but still have separate ins and outs for FOH and monitors. I have been in the Line 6 universe for some time, currently using 2 PodGo, one for electric and one for acoustic setup, and simply swapping my wireless pack on the acoustics. Trying to streamline everything, and this looks like it might solve my dilemma.

[@bandabandanow]

Thank you Scott for your willingness to share information. keep going I have learnt a lot from you.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thank you 😊

[@Who_is_Ashel]

Brilliant !

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks!

[@WebsterSantos]

Thanks Man! 😀

[@milton522]

Great video! Is it possible to change the presets assigned to the instruments independently without having to switch the others all at once?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! And changing “presets” means you change everything, so it really just depends on if you copy and paste the right stuff to the next preset. That’s if I’m understanding you correctly

[@milton522]

@@ScottUhlMusic Well, I don't know if I'm explaining myself correctly, but if you had all guitars for example on a rhythm tone, but you wanted to switch one of them to a lead tone or an ambient tone while the others remain in the rhythm tone. Is that possible? And if so how can you do it?

[@jerryholder6999]

well, my head hurts but my heart is beating like crazy! very cool video, thanks for the ideas

[@phsdrummer1322]

Thanks so much for this, crazy huge help. Concise, clear, easy to follow. Keep making this content bro!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks!

[@juanvibesmusic]

Awesome video! Opened up my mind! I will use three channels and add an external looper with the fx loop. That will allow me to play guitar, voice and bass using one preset and loop altogether ;)

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Nice! Glad the video helped you out 🤘

[@_starkinson5806]

Hi, man! I just got the new HX Stomp. You saved SO MUCH time and effort so THANK YOU! I researched it before buy BUT Your videos showed me how useful this box is... Best Regards from Czech

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! Glad you are finding the videos helpful!

[@stephenhepburn2220]

That was so freaking helpful, thanks

[@ScottUhlMusic]

🤘🤘

[@robhenning8537]

Best video you ever made. This helps so much!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Glad to help!

[@terrywalls4759]

Thank you Scott, you have done an amazing job here. Just what I needed as I have the Helix Floor and needed to figure out how to add in a mic, and backing tracks from a tablet or computer and feed it out to speakers or my Line 6 amp (being used just as a speaker box on audio input on the amp). This made it soooo easy by your instruction. Thank you so much!!!!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@JDavilaDavilaDVP_Productions]

Great video! I currently don’t use this but it is good to know that If I ever do I can look up your video.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! Yeah it’s such a great system

[@jonperkins6899]

Thank you for making this

[@ScottUhlMusic]

🤘🤘

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Using Helix Rack and great config ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@cameronwest4566]

Thank you so much. God love ya

[@iam-music]

Scott...this is so well done but still a good pace. I’m just migrating from hd500 and wanted to integrate midi guitar 2 with a small mini pic box ..just really complicated on the forums and I’ve been doing crazy patching for 40 years...this made is so easy. Thanks and greetz fromOz! Ps one thing in the helix would be an mg2 like block...which would be similar to a poly pitch shift in dsp cost but you could easily use ble midi plug to remote some nice pads and pedal actions etc

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks, glad to help! And yeah Poly Pitch hogs a lot of DSP for sure

[@iam-music]

@@ScottUhlMusic i mean it...super helpful. I do a lot of spontaneous stuff and have a sound design background but dint do keys well. This made it a couple of mins to hook everything up...🕺🙏👍 Im thinking poly pitch means mg2 like block.would be doable...that would make sooo good

[@michaeltihon3485]

Super helpful info, not only for managing inputs but on the helix in general. Still don't have one but it's planned 😉

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JoelDavidGonzalez]

great Scott thanks; I like to run a guitar in Stereo and the bass

[@sionzion]

Great !!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

🤘🤘

[@snkbsnkb]

Hei Scott, great video. Tanks😊

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks!

[@brainwasher0]

Very valuable information.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thank you!

[@mysticvibrosis]

Thanks! Very helpful tutorial, I remember stumbling across this feature a while ago and completely forgot how to do it again haha Definitely a bit of an odd oversight by Line 6 to not have it in an option menu somewhere

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Glad to help. It’s a bit strange how to set it up, but I’m glad it’s possible 🤘

[@ScottzillaVideoz]

This is so great! Just what I was looking to do so I wouldn’t have to bring an audio interface for gigs. I’ve tried this and it sounds better and no latency compared to the other interface. The ONLY problem is my favorite guitar patches take up the 4 lanes, which is sad because I worked hard on those tones. I would love to have my Handsonic hand drum and a synthesizer hooked up, but there are not enough lanes. I’m excited and also bummed.

[@GrandMasterBB]

Exelentttttt Video. thanks alot. i needed that badly :-) big Like..

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Glad it helped you out 🤘

[@dmnthvlog]

wooow.. so cool & thanks for the information.. im from Indonesia 🔥🔥🔥

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@danguldenzopf9510]

Fantastic explanation of how to do this Scott !!! Only problem is ….. looks like I need to spring for the full-fat Helix if I want plenty of available signal chain. 😮

[@steven_uk]

Would sending vocals, guitar, and bass all out xlr result in any bad sounds. It would be amazing to have one cable run to the mixing desk and get clear sounds for all of the instruments.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

If you mix it properly, no, that would be fine 👍

[@steven_uk]

@@ScottUhlMusic Cool. Thanks for the video. It's very informative.

[@jrossgordon]

Thanks once again for explaining advanced Helix functions Scott! This is super helpful as I increasingly streamline my rig and automate patches for live performance. Question - If possible, I'd like to use Helix for vocal harmonies instead of an effects loop with my Voicetone Harmony GXT and wondering if you've explored this possibility with Helix in place of your Voicelive 3? I really want a Voicelive 3 considering its superior bass guitar emulation and vocal processing but trying to get as much as possible out of my Helix. Thoughts?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Hmm interesting. I’ve never used the helix to process vocals live actually. So I’m not sure. I know that I love the helicon for vocal processing, it really is great! I think the helix will be passable for harmonies, but the helicon definitely has a really great algorithm with processing vocals

[@jrossgordon]

@@ScottUhlMusic Gotcha thanks. Yeah not much out there regarding Helix vocal processing but just trying to avoid another piece of gear and thought I’d ask the guru 🙏🏻

[@NorCalWally]

Wow what a great video, it gives me so many ideas for a new setup. Is there a way to build a vocal chain that is easily copied to each preset?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! And you can make your vocal chain, save it to a preset, and then just save it to a new preset and build from there 👍

[@kvv3819]

This is the best tutorial I've seen. Thanks.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raguseum11]

subscribed. thanks brother

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks for the sub!

[@danpelos]

Great video, I've been watching many of yours this morning... Can you incorporate the looper into the guitar, mic and keyboard??? Thanks.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! And I’m not sure how to get the helix looper to work on multiple inputs. Maybe using the send/return ports with a 3rd party looper might be the way to go

[@evenvehus3390]

Great video!! Can you still use the pedals to change presets with the different instruments?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! And yes you can 👍

[@miro.polacek.official]

Hi Scott! Thank you very much for the great video(s) once again! These are really huge time and money savers, eye openers and hands on practical reviews for I would say "ordinary practising musical community"! :) I would have one question please for which I can't really find an answer - apologies if I overlooked it here somewhere... If I would use the Helix for 3 instruments (G+G+B) and configure presets for each of them, is there a possibility to connect to helix external midi pedal for each instrument, to be able to switch patches/fx pedals/control parameters (e.g. wah pedal) for each instrument separately in the real time? Would the DSP be able to handle this? My point is, if we would like to use it not having the whole setlist programmed to the click track with automated midi switching for each song, but keeping a little (old school) flexibility? Thank you & Cheers from Slovakia!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

For DSP it depends on which amps and fx you are using. But you can connect a MIDI pedal to it as well if you need to for more control 👍 you might run out of space, but it depends on how much you are trying to accomplish. Helix can do multiple expression pedals so you should be good in most situations.

[@miro.polacek.official]

@@ScottUhlMusic Thank you very much again! \m/

[@jevonherman5262]

This worked great. Thank you. I want to use my helix floor during my online guitar lessons. I suppose this is the path to doing that? USB to the computer during Skype with correct outs and ins should do the trick? At first I was going to by a focus rite or something similar - then in dawned on me that Helix can do the same thing I imagine. Any feedback appreciated. Great video!!!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Yup that should work 🤘

[@mark__roh]

Thanks Scott, really helped me to understand how this works. Just wondering, I'm currently running 4 inputs - guitar, bass, vocals (stereo) and backing tracks (stereo). Is there any way to add a click track output or would this require the helix to have a 5th output? Thanks

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Not that I can think of, since you only get 4 paths.

[@maximusheronimus23980]

hi Scott, sorry to bug you with perhaps a strange question, love your explanation about different instruments, but can i use the Helix with midi for vocal harmony? i would love to have 1 awesome pedal for vocals, and be able to use it on piano via midi

[@ScottUhlMusic]

If you are asking if you can send midi to control your vocal fx like Imogen Heap type stuff? No. Look into TC Helicon stuff for that.

[@goncaloferreira5661]

Hi Scott, Incredible! thanks for the great tips! Just one question , is it possible to modulate the outputs? I mean, one guitar to 4 amps and play with pre sets to make some fun with PANs and efx? Thanks in advance!!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Hmmm I’m not sure on that one! I’ve never done that

[@nevermindthebull0cks]

Thanks for making these helix vids. How would you record dry signals into a daw while monitoring wet signals playing and or singing? Over usb.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! I haven’t done it that way since I personally have Helix Native so I record everything “dry” and then can use the software to make changes. You get a discount I believe if you have a Helix

[@AlexBradyMusic]

Great video! Quick question: in my setup I record the whole band through the helix with the 4 inputs being guitar, bass, electric drums and vocals. I would like to record that into my daw by plugging the helix into my computer with USB and using it as an audio interface, but I want each track to come into the DAW separately so I can mix them later. Is there a way to do that?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Yeah I believe so. Connect it like an audio interface, and Do this with the usb routing for the outputs. I’ve never done it, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it’s done

[@AlexBradyMusic]

@@ScottUhlMusic Thanks for your reply, Scott! The issue is with the USB outputs is there are only 3 options available: 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8. So we can set 3 instruments as USB outs but not the fourth one. All of our inputs are mono, so I was thinking I could use the pan to get 2 separate outputs out of a single USB out, but I'm not sure how to set that up on the DAW. Can we use half of a stereo USB out on the helix as a mono input on the DAW? Another challenge is we also want to route the 4 channels from the helix directly to a PA so we can hear ourselves with no latency while we record. Is it possible to send the signal to 4 separate usb outs going to the DAW, and to the XLR outs going to the PA simultaneously? Sorry for the technical questions, but you seem very knowledgeable about this setup and I haven't found much information online.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

I honestly haven’t messed with USB routing with the helix to be honest. So I don’t actually know. Sorry man. But that’s the best way that I think you could do it if it is possible.

[@AlexBradyMusic]

​@@ScottUhlMusic OK, I'll keep playing around with it and try to find a way. This video definitely got us 90% of the way there, so we appreciate your help!

[@AlexBradyMusic]

Just wanted to update for anyone trying to do the same thing. It totally works! You just set the first two path outputs to "USB1/2" and the second two to "USB3/4" and then pan the first and third all the way left and the second and fourth all the way right. Then in the DAW, you set up 4 mono tracks and just use input 1, 2, 3 and 4 from the helix and it will record the 4 tracks separately in mono. For monitoring, you can use a send block immediately before the output block (I used send 1 on all 4 channels) to output the mix to your PA for 0-latency tracking while you record!

[@duarte_almeida_music]

Thanks so much for this video sooo helpful! What happens if you change for the next preset? I it possible to change the guitar settings but remain the mic settings?Thanks!!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! And you’ll just have to program each preset the way you want. It’s pretty easy to copy and paste or save a preset to another preset with all the settings, then change the things you want 👍

[@duarte_almeida_music]

@@ScottUhlMusic Thans so much!

[@alejandrosoto3308]

Scott, I really appreciate your video. I am trying to add an Amp to the second guitar and only four are available on the list. Do you know how can I solve this issue? Thank you so much again

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! And it means you’ve maxed out your DSP (processing the helix can handle)

[@christmasrockstv]

Hi Scott,thanks for that's there a way that I can assign backing tracks and control them without using an iPad? by assigning each track into a different preset?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Controlling backing tracks without an iPad? Where are the backing tracks playing from? If whatever they are coming from accepts midi, you can use the helix, yes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3vCk3aBfZ2lo80

[@pepedecoatza]

Scott, thanks for your amazing work. I have a kind of unrelated question regarding helix and IR, when you add an IR in the chain, Would you recommend to disabled the stock amps/cabinets ln helix? I mean, i dont see any technical reason why to have a cab if an IR is doing that emulation. Thanks

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Yup, I would have the IR replace the cabinets 👍

[@JSvideotv]

Would this help to connect a Helix to two different tube amps with the ability to run blocks separately to each front end and each tube fx loops?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Yup 👍

[@alessiobassguitar]

So usb 1/2 is a sort of direct box that can be used to later reamp the clean signal in to helix to change effects while recording?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

I believe so? I don’t use the usb much and I have never re amped on the pedal before

[@klapaucius4564]

Would it make sense to use Quad Cortex for the reason of stronger DSP? I'm talking a setup 1 guitar with a bunch of fx, 1 vocal with fx, backing tracks and maaaybe keyboards

[@klapaucius4564]

Saying because of what hapoened to you at around 7:00 - too much fx I love my bass effects and, in the studio, i overprocess my vocals with distortion and phaser and stuff... (Note i'm considering the Floor atm)

[@ScottUhlMusic]

I don’t have a quad cortex but I would love to get one at some point! My understanding is that it has more DSP than the helix 👍

[@HeraWinER]

What adapter are you using to send audio through iPad on usb 1/2? Would a simple usb-c to usb-b cable (no adapter) work? (For an iPad Pro that uses usb c)

[@HeraWinER]

Ps thank you, man. These videos are so great

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Yup 👍 usb b to usb c. Some cables work better than others, still haven’t figured that one out. Apple can be pretty gate-keeping on these things haha

[@mikebourque2507]

Is there a way to do a 2 ch version of this on the hx stomp ? (I play guitar and steel at the same time basically I want to plug guitar into L input hit two blocks. Then have steel into R input and have it merge into the line after the first two blocks where the last blocks would affect both inputs.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

You might be better off with the send/return feature instead of L/R. The stomp is much more limited on routing

[@cmdrefstathiusplacidus9003]

how do you factor in backing tracks that are being played from the same PC that the Helix is plugged into? I keep running into timing differentials by just a few milliseconds trying to do it with my focus so I thought I would see if the Helix might be able to just take its place. also needs to be able to process sound from a game I play in stream and play guitar at the same time to backing tracks. sent to OBS

[@ScottUhlMusic]

I guess it would depend what software you are using with the laptop. If you are getting latency, it’s likely a buffer size issue

[@marcossanchez4733]

on the HELIX LT what out put do you use to connect a Mic for vocals?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Helix LT doesn’t have a mic input, you’ll need the full helix floor

[@Canimakeit603]

Can you split the XLRs? Can you set one preset to send to the XRL right and another patch to send to the XRL left? Thanks!

[@ScottUhlMusic]

You could pan the output, I believe that would work, but I’m not positive. If you try it let me know.

[@Canimakeit603]

@@ScottUhlMusic Thanks for replying. Is there a pan option in the Helix? Thanks again.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

On the blocks, many of them have a pan left or right option. Especially the output 👍

[@MasonKutin]

any suggestions from one one preset to another that a backing track playing through the usb having the guitar at the same volume. what's happening on one preset the backing track is coming in great. next preset the backing tracks is getting washed out by the guitar.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Sounds like you need to balance the level on the different presets

[@MasonKutin]

@@ScottUhlMusic thanks ill try that

[@WebsterSantos]

Do you have any video about efx only by one side?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

I do not :/

[@donald-parker]

Sorry if it is a dumb question, but If the USB does not go through any process blocks, what is the point of routing it through the Helix in the first place?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

You can get backing tracks directly sent to the helix with it. Because then you turn up or down the tracks with the tablet 👍

[@donald-parker]

@@ScottUhlMusic Thanks for the quick reply but I'm still missing something. Regardless as to where your tablet sends backing tracks too (i.e. to your Helix or to your main PA mixer), you can turn them up or now from the tablet. And normally I would think you send backing tracks at some nominal value and control the volume from the main mixer or PA console. I have the feeling I'm completely missing something here - sorry for the stupid questions, but I would like to understand.

[@scottlobas7601]

I have an android phone and tablet, is there a way to play audio thru usb 1-2 on an android? I'm not getting any signal.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

I don’t use android so I’m not sure

[@scottlobas7601]

@@ScottUhlMusic thanks anyway, love your videos

[@baron1c]

Man. I wish I could afford a helix. Im looking at a boss GT-1

[@ScottUhlMusic]

You could always look at the HX Stomp or Stomp XL too!

[@guitarfreak2105]

Or America Musical and Zzounds do payment plans.

[@noodlehair6566]

Let's say you set both of the guitars' outputs to XLR, but one is hard-panned left and the other hard-panned right. Would you get 2 separate instruments via XLR this way?

[@ScottUhlMusic]

You should yes if routed properly 👍

[@guitarfreak2105]

Maybe this is a dumb question. But would using two guitars into the helix and out to a real guitar cabinet work? Don’t see why it wouldn’t but I’ve never tried it.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

You could do that yeah, both guitars would just be going into the same cabinet. But it would work

[@guitarfreak2105]

@@ScottUhlMusic Thanks man. Awesome video too!

[@davidjoel111]

I’ve enjoyed these tutorials a lot! Have you done any powercab tutorials? I’m curious if it is possible to use the powercab as a quasi PA system to play backing tracks, vocals and the guitar at the same time using the helix and a laptop to play tracks.

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Thanks! I have not. I just use it direct actually so I’m not familiar with it

[@jondnz]

9:30. I believe you can actually have nothing on the ORIGINAL paths. That is what would be inputs 1 and 3 can have nothing on them. Pretty sure you only get that glitch on what would be inputs 2 and 4

[@ScottUhlMusic]

Yup that is correct!