Helix: how to put a real amp in the chain (is this 4CM?)

[molul]

Soon I'll be recording some songs in a studio, and the producer is not very fond of using Helix amps instead of his.

My presets usually have <some effects blocks> + (Amp+Cab) + <some other effects blocks (usually delays and reverbs, but sometimes others like Retro Reel or some modulation ones)>.

On the other hand, his amps can be recorded with some capture device he has (I don't remember the exact name), instead of mic'ing them, so I think the way to go is use one of the Helix Loop blocks to "put the amp" in there, so the connections would be:

Guitar -> Helix input // Helix Loop 1 Send -> Amp // Amp capture output -> Helix Loop 1 Return // Helix output -> Audio interface

Would that be right, or is there a better method for this?

EDIT: I'm not giving up on proving him that guitars can sound great with Helix amps too, but I want to have a plan B in case I fail xD

 

[molul]

That would work.
If you don’t use stuff out of the helix that needs to be pre amp…you might as well go straight into the amp, and the “capture output” (which I assume is a load box and IR loader)…into your helix where you can add time/mod efx. Saves you a conversion (= theoretical benifit)
Or record the dry amp, and feed your helix from a bus on the desk if it’s only time efx…and record those on a separate track (if you trust the tech to mix it properly…else…print want you want to stereo tracks )

It’s not 4cm, that would involve feeding the send of the amp into return of your helix, and mains of helix into return of the amp.

Sidenote…it’s your sound, I’d try the amp…but if it’s not your sound…I’d press for your own stuff.
…unless that producer really has some stripes on his sleeves that give m credibility

Thanks. It makes total sense.

To be fair, he got a great guitar sound in our previous record, but back then I didn't have the Helix. I had the Boss GT8 with all effects, even delays and reverb, before the amp.

Now with the Helix I have great amp emulation between two effects chains in most of my presets, and after amp+cab, not only sometimes I have effects that are not reverbs and delays (like Retro Reel, AM Ring Mod or some modulation effects that work better for me after the amp in certain presets), but also I love some Helix reverbs or delays that he doesn't have, like particle reverb or glitch delay.

I'm thinking about suggesting sharing my Helix Native license with him, which might make things easier. When recording (with my Helix LT) I would only enable the blocks before the amp+cab block, and during the mixing we could just put Native on the amped recording Well, there are still conversations to be had

On the other hand, the "capture device", I'm not sure but I think it's not that. I'll ask him the exact name.

 

[molul]

You might as well go straight into the amp, and the “capture output” (which I assume is a load box and IR loader)

It was a "load box" -> https://www.two-notes.com/en/knowledge-base/what-is-a-load-box-and-should-i-use-one-in-my-rig/

 

[Lele]

I love some Helix reverbs or delays

About delays and reverbs (generally speaking) I'm against having them already in the guitar sound during any recording. I prefer adding them later in the DAW after making any timeline editing, so that they have a more natural sound.

 

[molul]

About delays and reverbs (generally speaking) I'm against having them already in the guitar sound during any recording. I prefer adding them later in the DAW after making any timeline editing, so that they have a more natural sound.

Yep, I'm sure I'll have to share my Helix Native with him in order to apply certain reverbs and delays only available in Helix.

I guess the most likely workflow will be recording from my Helix with amp+cab block and any blocks after that disabled, and then add Helix native in each track that needs Helix blocks after the amp.

But since we'll be using Native anyway, I might have a chance of convincing him to directly use Native with my full presets from the start. Crossing fingers.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Wait, you’re paying him to record your music? And you like how your presets sound for your songs? Then use your stuff. Unless this is some label release where they’re covering the production, that’s just an engineer and his job is to capture your stuff as you would like.

 

[sleewell]

options are good. play a few takes one way, play a few with a different setup. it might not be a one way or the other situation, it might be better to blend them. i would go there with 3 or 4 presets ready to go so you arent building them on the fly. amp sims, 4cm, no amp sims direct to front of amp.

 

[molul]

Wait, you’re paying him to record your music? And you like how your presets sound for your songs? Then use your stuff. Unless this is some label release where they’re covering the production, that’s just an engineer and his job is to capture your stuff as you would like.

Wow, you're actually right. Being the producer a friend as well, I hadn't even thought of it like that