Which Helix? LT or Stomp?

[Al Krow]

Cheers gents.

The "benefit" in my mind is that if a balanced TRS cable works in all situations then we could potentially just swap over to using TRS lead(s) and not bother with TS leads going forward, when it comes to replacing TS leads due to wear and tear.

Luke, however, has highlighted the potential shortcoming of TRS leads with active basses, which would certainly be an issue for me if he is correct on that.

Simplest solutions seem to be:

DI box out e.g. Behringer DI400P would easily fit under most boards and costs the same as a TRS lead.

or TRS lead to XLR (and relatively easy to remember why that's in the kit bag!  )

Edited August 1, 2019 by Al Krow

[LukeFRC]

2 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Cheers gents.

The "benefit" in my mind is that if a balanced TRS cable works in all situations then we could potentially just swap over to using TRS lead(s) and not bother with TS leads going forward, when it comes to replacing TS leads due to wear and tear.

Luke, however, has highlighted the potential shortcoming of TRS leads with active basses, which would certainly be an issue for me if he is correct on that.

Simplest solutions seem to be:

DI box out e.g. Behringer DI400P would easily fit under most boards and costs the same as a TRS lead.

or TRS lead to XLR (and relatively easy to remember why that's in the kit bag!  )

Look for a Orchid DI box which is v good sound quality for not much money. If you are shelling out loads on a Helix a semi decent DI should be possible. 

 

Didnt some EBS amps use TRS to power active basses from the amp? 

[JohnA]

Still say a cheap DI box is the way to go assuming you already have XLR cables.  Means you're always covered if gigging through another PA, cheaper than a decent new XLR-jack cable and can be fixed to your board so no-one nicks it!

[Al Krow]

51 minutes ago, JohnA said:

Still say a cheap DI box is the way to go assuming you already have XLR cables.  Means you're always covered if gigging through another PA, cheaper than a decent new XLR-jack cable and can be fixed to your board so no-one nicks it!

Yup - got a Behringer DI400P ready to pop under board.

But following on from @LukeFRC's comment about the Orchid DI, I'm guessing that a DI is like any other bit of kit i.e. if you're looking for quality, you need to pay a bit more?

[JohnA]

The Orchid is probably built a bit better, but the DI400P is fine, lots of pros use them and mines never given me any issues

[jrixn1]

There is some good DI audio comparison here: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/direct-box-comparison-bass-guitar/ 
 

[JohnA]

34 minutes ago, jrixn1 said:

There is some good DI audio comparison here: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/direct-box-comparison-bass-guitar/ 
 

That's a DI box with a passive signal direct from a bass going in to it, with a line level signal out of the HX stomp I would expect the differences to be much smaller

[LukeFRC]

3 hours ago, Al Krow said:

, I'm guessing that a DI is like any other bit of kit i.e. if you're looking for quality, you need to pay a bit more?

Behringer DI will be fine and last you for years.. after a certain level it will all work. The orchid is well reviewed and sounds really good and doesn’t cost much at all...  plus made in the UK 

if I get a helix I will pick up a TRS-XLR as for me that is simpler and less likely to go missing at a gig.

[Woodinblack]

9 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Luke, however, has highlighted the potential shortcoming of TRS leads with active basses, which would certainly be an issue for me if he is correct on that.

He is correct on that, an Ibanez requires the ring and sleeve to be shorted to turn the power on, as do 95% of active basses.