User Manual
22
Dynamic DSP
Like nearly all modern audio processors, the Helix engine is based on DSP (Digital
Signal Processing). Some models require many times more DSP horsepower than
others, so it makes logical sense that fewer of those models could exist in a tone. To
work around this, some processors restrict you to one amp, one reverb, one delay, etc.
With Helix, we feel it's important to let you keep adding whatever you want to your
tone, even if you may eventually run out of DSP.
That said, there are some rules governing the number of certain types of blocks you
can add to a preset:
Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp blocks
Any combination, up to four (two per path)
Cab blocks (includes Amp+Cab
blocks)
Up to four (two per path; Cab > Dual blocks
are considered two)
Impulse Response blocks
Up to four 1024-point IRs (two per path) or
two 2048-point IRs (one per path)
Looper block
One
To see which models can be added to the current path, press the
joystick to open the Model List.
Grayed out items cannot be accommodated and are skipped over - See "Selecting
Blocks/Adjusting Parameters":
Modulation Chorus
ToneDepthPredelaySpeed WavShape
50%0.0Triangle5.02.02.5
Mix
Mono
S
tere
o
Optical Trem
60s Bias Trem
Tremolo
Harmon
i
c Tremo
lo
Script Mod Phase
U
bi
qu
i
tous V
ibe
De
l
uxe P
h
ase
r
Gray Flanger
None
Distortion
Dynamics
EQ
Modulation
Delay
R
ever
b
P
i
tc
h
/Synt
h
Tips to Optimize DSP
• Each of the Helix two primary paths utilizes its own DSP. If all of your blocks
are on paths 1A and 1B, you're only using half of the Helix device's horse-
power! If you plan on creating tones with two or more amps and more than a
handfulofeects,expecttousebothpaths1and2
• Some block types use much more DSP than others, such as amps, cabs, IRs,
and pitch shifters. Not surprisingly, the Amp+Cab block uses the most. EQ,
Dynamics, Volume/Pan, and Send/Return blocks use relatively little
• Some models may use more DSP than others in the same category. This is
especially true with amp models
• Instead of a parallel path with two Amp+Cab blocks or two separate Amps
and Cabs, try adding a single Amp block followed by a single Cab > Dual block
(mixingtwodierentCabscanprovidesomesubstantialvariations)
• ThestereoversionofaneectsblockwilluseroughlytwiceasmuchDSPasa
mono version of the same block. Likewise, the dual version of a cab block will
use roughly twice as much DSP as the single version
• Some model categories have “Simple” blocks, which utilize less DSP than
others
• Insteadoftogglingbetweentwoofthesameamporeectsblocks(withdif-
ferent settings), use controllers or snapshots to instantly adjust parameters
within a single block.
Block Order and Stereo Imaging
MostoftheHelixeectsmodelshavebothmonoandstereoversions.Astereoblock
displays after its model name in the inspector. The stereo imaging—or how wide
your tone appears with stereo speakers or headphones—is highly dependent on the
type of blocks you add and in what order.
Keep the following things in mind when building tones:
• All Amp+Cab, Amp, and Preamp blocks are mono, so any stereo signal sent
into these will be collapsed to mono. As such, it’s a good idea to add only
mono blocks before amps and preamps
• Addingamonoeectsblockwillcollapseanyprecedingstereoblocksonthe
same path to mono
• If you’re only ever connecting Helix to the front of a single guitar amp or PA/
FRFR speaker, there may be no need to use stereo models at all (except, of
course,formodelsthatareonlyoeredasstereo!)