Experiencing odd bass distortion with your digital setup? One user playing around with a Helix and a 5-string bass (Cort with Bartolini Mk3 pickups set to neutral) encountered a perplexing issue: bass distortion, specifically affecting the low A and E strings. This problem arose while using a setup with no amp or FX on the Helix, running through the Guitar In and SPDIF out into a Focusrite Liquid 56.
Initially, the user suspected the amp, cabinet, or FX models within the Helix might be the source. However, even with everything bypassed, the distortion persisted. Testing with headphones directly from the Helix yielded the same result. Interestingly, when the bass was routed through a Sans Amp RPM, the distortion disappeared, indicating the issue might be isolated to the Helix in this particular configuration.
Several troubleshooting steps were taken to isolate the problem. Input level adjustments on the Helix, toggling the noise gate, and reducing the digital output level were all attempted without success. The signal level to the Focusrite was confirmed to be within normal operating parameters, ruling out simple digital clipping at the interface. The issue remained consistent whether tracking in a DAW or monitoring directly, and with amp/speaker modeling both on and off.
This user’s experience raises questions about how digital processors like the Helix handle the low frequencies produced by 5-string bass guitars. While the user notes their Fractal system handles these frequencies without issue, the Helix seems to be struggling. The question remains: is the Helix inherently limited in its low-frequency processing capabilities, or is there a setting or configuration detail being overlooked? Community input and shared experiences from other 5-string bass and Helix users are highly sought to resolve this digital bass guitar distortion mystery.
