I picked up a copy of the Valhalla "Room" and "Shimmer" reverbs and have been so enamored with the sound that I'm having another go at the digital rig. The occasional noise from the interface is still there but since I don't have any immediate gigging plans, I've decided to roll with it and make the rest of the setup work. Later I'll swap out my interface for a Thunderbolt unit of some sort.

I have a "Big Sky" in the box that's been turned on all of about three times that I'll likely be putting up for sale if anyone is interested. It's a really great reverb but I really want to make the computer work and could put the cash toward a new interface.

You should stop by and check out the Helix. Does some awesome things with a USB interface. The latency is pretty much non existent. You basically have a second computer for routing.

Yes indeed, MichNs, the Helix is a great piece of gear... I just love the sounds, the ease of use and all of the routing capabilities.... Patches are so easy to make and tweet. and now the editor on the computer makes it even more fun!

I can see Glenn using the hardware monitoring function and re-amping functions, running a dry signal channel, and adding these new effects he's talking about. Bad thing is though, we get into Ka5par's dilemma with the impedance mismatch with the Stick's bass and melody side. Need something to boost the bass side. But you could still do a re-amp with just melody. Or just not do the re-amp source channels by not using many Helix effects and do all the effects in the computer via the stereo signal paths. The plus is operating within the hardware monitoring - no need to worry about noisy interfaces with the computer.

I've not played with Thunderbolt interfaces, but so far Helix has been the best USB interface I've seen. In contrast I have a Presonus Firewire, which may not get used too much anymore other than an output for connecting my computer to studio monitors for general computer use.

I already have a patch setup and a Logic program setup for this, would be interesting to see what Glenn would do with it.

Sounds interesting but I'm wondering why I want an outboard effects unit with all the effects available on the computer. Especially considering that I'm currently setting up a rig that takes melody Stick, bass Stick, acoustic guitar, two analog keyboards, and two MIDI keyboard controllers as input and I'm processing all of those things as well as running them all through a single piece of looping software.

It's funny how I've been software only for much of the last 15 years or so, and got rid of almost every pedal and hardware widget that I had, to include most of my analog keyboards that live just fine in a sampled bank on my hard drive now. Now that I'm getting into the Sticking, I want a pedalboard with hardware and pedal controllers again. But for my recording purposes, I plug a Stick straight into my DAW (usually Pro Tools) and record the straight signal raw, and then everything else on top of it and after it in the chain is a plugin. So my "sound" is ever able to be changed after the fact, as long as I'm not using any continuous controllers or effects.

I have both the Valhalla "Room" and "Shimmer" reverbs and they are really, really good. I can't speak to the Strymon Big Sky--which I'd love to have but I don't know that I'd love to pay for it. It's definitely a "Want" and not a "Need" for me. I'm tempted to make you an offer, Glenn, but it would probably not get used enough for me to justify it. It IS on my wish list for the next 5 or so big ticket items I'd like to buy, but there's about 4 things in front of it (another bigger Fishman amp, a Grand 12-string Wenge, a looper, a LinnStrument, and I'd love to have a Helix while we're dreaming, etc. etc. etc.)....

Glenn,
Are you playing through Mainstage? I know you posted on the Mainstage string (http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10899) that you were having some sound issues. Please update the other string if you find a solution to your issue.

Thanks for posting about the Valhalla effects. I've been looking for some kind of shimmer verb plugin. I downloaded their free Freq Echo and there is no latency with this plugin. I'm guessing that their other ones wouldn't either. I may try out the demo when I have some time.

Yeah I should say ... of course there are some great sounding outboard effects that sound better than any software counterparts. But for me ... every time I hear something (like the Big Sky for example), I think "wow that sounds really good but how am I going to use it for my Stick and for my guitar and one of my keyboards". That's really been the driving force behind my continuous desire to go digital. You know ... so I don't have to say "wow that $400 reverb box sounds amazing ... ummm .... I'll take three of them".

I never did find a solution. After several updates, it doesn't happen as often. Since I have no immediate gigging plans I've just decided to plow ahead with it in hopes that a different interface will alleviate the problem down the road.

That is exactly where I'm coming from too!
With plugins you can use it on any channel you set up as long as your computer can handle it. Also watch out for latency issues with some plugins that use a lot of processing power...
You just can't beat a $29.99 program (Mainstage) which already has amazing sounds (amps, effects, key sounds) if you already have a good computer. Even if you tack on some plugins you are way ahead on price... My pedalboard has over $1000 of gear on it which is enough to pay for a new computer... (will be selling stuff soon...)

BUT... there are a couple pedals I am not ready to part with... Whammy DT and Fender Runaway. I haven't found plugin replacements that sound and work as good as the pedal versions...