It would be great if there was an auto option for setting the input impedance . I use active and passive guitars . Helix has this option and find it is convenient when switching guitars during a performance.
Here’s a feature request with a LOT of votes on input impedance (though not necessarily “auto”):
The auto impedance for Helix just sets the impedance according to what pedal is first in the current preset you’re in. It isn’t detecting the impedance of the guitar at all.
For example- if your preset has a fuzz face clone as the first pedal, the helix impedance matches what they determined a fuzz face has for impedance. AFAIK it’s same thing for any other pedal model, and it doesn’t matter if the pedal is bypassed or not. Just whichever is first in the chain.
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I used to own a HX stomp and can confirm this.
Auto-impedance on the Helix has two options. The first, as you point out, is to set the impedance to the first pedal in the signal chain. The second option sets the auto-impedance to the first active pedal in the signal chain.
With the second option, if you, for example, have a fuzz pedal in the first position, the impedance will only be lowered for the fuzz pedal when it is active. Otherwise, it will be set to the proper impedance for whatever your first active block is.
It took years for the Helix to get the “first-active” setting. It is IMO, an excellent option, the one I use when on my Helix, and something to consider and include when implementing any auto-impedance functionality.
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You are right! But both options aren’t what OP is asking for.
That being said, apart from using fuzz pedals and other more vintage stuff that likes a low input impedance, if you set the impedance to a high value (1m default for example) you should be good to go with both active and passive guitars. For active guitars it basically doesn’t matter what input impedance they see and for passives it should be a high value to reduce / prevent signal / tone loss. (Only scenario this wouldn’t work that I can imagine is if you go for a vintage tone and signal degradation is a part of that , like some people like the signal loss you get with long cables and passive pickups)
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Agreed, that is why I wanted to get that implementation into the conversation. Would be disappointed to see auto-impedance show up without “first-active”. Or, at least without a plan to get there eventually.
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Same with Eleven Rack auto mode.