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With the Helix, you don't need an external interface. Helix is the interface. It has 8 ins/outs via usb. You set your DAW to look for the Helix over USB, and that is it. Sounds like you don't have something set up correctly between your interface, DAW, and Native.

1. Do a search on 4 cable method. This is how you will want to connect to your amp. It allows you to use effects in front, the amps preamp section OR Helix preamps, and also effects before the power amp section. Yes, it is easy to turn on/off amp/cab models. Everything in Helix is very easy. 2. The Helix is an interface, so you don't need to use the Apollo. It has 8 ins/outs through USB, and works fantastically. 3. Bass amp models are top notch. Again, you can go bass to Helix, and skip the Apollo.

I recommend a powered PA speaker ("FRFR"). An Alto will fit well within your budget. You may also find that you prefer running Helix direct through the speaker/PA rather than through your amp then to FOH. I run a couple of JBL Eon 610s at home, set up my church presets on those, and they translate over pretty well to our QSC system at church. I run direct to FOH, no amps on stage, with in ear monitors. So I just put the Helix on the floor, connect a single XLR to FOH, and I am ready to go.

I think a little further explanation of each of these three items would be helpful. Also helpful information would be which particular electric and acoustic guitars you are using.

The 1/4" sends/outputs on the Helix can be set to instrument or line. I think default is instrument. Global Settings>Ins/Outs>1/4" outputs

The volume knob effects all signals going through the output that it is controlling. It is an output volume control. If you want separate control of the USB 1/2, you will have to route that input signal to a different output.

Is your amp looking for a line or instrument level signal into its return?

I would say WDW and not stereo considering the two speakers are directly behind you. You would be the only one getting the stereo effect anyway. WDW offers the flexibility of blending in the wet and maintaining articulation in the dry. JMO

I thought that was what you were asking for, the big volume knob only changing the 1/4 XLR out and NOT the USB. If you want to change the level of USB 1/2 independently, Global Settings>INs/Outs>USB 1/2 Trim

Not reliably. You can set up transmitter 1, allow it to go into sleep mode, then do transmitter 2, but there is no guaranty which frequency it will choose. If it chooses the same frequency, then it could work. That is just speculation on my part though.

That will do it!

You didn't mention the type of music you are playing, other instruments in the band, the specific instruments you are playing, what amp model you are using, etc... There is no magic formula for cutting through the mix with just some basic EQ settings.

Global settings>Ins/Outs>Volume Knob Controls. Change it to 1/4" or XLR only (whatever you are playing your guitar through.

Just reading through your needs, I don't see anything out of the capabilities of Helix. You may not be able to put two amps in one signal path, but Helix has 4 signal paths, 2 on each processor. So, two amps is no big deal at all.

Just a heads up, Native has its own forum. http://line6.com/support/forum/90-helix-native/

I have a couple of 610s at home. I have them set to Monitor mode since I have them on the floor as wedges. If you are going to run them above the floor, I would suggest "main" mode which would be a "flat response" without the cuts to bass coupling of "monitor mode". If you are a metal player, you may need a little extra bass response in the 612s, but that is beyond my personal needs. They can hold up in terms of volume. I have only gotten up to about 50% on them before wife and kids start yelling at me. Building presets on the JBLs translates well over to a QSC system for me as well.

If someone doesn't like the $299 price on something, they have the freedom to NOT purchase it. It's quite a beautiful thing really. I have the Helix floor and am CHOOSING not to purchase the $99 Native at this time because I really don't need it at this time.

I think you answered your own question. Who cares what other people's opinion of FRFR is. MANY players are using a modeler/Powered PA combination with results that you could not distinguish from the "real thing". My recommendation would be to take some of your existing presets, and add in amp/cab models and tweak them while playing through your QSCs (those are fantastic speakers by the way). I play through a QSC based system every week. I bought a couple of JBL Eon 610s at home to develop my presets, because I didn't want to drop the cash for the QSCs. I am very happy with both brands. I am to the point now where I will be selling off my last guitar amp. I already sold my pedalboard off and all my effects. If is sounds good and feels good to you, try it for a while.

I assign a stomp to turn on parallel OctoVerb and dual delay, octoverb at about 35% mix (to taste), and the dual delays set at different note assignment, mix at 50-60%, high feedback to taste. Signal merges and goes into a cave reverb to smooth everything out. Volume pedal before the amp for swells. A bubble vibrato before the parallel Octoverb and dual delay will also keep the signal moving ensuring the ambient verbs and delays have something to work with. I call name that stomp "ambient". You can put a lot of control into just one stomp, use it to your advantage.

Guitar>Helix Guitar IN Helix 1/4" Send 1> Peavy Valve King Guitar in In your Helix preset, drop in a "Send 1" at the beginning of your chain. That will send your guitar signal to your peavy through the 1/4" send, as well as let your signal go through your preset on your Helix.

Atari, even better!

Keep in mind this original post is over a year old. I'd be curious to see how the original poster is doing with their Helix and how far they have come in becoming intimately familiar with the equipment. I have had mine for over a year and I am still fine tuning my sounds. As guitar players, I don't think we ever stop doing that. Give it some time, you will get the hang of it.

Yes, that one is a little quiet compared to others with factory default settings. I never use the defaults though. I always balance volumes between presets and/or snapshots.

Are you comparing just the default settings between amp models?

I am not familiar with Logic X. Do you have any midi CCs programmed in that software? Midi CC#1-3 control the expression pedal inputs on Helix. If you are sending CC #2 with a value of zero, you are commanding EXP2 to zero.