soundog

....I must agree its one of the worst I've encountered in the universe of software plug-ins.

Your Dry file is already processed: the guitar tones are amped (real or modeled) and reverb/delay, etc. So if you run those already-processed sounds through Helix, you get some ugly results (processing on top of processing). Helix (and Native) are designed to process a raw "dry" guitar signal. Try using or creating a dry guitar tone. Your Apogee Jam will work nicely as an input device (interface) for you guitar.

Be careful not to clip or overdrive your audio interface, and keep your level setting in Native below -6dB on the loudest peaks. BTW, what are you using for an audio interface? Your recorded electric guitar loops should be clean (not recorded from an amp, not distorted, etc).

I think I would even prefer iLok protection rather than all of the horrors outlined on these threads regarding Native installation and authorization.

My studio is downstairs, router is upstairs. I thought I had a decent wi-fi connection, but file transfers were sluggish. I ended up routing a 50' wi-fi cable (<$10) outside the house and through the walls. Easy project. HUGE improvement, especially when uploading or downloading hi-rez audio and video files.

Yes, waiting for the S-Gear update. And waiting. And waiting. Reminds me of Helix folks waiting for the 2.8 update!

For recording, I've gotten my best guitar tracks using the S-Gear plug-in (though I'm still a big fan of Native). Plus, S-Gear includes a standalone version, so you don't need to run it as a DAW plug-in, and it has extensive MIDI control features. And, yes, recording your guitar amp is a bit of a pain and takes some work. So the guitar plug-ins can do a better/faster job if you're not a recording engineer. If you have a decent powered speaker, you could do everything (record and practice and play late at night without disturbing everyone) with your Scarlett and S-Gear. (Another good option is the Stomp and Native.) A lot depends on what you want to do (practice, jam with others, jam with your own bad self, rock out, record, play gigs, ???).

For practicing and rocking out, nothing beats the sound and response of a real amp and good guitar. You don't need a big amp, either. You don't really need a bunch of pedals. If your guitar and amp are in your living room, it takes 10 seconds to turn on and go. No firmware updates or computers to worry about. Just turn on and go.

I missed this older interview with Joe Bonamassa. Thought I'd share it here. Its a treasure trove of info on getting old school tone.

.... well, I didn't download them, for the same reason as you!

History: https://www.vintageguitar.com/17397/maestro-fuzz-tone/ Closest match is the Buzz Saw in Helix.

The lack of the Helix Command Center is, if you are a MIDI user, the Stomp's biggest shortfall. Bigger, in my opinion, than the limited number of blocks.

You haven't said how you're using Native, so I'll make assumptions here. Volume can be adjusted in several places. First, get a healthy signal at your audio interface High-Z input, but not clipping when you hit all the strings hard. With Native as your first plug-in, set the Native Input level (left side) so its averaging around -12 (but again, avoid clipping on any peaks). Final output from Native is set using the Output level (right side). Maybe -6 db here, and avoid clipping. After that, the level for the Native track or channel strip will be set by your track fader (and effected by any subsequent plug-in volume gain or reduction).

line6picker .... there's another thread I posted regarding this, and I (and @datacommando) both mention that we've seen no issues. I'm using High Sierra and Logic 10.4.5. I tested all the automation and snapshots stuff and it worked OK with 1.81. Its important to me because I do a lot of automation with Native. I didn't test any patch/preset selection stuff via MIDI program change, though. Let us know if you have any issues. I suppose you could always roll back to 1.80 if necessary. Or use Time Machine. also re: naming files. There's an essential Mac app called "A Better Finder Rename" that will do all sorts of file renaming, including sequential and alphabetical naming. Might be good for IR file renaming.

Angry illiterate troll? Do those exist? I'm thinking probably so...

And why would you title a thread "HELIX"? I mean really.

For wah, try drawing truncated pyramid shapes for your automation. Or record them real time using any sort of controller pedal, knob, stick, wheel.

...this thread started as a discussion on returning a Helix to Guitar Center, but has now officially descended into a dissertation on government and corporate taxes. Here's advice and a stranger thread from someone who is an expert on avoiding taxes:

I don't use Native for live — but I often use Snapshot automation within a Logic Project/song because I often use different amp gain and FX blocks/parameters within a verse, chorus, bridge, etc. Then I automate these. Subtle changes make a big difference within a mix. Speaking of automation in Logic, automating wah pedals is a total blast! I'm not sure why Line 6 said something broke with 1.81. I'm wondering if it was a specific combination of OS/Logic versions? At any rate, its working for us .... so yeah.

The Known Issues list for V1.81 (below) implies there are new problems with snapshots and automation data for Logic Pro X. But its all working (so far) for me (High Sierra, Logic 10.4.5, Native 1.81). Any Logic users out there having problems? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Known Issues in 1.81 Pitch/Synth > 3 OSC Synth, 3 Note Generator, and 4 OSC Generator are louder than in 2.71 In rare cases, the Dynamics > LA Studio Comp model can sometimes cause a drop in preset volume Helix Native will not open in hardened runtime builds of Cubase 10.5 Logic Pro X is currently unable to write snapshot or switch automation data for Helix Native Performing an undo after a block cut or clear can delete the block’s footswitch and/or controller assignments Moving an effect, amp, cab, or IR block can sometimes inadvertently reposition a Split or Merge block Changing models can clear automation assignments of common parameters (such as Amp > Bass or Delay > Time)

Folks bad mouth GC, but I've had good luck there. You need to know what you want and know how to support yourself, the prices are decent, the selection is decent. I've also had good luck getting lightly used stuff for cheap from their website (which has a good used selection) ... they will ship it to your local store (you pay shipping, which is cheap) and you can return the item if you don't like it. Still, I prefer to support the smaller, independently owned shops, who will usually match GC prices. And ... I buy (and sell) a lot of gear via craigslist.

These suckers are expensive, but I'll never go back to using batteries in any of my Variax guitars: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VariaxPwrKit--line-6-variax-cabled-power-kit?mrkgcl=28&amp;mrkgadid=3274464262&amp;rkg_id=0&amp;product_id=VariaxPwrKit&amp;campaigntype=shopping&amp;campaign=aaShopping - Core - Live Sound &amp; Lighting&amp;adgroup=Live Sound &amp; Lighting - Live Sound Accessories&amp;placement=google&amp;adpos=1o1&amp;creative=250341283160&amp;device=c&amp;matchtype=&amp;network=g&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIufDS_fvu4wIVkMJkCh28NAGgEAQYASABEgLjrvD_BwE Sometimes you can find them used on fleabay.

Smart Disable sounds like a great feature -- I wish Logic Pro X had that. One thing that has really helped my workflow when creating songs is to get all of my tracks recorded, minimize them to the essentials, and then completely transition to the mixing stage. That way I can have my creative (recording) hat on, then put on my mixing (engineering) hat. Another advantage to this method that you don't really need a lot of plug-ins during your tracking/recording phase; you need them during your mixing phase. After I get to the mixing stage, I set my DAW buffers really high so my CPU doesn't choke as I add mixing plug-ins or experiment with sounds (for example, different synths on MIDI keyboard tracks, different amps in guitar sims, etc).

Since latency is an issue when recording (not mixing) guitar tracks (and I'm assuming when monitoring your guitar through Helix Native so you can hear the tone as you play), you might want to experiment with one of these methods: 1) use your DAW's "freeze tracks" feature to free up CPU (with the goal of getting your DAW buffers set low enough to minimize latency when recording guitar tracks) 2) bounce a stereo mix of your project with no guitars, and use that mix in a separate project to record your guitar tracks using Helix Native. Then import those guitar tracks into your main project for mixing (where high buffers and latency won't be an issue). Be sure to use the same tempo map so your tracks will align. 3) monitor your guitar through "something" that will provide you with zero or near-zero latency during guitar tracking while your DAW is running with high buffer settings. For example, a UAD Apollo interface (or similar) that uses its own DSP for an amp modeler plugin. Or split your input, one for raw guitar into your DAW and one through a stomp box, small amp, whatever for monitoring tone. (I often use Scuffham's S-Gear standalone app with a low buffer setting).

@line6picker -- the last I checked Helix Native (and Helix Edit) can really make a mess of IR loading. It needs to have a way to export and import IR bundles (to maintain your slot order). I keep a screen shot of my order in case things get messed up (then, its a matter of dragging and dropping them back in order, one at a time). Or, some have resorted to naming their IRs with an alphabetical prefix (a0, a1, ... a9, b0, etc) because Helix seems to put the IRs in alphabetical order. @gcc1 - I've had to jump through hoops when recording through Helix using software monitoring, especially on complex projects or with cpu-hog virtual instruments. In worst cases, I've bounced my song (with no guitars) to a stereo track, then used it to record Helix guitar tracks using a low buffer setting for low latency. There are other creative workarounds, but that would require an essay.