soundog

So .... for a given preset, did you go into Native's "Automation/Controller Assign Tab", remove any controller assigments, and then re-save the preset?

Separate uses of HXN on separate tracks will create a bigger load on your CPU. Your computer is pretty powerful though, so can probably take the load — but it will, of course, depend on how many tracks you're running and what plugs in you're using in addition to HXN (especially virtual instruments). If you start to run low on horsepower you can do the usual Logic Pro tricks and workarounds; e.g. increase your buffer size when mixing, select a blank track when in the arrange window, freeze tracks if necessary, etc.

Awesome .... glad you got it working. I figured it had to work, and with MIDI its usually one little thing that messes something up. Enjoy....

Maybe its just my mind playing tricks from me, but whenever I use digital devices in "series" (A/D converter --> D/A converter --> A/D converter --> D/A converter, etc) things start to sound more brittle and harsh. Yeah, there are some who have done experiments that show otherwise, but still... That said, I'm thinking using the HX Stomp first (mainly for mono amp/cab/IR modeling), routed mono out directly into the HX FX for stereo effects (or mono if going into a mono channel or PA) would be your best bet. And ditto on the MIDI .... MIDI thru or out from the Stomp into the FX.

Had a play with this, and Logic's Controller Assignments window is, I think, a better place to set up your MIDI controller mapping than Smart Controls. I find Smart Controls limiting in terms of layout for Helix Native Switches (its OK for Knobs, though). And, as mentioned, I've only use Snapshot Index with automation, so haven't actually tried direct MIDI control via a CC momentary switch — but it should work.

That's interesting (and disappointing). I use Snapshot Indexes all the time in my automation lanes in Logic, though have never tried using them "real-time" using Smart Controls. If I free up some time this weekend, I'll see if I can find any sort of work around....

Good start! Here’s an easy approach you can try... 1) Assign any “Knobs” and “Switches” (you can use up to 16 each) to any footswitch toggles or parameters you want to control in Helix, using the Automation/Controller Assign tab. Write down your assignments. (It sounds like you've already done this). 2) Use Logic Pro’s “Smart Controls” to map your MIDI controllers MIDI commands to your Knob and Switch Assigns. (Its similar the the Learn function you're using, but simplified and streamlined.) Look up some Youtube videos on how to use Logic's Smart Controls. Basically, you select Helix Native as the plug-in; use the Parameter Mapping pull-down menu to select the Knob, Switch, or Snapshot Index you want to effect; turn on the Smart Control Learn button; move the relevant MIDI controller knob or button; turn off the Smart Control Learn button. So MIDI controller —> Logic Pro Smart Control Mapping —> Helix Native Controller Assignments Also — normally you want to use a separate CC# for any given control or function, rather than a single CC# with different values. In this case, you could use CC1 mapped to Snapshot 1; CC2 mapped to Snapshot 2; etc. (That's probably why you encountered the weird Snapshot problem using CC69 with different values.) Hope this helps!

It will work if your phone is OTG compatible. The app needs to be able to send customizable MIDI CC commands ... most of the better apps do.

Native directly supports snapshots and stomps via MIDI, but not preset changes.

For sure keep trying. Native is often a pain to download and authorize. For downloading, maybe a server issue as phil mentions. And make sure you are downloading the right platform (Mac or PC) as they appear next to each other on the download page. When authorizing, sometimes you have to monkey around with logging in to your account. In my case (on Mac), 1.71 said I was authorized but reported a "communications error" and the software was greyed out. The fix for me was to temporarily turn off my firewall and network monitor. Sometimes you have to sign out and sign in (use the gear icon in the lower left of 1.70 plug to get to the authorization tabs). Some users have had to resort to de-authorizing and reauthorizing their computer, but I would only use that as a last resort, and would open a ticket before going there.

All good points! And, yeah .... totally different than using the amp IRs with electric geetar. I like to do EQ shaping before the preamp, compression, or any effects. That includes IR, which I treat as EQ. As @codamedia mentions, get the very best raw acoustic tone you can first. I start with an EQ block and nothing else. Just your guitar and Helix. If your guitar has tone or mix controls, optimize those, as well as any gain level. After the EQ block is optimized for best possible tone, add IR. With the 3Sigma IRs, it takes awhile to find the best match. If you have different sets (e.g. Martin, Taylor, etc), first find which set works best with your guitar. (For example, compare Martin 1a to Taylor 1a, etc). Next, 3Sigma provides variations in each group that are bottom heavy, and top heavy (the 3Sigma docs discuss which is which; "a" is usually the best choice). After settling on a vs b vs c, compare all the numbers (1a vs 2a, etc). Narrow down to the IR(s) that sounds best with your guitar and pickup. You can bulk load all the IRs into Helix sequentially, and toggle between using the IR block to quickly compare and eliminate. You might even check the ones they provide for electric and sound hole pickups (assuming your pickup is piezo). Finding the best IR match for your guitar/pickup takes awhile, but is most important. After that, the IR block blend/mix setting is key. I usually use around 30—40% IR, but you might like more. It depends on how much you like the tone you get without the IR. It also depends on the room acoustics, and whether you're playing with other instruments (sometimes I don't use any when playing live). The IR adds a natural, wooden quality to the trebly "plastic" sound of most piezo pickups, so you can dial in the amount that you like. Too much may sound hollow and boomy to you, if so just dial it down. Also get a feel for what the hi and lo cut controls do in the IR block .... use them to tweak the eq a bit more. Sometimes I'll even add a second EQ block after the IR to further tweak.

Excellent video, thanks for making it. If I didn't already use Helix Native for studio tracks, I'd be ordering it! Like you, I prefer simple block chains, tweaked slightly to match the song. Its wonderful to be able to dial in any sort of tone needed: clean, crunch, lead, etc. I usually focus on recording a good mono amp sound, and later add any stereo stuff like reverb (room, plate, or chamber) or delay using other plug-ins, to fit the mix. (Of course if I was playing e-guitar live, I'd use Helix blocks for those.)

All I want for Christmas is a new vintage pack. Maybe a Variax pack!

...you could put a midi translator (software or hardware) in between your controller and your DAW if you need to add, subtract, or translate MIDI CC info. Bome, MJDJ MIDI Morph, MIDI Solutions, etc are possibilities to look into.

You can tone shape to your hearts desire. Why not try the demo and see if it fits your needs?

There is currently no way to load a "missing" Helix block into the HXFX. I agree, though, I also miss having the tube pre-amp. You could try using a Teemah or Minotaur distortion block dialed down to get a little tube-like oomph.

Stereo effects in front of an amp /cab get summed to mono. Put your stereo stuff after your amp(s).

Interestingly, Lindsey Buckingham's unique finger-picking style and patterns had its roots in his early years learning to play the banjo, before he picked up guitar.

Yeah, using DAW automation to control Helix FX parameter stuff (e.g. pitch, levels, EQ, blend) etc to fit sections or passages in your song is a very powerful part of Helix Native. I also use it to change amp gain levels within a song to match intensity. Or drawing in wah pedal ramps to fit precisely.

Yes, you could do that. You need to 1) set up a map (i.e. key binding) to map specific keyboard switches to midi controls in the DAW, and then 2) map those to Snapshot change numbers (1—8) in Helix Native. The DAW part is specific to the DAW you're using, but there are threads on the forum Reaper users have chimed in on (I'm using Logic). For the Native part, check out the user manual section called Automation/Controller Assign Tab, especially the part on "Automating Snapshot Changes."

They need to recut the scene in Deliverance with that weird little guy sitting on the front-porch playing the banjo, with Glenn playing a Helix and a Telecaster.

Yes. I've run (for example) a completely separate mono path (guitar) through L in and out (with FX blocks), and another (sax, for example) through R in and out (with its own FX blocks). You also have to hard pan the mixer L and R, as I recall.

Nice. So, use your Hi-Z. Always give yourself plenty of headroom with the input setting on your interface (set levels by banging out some big chords with neck pickup on and guitar tone and volume knobs cranked), and give yourself plenty of headroom on the input setting on Helix Native. You can make up for the volume on the output setting if you want (but don't clip your other plug-ins, if any). Fine-tune your amp settings before adding effects. Gain or drive control the preamp levels and distortion voicing. Master volume controls the input into the power amp. Channel volume controls the overall output of the block. Use EQ as needed on the amp first, then fine tune with an EQ block if needed. Cutting highs can really help sometimes. Often, presets will have the input level set differently, and that certainly can effect tone (Hi-Z or not), so adjust accordingly.

Winner: Helix Stomp. Pros amp modeling (a must), which rules out HX FX can use an guitar interface for recording/playing into Mac/GarageBand (or other) can use with a stereo, or small amp if you get a small amp, you can be portable and jam with friends its got footswitches good resale power/value Con limited blocks so limited effects at one time no expression/wah/volume pedal (but you could add a cheap one) Helix Native Pros not limited much for effects blocks at same time can use Helix patches could use with GarageBand Cons difficult to set up for spontaneous, "live" playing you'll want external MIDI footswitches (more expense) for real-time (not DAW automation) playing ditto for wah/expression pedal got to boot up everything to play not-as-good resale power/value you need a decent interface for you guitar (more expense) Con for both no VDI Variax, Variax control -- have to use your Variax via 1/4" git cord BTW, Native has low latency (<10ms) , but only if you aren't running a bunch of other plug-ins and have your buffer set low Or a Helix if you want luxury and can afford it.

@datacommando.... OK, I think he just meant you! I feel much better! ;-)