soundog

Try things until something works.

Can't say that using such parametric EQ settings instead of an IR or Cab block is my new "thing to do", but its something to add to the bag of tricks.

...seems like the best way to duplicate or mimic the Helix Send/Return blocks (i.e. FX loops) in Helix Native would be to use Send/Return virtual routing blocks. Then, its up to the user what external pedal they want (for the hardware Helix); or whatever external plug-ins they want (for Helix Native). I've got some pretty amazing effects plug-ins, as well as IR loaders, compressors, and EQs that I'd love to be able to patch in to a Helix Native chain, rather than be limited to sticking them before or after Helix Native. Enabling Send and Return blocks in Native would make the software more consistent with — and similar to — the hardware units.

Good stuff. I like the idea of using an external IR-host plug-in to get around the limits and extra work of managing the Helix IR slots. @guitarjonSDS, were you using your Variax magnetic pickups, or modeling? Also, have you experimented with getting some good recording tones via Variax models + Helix Native?

In Logic Pro, we use AU plug-ins, not VSTs. Regardless, hosting plug-ins within Helix Native would serve the same function as I am suggesting. Also, I realize that multiple DAWs might implement virtual I/O routing differently, and that could be a challenge. Or not? I'm not sure which method would be easiest (or possible) to implement (hosting plug-ins within Native, or routing in/out of Native), but it sure would be a handy dandy feature.

Please vote for the ability to route the digital signal out, through other plug-ins, and back into Helix Native, to provide more flexibility and utility in processing. Here's the link https://line6.ideascale.com/a/idea-v2/915257 and here's the Idea Scale submission: It would be useful to have a "send" block to route the digital signal out of Helix, where the user could then route through external DAW plugins, and then back into a Helix "return" block. This would be similar to using Sends and Returns in the hardware unit to use external pedals. Example: Track 1 Helix Native (amp + cabinet) ---> virtual Out Port 1 ---> Track 2 other plug-ins ---> virtual Out Port 2 ---> back into Track 1 Helix Native (after the amp + cabinet blocks) --> final Out User could, for example, use a third-party IR loader that access a larger library of IR files, without having to load them into Helix Native. Or, user could use favorite high end compressor EQ, or effects plug-ins within the Native Helix chain (rather than being restricted to before or after Helix Native).

Ain't that the truth! :P

...sorry. Thanks for setting me straight!

You can sell your used Line 6 software, .... just set your price, and use the "gift" process to transfer it to the new user's Line 6 account.

Thanks for chiming in and clarifying, Joe. Nice to know about the IRs. Loving the Helix bundles!

Haven't tried it, but as a SoftStep owner, here's the deal about the SoftStep .... if something can be initiated via a MIDI command, the SoftStep can send it. No problem. As far as using it to control something via variable foot pressure (like a selectable Tap Tempo, perhaps), its less reliable and accurate.

Excellent. Re: IRs vs baked-in cabs .... in the quest for tone anything is fair game. As far as "Which of the tones in this video are your favorites?", I personally like (and am curious about setup of) the clean and crunch tones with single coils, and the guitar solo tone. (Well, I like 'em all, but the cleaner stuff is often harder to achieve.)

Sort of late to the party, but if you still have an Epsi for sale, I'm interested.... Thx

No worries .... just glad you got it working, and the Energy Saving tip is a good one for future readers if they encounter the problem. Thx.

You may be right. the bundles could be more marketing than new invention. Just guessing, though. Interestingly, if you read their manual you find they chose to apply 1 of only 2 of the bundle's 20 IRs to any of the presets. Both are the solid state (not tube) version, with mic at the cap. That said, with any vendors IRs, experimentation is in order. Sometimes you get 30 or more IR choices in a vendor's assortment. It can a lot of effort and ear power to sort through them to pick a fave. I think, though, that 3 Sigma's IRs are among the best I've tried.

Making single-amp presets with snapshots is a great idea. Editing preset text files can be tedious and laborious and requires some study. Better to get out a pencil and paper and draw simple block diagrams of the presets for a given amp, along with key parameter changes (especially the amp settings). You can likely simplify them and combine them to get what you want in a single preset with snapshots. The 3 Sigma CALI amps, as an example, usually use compressor -> EQ ->Amp->IR, sometimes splitting the path, and sometimes adding compression and EQ after the IR. See if you can get all of the common elements into one preset, and use snapshots to toggle stuff on and off as needed, especially the delay and reverb, distortion level. You can get by using the same IR (usually either the ACE or the 212 IRs marked with a 1b), and usually the same EQ settings that sound good for your guitar and speakers. Copy a 3 Sigma preset into a blank slot, and hack away at it ... its a great way to learn how to create your own snapshot/preset combos.

"Lucky is the man with unlimited IEC cords." ~ Aristotle

I have the Bass bundle, and like it a LOT — plenty there to choose from. I wish 3 Sigma would provide info on what cabinet(s) and mic(s) are used for each of the 20 IRs. For the bass bundle, for example, they just say its an "Exclusive 8-10 Cab Pack". They do provide tube and solid-state based IRs, and 5 mic positions for each (moving from cap to cone), so there's plenty of room for experimentation. Not sure why they bothered to provide IRs in 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 rates, though; Helix/Helix Native converts everything to 48 anyway. Use the 48 samples. You can use the other rates for other stuff I guess. Actually, you should be able to get similar results by using the standard Helix bass amps presets and adding your own bass IRs. I really like 3 Sigma's IRs, and they offer a bunch of bass IR sets. The nice thing about these Helix bundles are that they are sort of a hand-selected "best of the best" fit for Helix, and for a good price.

@catzenmusic — Did you isolate the problem and find a solution?

Agreed. I use Helix mainly for recording, and purchased the 3SA Vintage and Bass bundles. These, along with some of some Delaune and Freman amp/cabinet patches, and I have a great pallet to choose from. I found the 3SA Vintage patches needed some EQ twiddling to get them where I wanted them. The IRs are excellent. And I was especially happy with the Bass bundle.

I like me them Mexico Strats, and you can still get 'em before the Donald finances his wall by selling expensive rounds of golf.

Before you jump the gun, what model is the Mac you ordered? Are you 100% certain it can't upgrade to 16 and 32? I've never encountred a problem with 8Gb running Logic Pro with lots of virtual instruments and plugs, but its nice to know you can add on if needed in the future.

FYI, 3 Sigma Audio just announced some Helix IR/Preset bundles; 1 for bass, 1 for high gain, and 1 for "vintage classics". I've bought some of their earlier IRs and really liked 'em, so may pick up a couple of these. $15 per bundle, with 20 presets and 20 IRs per bundle. http://www.3sigmaaudio.com/helix-collection/

Get the fastest cpu you can afford. I was running Logic Pro X on a Mid 2011 Mac Mini (2 GHz dual i7) and it was choking on newer processor-hungry plug-ins, even with ample memory and an SSD. After Helix Native and Superior Drummer 3 came out, I sought a faster used iMac and its working out great. — a Late 2015 27†Retina 5K iMac, i7 4.0 GHz. It has 8G memory, and that seems to be enough for even SD3 and Omnisphere within Logic, no problem. I love the large iMac retina display, and minimal cables! The iMac came with a system 256GB SSD installed internally, and I just added a 500G SSD in the other internal drive bay for my project files, easy to do. System, apps, plug-ins and projects load fast! I use a 7200 rpm USB3 external drive for all my samples (Logic Pro, SD3, Omnisphere, etc). Look up the Geekbench scores for any Macs you are considering and do some compares, and buy the fastest you can afford. Get at least 8Gb RAM, use an SSD for your system and app drive. If you don't need portability, get a MacBook. If its going to stay in your studio, get an iMac. Drink plenty of water and get sufficient sleep.

Thanks for sharing your experience, @eigensatz. I was curious about latency when playing though this setup. Are you aware of any bothersome or audible delay between when you play notes on your guitar and hear them from your PA? What buffer size setting are you using in Live Professor?