soundog

Have you used a MIDI monitor (snoize.com) to see what Logic is actually sending to your Helix? (Or you can connect an iPhone running a MIDI monitor in place of your Helix to see what is being sent.) This way you can be certain where the problem is arising. Helix may not be misbehaving, it may be doing what it is told. Test this first, and let us know....

I'm quite tempted by the 60W 1x12 at $300. Quick plug and play without much fussing around. Nice usable tones. Plug into the DAW for recording. Footswitch + MIDI. Software editing. I want it. My birthday is 3/15 if anyone wants to get it for me. BTW, watch the Jonathan Cordy video that @datacommando posted at 17:30 for a hilarious discussion about Fletcher Munson.

Good tip. I just tried it on bass, and it is very useful! I normally use DI for bass recordings, but like to blend in some parallel "dirt". The Ventoux is nice because it works as a dedicated amp (as clean as needed), or as a parallel dirt channel with the drive and highs boosted.

JJWaters, I've read all of your posts and find all of them to be incorrect, cruel and heartless.

OMG! Loving the Ventoux amp!!! Wheeeeeeeeee!

I've never used such a service, so I have no idea if its effective or not. These days most promotion is done via social media, which takes a lot of time, expertise and effort. If you have the money to spare, you could always try a pr service out for a period of time and see if it gives you any traction. Read reviews first, check reddit, gearspace, etc....

Dang! That took a lot of work, and I appreciate it. This is a handy reference, and it's nice to have it in a spreadsheet. Its even got the cabinet mic's listed. Nice!

I've run into MIDI-cable based hum problems before, especially when combining USB and MIDI on one device. I now keep a MIDI cable handy that I isolated the ground wire on. To do so (if you have a spare cable), cut the cable screen/shield connection to pin 2 (the middle pin) at the MIDI IN end. It may fix the problem. If not, you've got a nice test cable. Keep it labeled so you know which one it is.

I'm also a Helix (Stomp) and Logic user. I'm with @datacommando; never heard of anyone getting hot signals via USB. Most folks complain about the recorded levels being too low (based on shallow waveforms in their tracks). Do you have any other USB audio inputs you can compare? Can you test your Helix outputs with another computer? Also, we're assuming you are using no USB hubs, etc. And try @datacommando's template. Shooting in the dark so far. Reboot your Mac? Reinstall your Helix firmware? Have you had any encounters with the spirit world?

You say "I know it has a USB interface...but I have heard of stability issues when recording alongside other interfaces to record multiple parts." Are you recording via Mac or Windows? If you're on a Mac and need to record Stomp FX + Guitar Dry + Bass DI, then set up an Aggregate Device (Helix + your audio interface) as Craig mentions. Then use Stomp USB for Stomp "wet" with FX on one channel, Stomp "dry" (guitar DI) on a 2nd channel, and Bass DI (through audio interface input) on a 3rd channel. I find aggregate devices are a bit of a pain, but this method is probably your best bet unless you have a >4 channel interface. FYI, I've never experienced any stability issues using a Stomp with an Apollo Twin.

There is an XPS Mini (1/4" out only) and an XPS A/B (switchable 1/4" or XLR out) from Line 6. Or, read this thread for other alternatives: https://line6.com/support/topic/11406-cheaper-way-to-get-a-line-6-variax-cabled-power-kit/

Ah, I see. Your use case is different than mine. I don't use Kontakt for live performance, I use it like the cinematic composers you mention, and often reshape the sound within Kontakt after recording MIDI notes in order to tweak things as needed for a composition and mix.

<RECORD> Have you tried using LoopBack in Mainstage? If not, there are plenty of youtube tutorials to get you started. Have you tried using LoopBack in Mainstage? If not, there are plenty of youtube tutorials to get you started. Have you tried using LoopBack in Mainstage? If not, there are plenty of youtube tutorials to get you started. Have you tried using LoopBack in Mainstage? If not, there are plenty of youtube tutorials to get you started. Have you tried using LoopBack in Mainstage? If not, there are plenty of youtube tutorials to get you started. Have you tried using LoopBack in Mainstage? If not, there are plenty of youtube tutorials to get you started. <PLAY>

@dunedindragon - since you are recording, use plugins, and virtual instruments, you may want to try a demo of Eventide's Physion plugin. With it you can split a guitar signal into two elements: transient and tone. Then you can shape and modify each of these separately (with mixing, eq, compression, reverb, delay, pitch, tremelo, etc). In this way, you can treat a guitar track much like a virtual instrument. Another useful tool for doing these sorts of things is the resynthesis features of Melodyne. Physion is full price now, but is often heavily discounted. Of course these are not things you do while playing the guitar using finger techniques, but with virtual instruments you are normally treating these sorts of things after you play the notes on a keyboard.

Thanks, Silverhead. There are 4 separate suggestions for Native standalone if you do a search. So vote for them all to improve your chances of winning. ;-) https://line6.ideascale.com/a/ideas/search?templateId=0&amp;query=standalone+native

I haven't measured the signals to compare, but to my ears they are identical. I get no audible degradation through the MDA1 or I wouldn't be using it. Are you able to order through, say, Amazon for easy returns with no charge to ship/return? If so, just try a DI out at home. I am not sure about signal quality active vs passive pickups through passive vs active DIs (I'm using Strats/passive), so you may have to experiment.

(I'm doing similar things, but using a Stomp instead of an HX FX.) You could use the Sends on your HX and use Send Blocks in your signal chain accordingly. But I'm a bit of a signal purist, so now use a Samson MDA1 active direct box. The MDA1 is phantom powered, so I plug it's XLR output into my Apollo XLR with phantom power applied. This gives me a nice clean signal into my DAW (only one A/D conversion, and there is a ground lift and a pad switch if needed). Then, the MDA1 splits the 1/4" input signal (guitar) to a separate 1/4" output, which I can use to go to my amp either direct, or through the Stomp for effects. The clean guitar signal from DAW can then either be re-amped or (more often for me) treated with an amp sim in the box (I use HX native, S-Gear, and NeuralDSP stuff). Yeah, the MDA1 is not completely necessary, but it cost me $35 and has provided me with a lot of flexibility in the studio because of the split input.

No, you don't need a DI.

Apology accepted, even though it took over four years.

Well, the price is right if it works! I use Gig Performer for hosting plug-ins (which is very evolved and advanced), but Element is surely a lot more affordable if you just need to host Helix Native (for example).

Mine sounds great .... I gig with it all the time (mainly for special tunings). The only way you'll know if your guitar is bad is to compare your recordings to youtube videos of the same model guitar. Its useless for you or I to describe what we're hearing. Here's and example video; there are many more

Nine times out of ten its wires.™

My Helix is working nicely with all of my bass guitars, but it did take work on my part to get it right. You seem to be a smart fellow, so I'm sure you'll get there!

It always seems there is a lot more "power" in my bass guitar outputs, despite any level or meter readings. That make some sense, in that slower (lower freq) sine waves carry more energy. Its possible you're over-driving the various blocks in your Helix chain. If you have an audio interface or DI box, try turning down your bass level before it hits your Stomp. Or simply turn down the volume knob on your bass. Experiment and see if that improves what you're hearing...

I appreciate those who freely share their hard work with others. Also, you've done a good job of dissecting and recreating famous guitar tones. Grazie mille!