Concerns about Helix Native Plugin

[fenderchris2]

As far as I can tell, Helix Native plugin has no 4k scaling and none of the inspiring graphics that POD Farm2 Platinum has. Is it worth the effort?

 

I'd like to find a replacement for POD Farm2 Platinum because of the upcoming demise of VST2 (I use Nuendo DAW on Windows-10) but I'm concerned that Helix Native will not be anywhere near as addictive as POD Farm2 Platinum.

 

Do the Helix sound patches duplicate the original POD Farm2 Platinum patches?

 

 

[silverhead]

On 12/1/2023 at 5:06 AM, fenderchris2 said:

….

 

Do the Helix sound patches duplicate the original POD Farm2 Platinum patches?

 

 

No, the sound is much better in Helix Native in the opinion of most experienced L6 modeler users. It’s two generations of modeling technology ahead of POD Farm. And it is addictive if you don’t have a Helix device and so haven’t heard it before.

 

There’s a free trial period.

[fenderchris2]

I've now got the trial and must say that the graphics of the actual amps and effects in POD Farm are far more exciting, intuitive and engaging than the no-graphics interface of Helix  Native.

 

I'm  going to read the user manual to see if I'll can get more interested in Helix, but right now I much prefer POD Farm Platinum.

 

 

[silverhead]

Yes, POD Farm has more eye candy. But imho you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t compare the sound quality.

 

On the other hand you may need to invest some time to get a good sound. Don’t just duplicate the POD Farm amp/cab and FX and their settings and hope to get the same or better sound. If you’re happy with POD Farm and aren’t willing to invest some time to get an improved sound then don’t bother with Helix Native.

[datacommando]

On 12/1/2023 at 5:26 PM, fenderchris2 said:

I've now got the trial and must say that the graphics of the actual amps and effects in POD Farm are far more exciting, intuitive and engaging than the no-graphics interface of Helix  Native.

 

I'm  going to read the user manual to see if I'll can get more interested in Helix, but right now I much prefer POD Farm Platinum.

Hi,

 

The fancy icons don’t make it sound any better - you are only fooling yourself. It’s the audio that counts.

 

Yes, I have a copy of POD Farm and Gear Box taking up space on one of my external drives. Much the same as my POD XT Live and POD HD500, which are gathering dust in the corner of the studio - no comparison to what the latest audio reproduction of Helix can produce.

 

If you should decide to stick with a software technology from 2010, just because it looks pretty - that’s fine, but I will simply leave you with this quote from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:

 

And we'll be saying a big hello to all intelligent life forms everywhere. And to everyone else out there, the secret is to bang the rocks together, guys.

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

[fenderchris2]

Ok, I've read the user manual, although I did fade out a bit before the end.  I've set up a new (test) preset and added a Fender Twin with a 2x12 cab and '63 reverb (something I recognise despite being an unintelligent life form, aka a musician). I must admit that it does sound pretty good. However, compared to the same thing in POD Farm, I can't quite get HX to sound the same. I realise that the values do not quite match so there is no point just setting them the same, plus there are more settings available in HX (SAG and HUM for example) but whatever I do I find I prefer the POD Farm version. Perhaps it's all in the mind - I just like seeing an actual Fender Twin on screen and adjusting images of the virtual amp knobs - it's much more visceral.

 

I will probably buy HX Native after the trial period due to the VST2/VST3 issue that is coming my way in the Steinberg products I use, but I would like HX much more if it provided more POD Farm-like graphical controls. Some players like to use real valve amps (partially I think due to the tactility of touching the knobs) - so perhaps I'm just one of those Neanderthals.  

 

 

 

[silverhead]

Again, no harm in sticking with what you like. But I think you're right to not give up on Helix Native. Also, HN is capable of delivering better tones than Pod Farm. I think you are doing yourself a disservice by trying to just get the same tone.

 

Play and fiddle around, especially with the cab/mic setups. They are extremely versatile and can dramatically change the tone. Try applying some lo- and hi-cuts at around 80Hz and 8KHz respectively. If you haven't done so already explore the factory presets and download some presets from Customtone. There are also very high quality presets available for purchase from Marketplace. Perhaps there are some free samples there you could explore.

[datacommando]

On 12/3/2023 at 2:52 PM, fenderchris2 said:

Ok, I've read the user manual, although I did fade out a bit before the end.  I've set up a new (test) preset and added a Fender Twin with a 2x12 cab and '63 reverb (something I recognise despite being an unintelligent life form, aka a musician). I must admit that it does sound pretty good. However, compared to the same thing in POD Farm, I can't quite get HX to sound the same. I realise that the values do not quite match so there is no point just setting them the same, plus there are more settings available in HX (SAG and HUM for example) but whatever I do I find I prefer the POD Farm version. Perhaps it's all in the mind - I just like seeing an actual Fender Twin on screen and adjusting images of the virtual amp knobs - it's much more visceral.

 

I will probably buy HX Native after the trial period due to the VST2/VST3 issue that is coming my way in the Steinberg products I use, but I would like HX much more if it provided more POD Farm-like graphical controls. Some players like to use real valve amps (partially I think due to the tactility of touching the knobs) - so perhaps I'm just one of those Neanderthals.  

Hi,

 

Something to consider, and you have possibly discovered already, is trying to match the settings from POD Farm by applying the same numbers to Helix Native will not work. The Helix audio engine is a completely different animal.

 

If you have a liking for larger icons that look like the amp, or pedal, of the model simply click on the block/grid of 9 squares in the header bar of the EDIT window of Helix Native to change it from “list view”. There has been a debate about skeuomorphic design for interfaces over on TGP for quite a while. The jury is still out, but the Fender ToneMaster Pro seems to started the ball rolling again. Spend some more time with HX Native and you will get used to it, or do an A/B comparison of both plug-ins with your eyes closed. I know which I prefer.
 

Some folks are just happy with what they already know - for instance there is a guy over in the main Helix forum who insists that his POD 500HD sounds better than the Helix - each to their own.

 

LOL - regarding Neanderthals and musicians - the way I heard it was, “What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians?” Answer: “A drummer”.

 

 

[fenderchris2]

On 12/3/2023 at 5:08 PM, datacommando said:

 

 

If you have a liking for larger icons that look like the amp, or pedal, of the model simply click on the block/grid of 9 squares in the header bar of the EDIT window of Helix Native to change it from “list view”

 

LOL - regarding Neanderthals and musicians - the way I heard it was, “What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians?” Answer: “A drummer”.

 

 

Hey, that's much better - All we need now is skeuomorphic overlays for the controls on the right and I'll be in +9th heaven!

 

A while back, Lyle Lovett (God's own country singer), when acting in something I saw on TV was asked how he slept last night - he replied "Like a bass player". I'm primarily a bass player so that made me chuckle. Still does.