Why, as a Helix user, I love Helix Native

[loonsailor]

I just got an email from Line6 about Helix Native being 50% off till December 9.  Although I already own it, just thought I'd post this to spread a little HN love.

 

Live, I play through a HX effects pretty much always.  But, I also do a fair amount of recording, often adding tracks to a mix that somebody sends me.  I've settled on doing that by recording dry, with my guitar plugged straight into my Focusrite Clarett interface, then processing in my DAW with Helix Native.  I can use my same presets, imported from my hardware unit, but it gives me the option to play with them, using all my familiar Helix.  In fact, it's somewhat better than a hardware Helix, because I've got essentially unlimited processing power!  Then, I send the processed track off to the producer.  Sometimes, I even ask to get a semifinal mix back so that I can further tweak my tone in the actual mix.  HN makes this easy and fun.  To me, this is a way better workflow than needing to get the tone right going into the computer, then being stuck with that tone for the duration.

 

At 50% off, HN is $50 for any registered Helix owner.  To me, that's a screaming great deal.  So, I just though I'd say so here on the forum.

Edited November 13 by loonsailor

[DunedinDragon]

I think what limits the appeal of Helix Native as well as many of it's other competitors is that it's so guitar centric which limits it's usefulness in today's plugin world.  Even though I'm a guitar player I predominantly use a keyboard as my input tool when recording.  I don't think I'm unusual in that respect given the number of people who have MIDI keyboards as a part of their recording setup.  When you compare the workflow in Native to the workflow in more keyboard oriented guitar plugins it's easily three times effort involved in laying down a finished track in audio rather than MIDI.  Plus in those type of plugins you have access to a wide variety of strumming patterns and other prepared riffs.  That significantly limits the appeal for people that predominantly use keyboards in their workflow.

[lou-kash]

On 11/13/2024 at 9:32 AM, DunedinDragon said:

it's so guitar centric

Is it?

Yes, I use it for guitars and basses. Of course.

But I also use it in Logic Pro on Aux busses e.g. PolyPitch as a stereo doubler, or the Hot Springs reverb, or the RetroReel on the master bus.

Now, Logic has enough great plugins built in, so that Native is not necessarily "essential". But if I were using another DAW I would likely make use of Native way more often.

[DunedinDragon]

On 11/13/2024 at 6:40 AM, lou-kash said:

Is it?

 

Absolutely compared to other instrument plugins which are MIDI based.  Consider drum plugins.  The entire world of drum rhythms are available to you in addition to different types and sizes of drums for the kit you're using.  The size, placement and mic positions on the drums are similar to what Helix Native does.  The plug in drum rhythms that simplify the creation of the beat for the track is what something like Native doesn't have.  In fact I can change the BPM without affecting any plugin tracks.  That's where things like native require much more attention to get the track recorded.  I can make a finished acoustic guitar track in no more than 20 minutes with something like Native Instruments Session Guitarist libraries.  I could always route that into Helix Native in the DAW, but it would be nice if it were all one thing.

 

As far as Basses I used to record those through my Helix with my precision bass, but anymore I just select the bass from any number of different bass plugins or even upright bass, or orchestral bowed bass and do them on the keyboard.  It's MUCH faster.

 

As far as effects, pretty much all DAWs come with plenty of options and there's more out there in plugin land.  I just purchased a convolution reverb plugin that allows you to apply various mic'ing and environmental setups captured in some of the most famous location in the world like AIR Studios at Lyndhurst Hall in London and apply it to any type of instrument.

[snc6]

Thanks so much for the info about this 50% off sale !

Just bought the Helix Native software.

Awesome!

[somebodyelse]

I got it FOC when I bought my Helix.

I'm not a fan. Love the Helix, not so much Native. I have better options.

[craiganderton]

Try Native on vocals. You can get unique sounds you can't get with other vocal-oriented software. I also use Native with synths, drums, strings, brass, and piano. Native has effects that other plugins don't offer, especially the delays and reverbs. Some of the dynamics are cool too, like the automatic level control. 

 

I understand why Line 6 doesn't push the "you can use it on other stuff" angle, but I have a setlist in my computer called "Not Guitar" that gets a lot of use. 

[mlwinnig]

Need to try that for sure!

[mlwinnig]

Got this today!

 

Looks like Craig has some long nights ahead...

 

HELIX UNIVERSE CONTINUES TO EXPAND

Still wondering if you want to join the massive Helix® and HX® owners’ family? Well, there’s no better time than now to make your move. The 19th free firmware update for Helix and HX hardware devices and the 3.80 software update for the Helix Native plugin finally delivers the missing link with six of the most requested amp channels and four unique cabs. Although the focus is on new amps and cabs, please note that the HX Effects™ processor and HX One pedal will still receive a new free effect. Based on the Bogner® Ecstasy and EVH 5150III (6L6), these new models round out the portfolio of amps and the Teardrop Bass Q represents the first new Wah since v1.0. This update once again demonstrates the power of Helix and HX products as the entire creative tonal palette continues to expand, all the while in lockstep with guitarists' needs.

[mlwinnig]

And this...

 

NEW MODELS, FREE!

The 19th free firmware update for Helix® and HX® hardware devices and the 3.80 software update for the Helix Native plugin finally delivers the missing link with six of the most requested amp channels and four unique cabs. Although the focus is on new amps and cabs, please note that the HX Effects™ processor and HX One pedal will still receive a new free effect. Based on the Bogner® Ecstasy and EVH 5150III (6L6), these new models round out the portfolio of amps and the Teardrop Bass Q represents the first new Wah since v1.0. This update once again demonstrates the power of Helix and HX products as the entire creative tonal palette continues to expand, all the while in lockstep with guitarists' needs. The update gives you the following: NEW AMP MODELS For Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, Helix Native, HX Stomp™ XL, and HX Stomp US Super Nrm, based on* the Fender® Super Reverb (normal channel) US Super Vib, based on* the Fender Super Reverb (vibrato channel) German Xtra Red, based on* the Bogner Ecstasy 101B (EL34) (red channel) German Xtra Blue, based on* the Bogner Ecstasy 101B (EL34) (blue channel) EV Panama Blue, based on* the EVH 5150III 100 [6L6] (Blue channel) EV Panama Red, based on* the EVH 5150III 100 [6L6] (Red channel)   NEW CABS For Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, Helix Native, HX Stomp XL, and HX Stomp   4x10 US Super (Single, Dual), captured from* the Fender Super Reverb 4x12 Cartog Guv (Single, Dual), captured from* Ben Adrian's Cartographer cabinet (Modified Lee Jackson 4x12 with Eminence® Governor speakers) 4x12 Cartog C90 (Single, Dual), captured from* Ben Adrian's Cartographer cabinet (Modified Lee Jackson 4x12 with Mesa C90 speakers) 4x12 SoloLead EM (Single, Dual), captured from* the Soldano SLO 4x12 cabinet   NEW EFFECT For Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, Helix Native, HX Effects, HX Stomp XL, HX Stomp, and HX One   Wah > Teardrop Bass Q (Mono, Stereo), based on* the Dunlop® 105Q bass wah