Well, its xmas time again.....Helix Native, what do I need

[themetallikid]

I feel like I come up with this idea in my head every xmas, but never really look into it.   

 

If I wanted to get Helix Native to make practice at home that much easier (small space in an apartment and full pedalboard with Helix is cumbersome)... What would I all need to get?   

 

I assume i'd need some type of interface thingamajig to get my guitar into laptop??  suggestions?  Are there advantages of one over another?  

 

I'd likely need an expression pedal (or two) to help match my presets that i use live with the full Helix.  What are some cheaper ones that would work.  Live on my board I use Mission Engineering as an EXP2.  Is there anything lesser in price but still decent quality?

 

HX Control would be my foot controller?  

 

and then the cost of Native.  

 

Are there laptop restrictions? I have a WIN10 laptop that isnt much for ram/processing power as its been mostly used for emails/bills/internet/spotify type stuff.  

[silverhead]

Your computer may need an upgrade but since it’s running Win10 it’s not too old and may suffice. You’ll know after you get things set up.

 

You will need an audio interface. They vary in price according to many things, an important one being the number of inputs and usb channels. If you want to record only one guitar at a time you need a 1-input interface. If you want to record guitar and vocals simultaneously you need a 2-input interface, preferably one of them being XLR and also including onboard phantom power if using a condenser mic. Do your research.

 

I don’t know if there are audio interfaces that support expression pedals. Again, research.

 

You mention HX Control so I assume you have the Helix Rack. HX control is not a generic foot controller; it works only with Helix Rack. So, no - you can’t use it directly into the audio interface or your computer.

 

Since you own Helix Rack you are entitled to a discounted price on Helix Native, unless you are not the original owner of the Rack and a previous owner has used the discount.

[MusicLaw]

Another thought to consider is to get an HX Stomp which has an very high quality Audio Interface, plus contains all the same firmware amps, cabs, fx, as available via Helix Native, all in one small box. And, via HX Edit you can access and control the HX Stomp directly via USB from your computer screen with the luxury of the full HX Edit visual display. Alternatively, use the HX Stomp solely as an Audio Interface, and it's headphone jack (if you wish for Zero Latency monitoring of your guitar). Plus, purchasing an HX Stomp which is currently on sale from Line 6 and many resellers, you are also entitled to a significantly discounted price on Helix Native, so it may be an ideal way to go. As @silverheadjust posted, do your research! Happy Holidays.

 

[ricstudioc]

Starting from the bottom - if you're not delving into multitrack recording, and strictly want to run Native for practice/patch tweaks, your existing lappy is... oh, 85%+ gonna be fine.  What constitutes a "low end" computer these days still smokes rigs that 20 years back I was doing full production on.  Should be ok.

 

Footpedals - the trick here is MIDI.  While there are actual MIDI based expresson pedals, they tend to run to the pricey side.  Add to that most smaller interfaces only have one MIDI in/out, and you said you'd like to run a couple.  You probably want a converter box that can take std 1/4" footpedal plugs and convert them to MIDI.  Something like this -

 

https://www.amazon.com/DOREMIDI-Expression-Converter-Expander-MPC-10/dp/B0BZ87CVJ7/ref=asc_df_B0BZ87CVJ7?mcid=5a82f9de24c539e4a2ab8de115b30c6f&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693366139103&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=910855457161691036&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030030&hvtargid=pla-2202627121882&psc=1

 

As to interfaces, skies the limit, there are more than I can shake a dead cat at (don't ask where I get the cats...).  Personally I'd look at PreSonus or Focusrite 2x2 boxes.  Solid, good drivers, well established.  You can get great results for $100 -$150. 

[themetallikid]

On 11/22/2024 at 3:25 PM, silverhead said:

Your computer may need an upgrade but since it’s running Win10 it’s not too old and may suffice. You’ll know after you get things set up.

 

You will need an audio interface. They vary in price according to many things, an important one being the number of inputs and usb channels. If you want to record only one guitar at a time you need a 1-input interface. If you want to record guitar and vocals simultaneously you need a 2-input interface, preferably one of them being XLR and also including onboard phantom power if using a condenser mic. Do your research.

 

I don’t know if there are audio interfaces that support expression pedals. Again, research.

 

You mention HX Control so I assume you have the Helix Rack. HX control is not a generic foot controller; it works only with Helix Rack. So, no - you can’t use it directly into the audio interface or your computer.

 

Since you own Helix Rack you are entitled to a discounted price on Helix Native, unless you are not the original owner of the Rack and a previous owner has used the discount.

I apologize, not HX Control.  I assumed that HX Control could control things in Native.   I have the full Helix floor unit.   Which I know is an interface, and such, however I was hoping to have a comparable rig......   to keep at home....where I could work on things and then import/export to my live rig when needed.   Setting up my pedalboard/case/cables etc is a bit cumbersome in my apartment space. 

 

Was thinking that native and controller would be an efficient way to get full Helix experience for home practice.   Most of my presets wont really translate into one of the smaller units as I utilize the 2 dsp's.  

[themetallikid]

I'm thinking this is not going to be the solution for me for a comparable home practice rig.  Short of just getting another Helix.  

[rd2rk]

My office rig is an ancient Gateway i5 laptop with 8gb memory. 

I use my HXS as an interface (not great latency) - 12.5ms at 64spls) in Reaper.

My Scarlett 18i20 (2nd gen) in my studio (HP i7 laptop with 16gb) gets 7.6ms.

The Scarlett Solo interface (4th gen) is $140, but you can probably get it for less on a Black Friday sale. 

[datacommando]

On 11/22/2024 at 10:26 PM, themetallikid said:

I'm thinking this is not going to be the solution for me for a comparable home practice rig.  Short of just getting another Helix.  

 

Hi,

 

You didn't say what your anticipated budget would be for this xmas treat?

 

Unless to you are considering getting into home recording sometime in the future, it looks as if you are talking yourself out of this Helix Native option when you consider what you will need to use it, how you envisage.

 

First up - Helix Native - great if you can get it at the discount price.

Next in order to get your guitar to communicate with HXN and your computer - Audio Interface (lots of options, your decision).

Something to listen to your Native noodling on - pair of 4 or 5 inch studio reference monitors (once again, lots of options, your decision).

Then, if you are wanting it to function in a similar manner to a floor unit  - some sort of MIDI controller for switching duties.

Expression pedal(s) for Vol and Wah FX - hmm... requires something a bit more specialised by way of MIDI functionality as this stuff is usually automated from within a DAW.

 

Simplest solution for your situation (small apartment) - grab a pre-owned Helix LT, and a decent pair of headphones. This gives you a USB programmable dual DSP box, foot switches, EXP pedal and no noise disturbance.

 

Add it all up and see which wins.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense

[rd2rk]

To expand on what @datacommandosaid - using MIDI with HXN could be the most troublesome aspect. Most affordable MIDI controllers use MIDI DIN connectors, which would require DIN connectors on the AI, which would significantly increase the cost for that. As DC said, your best bet cost-wise would be a used LT if you can handle the increased latency. That shouldn't be a problem unless you're SUPER sensitive to latency or a "shredder". But then, why bother with HXN at all?

 

Also consider that full MIDI control of the presets in HXN would require a LOT of time configuring them, as there's no way to do it GLOBALLY.

 

I would just forget about HXN and just get the LT or HXS/HXSXL, which is what I do.