Helix Native using FX loop on physical amp

[deanwitherden]

So this might be a crazy idea but if Helix Native is top shelf (which I think it is) then I can't see why I couldn't do what I want.

 

Essentially 4 cable method with Native providing distortion etc into the amp input + delay etc into the FX loop.

 

Guitar into input 2 of interface (hi-z input)

Add distrotion etc using Native

Line out left to amp fx loop

Add delay etc using Native

Amp FX loop into input 1 of interface (non hi-z, will this be a problem?)

 

Challenge 1 - if I do this in the DAW I think I'll need 2 x Native plugins and need to configure both to receive same MIDI commands + have patches for both pre-amp and post-amp aligned to the same patches, if this is even possible. If I add Native to both channels in DAW, the MIDI node changes to 2, no idea whether I can send commands to 2 nodes???

 

Challenge 2 - the signal chain is configurable inside of Native but it seems to reference a physical pedal (Helix Floor etc) rather than inputs of interface. If I'm correct maybe Native does have drawbacks over Line 6 hardware? 

 

The more I research the more I think this won't be possible (or too hard to bother), I wonder whether Line 6 will give me a credit towards a floor board? lol

 

[silverhead]

Please provide details about your physical setup. Amp? Audio Interface? DAW? Computer? Are you mic’ing the amp into your interface or going direct (bypassing your amp’s speaker/cab)?

[datacommando]

On 10/30/2025 at 4:46 AM, deanwitherden said:

The more I research the more I think this won't be possible (or too hard to bother), I wonder whether Line 6 will give me a credit towards a floor board? lol

Hi,

 

First up - as noted by “@silverhead” in the post above - it’s a really big help to know exactly what your current set up comprises of.

 

Having said that, regarding your 4 cable for Native idea, I really have to ask - WHY?

 

I see that this is your first post, and therefore I feel the need to ask if you have already purchased Native, or are simply checking out the demo version, because your concept makes no sense to me whatsoever! Why make life difficult, trying to patch into an external pre-amp and amp, when Native contains 94 modelled amps, many of which are very esoteric, or boutique, and that the average user will have no real world experience of using, or probably even having heard. Surely more than enough for the general user in any configuration.

 

I say this because Helix Native is the software “brain” that is inside all the hardware units. The hardware devices are fitted with all the necessary connections to run 4 cable setups with real world amps. The software doesn’t have those options, which I think would make your concept probably “to hard to bother”. 
 

As a Helix floor owner, I bought Helix Native at a discount when it was first released way back in 2017. Hardware and software, almost identical, but designed to perform different tasks. For me Native lives inside Logic in my Mac, for essential re-amping dry tracks, and testing various audio options without the Helix being connected, or applying to soft synths. If you want to run 4 cable rigs the easiest solution is to buy a HX Stomp, and then buy a discounted version of Native as an extra option.

 

When Native first launched there was a whole bunch of people who seemed to think that it would be a cheap way into being able to gig without paying top dollar for the hardware. Some managed to create fairly reliable performance platforms that way. Although, they soon came to realise that in order to use the stuff effectively it required additional equipment, for example an audio interface and speakers, plus a MIDI controller like a Behringer FCB1010  to have access to foot switches and expression pedals. The fact that the software doesn’t have physical Send/Return, and FX Loops, or a Looper block is covered in the Helix Native Pilot’s Guide v3.80. 
 

https://line6.com/data/6/0a00051afef2673cd2e8a197b/application/pdf/Helix Native Pilot's Guide 3.80 - English .pdf

Suffice to say, after 10 years of almost daily use of a Helix, and 8 years of Helix Native, I have never felt the need to attempt such a convoluted set up as you have suggested, but you must have your reasons.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[deanwitherden]

@silverhead This is more of a concept exploration rather than specific problem but here goes. Pro Tools free, Steinberg UR22C, HP Zbook Studio G7 (Core i9, 32gb), FCB1010 w/UNO 2, Peavey Valveking 112 w/FX loop. 

 

@datacommando Why? Because it sounded like a challenge? I dunno, finding that pushing my knowledge of a digital rig more satisfying than playing. Sad I know. For context I haven't played in years until about a year ago and decided to go digital to save money. Holy s#%* was it a learning curve! Many days spent on YouTube just to get a sound!

 

I've been just plugging into Native for ages with a nice set of headphones and then one day I hooked up to the amp and it just sounded better. But got to thinking about the signal chain wanting to use Native for all effects and realised that they can't all go in front of the amp so here we are.

 

And you hit the nail on the head, Native isn't a one stop shop, i've got the 1010 but have stopped there. Now pushing the gear i've got to do what I want. And yes, $ is a factor. I'm not a pro or in a band anymore so can't justify $1000's on hardware (i've got to have money for guitars...).

 

What i've realised is that Native is different to a normal digital rig approach, most digital rigs are a DAW with plugins and MIDI is sent to the DAW whereas Native takes a lot of functionality away from the DAW. This probably isn't 100% technically correct but a concept I had to wrap my head around to even start to understand the UNO 2 firmware.

 

Anywho, turns out it was a crazy idea?!? For the $900 I spent on the interace, 1010 and Native maybe I should have bought an old floor board? I liked the idea of having a latest gen setup though. And god damn the hardware is holding it's value much better than it did in my day or I might be able to afford something (with an expression pedal).

 

@line6 wouldn't it be cool if we could do what i'm trying to do? Any plans?

 

Peace

[datacommando]

On 10/31/2025 at 3:06 AM, deanwitherden said:

@silverhead This is more of a concept exploration rather than specific problem but here goes. Pro Tools free, Steinberg UR22C, HP Zbook Studio G7 (Core i9, 32gb), FCB1010 w/UNO 2, Peavey Valveking 112 w/FX loop. 

 

@datacommando Why? Because it sounded like a challenge? I dunno, finding that pushing my knowledge of a digital rig more satisfying than playing. Sad I know. For context I haven't played in years until about a year ago and decided to go digital to save money. Holy s#%* was it a learning curve! Many days spent on YouTube just to get a sound!

 

I've been just plugging into Native for ages with a nice set of headphones and then one day I hooked up to the amp and it just sounded better. But got to thinking about the signal chain wanting to use Native for all effects and realised that they can't all go in front of the amp so here we are.

 

And you hit the nail on the head, Native isn't a one stop shop, i've got the 1010 but have stopped there. Now pushing the gear i've got to do what I want. And yes, $ is a factor. I'm not a pro or in a band anymore so can't justify $1000's on hardware (i've got to have money for guitars...).

 

What i've realised is that Native is different to a normal digital rig approach, most digital rigs are a DAW with plugins and MIDI is sent to the DAW whereas Native takes a lot of functionality away from the DAW. This probably isn't 100% technically correct but a concept I had to wrap my head around to even start to understand the UNO 2 firmware.

 

Anywho, turns out it was a crazy idea?!? For the $900 I spent on the interace, 1010 and Native maybe I should have bought an old floor board? I liked the idea of having a latest gen setup though. And god damn the hardware is holding it's value much better than it did in my day or I might be able to afford something (with an expression pedal).

 

@line6 wouldn't it be cool if we could do what i'm trying to do? Any plans?

 

Peace

Yeah, most of us in here are up to a challenge (most days), but pressing software to try to provide a solution, and to do something it is not designed to do, is possibly a step too far. 

 

I’m not saying that what you contemplate doing is impossible. No, rather it would be extremely convoluted to produce, with no distinct advantage over what can already be done within the plug-in. If you want to run 4 CM, with a real amp and cab, hardware is the way to go. If you want to run software, then you need to realise its limitations.

 

Even though digital audio can be a steep learning curve, I’m surprised to discover that you say it took you days to get a sound out of Native. 

 

It’s straight forward enough, and functions much the same as any other guitar amp/fx sim plug-in. Stick Native onto the track you wish to process, select a preset and press play. You should now be hearing the modified audio in glorious stereo. Play around with the preset, turning on, or off, various blocks and mess around with whatever parameters you wish. All this in the knowledge that your original audio remains intact. Just don’t overdrive the input to Native.

 

One thing that immediately springs to mind from reading your reply! You mention that you have been happily using Native for quite sometime, but listening on headphones (the type and impedance can be very important). Then you patched in your Peavey - result, audio Nirvana.

 

Welcome to the non stop “amp in the room” saga, and probably a smattering of Fletcher Munson.

 

You may want to check out this blog post from Eric Klein (Digital_Igloo) for a little insight on why your playback system is very important.

 

https://blog.line6.com/2023/09/15/eric-klein-at-least-half-of-your-modelers-sound-is-determined-by-your-playback-system/
 

Oh, yeah - regarding your “@Line6 comment” - due to the fact that anyone working on this stuff is tied by NDAs, you will never know of any future plans. Also, they currently seem very involved in getting the new flagship hardware into stores. Furthermore, this is user group and Line 6 staff very rarely visit here - see the black banner at the top of this page - “Welcome to the Line 6 forums”. If you need to contact anyone who might be able to help, then check the Digital and Modelling section of The Gear Page website. Basically - don’t hold your breath!

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[deanwitherden]

@datacommando When I said days, it was maybe a whole day stretched over a few hours of free time after dinner for a few days. I think most of the time was getting rid of the latency then understanding the DAW before I got the chance to "Stick Native on a track".

 

Thanks for the post, i'll have a play with those settings on the patches that i've made, see how much more I can extract out of them.

 

I know my @Line6 was a super longshot, you never know though.

 

Thanks for picking up my post, you have given me another technical challenge to explore! I have been looking at the Helix Floor though! Don't tell my Wife!!!