Hi Justin thank you so much for posting tutorials like this ! You showed how to automate snapshots, could you explain us how you to autaomte change preset from ableton to helix native ?
Thanks for reaching out over email, Ben! I’ve replied you there but to update everyone here who may read it, I’m in the process of updating this video for 2024 and beyond. Ableton has come a long way since this video was made!
Line 6 is killing it on the software side of things! If I had time, I will program the snapshot changes along with the multitrack for a truly hands-fee experience.
That's amazing I didn't know you could do this!! Except for me I think I'm gonna stick with using mainstage as my software cause the nice thing is I can have as many helix boards as I want vs just one so i have infinte DSP as long as my Computer can take it lol is there a place i can buy your patches for the helix/ helix native ????
Ah, Mainstage, something I haven’t dabbled in yet! My keyboardist tells me it crashes her laptop all the time, so I’m wondering if that is a universal experience. Please feel free to check out my Buy Me A Coffee page which offers a few packs for different styles and use-cases: buymeacoffee.com/jcguitar/extras
Also another thing to check is what computer is she using that might be the problem I’ve been using a MacBook air (2015) for the last 4 yrs and I’m now just upgrading to a MacBook Pro (2017)
Hi! First, check your Preferences and ensure that in the Link/MIDI menu, in the Track column, your device is set to "on". Second, ensure that in the MIDI track that you want to use the controller on, the MIDI channel is set to the same as your device (the default on Ableton is "Omni"; I would change this to the same channel that your controller is configured to).
....I use this plugin with podHD500x as a controller...it is amazing because I can change between snapshots and when I change the preset on pod it is tuned to footswitch for each pedal on helix...
I don't think it's possible at the moment as Native doesn't accept PC commands, only CC. But I may be outdated, as I haven't used Native this way in a while! I should provide an update.
Hi there! I did a version of it a long time ago to help out a brother who was learning it, it's not the best video quality though: ruclips.net/video/55nhileWDM4/видео.html
I am planning to use helix Native live via reaper using a windows 10 laptop could you advise the right amount of latency to set in order for it to work just right?
Hi! Buffer size settings will depend on your hardware, as you'll need to balance performance and tolerable latency. A good starting point is to start from 1024, then 512 (which will bring latency down to around 10ms), then 256 (which should be around 6ms). When you hear stuttering or have higher-than-usual memory load on the CPU, bring the buffer size up to the next tolerable setting.
I think in later updates, we are able to get Helix Native to listen out for MIDI CC commands. I haven't tried it yet, will do so when I can get down to it!
Thanks for the video Justin! This is really helpful. I have my guitar set up with Helix Native in Ableton. I'm wondering... have you ever experienced a loss in quality when using this plug in? I played the same tones on Helix Native here versus the Helix LT and the patches sound muffled and not EQ'd correctly on the Native. These are the exact same patches on each, so I'm not sure what the difference is. Any tips? Thanks again!
Hi Mike, you're welcome, I'm glad you found it helpful! What's the interface you're using? The preamps have a big part to play in the overall tone. My Steinberg UR22 is more neutral than the iRig Pro which is much more warm (tending towards the "muffled" side of the EQ). The headphone output you're listening from also plays a big difference. If I were to listen to my patches (and mixes) through my PC sound card, I have a severe lack of bass. If I listened through an interface, that becomes much more neutral, although not all interface headphone outputs are created equal. I know it's a little redundant, but have you tried using your Helix LT as the interface for your Native? That will check if the software side on your computer is imparting a different EQ.
You're welcome! I haven't been successful in assigning that to a controller yet, and from what I can read from the manual, it's not possible (the MIDI CC table doesn't have the specification for tap tempo). What I have done is to sync the tempo with my DAW. Since my band plays with tracks triggered from Ableton, I technically don't have to tap tempo if Native is synced to the BPM in Ableton.
Hi! I apologize this is a little late! I've been trying to read up and find other videos of other Helix users. It appears that this controller implementation for single effects is possible, but I can't get it to work with my MIDI controllers.
Hey man! What are the input and output latencies with this is setup? Is it noticeable? And that's an interesting approach you have here. I'm trying to use a Line 6 POD X3 as my controller. However, what I was doing was sending MIDI CC values corresponding to the snapshot index. I'm using Reaper as my DAW, and would be trying out this locator-based approach that you showed here!
Hi! It will vary from setup-to-setup. With my Macbook Pro that is quite high spec-ed, it's unnoticeable. But with my work laptop running Windows (8 GB of RAM and a lower powered processor), I need to have a little lag to avoid drop-outs and clicks. The PODX3 Live? I have that lying around, I didn't know it can be used as a MIDI controller! I should try it out. Can every button including the wah toe switch send a discrete MIDI CC value?
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar Thanks for the reply! I haven't been able to test it yet, because I don't have a dedicated interface and use my X3 Live as one. I'm interested in the Helix Native because it allows making of patches which would exceed the processing power of the hardware units. So in one patch alone, you could have four amps and four cabs, along with all the effects you'd want, which I don't think would be possible on the hardware units. And as for the X3 Live, it absolutely does work as a MIDI controller! If you have one of those, I believe you should use it instead of the iRig unit. As far as I know, almost everything sends a MIDI CC signal. Look up the Line 6 MIDI CC Manual for the X3, it has all the details. You'd have to use a MIDI-USB cable, as it doesn't support MIDI over USB. I've had some success using it with REAPER. The CC values the X3 sends might not be the ones the Helix Native is looking for, so you'd have to use some kind of MIDI CC remapping utility, of which there is one in my DAW. I use A MIDI event logger and press the footswitches one by one and identify the CC they are sending, and then remap it to whatever I need. Unfortunately, there is no way to change patches on the Helix Native with MIDI, but you could make an elaborate preset and go through an entire song by using snapshots, and change the preset afterwards. The snapshot index is controlled by MIDI CC 69, which takes values from 0 to 7 corresponding to snapshot numbers 1 to 8. Apologies for the long comment, hope it helps!
Os it also possible to turn off effdcts in a patch or snapshot? I have a boss gt8 that i can may e use for midi and would likd to possobly deep midi use the belox native
No worries! Glad to help where I can. On iPad there’s minimal latency. On a PC, you’ll have to play with the output buffer size. The smaller the buffer, the less the latency; try 128 samples and see if there are glitches. If so, ramp it up to 256, then 512. At 1024 samples, it’s going to be noticeably laggy.
Sure! I use a combination of patches, mostly from Worship Tutorials. For my setup which has an iRig Pro and Helix Native, I have found that Brad's Patch and their Hillsong Patch are great sounding!
Good work, brother! One question: Do you think the iRig Stomp I/O would work well as both, the interface and the footswitches/expression pedal with Native?
Thank you for the kind words! I don't have experience with the I/O (it does look enticingly good!), but from what I can read from the manual, the footswitches and expression pedal send pre-assigned CC values that can be learnt by Native. However, I think that if you haven't gotten the controller yet, by the time you add the cost of Native and the Stomp I/O, you might as well get a Helix LT!
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar Thanks. I already own a Helix Floor, I just wanted to have an alternative to use Native for live situations, trying to experiment with MIDI, but the cost is a thing! I'll keep looking for another cheaper alternative.
Recommending people "borrow" other people's credentials to save money is called pirating (stealing). Thou shalt not steal. $400 isn't "extremely expensive" compared to $1,000 for Helix LT and $1,500 for Helix, and certainly not worth going to jail or whatever eternal consequences await you. SAVE UP for your gear.
Oh far be it from me to promote piracy! I probably meant it in the context of sharing resources among ministry members (I apologize if it did come across as a promotion of piracy, I should go back and check what I said. Thanks for raising this up). I think to extend and share the plugin with fellow ministry members is akin to sharing a Helix floor (and in my church we pooled resources to buy one PODX3 to share around). All that being said though, it's still not free. Even with a Helix purchase, Native is ~$90.
Hi Justin thank you so much for posting tutorials like this ! You showed how to automate snapshots, could you explain us how you to autaomte change preset from ableton to helix native ?
Thanks for reaching out over email, Ben! I’ve replied you there but to update everyone here who may read it, I’m in the process of updating this video for 2024 and beyond. Ableton has come a long way since this video was made!
Wow! This just blew my mind! I never knew this was even a possibility!!
Line 6 is killing it on the software side of things! If I had time, I will program the snapshot changes along with the multitrack for a truly hands-fee experience.
You're rad. Thanks, man. Great ideas & good pointers. Also, you have a gift!!!
Thank you for the kind words! You're most welcome! I pray this will bless your ministry.
Thank you Justin. This was really helpful. Bless you Brother.
You're welcome! Bless you too!
That's amazing I didn't know you could do this!! Except for me I think I'm gonna stick with using mainstage as my software cause the nice thing is I can have as many helix boards as I want vs just one so i have infinte DSP as long as my Computer can take it lol
is there a place i can buy your patches for the helix/ helix native ????
Ah, Mainstage, something I haven’t dabbled in yet! My keyboardist tells me it crashes her laptop all the time, so I’m wondering if that is a universal experience.
Please feel free to check out my Buy Me A Coffee page which offers a few packs for different styles and use-cases: buymeacoffee.com/jcguitar/extras
Also another thing to check is what computer is she using that might be the problem I’ve been using a MacBook air (2015) for the last 4 yrs and I’m now just upgrading to a MacBook Pro (2017)
SUPER HELPFUL. Thank you so much for your video!
You’re most welcome! I’m glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this excellent tutorial!
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was useful!
my ableton can not respon my midi button, how to setting the midi first?
Hi! First, check your Preferences and ensure that in the Link/MIDI menu, in the Track column, your device is set to "on". Second, ensure that in the MIDI track that you want to use the controller on, the MIDI channel is set to the same as your device (the default on Ableton is "Omni"; I would change this to the same channel that your controller is configured to).
....I use this plugin with podHD500x as a controller...it is amazing because I can change between snapshots and when I change the preset on pod it is tuned to footswitch for each pedal on helix...
That's amazing! If ever I see a legacy device like that pop up on the 2nd hand market, I'm going to try using it!
It's possible to use that you teach us to change presets (no snapshots)?
I don't think it's possible at the moment as Native doesn't accept PC commands, only CC. But I may be outdated, as I haven't used Native this way in a while! I should provide an update.
I would really like to see the whole cover of the song Lion and the Lamb, is it possible?
Hi there! I did a version of it a long time ago to help out a brother who was learning it, it's not the best video quality though: ruclips.net/video/55nhileWDM4/видео.html
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar You play the video differently, and therefore I ask
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar I would like to listen to the version from this video
I am planning to use helix Native live via reaper using a windows 10 laptop could you advise the right amount of latency to set in order for it to work just right?
Hi! Buffer size settings will depend on your hardware, as you'll need to balance performance and tolerable latency. A good starting point is to start from 1024, then 512 (which will bring latency down to around 10ms), then 256 (which should be around 6ms). When you hear stuttering or have higher-than-usual memory load on the CPU, bring the buffer size up to the next tolerable setting.
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar WOW, thanks a lot brother. God bless you.
How do.you turn only effects off? Great video!!
I think in later updates, we are able to get Helix Native to listen out for MIDI CC commands. I haven't tried it yet, will do so when I can get down to it!
Thanks for the video Justin! This is really helpful. I have my guitar set up with Helix Native in Ableton. I'm wondering... have you ever experienced a loss in quality when using this plug in? I played the same tones on Helix Native here versus the Helix LT and the patches sound muffled and not EQ'd correctly on the Native. These are the exact same patches on each, so I'm not sure what the difference is. Any tips? Thanks again!
Hi Mike, you're welcome, I'm glad you found it helpful! What's the interface you're using? The preamps have a big part to play in the overall tone. My Steinberg UR22 is more neutral than the iRig Pro which is much more warm (tending towards the "muffled" side of the EQ).
The headphone output you're listening from also plays a big difference. If I were to listen to my patches (and mixes) through my PC sound card, I have a severe lack of bass. If I listened through an interface, that becomes much more neutral, although not all interface headphone outputs are created equal.
I know it's a little redundant, but have you tried using your Helix LT as the interface for your Native? That will check if the software side on your computer is imparting a different EQ.
This video was very usefull to me, thanks a lot!. One question tap tempo button assign can be possible with helix native and external midi controller?
You're welcome! I haven't been successful in assigning that to a controller yet, and from what I can read from the manual, it's not possible (the MIDI CC table doesn't have the specification for tap tempo). What I have done is to sync the tempo with my DAW. Since my band plays with tracks triggered from Ableton, I technically don't have to tap tempo if Native is synced to the BPM in Ableton.
Hi Justin. Is it possible to assign the buttons of your controller for a single effect instead of a snapshot? My english it's a bit limited, sorry!
Hi! I apologize this is a little late! I've been trying to read up and find other videos of other Helix users. It appears that this controller implementation for single effects is possible, but I can't get it to work with my MIDI controllers.
Hey man! What are the input and output latencies with this is setup? Is it noticeable?
And that's an interesting approach you have here. I'm trying to use a Line 6 POD X3 as my controller. However, what I was doing was sending MIDI CC values corresponding to the snapshot index. I'm using Reaper as my DAW, and would be trying out this locator-based approach that you showed here!
Hi! It will vary from setup-to-setup. With my Macbook Pro that is quite high spec-ed, it's unnoticeable. But with my work laptop running Windows (8 GB of RAM and a lower powered processor), I need to have a little lag to avoid drop-outs and clicks.
The PODX3 Live? I have that lying around, I didn't know it can be used as a MIDI controller! I should try it out. Can every button including the wah toe switch send a discrete MIDI CC value?
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar Thanks for the reply! I haven't been able to test it yet, because I don't have a dedicated interface and use my X3 Live as one. I'm interested in the Helix Native because it allows making of patches which would exceed the processing power of the hardware units. So in one patch alone, you could have four amps and four cabs, along with all the effects you'd want, which I don't think would be possible on the hardware units.
And as for the X3 Live, it absolutely does work as a MIDI controller! If you have one of those, I believe you should use it instead of the iRig unit. As far as I know, almost everything sends a MIDI CC signal. Look up the Line 6 MIDI CC Manual for the X3, it has all the details. You'd have to use a MIDI-USB cable, as it doesn't support MIDI over USB.
I've had some success using it with REAPER. The CC values the X3 sends might not be the ones the Helix Native is looking for, so you'd have to use some kind of MIDI CC remapping utility, of which there is one in my DAW. I use A MIDI event logger and press the footswitches one by one and identify the CC they are sending, and then remap it to whatever I need.
Unfortunately, there is no way to change patches on the Helix Native with MIDI, but you could make an elaborate preset and go through an entire song by using snapshots, and change the preset afterwards. The snapshot index is controlled by MIDI CC 69, which takes values from 0 to 7 corresponding to snapshot numbers 1 to 8.
Apologies for the long comment, hope it helps!
Os it also possible to turn off effdcts in a patch or snapshot? I have a boss gt8 that i can may e use for midi and would likd to possobly deep midi use the belox native
hi bro regarding irig pro does it have headphone out? if yes can it be used as output in ableton? thanks
Hi! No it doesn’t have a headphone out, you’ll have to route the audio on your DAW to the headphone output of your PC/laptop.
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar thanks, is there any unnoticeable lag or latency if you'll monitor it through the headphone out of a PC/Ipad?
No worries! Glad to help where I can. On iPad there’s minimal latency. On a PC, you’ll have to play with the output buffer size. The smaller the buffer, the less the latency; try 128 samples and see if there are glitches. If so, ramp it up to 256, then 512. At 1024 samples, it’s going to be noticeably laggy.
Can i ask for the patches you use?
Sure! I use a combination of patches, mostly from Worship Tutorials. For my setup which has an iRig Pro and Helix Native, I have found that Brad's Patch and their Hillsong Patch are great sounding!
Good work, brother! One question: Do you think the iRig Stomp I/O would work well as both, the interface and the footswitches/expression pedal with Native?
Thank you for the kind words! I don't have experience with the I/O (it does look enticingly good!), but from what I can read from the manual, the footswitches and expression pedal send pre-assigned CC values that can be learnt by Native. However, I think that if you haven't gotten the controller yet, by the time you add the cost of Native and the Stomp I/O, you might as well get a Helix LT!
@@AllAboutWorshipGuitar Thanks. I already own a Helix Floor, I just wanted to have an alternative to use Native for live situations, trying to experiment with MIDI, but the cost is a thing! I'll keep looking for another cheaper alternative.
Recommending people "borrow" other people's credentials to save money is called pirating (stealing). Thou shalt not steal. $400 isn't "extremely expensive" compared to $1,000 for Helix LT and $1,500 for Helix, and certainly not worth going to jail or whatever eternal consequences await you. SAVE UP for your gear.
Oh far be it from me to promote piracy! I probably meant it in the context of sharing resources among ministry members (I apologize if it did come across as a promotion of piracy, I should go back and check what I said. Thanks for raising this up). I think to extend and share the plugin with fellow ministry members is akin to sharing a Helix floor (and in my church we pooled resources to buy one PODX3 to share around).
All that being said though, it's still not free. Even with a Helix purchase, Native is ~$90.