Most of this gear is old, other than the MacBook, so It doesn't take the newest stuff to make great sounding stuff. What sort of things do you have in your setup that help with your creative workflow?
Hi Nick, great video! I have a MacBook Pro and a Helix and want to plug the Helix in via a hub. I currently can't get it to work! Do you plug yours in via a hub or straight into the MBP? Thanks, Jane
Glad to see your channel is growing bro! Took a break from the online world for a bit but saw you start around the start of covid. Love all the vids!🤘🏻
Love your content and vibe Nick! As someone who works as a video editor as a day job, is into metal/home recording, and is a Helix user, this channel speaks to my soul.
i think you just talked me into running my helix through my interface. been wondering about it. I agree with the dial in a almost mix ready tone and commit idea.
To record the DI at the same time: The Helix outputs the unprocessed signal of 2 channels you choose through USB 7/8. By default, guitar and mic inputs. The processed signal goes through the USB channels chosen (1/2, 3/4, and 5/6). Helix always monitors the PC output through USB 1/2, so those cannot be chosen as inputs for a helix input block.
Nice setup Nick. I also have the Presonus E4.5 monitors to hook up my Helix LT to for my FRFR connection to hear the amp sims. Keep up the great work. Love all your metal Helix presets. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. All the best
Hey Nick, thanks so much for your sharing, you are always so inspiring. I used to have an hx stomp directly connected to the PC via usb, never been totaly satisfied though as i tend to scoop too much :/. I just got a presonus audio interface and a torpedo captor x. I've just taken my orange th30 out of the closet, and started some experiements....
hello! thank you for the comprehensive and detailed video! i am a guitarist and aiming for a simlair workflow. I only have a Helix LT, Fiio K7 DAC/Amp and DT 1990s. I struggle to figure out how I can direct monitor my Helix and PC sound all in my headphones. I could use the Helix as my audio interface, I guess.. but then my Fiio K7 has no use and everytime I remove the Helix for gigs and band practice i have to mess with cables :( If i monitor through speakers and the likes, my mic will pick it up (Røde NT-USB), so i have to use headphones. I dont understand how this is supposed to work… :( The way i do it now is some macgyver stuff using ASIO OBS plugin and ASIO drivers with the lowest possible latency.. It’s not low enough tho. Would getting a dedicated audio interface help? It would probably make the Fiio K7 redundant, but at least I can just unplug my Helix without having to worry about cables.
You answered your own question. Your setup sounds janky anyhow by your own description. Either use the helix as your interface, or get an audio interface and fun the Helix into it via 1/4” or XLR
I have a HX Stomp and Helix Native but I usually run the HX Stomp into my Blacklion Revolution 2x2 audio interface into a 4K Retina Intel iMac. My second DAW in the studio is my M1 Macbook Air into an Anker thunderbolt dock running a HDMI viedio monitor and an Audient iD14 MKII audio interface, Nektar MIDI controller. I rarely use the HX Stomp as the audio interface but it's there if I easily want to add dry tracks for reamping. Good enough for me.
@@NickHillMakesMusic Wish I had a patch bay, lol. My audio monitors are 2 Krk Rokit 7 G4s on the intel iMac and 4 old Fostex PM.05 MkIIs on the Macbook Air.
Hey Nick, I’m trying to get started with recording myself playing using the helix as an audio interface. Any tips or past videos that show how to connect my helix to Obs studio, if you’ve ever used it yourself.
I have a similar setup, but I alternate between Helix and Focusrite when I want a DI input along with the Helix sound. Do you know of a way to get that DI from the helix into a scarlett input?
On the helix rack, there is an unbuffered guitar “thru,” but on the floor, you’d probably have to set some sort of send block before all other blocks to get a clean DI (but remember, the input block with the gate and guitar in-z could affect this)
@@NickHillMakesMusic Helix LT has a DI built in on input 7 when you're using helix as the main interface. My main issue is that the scarlet is my primary, and while I can aggregate intefaces on linux, one of the interfaces sound becomes choppy. If it's possibly to have a 3rd out be clean from my helix to the scarlett, that would solve everything. Perhaps a send block like you said, and rout that send via 1/4 inch cable and the regular through XLR.
Hello Nick. When I use my two monitors on the two outputs of my HX Stomp I have the stereo effect with the stereo delays of the HX...but when I use the HX Stomp directly to my Presonus Audiobox cancels the stereo effect even when I use the two outputs of the HX Stomp to the two inputs of the Interface. What am I doing wrong?
Hey Nick! I'm a huge fan of Detra Cortina and I love your tone. I'm just starting my guitar recording journey and I have a Helix LT. When I recorded from the Guitar -> Helix -> Audio Interface -> Computer I didn't find the soun d of the guitar to be very pleasant. However when I played from Guitar -> Helix -> Studio Monitor it sounds great. From what I understand you record from helix straight into the audio interface right? Do you know any possible reasons for why it sounds perfectly good on my studio monitors but not otherwise? To add onto that, other people (guitarists included) have suggested for me to record by micing a speaker or amp instead of straight from the Helix. What do you think about that? Thank you!
Hey Nick, great video very informative, thank you for making it. I am a PC dood and currently find myself on the "real tube amp" side of the fence opposed to modelers. However I am rethinking my position on the Helix for the ability to have more tonal options faster and easier. I also currently use a TwoNotes Torpedo Captor X for cabs and mics due to sound/ease of use and figure I am already half way there, ha ha. Any reason why you decided Helix opposed to real tube amps for your inspiration and workflow?
Honestly… money. I’ve never been in a place to afford multiple amps, a place/home big enough to justify the space/volume and furthermore, I was a fan of the Line 6 POD HD 500 so when the helix was announced, I was ready for it.
Not really bypassing it. Just not using the device as an interface. The same, affected and processed tones go “out” USB, XLR, 1/4” outputs. I prefer to use this and am external audio interface for flexibility
Does the SPDIF method reduce latency vs 1/4” analog out? Looking to do some live looping via iPad with the lowest possible latency, but need multi-instrument so can’t go direct from Helix, due to no aggregate interface possibility on iOS. Thanks
I've learnt more from you and Glenn at SMG Studios in a few months than I did in a whole year at some recording school back in the day. Would love to see you 2 do a video together. Just one question, is there any real difference in running the helix into an audio interface versus just using the helix as an interface into the DAW with the USB?
Hey Nick! I just bought a pair of those beyerdynamic 990's after seeing this cause was in need of an upgrade. Because I live in an apartment, I mix almost solely off headphones and was curious, do you use something like sonarworks with these? I believe you've said before, you mix primarily on headphones (which seems to be less common) and I think your mixes sound great.
Hey nick got a question I normaly play through a power cab but when I'm leveling my presets , esp in stereo would you recommend a good set of cans or headphones , i.do alot of helix work at home in a quiet environment, would appreciate any advice
That’s a tough question simply because I don’t have the experience to understand how a Preset translates from the helix to going through a Power Cab. It’s safe to assume you can approximate how your preceptor sound through a good set of headphones, but I would hate to say yeah go ahead and do that and then you play thru your power cabinet sounds like crap. Perhaps, if you were to take some of your existing presets that you know, sound good to you, power cab, and then get to know how they sound on whatever pair of headphones you end up getting, then you’ll have an idea of how things will translate. I think that’s how I would personally go about it. Sorry for the lack of a real answer and the delay
Great question. I’m a resolve guy. It’s fantastic on my opinion. I do use premiere for work on occasion and it has gotten better (I switched at a time it was a pile of updated shit) but I’m so much happier using resolve.
Hey I've just got a MacBook Pro M1 Pro chip. I read online that you don't need rosetta for HX edit and things, but it is still asking me to download rosetta. Is there a way to download hx edit without rosetta, or is that still not possible?
Needing to use Rosetta isn't bad. My HX Edit is using rosetta so I am not sure there is a native version yet (I keep HX updated). For what it is worth, you'll never notice a difference.
@@NickHillMakesMusic Thanks Nick, might of been a silly question from me but appreciate the advice! This channel has been so helpful on all things Helix, thanks for doing the work so we don’t have to 👌🏻
I love gear, and the only thing better than gear is someone talking about gear they use. Thanks brother, great vid as always! Beyerdynamic! Wubba Lubba Dub-Dub!
Damnit! i saw in one of your video's there was a dropdbox download to your template download for S1? ... and now i cant find it anymore ? anyone who knows the video i am looking for/dropbox link from Nick?
There's nothing wrong with your system and I'm a big Presonus fan. I've used their gear and I use Studio One. I also have a Variax and a Helix. My comment is that going into an audio interface is fine and plugging everything in is what I do. The Helix has a USB audio interface with multiple channels (it's 6 or 8) and I have bass plugged into the guitar input and the Variax and microphone plugged in. If I wanted to add a normal guitar I could use the return on the sends. As a side note I think phantom power only affects the microphone input but setting it in global settings is less than intuitive if you are switching between a large diaphragm And a ribbon microphone. Several other specific advantages of the Helix USB interface are MIDI control to and from the DAW, the ability to run a wet and dry signal simultaneously to different channels in case you decide what re-amp and the ability to use the Helix as an insert effect through the USB interface without having to run audio cables. In short, if an external audio interface works for you, great, but you should point out for solo musicians it not only is not necessary but may introduce limitations, depending on what you want to do.
I can ONLY speak on works for me. I never claim to be the be all, end all of what is possible with bedroom/basement musicians. Besides, I do think I mention in the video and in several others that this is what works for ME. Thanks for the feedback, though. I can't make content for everyone, as that is a fools' errand, especially on today's internet.
I did find this helpful. The spirits have dropped a few Technological Dinosaurs on me. I am FORCING ALL TO INTERFACE. I am Hanging out with Quirky notes that don't live in the same neighborhood. R8 to ideapad3 or line 6 ux2
Most of this gear is old, other than the MacBook, so It doesn't take the newest stuff to make great sounding stuff. What sort of things do you have in your setup that help with your creative workflow?
Guitar: ESP Ltd M-10
Interface: PreSonus 24c
PC: Lenovo Ideapad 320 20gb RAM 1TB SSD
Headphones: KZ ZS10 Pro
DAW: PreSonus Studio One Artist 5
Hi Nick, great video! I have a MacBook Pro and a Helix and want to plug the Helix in via a hub. I currently can't get it to work! Do you plug yours in via a hub or straight into the MBP? Thanks, Jane
@7:40 hahaha "Tangent ALERT! . Tangent ALERT!!!...." too funny Nick
Glad to see your channel is growing bro! Took a break from the online world for a bit but saw you start around the start of covid. Love all the vids!🤘🏻
yay your back man your setup is so inspiring loved the serious tangent bit
Thanks man! Trying to have fun again doin this. Appreciate the watch!
Love your content and vibe Nick! As someone who works as a video editor as a day job, is into metal/home recording, and is a Helix user, this channel speaks to my soul.
I love ALL your videos i have seen so far ... you shpuld get the 15k subscribers easily as its well deserved
i think you just talked me into running my helix through my interface. been wondering about it. I agree with the dial in a almost mix ready tone and commit idea.
Yeah man, I just find it helps keep me from getting stuck on tone searching, if that makes sense. Thanks for being here!
@@NickHillMakesMusic your welcome i love your content and im a failry new helix user also a studio one user as well so im glad i found your channel
Cool video and setup bro!
Great setup Nick, however, I'm more interested in your cameras, your b-roll looks great. :D
Hey Nick thanks for the informative video! Good to see you keep it up!
To record the DI at the same time: The Helix outputs the unprocessed signal of 2 channels you choose through USB 7/8. By default, guitar and mic inputs. The processed signal goes through the USB channels chosen (1/2, 3/4, and 5/6). Helix always monitors the PC output through USB 1/2, so those cannot be chosen as inputs for a helix input block.
CTRL-C, CTRL-V
@@NickHillMakesMusic So what? I took the effort to do it to help people. Some unluckily don't read the manual.
Nice setup Nick. I also have the Presonus E4.5 monitors to hook up my Helix LT to for my FRFR connection to hear the amp sims. Keep up the great work. Love all your metal Helix presets. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. All the best
Beautiful! 🤘
The Serious Tangent part was hilarious 😂
I loved this very informative I use the same presonus Monitors and they are great. I also loved the serious tangent segment of the video 😁😁😁
Oh, man! Glad you dig it. I'm trying to have some fun. Thanks for being here
8 min mark is brilliant, great video and I totally agree. Pass on the plugins , cheers BC
Solid video bud
Love ya
Hey Nick, thanks so much for your sharing, you are always so inspiring. I used to have an hx stomp directly connected to the PC via usb, never been totaly satisfied though as i tend to scoop too much :/. I just got a presonus audio interface and a torpedo captor x. I've just taken my orange th30 out of the closet, and started some experiements....
I love this. My next adventure is a load box, lunchbox amps and helix
@@NickHillMakesMusic 👍the Evh 5150 III 15W LBX-S top is very appealing to me 😅
I built my own PC but i might go to my back to my Macbook Thanks for sharing
hello! thank you for the comprehensive and detailed video!
i am a guitarist and aiming for a simlair workflow. I only have a Helix LT, Fiio K7 DAC/Amp and DT 1990s.
I struggle to figure out how I can direct monitor my Helix and PC sound all in my headphones. I could use the Helix as my audio interface, I guess.. but then my Fiio K7 has no use and everytime I remove the Helix for gigs and band practice i have to mess with cables :(
If i monitor through speakers and the likes, my mic will pick it up (Røde NT-USB), so i have to use headphones.
I dont understand how this is supposed to work… :(
The way i do it now is some macgyver stuff using ASIO OBS plugin and ASIO drivers with the lowest possible latency.. It’s not low enough tho.
Would getting a dedicated audio interface help? It would probably make the Fiio K7 redundant, but at least I can just unplug my Helix without having to worry about cables.
You answered your own question. Your setup sounds janky anyhow by your own description. Either use the helix as your interface, or get an audio interface and fun the Helix into it via 1/4” or XLR
That presonus interface is a workhorse, been using one for years as well. They also make a solid tube pre that pairs with the 1824 perfectly
I have a HX Stomp and Helix Native but I usually run the HX Stomp into my Blacklion Revolution 2x2 audio interface into a 4K Retina Intel iMac. My second DAW in the studio is my M1 Macbook Air into an Anker thunderbolt dock running a HDMI viedio monitor and an Audient iD14 MKII audio interface, Nektar MIDI controller. I rarely use the HX Stomp as the audio interface but it's there if I easily want to add dry tracks for reamping. Good enough for me.
Thanks for sharing your setup. Sounds effective
@@NickHillMakesMusic Wish I had a patch bay, lol. My audio monitors are 2 Krk Rokit 7 G4s on the intel iMac and 4 old Fostex PM.05 MkIIs on the Macbook Air.
Hey Nick, thanks for the video! You're awesome. I wonder why you use an interface and not just use the helix as interface.
Hey Nick, I’m trying to get started with recording myself playing using the helix as an audio interface. Any tips or past videos that show how to connect my helix to Obs studio, if you’ve ever used it yourself.
I have a similar setup, but I alternate between Helix and Focusrite when I want a DI input along with the Helix sound. Do you know of a way to get that DI from the helix into a scarlett input?
On the helix rack, there is an unbuffered guitar “thru,” but on the floor, you’d probably have to set some sort of send block before all other blocks to get a clean DI (but remember, the input block with the gate and guitar in-z could affect this)
@@NickHillMakesMusic Helix LT has a DI built in on input 7 when you're using helix as the main interface. My main issue is that the scarlet is my primary, and while I can aggregate intefaces on linux, one of the interfaces sound becomes choppy. If it's possibly to have a 3rd out be clean from my helix to the scarlett, that would solve everything. Perhaps a send block like you said, and rout that send via 1/4 inch cable and the regular through XLR.
You should be sponsored by presonus and helix!!
Hello Nick. When I use my two monitors on the two outputs of my HX Stomp I have the stereo effect with the stereo delays of the HX...but when I use the HX Stomp directly to my Presonus Audiobox cancels the stereo effect even when I use the two outputs of the HX Stomp to the two inputs of the Interface. What am I doing wrong?
You need to pan the inputs of your interface
Hey Nick! I'm a huge fan of Detra Cortina and I love your tone. I'm just starting my guitar recording journey and I have a Helix LT. When I recorded from the Guitar -> Helix -> Audio Interface -> Computer I didn't find the soun d of the guitar to be very pleasant. However when I played from Guitar -> Helix -> Studio Monitor it sounds great. From what I understand you record from helix straight into the audio interface right? Do you know any possible reasons for why it sounds perfectly good on my studio monitors but not otherwise? To add onto that, other people (guitarists included) have suggested for me to record by micing a speaker or amp instead of straight from the Helix. What do you think about that? Thank you!
Hey Nick, great video very informative, thank you for making it. I am a PC dood and currently find myself on the "real tube amp" side of the fence opposed to modelers. However I am rethinking my position on the Helix for the ability to have more tonal options faster and easier. I also currently use a TwoNotes Torpedo Captor X for cabs and mics due to sound/ease of use and figure I am already half way there, ha ha. Any reason why you decided Helix opposed to real tube amps for your inspiration and workflow?
Honestly… money. I’ve never been in a place to afford multiple amps, a place/home big enough to justify the space/volume and furthermore, I was a fan of the Line 6 POD HD 500 so when the helix was announced, I was ready for it.
@@NickHillMakesMusic thank you, keep the riffs and content flowing. Enjoyed and appreciated!
btw, ergo mouse in use here. thanks! :)
Can you still run stereo for the helix into an interface with only one xlr input? Sorry for the rookie question
No worries! You'll need to run the left and the right then in that case to 2 inputs of your interface. Cheers
That's what I thought, appreciate it!@@NickHillMakesMusic
So you bypass the integrated audio interface on the Helix rack ?
Not really bypassing it. Just not using the device as an interface. The same, affected and processed tones go “out” USB, XLR, 1/4” outputs. I prefer to use this and am external audio interface for flexibility
@@NickHillMakesMusic awesome
Thanks so much for the information
Always glad to help
Does the SPDIF method reduce latency vs 1/4” analog out? Looking to do some live looping via iPad with the lowest possible latency, but need multi-instrument so can’t go direct from Helix, due to no aggregate interface possibility on iOS. Thanks
I haven't noticed ANY latency at all either way. There isn't any as far as I'm concerned.
I've learnt more from you and Glenn at SMG Studios in a few months than I did in a whole year at some recording school back in the day. Would love to see you 2 do a video together.
Just one question, is there any real difference in running the helix into an audio interface versus just using the helix as an interface into the DAW with the USB?
Hey Nick! I just bought a pair of those beyerdynamic 990's after seeing this cause was in need of an upgrade. Because I live in an apartment, I mix almost solely off headphones and was curious, do you use something like sonarworks with these? I believe you've said before, you mix primarily on headphones (which seems to be less common) and I think your mixes sound great.
I bounce between using sonarworks and not using it just to check things out. At this point, I feel like I know these headphones pretty well
Hey nick got a question I normaly play through a power cab but when I'm leveling my presets , esp in stereo would you recommend a good set of cans or headphones , i.do alot of helix work at home in a quiet environment, would appreciate any advice
That’s a tough question simply because I don’t have the experience to understand how a Preset translates from the helix to going through a Power Cab. It’s safe to assume you can approximate how your preceptor sound through a good set of headphones, but I would hate to say yeah go ahead and do that and then you play thru your power cabinet sounds like crap.
Perhaps, if you were to take some of your existing presets that you know, sound good to you, power cab, and then get to know how they sound on whatever pair of headphones you end up getting, then you’ll have an idea of how things will translate. I think that’s how I would personally go about it.
Sorry for the lack of a real answer and the delay
@NickHillMakesMusic thank you nick and im basically just wanting to know best way to.level and set a preset , really enjoying your channel
Hey man, I was wondering what's your go to video editor, FCPX, PremierPro, Davinci or smth else?
Great question. I’m a resolve guy. It’s fantastic on my opinion. I do use premiere for work on occasion and it has gotten better (I switched at a time it was a pile of updated shit) but I’m so much happier using resolve.
@@NickHillMakesMusic Cheers, good to know
Is Serious tangent your industrial noise band?😂
That’s a great idea!
@@NickHillMakesMusic I’m in! Let’s get er’ going!
Hey I've just got a MacBook Pro M1 Pro chip. I read online that you don't need rosetta for HX edit and things, but it is still asking me to download rosetta. Is there a way to download hx edit without rosetta, or is that still not possible?
Needing to use Rosetta isn't bad. My HX Edit is using rosetta so I am not sure there is a native version yet (I keep HX updated). For what it is worth, you'll never notice a difference.
@@NickHillMakesMusic Thanks Nick, might of been a silly question from me but appreciate the advice! This channel has been so helpful on all things Helix, thanks for doing the work so we don’t have to 👌🏻
Tangent alert!! Hahaaaaa!!!
Tangent alert had me laughing
I love gear, and the only thing better than gear is someone talking about gear they use. Thanks brother, great vid as always! Beyerdynamic! Wubba Lubba Dub-Dub!
Hey just wanted to ask if you still use the MacBook m1 8gb at all? I'm considering getting one and wondering if it still holds up?
Still a great machine. If you can afford it, upgrade the ram if not the SSD to 512
@@NickHillMakesMusicthanks for replying so fast. But " I'm just a poor boy. Nobody loves me" and I think I can make do as an amateur
Damnit! i saw in one of your video's there was a dropdbox download to your template download for S1? ... and now i cant find it anymore ? anyone who knows the video i am looking for/dropbox link from Nick?
There's nothing wrong with your system and I'm a big Presonus fan. I've used their gear and I use Studio One. I also have a Variax and a Helix. My comment is that going into an audio interface is fine and plugging everything in is what I do. The Helix has a USB audio interface with multiple channels (it's 6 or 8) and I have bass plugged into the guitar input and the Variax and microphone plugged in. If I wanted to add a normal guitar I could use the return on the sends. As a side note I think phantom power only affects the microphone input but setting it in global settings is less than intuitive if you are switching between a large diaphragm And a ribbon microphone. Several other specific advantages of the Helix USB interface are MIDI control to and from the DAW, the ability to run a wet and dry signal simultaneously to different channels in case you decide what re-amp and the ability to use the Helix as an insert effect through the USB interface without having to run audio cables. In short, if an external audio interface works for you, great, but you should point out for solo musicians it not only is not necessary but may introduce limitations, depending on what you want to do.
I can ONLY speak on works for me. I never claim to be the be all, end all of what is possible with bedroom/basement musicians. Besides, I do think I mention in the video and in several others that this is what works for ME. Thanks for the feedback, though. I can't make content for everyone, as that is a fools' errand, especially on today's internet.
I did find this helpful. The spirits have dropped a few Technological Dinosaurs on me. I am FORCING ALL TO INTERFACE. I am Hanging out with Quirky notes that don't live in the same neighborhood. R8 to ideapad3 or line 6 ux2