10 years ago this year Russ Hughes started the AIR Users blog, which morphed into Pro Tools Expert in 2012. We ran a competition with a Pro Audio gear and software prize pot worth over $28,000.   

In the Pro Tools Expert 10th Anniversary Competition we offered the chance of winning a copy of Helix Native By Line 6 worth $400.

What Is Helix Native?

Helix Native introduces the Line 6 hardware HX Modeling technology in native plug-in format. This guitar processing suite includes a vast collection of vintage and modern guitar amps, cabinets, speakers, stomp box effects, dynamic processors, EQs and microphones. At the heart of the plug-in is an intuitive Signal Flow Display which is used for loading up guitar effects and amps. The effects and amp components are called blocks in the Signal Flow Display, these are very easy to arrange, not too dissimilar to patching real guitar hardware.

Main Features

• Impulse responses can be imported and used
• Over 250 guitar presets
• Over 50 guitar amps and cabs (Line 6 don't officially state the full amount of cabs, amps and effects)
• Easy to use GUI
• Low of CPU
• Intuitive Singal Flow

Winner - David Murray

I have been recording for quite a long time. I started with a 4 track Fostex cassette deck. Moved to Cakewalk on PC....which had 6 gigs of memory. Man I thought I would never use all that. I work during the day as a physical therapist, as I went back to school at the age of 30 and got my degree. Working my “day gig” has allowed me to buy gear and try to stay current with the changing technology. As a young guitar player I moved to Nashville to Monterey California, and then spent 5 years playing the casinos in Vegas. I currently live in Chattanooga where I practice as an outpatient physical therapist. I also spend my off time in my recently finished 700 foot tracking studio. I currently bounce between using Pro Tools 10 and Logic Pro 10.3. 

I really enjoy using modeling software for guitar sounds. Some are good and some are better, but all are fun to investigate and try different sounds. I am looking forward to the Line 6 Helix as I have heard good feedback on the user interface and quality of sounds. I am not a “purist” when it comes to guitar tone. I have a Line 6 Spyder modeling amp and a Peavey 30 watt tube amp. I occasionally use them, but using a plug in is so much faster and versatile. I appreciate Pro Tools Expert for information and insight to products on the market. And thanks again for “pulling my name out of the hat”.