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Two Snapshots per footswitch idea!


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Just posted this on Ideascale.  For all those who are needing more Snapshots on the Helix.

 

 

Two Phase Snapshot Footswitches Mode

Idea Actions

My idea is to enable two Snapshots per footswitch and be able to A/B between them. Repeatedly stepping on a footswitch toggles between the two Snapshots assigned to that footswitch. This would effectively give you 16 total snapshots or 8 if you're in Preset/Snap mode.
 

 

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@Glenn: MIDI only provides for eight snapshots, unless you're thinking of some alternate method?

 

It's a good idea. The only problem I see is what to do with the LEDs? Possibly just dim and bright states?

 

And for MIDI control with this idea, perhaps keep using the current CC#69, but add new values of 8 thru 15. Values of 0 thru 7 will have a bright LED, and 8-15 will have a dim LED.

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I like this idea... What I'd also like is to have one row as snapshots and one row as function switches. That would help for song presets where I need a momentary function switch in addition to my snapshots. When I do that today, snapshots are my default. I've got to tap edit/mode to get to my function switches (like the momentary switch I have setup for a stutter effect that gets used for 1 measure on a 128 BPM song (which is why the momentary option is so nice). Thanks! 

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I like this idea... What I'd also like is to have one row as snapshots and one row as function switches. That would help for song presets where I need a momentary function switch in addition to my snapshots. When I do that today, snapshots are my default. I've got to tap edit/mode to get to my function switches (like the momentary switch I have setup for a stutter effect that gets used for 1 measure on a 128 BPM song (which is why the momentary option is so nice). Thanks! 

 

You can do this now. There are global options for the desired layout of the switches for snapshots/stomps/presets and how to use the top and bottom rows. For example, if you want stomps on the top row and snapshots on the bottom row, or vice versa. There's other options too.

 

One benefit of this sixteen snapshot idea is that you can fairly easily access eight snapshots when you're only using the top or bottom row for snapshots (currently four is possible), rather than hitting the bank up and down switches at the same time (which brings up a temporary eight snapshot layout). The downside is you'd have to hit a switch twice to get to four of those snapshots. Probably not that big a deal though, hitting a switch twice that is.

 

Another idea for switch operation for this ideascale entry might be to use the simultaneous press of bank up and down twice. The first time brings up snapshots 1-8, the second 9-16.

 

One other thing to think about is what to do with the scribble strips. If each switch holds two snapshots, would the scribble strip name length have to be increased somehow, to help indicate what the 'hidden' snapshot is? Or would one just rely on brain memory?

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If toggling the footswitch button were to activate an alternative Snapshot, the Scribble Strip text and Footswitch Color Ring should toggle to their respective alternate values too.

 

Yes, but it would be helpful if there would be a way to know what the alternate snapshot is without actually engaging it. Maybe there would be enough room to display both snapshots on one scribble strip. Two rows of text, kind of like MODE switch, but make MODE smaller and HOLD TO EDIT bigger, and also gray out the inactive snapshot.

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You can do this now. There are global options for the desired layout of the switches for snapshots/stomps/presets and how to use the top and bottom rows. For example, if you want stomps on the top row and snapshots on the bottom row, or vice versa. There's other options too.

 

One benefit of this sixteen snapshot idea is that you can fairly easily access eight snapshots when you're only using the top or bottom row for snapshots (currently four is possible), rather than hitting the bank up and down switches at the same time (which brings up a temporary eight snapshot layout). The downside is you'd have to hit a switch twice to get to four of those snapshots. Probably not that big a deal though, hitting a switch twice that is.

 

Another idea for switch operation for this ideascale entry might be to use the simultaneous press of bank up and down twice. The first time brings up snapshots 1-8, the second 9-16.

 

One other thing to think about is what to do with the scribble strips. If each switch holds two snapshots, would the scribble strip name length have to be increased somehow, to help indicate what the 'hidden' snapshot is? Or would one just rely on brain memory?

Thanks duncann! Now that you mention it, I remember that being one of the options in the Global settings. I may revisit that configuration. I initially chose not to use that approach because my presets serve as my set list. Each of my presets represents a song, including being named with the song title and the starting key. I use snapshots and stomp pedals to manage the different voicings and fx I need for that song. Granted, I can do what you recommended and repurpose the bank up/down switches to step up/down through my presets. What I hate to give up is being able to see the songs in my set list for a live event in groups of 4 songs (lol!). Perhaps I should reconsider... Thanks!

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nor sure but you might be able to do this using MIDI

While you might be able to access 16 Snapshots with midi, it would be an inelegant solution requiring yet another device, likely a pedal, that you'd have to pack around and connect at every gig. The idea here is to take advantage of what's already there by tweaking the Helix's firmware.

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16 snapshots per song? Why....?

 

Given how many parameters there are for all the blocks inside Helix, the state of each block, and the number of combinations all these provide, you could calculate the number of reasons why. In that context, even sixteen seems like a pathetic amount.

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Given how many parameters there are for all the blocks inside Helix, the state of each block, and the number of combinations all these provide, you could calculate the number of reasons why. In that context, even sixteen seems like a pathetic amount.

Given where we are at with a unit like this, even offering multiple parameter changes, it's a long way from where we all once were, an amp with a few pedals and a switch to change channels. It kind of seems now that we have been given such a huge range of options people are crying because they unnecessarily want more and more. It's kind of like the rich kid that got a lambo for christmas but then complains its the wrong colour.

I must admit, I always thought Jimi Hendrix' tone and playing was lollipop because he couldn't make over 16 tonal changes per song....

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I like the thinking.

 

Haven't tried it myself, but with a short MIDI cable, you might be able to send an Instant MIDI CC message (with different values per snapshot) back into itself to approximate this. Not in the office right now to confirm (not even on the hemisphere).

 

We have other plans for repeated presses of the same snapshot switch, but that doesn't mean they're set in stone.

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Given where we are at with a unit like this, even offering multiple parameter changes, it's a long way from where we all once were, an amp with a few pedals and a switch to change channels. It kind of seems now that we have been given such a huge range of options people are crying because they unnecessarily want more and more. It's kind of like the rich kid that got a lambo for christmas but then complains its the wrong colour.

I must admit, I always thought Jimi Hendrix' tone and playing was lollipop because he couldn't make over 16 tonal changes per song....

 

Some folks like things simple, some don't I guess. It seems to me that Helix can be simple or complex, or even both at the same time. I don't really see any downsides to the advancement of some core functionality as it has the potential to provide for so much more creativity, way beyond just tonal changes. I wonder what would Jimi Hendrix do with Helix?

 

I do agree that some things could be considered an unnecessary want, such as adding redundant amp after redundant amp, and probably a waste of time too. Unfortunately, amps seem to be popular. Thinking about core functionality isn't as exciting as the prospect of getting a new amp because with that new amp, I just know I can sound exactly like Jimi Hendrix. Well, maybe not. But the next amp? I just know...

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I like the thinking.

 

Haven't tried it myself, but with a short MIDI cable, you might be able to send an Instant MIDI CC message (with different values per snapshot) back into itself to approximate this. Not in the office right now to confirm (not even on the hemisphere).

 

We have other plans for repeated presses of the same snapshot switch, but that doesn't mean they're set in stone.

I was hoping you'd chime in on this. Thanks for taking the time.

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Not sure I need 16 snaps, maybe, but I dang sure need more than the 4 left when 4 switches are turning individual stomps on and off. If this second-press thing happens, makes sure it works in that mode too.

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Not sure I need 16 snaps, maybe, but I dang sure need more than the 4 left when 4 switches are turning individual stomps on and off. If this second-press thing happens, makes sure it works in that mode too.

Indeed. Vote it up, boys and girls!

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