Helix - Start looper playback & change present at same time?

[andrewkennedy]

Hi,

 

I've just bought a Line 6 Helix and I've hit a bit of a brick wall. Something I was hoping it could do is turning out to be more difficult than I thought.

 

Basically, I want to be able to do two things with a single click of a footswitch: I want to be able to start the looper playback (of a loop that's already been recorded) and change to a different preset at the same time.

 

I've found one way to do this, but it's problematic. I ran a MIDI cable from the MIDI output back to the MIDI input to trick the Helix into sending itself MIDI messages. Then, I created a new preset and programmed one of its "instant" commands with a CC message to start Looper Playback as soon as that preset is loaded. This works. When I click the preset, the looper starts, but there's a short latency delay before playback begins (the time it takes the Helix to change presets). It's significant enough to screw up the timing of the loop.

 

The other workaround is in Stomp Footswitch Mode to program a Midi Message AND an on/off Block Controller into a single footswitch. This would allow me to turn on an overdrive block while simultaneously starting the looper. But that's a lot more limited that changing to a whole new preset.

 

The reason I want to do this is so that I can begin playing a composed solo starting on beat one. If I have to press "Play", then exit looper mode, then change presets it will ruin the moment.

 

Any ideas?

 

Andrew.

[Roberttheprole]

I hear you! Feeling your pain! Smart idea feeding the helix it's own midi messages, but alas you hit the preset load time issue. Wish I had an idea to offer, but we're in the same boat my friend. I think being able to set more than one switch to a given block would help. Cause with my hyper wet signal I'm hopelessly stuck in one preset per song.