Multiple Midi commands from footswitches - is there a clever way?

[pdkellett]

Hi folks,

 

I'm using my Helix in all kinds of different ways and I've managed to setup my Helix recently to send midi commands to a Voodoo Labs Control Switcher to then change channels on my Friedman Brown Eye. 

 

I can do this as an instant command when loading a preset, or from a footswitch in the preset designated to send a program change command.

 

Where I'm struggling is that the Friedman is a 3 channel amp - and as far as I can tell I need 3 separate footswitches in the preset if I want to be able to change between all the channels at will.

 

The other problem is that I don't always know what channel I've selected as the midi footswitches only seem to work as "momentary" - i.e.. they light up when I select it but they grey out again afterwards. 

 

Is it possible to combine 2 or 3 midi commands into one footswitch such that it goes between 2 states - ie. when it sends the "clean" channel command the label lights up "clean" and stays on until selected again at which point it sends the command to change channel and "clean" now shows as greyed out? Or can a midi footswitch cycle between 3 states in a kind of loop?

 

With the amp channel switching being one of the weaker parts of the Helix and not working with many amps I'm hoping there is a clever way to reduce the number of footswitches needed and to help make it more obvious which footswitch I last selected. 

 

I'm hoping I'm missing a clever trick here that will help.

 

Thanks.

[phil_m]

Snapshot are the answers to your prayers. In addition to sending out instant commands with preset changes, you can also send out instant commands whenever you load a snapshot. From page 34 of the manual:

 

Snapshots also store and recall the following MIDI, CV, and Ext Amp messages sent to external devices from the Command Center:

• The value of any Instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog, MMC, and CV Out messages
• The state (dim value or lit value) of any CC Toggle or CV Toggle messages assigned to footswitches
• The state (dim or lit ) of any Ext Amp messages assigned to footswitches

[pdkellett]

phil_m:  Thanks for the rapid response!

 

I had thought about using this but then got confused as to how to do it.

 

Do I setup an instant command per snapshot - thus changing channel when the snapshot is pressed and not requiring a dedicated footswitch be in the preset?

 

Or do I need one footswitch in the preset but I change the value of the program change command in each snapshot?

[phil_m]

With PC messages, you don't have to have them assigned to a footswitch to have them sent out as an instant command with a snapshot. You just go to the Command Center while in the snapshot you want to have them sent out in, and set them up there. You could still assign those PC messages to footswitches if you want, but it's not required. It really depends if you want the ability to send out "override" messages within snapshots.