@L6 Devs: Would a future Helix Control FW update be possible to make it into a USB MIDI Controller?

[d0stenning]

@L6 Devs: Helix Control has a USB port.  Seems to me it could make a superb customisable MIDI foot controller - for controlling iOS loopers and pedals for example. Would a future Helix Control FW update be possible to make it into a USB MIDI Controller?

 

Also - A HELIX Control style  MIDI foot controller that had just 8  - would be cool and good value ( HC is only around $350) 

 

And in fact a Line 6 Scribble-strip based MIDI controller that had even more stomps - say 18 - on three rows would be awesome. 

 

And would undercut what is already available but over a grand in price. 

 

This scribble strip tech has SO much potential..

 

Line 6 product managers... are you listening ? :)

[d0stenning]

Speaking of which... heres an FR for L6 to sell HELIX style  MIDI foot controlers.   Those scribble-strips baby!  so much potentiall

 

 

https://line6.ideascale.com/a/idea-v2/907932

[phil_m]

Helix Control could probably be made to be a MIDI over USB controller, as that could be done through drivers. It will never be a standalone MIDI controller though, as it doesn't have the necessary MCU to do so.

 

I don't really think the MIDI controller market is all that big in the first place, so it would probably be a little hard for Line 6 to justify the investment.

[saks]

I don't really think the MIDI controller market is all that big in the first place, so it would probably be a little hard for Line 6 to justify the investment.

 

I don't know. I know that two of my friends have returned their mfc-101s. there is a question on this board right now about controlling the axe with the helix.

 

And then there is Santana...

Would Neil Schon use it if it was better than the mfc-101? /\o/\. 

'I would think' a better midi controller is just what the market wants right now.

'I believe' that the future is modelers and/or midi controlled amp stations.

But then I don't have the marketing information available.

So all in all, just babbling my thoughts ;)

Upvoted the idea scale.

edited to remove too many blank lines

[spikey]

The Helix controller was built for controlling Helix (duh statement).   :P There are not just software considerations involved but hardware ones as well, to make it into something else. The very best midi controller and one you might take a look at is the FCB1010. It even allows you to change the operating chip/firmware to work with other hardware (if available). If it can't do what you want I don't really know what can.

[Digital_Igloo]

@L6 Devs: Helix Control has a USB port.  Seems to me it could make a superb customisable MIDI foot controller - for controlling iOS loopers and pedals for example. Would a future Helix Control FW update be possible to make it into a USB MIDI Controller?

 

Also - A HELIX Control style  MIDI foot controller that had just 8  - would be cool and good value ( HC is only around $350) 

 

And in fact a Line 6 Scribble-strip based MIDI controller that had even more stomps - say 18 - on three rows would be awesome. 

 

And would undercut what is already available but over a grand in price. 

 

This scribble strip tech has SO much potential..

 

Line 6 product managers... are you listening ? :)

 

Yes, it's doable, but it would have to be connected to a Mac or PC, as there's not really a clean and elegant way to add direct iOS support.

[d0stenning]

Yes, it's doable, but it would have to be connected to a Mac or PC, as there's not really a clean and elegant way to add direct iOS support.

 

Are you referring to the fact that currently the HC connects to the HELIX via some kind of ethernet cable ? 

 

Or if you are referring to a USB link between the HC and an iOS device - are you saying that iOS prevents certain kinds of communication over USB ( via camera kit etc ) when the iOS device is acting as the USB host - which are only possible are possible when a Mac or PC is acting as the USB host ? 

 

Clearly an iOS device - acting as USB host **can** communicate audio and MIDI to a connected device - otherwise one couldnt use - say - Quantiloop - with a HELIX directly. But are your engineers saying that other protocols ( such as TCP/IP along with - for example OSC ) that can be - and *are* used over USB when a PC/Mac is being used - are not available to iOS devices ? 

 

This might be the case but I find it unlikely but am willing to be corrected. 

[d0stenning]

This blog article - which refers to an iOS app PeerTalk - might shed some light. 

 

https://github.com/deanm/deanm.github.com/blob/master/_posts/2014-12-18-DuetDisplay.markdown

 

 

https://rsms.me/peertalk/

[d0stenning]

The Helix controller was built for controlling Helix (duh statement).   :P There are not just software considerations involved but hardware ones as well, to make it into something else. The very best midi controller and one you might take a look at is the FCB1010. It even allows you to change the operating chip/firmware to work with other hardware (if available). If it can't do what you want I don't really know what can.

 

That is a very moot assertion.  Althought the FCB is great value, it has no scribble-strips and support for its firmware clearly isnt ideal - its not the most friendly device to configure. 

[spikey]

That is a very moot assertion.  Althought the FCB is great value, it has no scribble-strips and support for its firmware clearly isnt ideal - its not the most friendly device to configure. 

 

Just trying to help with other options, didn't  mean to upset or bother you.  ;)  FYI- You can buy chips to install in it for specific modelers that make it a "snap" to use.