Midi to respond like channel switch pedal for an amp! HELP!

[boyerclan6]

I've asked a few different ways and keep getting similar answers so I imagine it's in the way I'm asking. So! 

 

Ultimately, here's my set up... I have a Mesa Boogie Triple Crown (TC-50) I use the 4CM with my Helix. 

 

I use the bank/progam to turn on/off channels 1,2 and 3 of my amp.  

 

What works:

Assigning a specific 'program' number has various effects on each channel.  In other words, program number 27 turns it to channel 2 with the FX loop on and reverb on the amp, etc. 

 

So switching channels is yes, effectively working.

 

What is happening:

When I select a channel, say channel 1... the LED ring stays on, the scribble strip ONLY stays on when you step on that particular pedal.  However, switching channels say, to channel 2... the channel on the amp switches, however, the LED for channel 1 (a different switch obviously) still stays on.  So... even tho yes, the channel is switched, the LED is still on.  

 

If you go to turn the LED off by stepping on it, yes... it switches channels.  I thought I could live with this, but when stacking overdrives and using other effects... it gets very convoluted. 

 

What I need to happen:

Like most footswitches that come with amps that have an LED for each channel... I would like the HELIX to respond in the same way.  Channel 1 is on, Channel 1 LED ring is lit on HELIX.  Switch to Channel 2, Channel 2 LED on HELIX is lit, Channel 1 LED on HELIX turns off.  

 

I'm not to concerned about the scribble strips... I just need some indication to show what channel i'm on.

 

What i have tried:

I feel like I have tried just about everything.  However, I know I have to be missing something.  I've tried putting in a 'fake' effect like an EQ and assign it to the same switch, but this does not fix the issue.

 

Any insight on this would be SO greatly appreciated!

[pbatts]

If you are trying to do this from within one Preset, using Snapshots will accomplish exactly what you want to do. Or you can use a separate Preset to switch between channels on the amp.

 

If using Snapshots, set Snapshot 1 (you can rename it anything you want) to switch to Channel 1 on the amp, set Snapshot 2 to switch to Channel 2 on the amp, Snapshot 3 to switch to channel 3 on the amp, etc. You would set the Program Message (27 for Snapshot 1 for example) for each Snapshot.

[DBCrocky]

So there are different types of switches on the Helix, and how they interact with the LED's depend on what type of switch you are pressing.  Preset switches operate like you want them to, because you can only have one preset active at a time.  So selecting a preset turns other preset switches LEDs off.  Snapshot switches act like you want them to, because you can have only one snapshot active at a time.  Selecting a snapshot will turn the LEDs for the other snapshot switches off.  Stomp switches don't work like that, they turn on and off independently of other switches.  For instance, if you had a distortion, a compressor, a delay, and a reverb on four stomp switches, you could turn them all on, all off, or any other combination, so you wouldn't want turning your reverb on to turn your led for your distorion off.

 

If you are using Stomp switches, you will not get the results you are looking for.

 

You could do it with Preset switches, but most users here would not be happy with that because of the half-second silent gap you get when changing presets.

 

So that leaves Snapshots, which are perfect for what you are trying to do.

 

I would suggest you look at the manual about switching modes between Preset Mode, Snapshot Mode, and Stomp Mode, and also at the Global Settings > Footswitches to additionally change/configure what kind of switches you are dealing with in each of the above Modes.

 

Once you have a handle on how you are setting up your switches and how you can get to Snapshot switches, look at the section in the Manual about how Snapshots work.

 

Basically, you have eight snapshots within a Preset.  Changing a snapshot can change a lot of things, including Effect Block on/off and other Effect Block parameters.  Additionally, you can have the selecting of each snapshot send a different MIDI Program Change message.  Most importantly, selecting a snapshot with a snapshot switch turns it's LED on and all of the other snapshot LED's off.