MIDI control over USB via Android tablet ?

[tobitill]

Hi everyone,

 

I hope everyone had a great couple of days.

 

I'm considering buying a Helix floor or LT.

Is it possible to control effect status and parameters like delay mix, feedback,

and reverb Mix level (reverb on a parallel path) via MIDI?

 

I was planning on connecting an Android tablet via a USB-OTG cable and sending MIDI messages

to set those parameters (3 reverb settings for 1 algorithm, 4 delay settings for 1 algorithm).

That way I'll have the footswitches for other effects.

I'd also like to switch  certain effects on and off via MIDI from the tablet.

 

Is this possible?

What would the requirements for the Android app be?

 

Thanks in advance,

cheers,

Tobias

[zolko60]

I have no experience in midi over usb with helix on android. I used to play with some midi/osc android apps over wifi but not the way I could help you. I don't even know if direct usb midi connection Helix - Android is possible.
However I found that topic interesting, because lot of midi/osc apps are common for iOS and Android.

 

 

[soundog]

It will work if your phone is OTG compatible. The app needs to be able to send customizable MIDI CC commands ... most of the better apps do.

[Ed_Saxman]

12 hours ago, tobitill said:

Hi everyone,

 

I hope everyone had a great couple of days.

 

I'm considering buying a Helix floor or LT.

Is it possible to control effect status and parameters like delay mix, feedback,

and reverb Mix level (reverb on a parallel path) via MIDI?

 

I was planning on connecting an Android tablet via a USB-OTG cable and sending MIDI messages

to set those parameters (3 reverb settings for 1 algorithm, 4 delay settings for 1 algorithm).

That way I'll have the footswitches for other effects.

I'd also like to switch  certain effects on and off via MIDI from the tablet.

 

Is this possible?

What would the requirements for the Android app be?

 

Thanks in advance,

cheers,

Tobias

 

Hi Tobias

 

I have no experience using Android, but IOS. I have made some personal MIDI controllers for my Helix Floor, and recently, my HX Stomp, so maybe I can answer some questions.

 

Q: "Is it possible to control effect status and parameters like delay mix, feedback,and reverb Mix level (reverb on a parallel path) via MIDI?"

Yes, it can be done via MIDI assignments (MIDI Learn), so it needs to be done per preset (and up to 64 controllers per preset). In other words: you need to tie the preset to the MIDI controller in some way.

 

Q: "I was planning on connecting an Android tablet via a USB-OTG cable and sending MIDI messages to set those parameters (3 reverb settings for 1 algorithm, 4 delay settings for 1 algorithm)."

It depends on your MIDI controller app but yes, It can be done. I have developed this same idea using 5 different setting for each. Very useful, but again, you have the conjunction preset/controller tied together. It works if you tend to use a stompboard like approach, though.

 

This is the MIDI controller I have made for my stomp (still work in progress):

 

Helix Stomp 1 by Eduardo Urbano, en Flickr

IMG_1643 by Eduardo Urbano, en Flickr

IMG_1646 by Eduardo Urbano, en Flickr

 

And this is an example of the controllers tied to a preset:

Deluxe Comp - 70s Chorus by Eduardo Urbano, en Flickr

Amp - Cab by Eduardo Urbano, en Flickr

Wah - Looper by Eduardo Urbano, en Flickr

 

 

[tobitill]

Thanks a lot for the information,

zolko60, soundog, and Ed_Saxman.

 

Good to hear that it is possible,

my tabet is OTG-capable, at the moment I'm controlling a Zoom MS 50G with it.

 

@Ed_Saxman, since my controllers obviously need to be preset (/patch) -specific,

how can it be arranged that the app knows which preset/patch I select on the Helix?

Or do I need to always select the preset/patch from the app?

 

My app can send CC, PC messages etc, but doesn't include e.g. sliders.

Does anyone have recommendations for an android-app?

 

Thanks in advance,

cheers,

Tobias

[tobitill]

Hi Everyone,

 

I hope you all had a smooth transition into 2019!

One more question, this time about  looper playback when switching presets:

If I make sure that the looper block is always placed in the same path ,

is looper playback seamless when switching presets or is there a short interruption?

 

Thanks in advance,

Tobias

[zolko60]

Seamless.

[tobitill]

Thanks,

zolko60.

 

That feature might just mean that the Helix is an option for me. I'll see what NAMM and the next software update will bring.

 

Have a good Sunday, everyone.

 

Cheers,

Tobias

[a110eaf]

Hi all, read the above. Still questions. Which app  (guess sequencer) in either Android or IOS can send cc commands to Helix for parameter and presets changes? Need that for backing tracks and relieving myself from disturbing Helix while playing. This works just perfect with pc, the only cons are projects long opening and laptop is big. Actually I haven't found any proof this is possible with mobile at all, at least no certainty on the web on that. Any suggestion?

[yobyid52]

Set List Maker + MIDI Add-on

http://www.arlomedia.com/apps/setlistmaker/main/home.html