Can FX loops or other effects be used without consuming a footswitch slot?

[itsdavidthegreat]

I have an HD500X now, and the FX loop block always consumes one of the footswitch slots - is this true in Helix also?  

 

Also, say I wanted to use the Helix for vocal effects processing also... could effects units be in the signal chain, but controlled via MIDI instead of footswitches? 

[Kilrahi]

1 hour ago, itsdavidthegreat said:

I have an HD500X now, and the FX loop block always consumes one of the footswitch slots - is this true in Helix also?  

 

Also, say I wanted to use the Helix for vocal effects processing also... could effects units be in the signal chain, but controlled via MIDI instead of footswitches? 

 

Helix CAN have an FX slot. It doesn't have to. Considering it can max out at 32 blocks if you have enough DSP, you'll be fine.

 

Also, yes, it accepts midi control.

[codamedia]

2 hours ago, itsdavidthegreat said:

I have an HD500X now, and the FX loop block always consumes one of the footswitch slots - is this true in Helix also?  

 

The wording "footswitch slots" is misleading.... I think you mean "effects blocks". 

Yes, the FX loops require the use of an effects block, but with the Helix you get 32 of them compared to 8 (+amps) on the HD500 so it's not nearly as limiting. 

 

If you actually mean "footswitch".... neither unit forces you to tie the FX Loop to a footswitch - that's up to you.

[itsdavidthegreat]

On 7/4/2019 at 5:45 PM, codamedia said:

 

The wording "footswitch slots" is misleading.... I think you mean "effects blocks". 

Yes, the FX loops require the use of an effects block, but with the Helix you get 32 of them compared to 8 (+amps) on the HD500 so it's not nearly as limiting. 

 

If you actually mean "footswitch".... neither unit forces you to tie the FX Loop to a footswitch - that's up to you.

 

Oh interesting, I thought of the effects blocks in the HD500x HAD to be assigned to one of the 8 footswitches. I guess with the 500x you might as well assign it to a FS since you only get 8?  

 

Either way, 32 on Helix sounds amazing

[codamedia]

13 hours ago, itsdavidthegreat said:

Oh interesting, I thought of the effects blocks in the HD500x HAD to be assigned to one of the 8 footswitches. I guess with the 500x you might as well assign it to a FS since you only get 8? 

 

I guess if you run the HD500 in 8 FS mode... I always ran man in 4/4 mode (4 patch/4 effects). In that case I would never assign an "always on" block to a switch.