L6 Helix HX Effects plus extra foot controller

[arneteubel]

Hello.

 

I would like extend my Helix HX Effects with a foot controller to have more presets directly available at shows etc. Is there a controller that works well/easily with the HX Effects? Any idea or experiences? I would like to avoid extensive programming of a MIDI-controller. ;-) So as much Plug and Play as possible.

 

I had the M13 before and loved the size and number of switches available on the layout.

 

Thank you!

Arne

[rd2rk]

Go to Amazon. Search "MIDI Footswitch". Take your pick.

 

Discontinued, but for your stated limited needs, probably the best ever made. They pop up on eBay all the time. Compact, durable, just a couple of DIP switches to set.

 

Amazon.com: Rolls MP128 MIDIBuddy MIDI Foot Controller: Musical Instruments

[codamedia]

On 5/18/2021 at 9:42 AM, arneteubel said:

I would like to avoid extensive programming of a MIDI-controller. ;-) So as much Plug and Play as possible.

 

There is no magic bullet for the HX Effects.... you will need to get into a Midi Controller. 

 

However.... a Midi Controller is almost always setup to do PC (Program Changes) out of the box which would leave the buttons on the HX Effects free to become dedicated for Snapshots and Stomps. As you learn more about the Midi Controller you could then offload more duties.

 

IMO - it is worth the time to learn how to integrate a Midi Controller with your gear. It really isn't that difficult and can open doors you had no idea were closed. 

[arneteubel]

On 5/18/2021 at 6:13 PM, rd2rk said:

Go to Amazon. Search "MIDI Footswitch". Take your pick.

 

Discontinued, but for your stated limited needs, probably the best ever made. They pop up on eBay all the time. Compact, durable, just a couple of DIP switches to set.

 

Amazon.com: Rolls MP128 MIDIBuddy MIDI Foot Controller: Musical Instruments

Thanks for that hands-on practical advice! I will check out that respective Rolls controller!

[arneteubel]

22 minutes ago, codamedia said:

 

There is no magic bullet for the HX Effects.... you will need to get into a Midi Controller. 

 

However.... a Midi Controller is almost always setup to do PC (Program Changes) out of the box which would leave the buttons on the HX Effects free to become dedicated for Snapshots and Stomps. As you learn more about the Midi Controller you could then offload more duties.

 

IMO - it is worth the time to learn how to integrate a Midi Controller with your gear. It really isn't that difficult and can open doors you had no idea were closed. 

Hello! Thanks for the reply! I am not really afraid of programming a MIDI-controller. In my experience some machines are pretty hard to understand or set up. But I will give it a shot.

 

You mentioned „snapshots“. Is it possible to externally switch those as well? It seems to be the only possibility of switching sounds in the Helix Effects without a small delay/gap in sound.

 

Thank you!

[rd2rk]

15 minutes ago, arneteubel said:

Hello! Thanks for the reply! I am not really afraid of programming a MIDI-controller. In my experience some machines are pretty hard to understand or set up. But I will give it a shot.

 

You mentioned „snapshots“. Is it possible to externally switch those as well? It seems to be the only possibility of switching sounds in the Helix Effects without a small delay/gap in sound.

 

Thank you!

 

The reason I mentioned that Rolls controller was your request for a simple way to change presets and no programming. That's all it does.

 

Snapshots are the other end of the spectrum. You need to be able to send CC#69 followed by a value based on the number of Snapshots. I forget how many that is for HXFX, but for HXStomp it's 3, so CC#69 + Value=0, 1 or 2. You need to be able to do this on a single FS press to avoid tap dancing. Not all MIDI controllers can do that.

 

Also, the delay/gap in sound that's often spoken of is REALLY tiny. ANY radical changes in sound will cause an APPARENT gap simply as a result of the SOUND changing. It's not like SOUND-SILENCE-SOUND. If you play a chord or note, then change presets OR Snapshots, it will NOT be totally smooth if the tonal differences are great, even using Snapshots.

 

It sounds like you need to read the HXFX manual's MIDI section, decide what you want to be able to do, THEN look for a MIDI controller.

 

As for programming, once you understand the basic MIDI messages (GOOGLE basic MIDI), programming can be a PITA (Press this 7 times, while holding this and that), reasonable, as in the case of most GUI Editors, or it could entail actual programming with code, as in the case of the FCB1010 with UNO2 chip that I use. When researching controllers, DO NOT underestimate the importance of a coherently designed editor AND a well written manual for it's use! It should also allow for saving the configuration to a file so that when the device gets wonky (computers do that) and needs to be reset, you can restore it vs re-programming it.

[rd2rk]

Forgot to mention this - 

 

The "Unofficial" Helix MIDI Guide (the-eye.eu)

 

Excellent primer!

[codamedia]

20 hours ago, arneteubel said:

You mentioned „snapshots“. Is it possible to externally switch those as well?

 

It is mentioned above but yes.... snapshots can be changed by midi. 

Simple answer... you need a Midi Controller can send CC numbers and values not just PC (Program Change) messages.

[codamedia]

19 hours ago, rd2rk said:

Forgot to mention this - 

The "Unofficial" Helix MIDI Guide (the-eye.eu)

 

Excellent primer!

 

That is excellent... thanks for posting.