Helix Lite expression pedal

[hernan93]

How sturdy is the Helix LT expression pedal?

 

I'm afraid that this seems kind of "soft"... can you really step on and do a wah solo or change modulations efectcs with confidence? Of course, all whithin normal-careful use, not talking about being rude with the unit. 

 

Thank you. 

[cruisinon2]

Unless you're the 800lb gorilla in the room, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Besides, worrying/wondering about it won't make it any less likely to break... just crank it and play. If it fails, only then would there be a problem... till then, rock on.

[soblivion]

I've had the LT for about 4 years now. I've not had any issues with the pedal. For the first couple years I used only onboard pedal. Later I did add an external expression pedal that I use mostly for wah and pitch/whammy stuff. I only mention that because now it gets the most abuse and I use the onboard pedal for more subtle effects. 

 

Anywho, I've had zero problems with it and I use it on a pretty regular basis. 

[codamedia]

3 years with an LT and I've had no issues with the expression pedal. 

I'm a gigging player that usually does about 100 - 120 gigs a year. Obviously that's been light the past year and  half.... but I certainly have at least 200 gigs on this Helix so far. 

[hernan93]

Thank you all for your comments, your input is valuable for my decision. 

[theElevators]

It seems to work fine.  I do have an issue where my pedal starts only going up to 99%, then 98%.  It recalibrates itself when you reboot.  I set up my Helix LT so that I don't use the toe switch: either

1. my wah turns on if I put it past 5%, or

2. the wah is enabled in a specific snapshot. 

 

I also exclusively use EXP 2, not 1.  The advantage is that if my pedal for some reason craps out, I can continue using my Helix LT with an external pedal without having to change anything.  

[hernan93]

Thank you for your reply.

Sorry for the "dummy" question, but what patch cable do you use to connect the LT Exp2 socket -->Expression pedal? is it better a regular instrument (guitar) cable, or does it better a TRS cable?

[codamedia]

21 hours ago, hernan93 said:

Thank you for your reply.

Sorry for the "dummy" question, but what patch cable do you use to connect the LT Exp2 socket -->Expression pedal? is it better a regular instrument (guitar) cable, or does it better a TRS cable?

 

Line 6 spec has always been a TS cable (not TRS) with a 10K pot. The Helix can work with other expression formats, but it does become "hit and miss". 

[soblivion]

3 hours ago, codamedia said:

Line 6 spec has always been a TS cable (not TRS) with a 10K pot.

 

I gutted an old crybaby and put in a dunlop 10k pot, wired it up and it's been working great for years now. It's connected with a standard TS patch cable. Even crammed a spring in the toe so it does the "spring loaded" thing. 

 

Here's a diagram for the wiring I used:

 

 

[codamedia]

@soblivion   ... that is the exact diagram I use whenever I have to modify something for use on a Line 6 product... it works great every time. 

[hernan93]

Hello, have anyone tried this?

Amazon.com: M-Audio EX-P | Universal Expression Pedal for Keyboards, MIDI Keyboards/Controllers and Supported Guitar Effects Pedals: M-Audio: Musical Instruments

 

I really like mission engineering expression pedals, but $30 vs $140 is a big difference...

Thank you. 

[datacommando]

11 hours ago, hernan93 said:

Hello, have anyone tried this?

Amazon.com: M-Audio EX-P | Universal Expression Pedal for Keyboards, MIDI Keyboards/Controllers and Supported Guitar Effects Pedals: M-Audio: Musical Instruments

 

I really like mission engineering expression pedals, but $30 vs $140 is a big difference...

Thank you. 

Hi,

 

Yes, I have 3 of those M-Audio EX-P pedals. I have 2 connected to my Helix Floor unit and the third is used on my Arturia KeyLab61 controller keyboard along with an M-Audio sustain pedal. 
 

The Mission pedals are metal cases and built like tanks for heavy duty use. The M-Audio are tough plastic cases, but at theses prices you could buy several of these for the cost of a single Mission box. When it comes down to it - it’s a variable resistor that you sweep with a treadle. As my Helix is essentially studio based and the M-Audio pedals are still working perfectly after 5 years, if and when one fails it’s cheap enough to replace.

 

Hope this helps makes sense.

EDIT:

If you do buy one and then you think that the sweep appears to be “reversed” going from 100 heel -0% toe,  simply go to the Global settings a set the polarity function to “inverted”. Solved!

[emagli]

On 6/13/2021 at 4:41 AM, hernan93 said:

Of course, all whithin normal-careful use, not talking about being rude with the unit. 

 

You may want to make sure the pedal movement is smooth enough -- the degree of tightness can be adjusted. Other than that you should be fine.