Helix midi control of fractal axe fx 2

[oldokie62]

Hello all,

Please forgive this lengthy explanation of my question, but here goes. I've been a long time line 6 user beginning with the m13, graduating to the pod hd500x, and now owning a Helix LT which I love along with my JTV 69 variax! I recently found an excellent deal on a fractal audio axe fx 2 (I know the enemy) and purchased it. I am wanting to use my Helix to control the axe fx to simply pull up a preset and change the scenes. I have NEVER in my time playing explored midi so I am completely new to this experience. I am looking for a member that would be willing to hand hold me through the process. I want to be able to use both the Helix and the Axe fx in a live gig setting along with my JTV-69 which is my primary axe in gigs. I know how to set up presets on my Helix, but am wondering if I can set up a preset with different snapshots which could tell the axe which preset and scenes to pullup and add the information of which guitar model and pickup to use within the Helix preset?? I will appreciate any and all help, but really need guidance step by step if possible. Thanks in advance!!

[DunedinDragon]

There are a number of us actively using MIDI for various purposes in here, but a lot depends on the complexity of the MIDI transactions you'll be wanting to do in coordinating with the Axe fx.  The Helix is a fairly simple MIDI controller when compared to the more robust dedicated MIDI controllers on the market.  For example it might be possible to coordinate scenes with snapshots (I'm just guessing), but you'll likely run into problems if you want a single interaction (button push) with the Helix to result in multiple MIDI transactions with another MIDI device as it's not really designed to do such things.  I can only guess at this point since I'm not familiar with the Axe FX MIDI implementation.

From what you're describing it may be more reasonable to use a MIDI controller to simultaneously control both the Helix and the Axe FX.  When I was using my Helix to control and coordinate my actions on the Helix with a BeatBuddy all worked very well, but began to get unwieldy and pretty much impossible once I added additional devices I needed to coordinate together and ended up buying a Morningstar MC8 MIDI controller which has a MUCH wider range of possible MIDI actions that can be combined into one stomp interaction and sent to multiple devices.

As I said there are a number of very proficient MIDI folks here so I'd start simple and try mapping out a specific single interaction you'd like to achieve between the Helix and the Axe such as coordinating the selection of a Helix preset with the loading of an Axe scene.  There are instantaneous commands that can be triggered by the loading of a preset in the Command Center and sent to an external device such as the Axe.  Start there and get a feel for how it might work for you.

[rd2rk]

Disclaimer: I don't own an AXE. Based on interactions in another forum with AXE users, the following are the MIDI commands which should, by default, get the results you desire. There may be configuration steps within the AXE that you need to take to enable MIDI communication, not least of which is ensuring that both Helix and AXE are communicating on the same MIDI Channel. Default for Helix is Channel 1 and, IIRC, AXE is either Channel 1 or OMNI (ALL Channels). You'll have to check the AXE Manual for specifics.

 

The AXE has 3 banks of 128 Presets numbered 0-127.

The Banks are numbered (for MIDI purposes) 0-2.

The Scenes are numbered 0-7.

 

In order to call a Preset within a Bank and a Scene within that preset, you need to send 3 MIDI commands:

 

Helix Instant Command 1 = Bank/Program - CC#0 Value 0 (Bank 1); Value 1 (Bank 2); Value 2 (Bank 3) + Preset (MIDI Program Change) #0-127

Helix Instant Command 2 = MIDI CC - CC#34 Value (0-7 = Scenes 1-8)

 

In Helix, the Instant Commands are sent when the Preset loads, and with each Snapshot change.

Once a command is sent, it will not send again until a different command is used.

 

So, if when the Helix Preset loads, you call AXE Bank 1 Preset #65 Scene #3:

Instant Command 1 - CC#0 Value 0 + PC#65 +

Instant Command 2 - CC#34 Value 2 

 

You could call a different AXE Scene within that AXE Preset by changing the CC#34 Value in that Helix Snapshot. The other Values won't be sent again until a Snapshot specifies different values.

Likewise, to change the other Values (different AXE Bank/Preset/Scene, just specify the new values within that Snapshot.

 

If any of the commands FAIL, add WAIT TIME to create a pause before the failed command is sent - sometimes a device needs a moment to execute a command before another can be received.

 

The attached example preset does the following (I hope!):

 

On Load, Snapshot 1:

AXE Bank 2; Preset 65; Scene 4

 

Snapshot 2:

Bank and Preset remain the same, Scene 8 is called

 

Snapshot 3:

AXE Bank 1; Preset 3; Scene 2

 

Try it! Let me know if it works.

 

NOTE: All of the above assumes Factory Default settings. If you've mucked about in the settings, you may need to restore the AXE version of "GLOBAL" and "DEFAULT" settings.

IOW - you may need to RTM!

 

If there's no AXE Preset in the destination specified, it MAY fail. Check that first!

 

 

 

 

 

OldOkie62.hlx

[jeffmcalpin62]

@DunedinDragon, thank you for responding. I am wanting within a Helix snapshot to dictate an axe fx preset and scene (ex: preset 002 scene1)and the guitar model/pickup selection on my JTV-69. I was afraid that might be too much. I'll do some more looking around, but if anyone else has any ideas, please feel free. I'll check into the MC8 DunedinDragon, thanks again!

[jeffmcalpin62]

@rd2rk, thank you so much!! I will give your suggestions and preset a try when I return home next week! Would putting the JTV-69 model and pickup be too many commands?