HELIX FOOTSWITCHES: How to make them quieter

[markwesse]

We have a client who is a guitarist/vocalist and uses a helix. Normally we are just micing up his vocals (TLM103/K2 in MS > VMP400e pre) so it retains the stereo space around the vocal. DT770 for monitoring (tight isolation)

The helix is going in via the tube DI inputs...and everything is sweet...right?

NO

The artists switches presets along the way...as you do for various parts of the take and it also part of his performance. 

 

The foot switches are really loud, they are downright distracting on the otherwise great takes...some of them are on top of the singing so I can just gate/edit them out.

 

I cant use any null of mics etc because of the way we need to capture him (as described above)

 

Has anyone had any success in quieting them down?

I mentioned for my own live stuff during covid ie in small rooms with people standing close etc...and seems no one else notices here

 

Thanks

[theElevators]

I've taken apart my Helix LT and put DeoxIT on the microwsitches.  That made them less clicky.  The buttons themselves are still as noisy as before, just the click is less loud. 

 

What you can instead do is use the expression pedal to control some things whenever it has to be absolutely dead-quiet. 

[PierM]

If you are clocking the tempo I'd program a MIDI track with all the PC and CC you need for the song. 

[phil_m]

Personally, I’d automate those changes with MIDI and not even have the guy stepping on anything while recording. That way he can just focus on his playing and singing.

[markwesse]

Thanks guys

Following click kills emotion in a performance..prob stopped using that 15 years ago nd likely will never do it again in this context. The subtly and emotion that is lost is a no go

EDM etc of course but this is a guitar/voice performance so yeah...nah! 

 

We take the performance and if stuff is needed we chase the tempo of the live track...so automation is not really an option.

I do have an airturn noiseless pedal that is normally used for page turning...but no midi out...will investigate that.

[markwesse]

On 1/9/2023 at 5:18 AM, theElevators said:

I've taken apart my Helix LT and put DeoxIT on the microwsitches.  That made them less clicky.  The buttons themselves are still as noisy as before, just the click is less loud. 

 

What you can instead do is use the expression pedal to control some things whenever it has to be absolutely dead-quiet. 

Im not sure that eg exp lets you map the controller to on/off...will have a look but it didnt previously eg PDHD500x etc but prob only need 2 footswitches so thanks for the thoughts

IF it does allow switching, then I guess i could patch a 10k resistor etc across custom cables...if that helps anyone else

[markwesse]

On 1/9/2023 at 6:19 AM, phil_m said:

Personally, I’d automate those changes with MIDI and not even have the guy stepping on anything while recording. That way he can just focus on his playing and singing.

 

On 1/9/2023 at 6:19 AM, PierM said:

If you are clocking the tempo I'd program a MIDI track with all the PC and CC you need for the song. 

 

Thanks peeps

Following click kills the spontaneity of emotion in a performance..prob stopped using that 15 years ago nd likely will never do it again in this context. The subtly and emotion that is lost is a no go

EDM etc of course but this is a guitar/voice performance so yeah...nah! 

 

We take the performance and tempo based stuff is needed, we chase the tempo of the live track...so automation is not really an option.

I do have an airturn noiseless pedal that is normally used for page turning...but no midi out...will investigate that along with reply#1