Expanding the HX Effects with a Midi controller (i.e. to change snapshots)

[Hypnonaut89]

Hey, I'm thinking of using my HX Effects along with a midi controller to get even more flexibility out of it, and I'm looking for some recommendations and to make sure what I have in mind is possible.

 

The main use case I'm thinking of would be to have dedicated switches on the midi controller to change snapshots. This would free up some of the unit's onboard switches. I'm new to midi but from what I understand, I could send values on MIDI CC 69 from the controller to the HXFX to change snapshots, right?

 

I also noticed this option in the manual: 

 

This means I could send midi messages from the HXFX to the midi controller so that the snapshot selected on the controller matches the one on the HXFX, correct?

 

As for the controller itself, I'm looking for a compact one with 4 switches (one for each snapshot) and the only one I've found so far is Matthews Effects' The Futurist. It's really hard to find where I am in Europe though, so I'm open to other suggestions.

 

Thanks

[rd2rk]

On 10/14/2025 at 3:31 PM, Hypnonaut89 said:

This means I could send midi messages from the HXFX to the midi controller so that the snapshot selected on the controller matches the one on the HXFX, correct?

 

 

I've no clue why you'd want to do that. New to MIDI?

 

The main reason to use the "Snapshot CC Send" would be to record a MIDI track to automate a show.

 

When you use a MIDI Controller for LIVE performance you just setup the controller to send the CC#69+Value (SS# - 0-3). Unless you switch banks on the controller, those switches will always send the proper message.

 

Here's the MIDI controller I use. Cheap, powerful, easy to set up (mobile app), rugged, dependable, and widely available:

 

Amazon.com: HOTONE MIDI Foot Controller Pedal Bluetooth Ampero Control 4 Button : Musical Instruments

 

You didn't say WHERE in Europe, so...

 

 

[enjalt]

On 10/14/2025 at 11:31 PM, Hypnonaut89 said:

Hey, I'm thinking of using my HX Effects along with a midi controller to get even more flexibility out of it, and I'm looking for some recommendations and to make sure what I have in mind is possible.

 

The main use case I'm thinking of would be to have dedicated switches on the midi controller to change snapshots. This would free up some of the unit's onboard switches. I'm new to midi but from what I understand, I could send values on MIDI CC 69 from the controller to the HXFX to change snapshots, right?

 

I also noticed this option in the manual: 

 

This means I could send midi messages from the HXFX to the midi controller so that the snapshot selected on the controller matches the one on the HXFX, correct?

 

As for the controller itself, I'm looking for a compact one with 4 switches (one for each snapshot) and the only one I've found so far is Matthews Effects' The Futurist. It's really hard to find where I am in Europe though, so I'm open to other suggestions.

 

Thanks

Hi

 

I would suggest to look to the morningstar products (MC4, MC6 etc) , they're easy to program/use.

 

You can do pretty whatever you want to do in your case

[Hypnonaut89]

@enjaltI considered the MC3 but it only has three switches. However, I just learned that an MC4 is coming so maybe I'll just wait. Morningstar products seem awesome indeed.

 

@rd2rkI was thinking I might also need to send MIDI messages from the HXFX to the MIDI controller in my use case to "sync" them, so to speak. For instance, let's say I pressed a switch on the controller that sends the CC message to change to snapshot 2 on the HXFX. An LED or something on the controller would turn on to indicate that we're on snapshot 2. If then I switch to snapshot 3 from the HXFX itself instead of the MIDI controller for some reason, wouldn't the controller become "out of sync", still showing snapshot 2 as selected even though snapshot 3 is actually selected on the HXFX?

I'm loving the HXFX but it's lacking a way to see which snapshot is selected when in stomp mode. That's also what I'm trying to remedy with the MIDI controller.

The Hotone seems great but I'm looking for something square shaped. I'm in France btw.

 

Thanks for the recs

[enjalt]

On 10/15/2025 at 1:04 PM, Hypnonaut89 said:

@enjaltI considered the MC3 but it only has three switches. However, I just learned that an MC4 is coming so maybe I'll just wait. Morningstar products seem awesome indeed.

 

@rd2rkI was thinking I might also need to send MIDI messages from the HXFX to the MIDI controller in my use case to "sync" them, so to speak. For instance, let's say I pressed a switch on the controller that sends the CC message to change to snapshot 2 on the HXFX. An LED or something on the controller would turn on to indicate that we're on snapshot 2. If then I switch to snapshot 3 from the HXFX itself instead of the MIDI controller for some reason, wouldn't the controller become "out of sync", still showing snapshot 2 as selected even though snapshot 3 is actually selected on the HXFX?

I'm loving the HXFX but it's lacking a way to see which snapshot is selected when in stomp mode. That's also what I'm trying to remedy with the MIDI controller.

The Hotone seems great but I'm looking for something square shaped. I'm in France btw.

 

Thanks for the recs

You can fin actualy MC6pro or MC8pro which are very visual. or you can find online second hands on MC6 MKII/MC8 MKII which are great too (no need to wait). If you sync the two units you'll be able to make it work like you want to do.

 

I'm using it with the full Helix units for other uses. it works well

 

BTW i'm in France too so don't hesitate to MP in french if it's easier for you.

 

Regards

[rd2rk]

On 10/15/2025 at 5:04 AM, Hypnonaut89 said:

@enjaltI considered the MC3 but it only has three switches. However, I just learned that an MC4 is coming so maybe I'll just wait. Morningstar products seem awesome indeed.

 

@rd2rkI was thinking I might also need to send MIDI messages from the HXFX to the MIDI controller in my use case to "sync" them, so to speak. For instance, let's say I pressed a switch on the controller that sends the CC message to change to snapshot 2 on the HXFX. An LED or something on the controller would turn on to indicate that we're on snapshot 2. If then I switch to snapshot 3 from the HXFX itself instead of the MIDI controller for some reason, wouldn't the controller become "out of sync", still showing snapshot 2 as selected even though snapshot 3 is actually selected on the HXFX?

I'm loving the HXFX but it's lacking a way to see which snapshot is selected when in stomp mode. That's also what I'm trying to remedy with the MIDI controller.

The Hotone seems great but I'm looking for something square shaped. I'm in France btw.

 

Thanks for the recs

 

The controller doesn't need to be "in sync" for Snapshot changes. The programmed switch will always send what it's programmed to send. If you're depending on an LED on the controller to tell you what Snapshot you're in, then I suppose that would matter, but most controllers are one-way. The MIDI Input is there to allow "chaining" MIDI devices - received messages are passed thru to the OUT/THRU port. It's possible that SOME controllers MIGHT be capable of being controlled by other devices, but the one I suggested does not have that ability. You would need to read the manual for any device that you are considering to verify that it has that feature. I had a quick look at a couple of the Morningstar manuals - MC6 MKII and MC6 PRO - and neither of those allow what you want, MIDI IN is only for passing messages to MIDI OUT/THRU.

[Hypnonaut89]

On 10/15/2025 at 3:52 PM, enjalt said:

You can fin actualy MC6pro or MC8pro which are very visual. or you can find online second hands on MC6 MKII/MC8 MKII which are great too (no need to wait). If you sync the two units you'll be able to make it work like you want to do.

 

I'm using it with the full Helix units for other uses. it works well

 

BTW i'm in France too so don't hesitate to MP in french if it's easier for you.

 

Regards

I'm looking for a compact, square one so I'd rather wait for the MC4 to come out...

 

On 10/15/2025 at 6:06 PM, rd2rk said:

 

The controller doesn't need to be "in sync" for Snapshot changes. The programmed switch will always send what it's programmed to send. If you're depending on an LED on the controller to tell you what Snapshot you're in, then I suppose that would matter, but most controllers are one-way. The MIDI Input is there to allow "chaining" MIDI devices - received messages are passed thru to the OUT/THRU port. It's possible that SOME controllers MIGHT be capable of being controlled by other devices, but the one I suggested does not have that ability. You would need to read the manual for any device that you are considering to verify that it has that feature. I had a quick look at a couple of the Morningstar manuals - MC6 MKII and MC6 PRO - and neither of those allow what you want, MIDI IN is only for passing messages to MIDI OUT/THRU.

Mmhhh... I see. Guess I'll have to do without some external indicator to easily glance which snapshot I'm currently on. If anyone has an idea to take care of that I'm listening, but it's not something I absolutely need.