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External amp channel/mode switching


gaco71
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Hey guys, I’m new here and to helix stadium xl.I have a Badcat hot cat 50 mod shop amp. The amp has one trs input with a 2 button foot switch. 1 switch controls channel 1/2. The other switch controls hi/lo for each channel. 
I want to know if there is a way to use stadium xl to control these features?

  If so how do I set it up? Thanks 

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I realize this is your first post here and you haven’t had any response. I think that’s because nobody reading this (and there are many) has any good suggestions to offer. I expect the answer is “No, that won’t work.”  but I’m not certain.

 

I just wanted you to know that the forum is active despite the silence on your question.

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I also don’t know the answer since I don’t use the external amp controls on the Stadium.  That being said, it sounds like your case is as simple as they come and this I don’t see why Stadium would not work.  I feel like most amps use a two button footswitch with a trs cable. 

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On 7/22/2026 at 12:52 AM, gaco71 said:

Hey guys, I’m new here and to helix stadium xl.I have a Badcat hot cat 50 mod shop amp. The amp has one trs input with a 2 button foot switch. 1 switch controls channel 1/2. The other switch controls hi/lo for each channel. 
I want to know if there is a way to use stadium xl to control these features?

  If so how do I set it up? Thanks 

 

External Amp Control

The Control A/B/C/D) jacks can alternatively be configured for “Ext Amp” via their Global Settings > Switches/Pedals > Control (Tip) and Control (Ring) options. This allows you to configure Command Center switch assignments to remotely toggle your external amplifier’s channel, reverb, or tremolo switching from your presets. Please refer to the Command Center > Ext Amp Commands section for details.


https://manuals.line6.com/en/helix-stadium/live/external-pedal-and-switch-controller-configuration

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On 7/22/2026 at 10:48 PM, dandesy said:

I also don’t know the answer since I don’t use the external amp controls on the Stadium.  That being said, it sounds like your case is as simple as they come and this I don’t see why Stadium would not work.  I feel like most amps use a two button footswitch with a trs cable. 

The OP is asking about controlling two amp parameters with the switches: channel and hi/lo. I may be over complicating things or maybe I just don’t understand but I think that requires 2 TRS cables and switch assignments in the XL: one for Control A/B to control channel selection, and one for Control C/D for hi/lo selection. I’m not sure how you get both of those cables/signals into the single TRS jack on the amp while maintaining differentiation.

 

EDIT: I think I misunderstood how the Control jacks work, and dandesy and maxxlines are correct. I now think you only need one TRS cable in a single Control A/B jack and assign two switches in Command Center for Control A (channel) and Control B (hi/lo). Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.

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Yes, you can control your Bad Cat with the Stadium.

I have mine controlling my Engl Powerball 2.

 

Connect a TRS cable from your A/B Output Jack to the Footswitch In.

In Command Center, set up both Tip and Ring on the Lightning Bolts.

Since you have 2 channels, you need to find out what combination changes the channels on the Bad Cat.

Channel one is probably 0+0 (Open + Open)

Channel two might be: 0+1 (Open + Closed), or 1+0 (Closed + Open), or 1+1 (Closed + Closed)

 

You'll have to test and see. But it will change channels on your Bad Cat.

It's a good feeling the first time you stomp the footswitch and your amp changes the channel.

Let us know how it goes.

 

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On 7/25/2026 at 2:35 AM, XONE said:

Yes, you can control your Bad Cat with the Stadium.

I have mine controlling my Engl Powerball 2.

 

Connect a TRS cable from your A/B Output Jack to the Footswitch In.

In Command Center, set up both Tip and Ring on the Lightning Bolts.

Since you have 2 channels, you need to find out what combination changes the channels on the Bad Cat.

Channel one is probably 0+0 (Open + Open)

Channel two might be: 0+1 (Open + Closed), or 1+0 (Closed + Open), or 1+1 (Closed + Closed)

 

You'll have to test and see. But it will change channels on your Bad Cat.

It's a good feeling the first time you stomp the footswitch and your amp changes the channel.

Let us know how it goes.

 

 

Agreed, I have done the same with my Victory MK Overdrive. Just make sure that your amp uses short to sleeve. I did exactly the same, connect a TRS cable (MK Overdrive has two cables so I can do everything the amp foot switch does). It was a bit trial and error ro work them out but doesn't take long.

 

May be I missed something but maybe not but I would like to swap the polarities. ie when I connected it up and turned on the Helix if I have a one switch switched between Lo and Hi gain the default on power on was Hi and I would prefer to change this to default to Low. If this can't be done it would be a helpful addition, or maybe I just missed how to do it?

 

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