Helix Stadium Native program change

[andresmunozau]

Has anyone figured out how to change programs via MIDI? I'm using a MC8 PRO controller and I've been able to control snapshots, and use expression pedals, however, I have not been able to send a program change,or bank changes.

I'm running Helix Stadium Native v1.3.3.1 on Ableton 12 or Reaper

 

Thanks in advance

[silverhead]

The Helix Stadium Native manual contains this statement:

Helix Stadium Native responds to traditional MIDI CC messages from an external MIDI controller device (or MIDI software) to provide remote control of its parameters and snapshots.

 

That implies to me that MIDI PC or Bank Change commands are not supported.

[rd2rk]

VST3 is not (simply to users) compatible with MIDI PC Messages.

 

In Reaper you can save the preset using the "+" icon in the plugin header. It will then appear in the header's dropdown list.

The order of appearance determines the PC# required to call it up, and the order can be changed using that same icon.

 

I can explain in more detail if you can't get it to work.

 

AFAICT it is not possible in Ableton.

[andresmunozau]

its really a shame.. the plugin sounds insane good. I would totally gig with this (and probably will). but program change is a must to take it to the next level. Even program change withing the same bank would be acceptable.

 

 

[rd2rk]

To clarify:

 

You said you use Reaper. You CAN use MIDI for program changes in Reaper. It's not really that difficult.

IF you also use Ableton, for instance, for playing Clips, you CAN route and control Ableton from Reaper using Rearoute.

I can explain how to do ALL of the above if you actually want to do what you say you want to do.

 

OR you could get a copy of ProTools and use AAX.

OR you could switch from PC to MAC and use Logic.

 

That VST3 is not DIRECTLY MIDI PC compatible is on Steinberg, not Line 6.

 

On 8/13/2026 at 6:31 AM, andresmunozau said:

Even program change withing the same bank would be acceptable.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by this. AFAICT there's folders - FACTORY and USER. Setlists imported from OG Helix Native or Helix HW simply place the setlist into the USER folder as a new subfolder containing it's presets, but it is not a separate "Bank".

[andresmunozau]

On 8/14/2026 at 3:24 AM, rd2rk said:

That VST3 is not DIRECTLY MIDI PC compatible is on Steinberg, not Line 6.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by this. AFAICT there's folders - FACTORY and USER. Setlists imported from OG Helix Native or Helix HW simply place the setlist into the USER folder as a new subfolder containing it's presets, but it is not a separate "Bank".

Oh I didn't know this was not on Line 6.

re: Banks reference:
This is coming from my Helix LT usage. Let me explain. Each Setlist in the hardware is really a Bank (1-7 on Helix LT) and the order of appearance is the bank order, same as presets. On ableton, with regular Helix Native (not stadium), you can switch presets within the same bank, but not banks (AKA Playlists).. so as long as you have the plugin on the appropriate playlist, you can switch presets. 

I can also see that Native Stadium sorts preset alphabetically, so, to keep things consistent, one would need to put a number at the start of the preset name, which is workable.

Now, Reaper or Ableton. I use both, Reaper for mixing and mastering, Ableton for production. BUT, I use Ableton in our band, as it played nicely with the rest of the software and hardware we use. My intention is to replace my Helix LT with Native Stadium. I suppose I could have a single preset with all the stuff as a virtual pedal board and turn on/off stuff using MIDI CC or snapshots, that is also a workable option. 

[rd2rk]

On 8/14/2026 at 6:10 PM, andresmunozau said:

Oh I didn't know this was not on Line 6.

 

I meant that Line 6 is not responsible for the changes from VST2 to VST3. That's ON Steinberger.

 

On 8/14/2026 at 6:10 PM, andresmunozau said:

On ableton, with regular Helix Native (not stadium), you can switch presets within the same bank, but not banks (AKA Playlists).. so as long as you have the plugin on the appropriate playlist, you can switch presets. 

 

I'm wondering how you are doing this, as the Pilot's guide says you can't, except, as I previously noted, by using AAX (ProTools) or AU (MAC/Logic etc):

 

Setlist, Preset, and Snapshot Recall via MIDI

 

NOTE - AU and AAX Plug-in Formats Only: At this time, remote MIDI control of setlist and preset changes is supported only with the AU (Mac) and Pro Tools AAX (Mac and Windows) Helix Native plug-in formats. It is not supported for the VST2 or VST3 Helix Native plug-in formats on Mac or Windows. Also note that Setlist and Preset changes performed via MIDI PC/CC messages are not supported by Undo, and will clear the current Undo history - please see “Undo and Redo” on page 27.

 

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Are you using Ableton on a MAC? I just noticed that you didn't specify, so I ASSUMED (silly me!) that you were using Windows.

 

Again, this is simple in Reaper, with Helix OR Stadium Native, I just can't see a practical method for doing it in Ableton with VSTs.

[superstring]

I too would like the option of a MIDI assignable control for "Next" and "Previous" presets in the new Stadium.  Helix Native has the ability to call up patches via MIDI control (though it is tied to specific program changes within a specific bank).  While you can cludge together a workaround in a DAW such as in Logic by using Logic's preset folders to save presets (and bypassing Helix Stadium/Native presets all together), the downside to this is that you can't set up a MIDI controller to only change presets on that plugin (it just changes whatever window is open and on top).  

 

Basically, the requested feature would be the equivalent of hitting the "up" or the "down" arrows on the Stadium Native preset window and being able to assign that to a MIDI control message.

 

Amplitube 5 has a MIDI assignable "Next" and "Previous" so that is what I wind up using for playing live.  

 

But if Stadium Native included this feature it would make it the ultimate guitar plugin for me and I would ditch all the others!!