Command Center
Helix also just so happens to be a world-class master remote control for your entire touring or studio rig. Each of its Stomp mode footswitches and expression pedals can be used to send a variety of MIDI, CV/expression, or External Amp commands to your guitar amps, vintage pedals, synths, or even other modelers. In addition, up to six "Instant" commands can be transmitted automatically when a Helix preset is recalled, for starting your DAW, triggering a MIDI-controlled lighting system, or switching presets on external gear.
All Command Center assignments are stored per preset, but they can be copied and pasted to other presets. See "Copying and Pasting a Command"
NOTE
The Value parameters of any instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog, MMC, and CV Out messages, plus the state (dim or lit) of any CC Toggle, CV Toggle, and Ext Amp messages are automatically recalled when selecting a snapshot.
NOTE
All MIDI-based Command Center messages are transmitted via MIDI and USB simultaneously.
Assigning a Command
1. Press MENU to open the Menu.
2. Press Knob 3 (Command Center).
Any switches, pedals or instant locations with commands assigned appear with turquoise triangles above them:
3. Move the joystick to select the footswitch, pedal, Variax knob, or instant location you wish to use to send the command.
4. Turn Knob 1 (Command) to select the type of command you wish to transmit.
Not all command sources can send the same types of commands.
Select "None" to remove any command assignment.
5. Turn Knobs 2-5 to adjust the command's settings, which are determined by the type of command:
MIDI CC (Continuous Controller)
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MIDI Ch | Sets the CC message's MIDI channel (1-16). When set to "Base", Helix follows the Global MIDI channel, which is set from the "Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo" page. |
| 3 | CC # | Sets the CC number (0-127). |
| 4 | Value Min Value | Sets the CC number's value (0-127). For EXP 1-3 and Variax Volume/Tone Knob, sets the minimum CC value controlled by the pedal or knob. |
| 5 | Max Value | For EXP 1-3 and Variax Volume/Tone Knob, sets the maximum CC value controlled by the pedal or knob. |
CC Toggle
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MIDI Ch | Sets the CC messages' MIDI channel (1-16). When set to "Base", Helix follows the Global MIDI channel, which is set from the "Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo" page. |
| 3 | CC # | Sets the CC number (0-127). |
| 4 | Dim Value | Sets the CC number's value (0-127) when the footswitch ring is dim. For Footswitches 7 (MODE) and 12 (TAP), appears as "Initial Val." |
| 5 | Lit Value | Sets the CC number's value (0-127) when the footswitch ring is lit. For Footswitches 7 (MODE) and 12 (TAP), appears as "Toggle Val." |
NOTE
For CC Toggle commands, one of two values is automatically transmitted upon preset recall, determined by the footswitch's state (dim or lit) when the preset was saved. Subsequent presses of the footswitch toggle between the two states' CC values—Knob 4 (Dim Value) and Knob 5 (Lit Value).
Bank/Prog
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MIDI Ch | Sets the Bank/Program message's MIDI channel (1-16). When set to "Base", Helix follows the Global MIDI channel, which is set from the "Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo" page. |
| 3 | Bank CC00 | Sets the CC#00 (Bank MSB) value. Select "Off" if the receiving device shouldn't respond to Bank MSB. |
| 4 | Bank CC32 | Sets the CC#32 (Bank LSB) value. Select "Off" if the receiving device shouldn't respond to Bank LSB. |
| 5 | Program | Sets the Program Change (PC) value. Select "Off" if you only want to send a Bank MSB and/or Bank LSB message. |
Note On
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MIDI Ch | Sets the note's MIDI channel (1-16). When set to "Base," Helix follows the Global MIDI channel, which is set from the "Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo" page. |
| 3 | Note | Sets the MIDI note value (C-1 ~ G9). Middle C is C3. |
| 4 | Velocity | Sets the MIDI note's velocity (0-127). |
| 5 | Note Off | Determines whether the MIDI note sustains until pressing the switch again (Latching) or sustains only while the switch is held (Momentary). |
MMC (MIDI Machine Control)
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Message | Determines the message type. |
Ext Amp
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Select | Determines the Ext Amp connection 1 (Tip-to-sleeve), 2 (Ring-to-sleeve), or both for switching an external amp's channel, reverb, or other functions. |
IMPORTANT
Connect EXT AMP 1/2 only to amplifiers that utilize "short-to-sleeve" footswitch inputs. Connecting to any other sort of input could cause permanent damage to both your amp and Helix! If you're not sure if your amp has short-to-sleeve inputs, contact the manufacturer.
IMPORTANT
The Helix device's ability to control external amp channel and/or reverb switching has been tested with many popular amps and heads. Unfortunately this does not guarantee compatibility with all products. Note that, depending on the circuitry of the channel switching jack in the guitar amp used, the EXT Amp function may not operate as expected.
NOTE
When an Ext Amp command is assigned to Instant 1-6, the connection determined by Knob 2 (Select) is made when the preset is loaded. When an Ext Amp command is assigned to a footswitch, the footswitch's current state (dim or lit) determines whether or not the External Amp connection is made when the preset is loaded; when dim, no connection is made; when lit, the connection determined by Knob 2 (Select) is made. Subsequent presses of the footswitch toggle the connection on (LED lit) and off (LED dark).
CV (Control Voltage) Out
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | CV Value CV Min Val | Sets the CV value (1-100) appearing at the Helix device's CV/Expression jack. For EXP 1-3 and Variax Volume/Tone Knob, sets the minimum CV value controlled by the pedal or knob. |
| 3 | CV Max Val | For EXP 1-3 and Variax Volume/Tone Knob, sets the maximum CV value controlled by the pedal or knob. |
CV (Control Voltage) Toggle
| Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Dim Value | Sets the CV value (0-100) when the footswitch ring is dim. For Footswitches 7 (MODE) and 12 (TAP), appears as "Initial Val." |
| 3 | Lit Value | Sets the CV value (0-100) when the footswitch ring is lit. For Footswitches 7 (MODE) and 12 (TAP), appears as "Toggle Val." |
NOTE
For CV Toggle commands, one of two CV values appears at the CV/Expression output, automatically transmitted upon preset recall, determined by the footswitch's state (dim or lit) when the preset was saved. Subsequent presses of the footswitch toggle between the two states' CV values—Knob 4 (Dim Value) and Knob 5 (Lit Value).
Copying and Pasting a Command
1. Select the location containing the command you wish to copy and press ACTION.
2. Press Knob 1 (Copy Command).
3. Select the location to which you want to paste the command - even in a different preset — and press ACTION.
4. Press Knob 3 (Paste Command).
Copying and Pasting All Commands
Setting up the same or similar set of commands across multiple presets can quickly become tiresome. Fortunately, Helix lets you quickly copy and paste all commands to another preset.
1. From the Command Center page, press ACTION.
2. Press Knob 2 (Copy All Commands).
3. Select the preset to which you want to paste the commands and press ACTION.
4. Press Knob 3 (Paste All Commands).
Clearing a Command
1. Select the location containing the command you want to clear and press ACTION.
2. Press Knob 4 (Clear Command).
Clearing All Commands
1. From the Command Center page, press ACTION.
2. Press Knob 5 (Clear All Commands).
The following dialog appears:
3. Press Knob 6 (OK).
Customizing a Command Footswitch Label
1. From the Command Center screen, select Footswitch 1-5, 7-11, or Exp Toe with a command assigned and press Knob 6 (Customize).
The Customize screen appears:
Move the joystick left or right to move the cursor.
Turn the joystick (or move it up/down) to change the selected character.
Press Knob 2 (Delete) to delete the selected character and shift all following characters to the left.
Press Knob 3 (Insert) to insert a space and shift all following characters to the right.
SHORTCUT
Press the joystick to cycle through A, a, 0, and SPACE. Press Knob 4 (Remove) to remove the custom label, after which the footswitch displays its normal assignment. Remove is grayed out until a custom name is applied.
2. Press Knob 6 (OK).
NOTE
Footswitches can also be customized from the "Bypass Assign" screen (or Helix editor application!)
Customizing a Command Footswitch Color
1. From the Customize screen, turn Knob 5 (Switch LED) to select the desired color (or turn it off).
Normally, you should leave this set to "Auto Color."
2. Press Knob 1 (Cancel) or to exit.