📱 MIDI & Helix Part 1 - The Basics

Things you need for this setup to work:

1. Line 6 Helix Floor/LT

Duh... HAHAHA. Stomp users please wait out. I have so much more to teach for the Stomp because it is so small!

2. An iPad/iPhone

I am using an iPad Air 2 for this demo. Any iPad/iPhone with Lightning or Type-C jack will do fine.

3. Lightning/Type-C to USB 3 Adaptor (Key Component)

Get the correct jack depending on your device. Try to get one from Apple because I won't wanna see something fry when other brands are used! These adaptors are usually found alongside accessories commonly sold in Apple retailers.

4. Helix's USB cable (This one came along with your Helix)
If you lose this one I honestly don't know how to help you.

5. Midipad 2 App (Found in Apple App Store)

It's a paid app but it's worth it.

Next, let's try to understand what MIDI is about.

Imagine tweaking your presets manually by turning knobs and clicking on your computer... Then there's MIDI, a powerful friend that helps you do all that by sending messages (commands) to Helix asking Helix to self-tweak. MIDI exists on the iPad and Helix understands what iPad wants it to do. Helix does all that in a blink of an eye, leaving you a very happy musician.

MIDI just got so much simpler with the Midipad2 app. First and foremost, there are a few rules you need to remember by heart before handing the controls over to Midipad2:

1. All channels are set to Channel 1 by Helix factory defaults. You will only need other channels if you are MIDI chaining multiple instruments (more on that later on).

2. Helix is born to read Control Change (IMPORTANT: remember this term as CC) commands starting from #1 to #128. The Midipad2 app however, sends commands from #0 to #127. So every time you see a command number, remember to add "1" to the number before applying.

For example, toggle Tuner command is CC#68. So in the app, you will put it as CC#69.

3. Only recalling of presets will you use the Program Change function. The program number is also a +1 to the preset number in your Helix.

For example, recalling preset 01A or 000 will be #1 in the PC command.

4. "Toggle" basically means you stomping on a switch as you normally would with your feet. The "Toggle" setting is usually used when activating/deactivating effects, or changing parameters. Basically anything gotta do with effects will usually be "Toggle" trigger. It is like a checkbox where multiple toggles can happen.

"Pad" basically is used more for functions and recalling purposes. There's no on/off with "Pad" trigger type. It is made just to do one specific action, like calling back a preset/snapshot, something like a radio button, where only one mode/snapshot/preset can be activated. *Mode change only for HX Stomp at the moment; Helix already have a footswitch dedicated for that function.

5. We will NEVER use this function so forget about it. Our Helix doesn't require this function.

Now I assume you are familiarised with the Midipad2 (well, more or less). The final preparation you need to do is on the Helix. So let's get into the Helix!

1. Go to Global Settings by pressing the "=" button and then selecting Global Settings. Mouse right to the MIDI/Tempo setting and confirm that the "MIDI Base Channel" is at "1". Then go over to the next page and ensure that "MIDI over USB" is on.

And that's it! You're good to go...and start programming! Fret not, it's really simple once you get the hang of it! I'll be here to guide you along!

Click >>> for the next part in the MIDI & Helix series!
Click <<< for previous part.

Edwin Ang