User Manual
45
Controller Assign
Helix provides a wide variety of tools for controlling your tone during a performance.
The most obvious one is the built-in expression pedal (often assigned to wah or
volume), but you may also assign footswitches to toggle between two values of a
given parameter or parameters, control a parameter from an external MIDI device, or
the volume and tone knobs on a James Tyler Variax or Variax Standard guitar. You can
evenhave parametersinstantlychange when selectingdierentsnapshotswithin a
preset.
If a controller has been assigned to a parameter, the value appears white and in brack-
ets:
Feedback
[37%]
NOTE: Adding a Wah or Pitch Wham block automatically assigns it to be con-
trolled by EXP 1. Adding a Volume Pedal or Pan block automatically assigns it to
be controlled by EXP 2.
NOTE: Each preset can have up to 64 controller assignments. If you attempt to
add a 65th, "Too many controller assignments!" appears in the header:
Learn
Controller
Parameter
Feedback
Controller
None
Too many controller assignments!
In this case, you must clear some controllers to free up assignments. See "Clear-
ing a Block's Controller Assignment(s)" or "Clearing All Controller Assignments".
Quick Controller Assign
1. From the Home screen, press and hold the knob for the pa-
rameter you wish to control.
Helix jumps to the Controller Assign page and displays your parameter above
Knob 1 (Parameter).
2. Press Knob 6 (Learn Controller).
The button’s brain icon glows blue and the header reads “Move/use controller to
learn...”:
Learn
Controller
Parameter
Feedback
Controller
None
L
Move/use controller to learn...
3. Move the expression pedal, turn the Volume or Tone knob on
a connected Variax, step on a Stomp mode footswitch, send a
MIDI CC message from your keyboard, etc.
The controller name appears above Knob 2 (Controller).
NOTE: HelixhasreservedspecicMIDICCmessagesforglobalfunctions;
these CCs cannot be used as controllers. If you attempt to learn a CC mes-
sage reserved for global functions, the following dialog appears:
Learn
Controller
Parameter
Feedback
Controller
None
L
This MIDI CC# is reserved for global functions!
See "MIDI" for more information.
4. Press to return to the Home screen.
SHORTCUT: To assign a parameter to the Snapshots controller, it's even
easier—just push and turn the parameter's knob. The value appears white
and in brackets, indicating it's now assigned to a controller.
SHORTCUT: Hold BYPASS and press a parameter knob to quickly remove
any controller assignment (including the Snapshots controller). The value
appears without brackets, indicating no controller is assigned to it.
Manual Controller Assign
The Controller Assign screen is where you manually assign parameters to be adjusted
in real time by controllers.
1. Press to open the Menu.