Helix Control - Floor Controller for Helix Rack Review

I thought I wouldn't need it, but....

When I bought the Helix rack, I planned to use it exclusively with MIDI commands to change patches and snapshots. Before buying it at all, I researched and made sure that the Helix was capable of being controlled with MIDI, as that is my preferred method of managing my shows. With that thought in mind, I didn't buy the foot controller or expression pedal. What I didn't consider… read more is that the vast majority of HELIX tutorials on youtube are shown from the perspective of making changes on the foot controller. And true, the face of the helix rack is enough like the face of the HELIX floor model that many of the online demos are directly applicable, there was still a disconnect. I was getting bogged down trying to accomplish simple tasks that looked easy on tutorials. So, I bit the bullet and ordered the foot controller and expression pedal. As a general rule, I don't mind spending money if it adds value, and the floor controller-expression pedal combo did exactly that. Specifically, they made it more intuitive to set up my snapshots and practice my songs. For shows I still use MIDI control to automate all my changes so I don't get distracted by redirecting my attention from playing in order to stomp on the right switch. All my shows are online streaming, and my broadcast room is very compact, which is why I bought the Helix rack instead of the floor model. My rack holds everything I need (helix, vocal processor, power supply, audio interface, mixer etc) and its on wheels so I can push everything into a corner out of the way when the show is over. The rack is extra tall, with a space open in the bottom where I can put the foot controller and pedal so they roll into the corner along with everything else. For what I need, its the perfect combination: Helix and variax with all the bells and whistles that let me automate all my patch changes, FX settings, custom tunings and guitar models on the fly for each song! It requires a bit of up-front work to embed the MIDI into my sequence for each song, but the end result is a rapid transition from one complex song to the next, without giving the audience time to click away. Yeah, when streaming online, you need to understand and minimize the click away rates. So, good job, Line6! A lot of thought went into this product, and it shows. The Helix/variax system has given me all the tools I need to do things that previously I could only dream of doing.

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Helix Controller for Helix Rack

"Must Have" for Helix Rack - Perfect marriage ! Does everything all the other reviews are stating. Big "Thank You" to my Sales Engineer Ryan Murphy who has been taking care of me for 11 years - your the "Go To" guy.

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Helix Controller

This is definitely a needed product if you are using the Helix Rack. It comes with a 25ft Ethernet cable to plug into the Controller jack on the Helix. I like seeing the custom scribble strips, you can name anything whatever you want (within a certain character limit). Feels sturdy and it is well lit if you are on stage with low lighting. Great product, nothing bad to say about.… read more it serves a purpose and it's easy to use.

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Get this

If you have a Helix rack, you NEED this in your arsenal. With the addition of a mission engineering pedal (or two) (or three) you have everything you'll ever need to enjoy your Helix to the fullest. Solid, well built, definitely tour-grade. Comes with the appropriate ethernet cable, but I strongly recommend the Line6 VDI 25' cable with the neutric ends, or adding the neutric… read more ends to the supplied cable; for added strength in connection when playing live.

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Superbly executed

It's great all you need is the CAT5 cable to go from the pedalboard to the rack unit. All my expression pedals can plug in with short cables right to this pedalboard no more need to have long cables going back to the rack. I love that I can read the displays without my glasses and the setting so you can change what the color rings around the buttons make it so nice. I like how… read more you can change snapshots on the fly as your playing and it will remember them!

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