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. To configure MIDI Control of parameters, the simplest method is to use the plugin’s MIDI Learn function. MIDI control can also be configured manually within the plugin’s Edit Panel and Automation/Control Panel. These configurations are covered here.
Tip: If you happen to own a Helix Stadium device, it makes an excellent MIDI controller for your DAW! Check out the “Command Center” section within the Helix Stadium Owner’s Manual for details on how to configure Helix Stadium to transmit a variety of MIDI control messages.
MIDI Input Configuration
To provide MIDI Control of the Helix Stadium Native plugin, you’ll need to configure your DAW host application to receive MIDI Control input from your external MIDI controller hardware or software. These settings are typically found within the DAW application’s Preferences.
Additionally, it is often necessary to configure your DAW host track routing so that the external MIDI Controller data is fed directly to your current Helix Stadium Native plugin instance. In some DAW app’s, such as Logic Pro, it is required that a plugin be inserted on a “Software Instrument” type track to allow it to receive MIDI control input. In some other DAW apps, the plugin can be inserted on any Audio, Aux, or Bus track, and a separate MIDI track must be added to receive the MIDI input, then route it to the audio track where the Helix Stadium Native plugin is inserted. Please see your application’s documentation for details.
MIDI Control for Snapshot Selection
The Helix Stadium Native plugin includes one “reserved” MIDI CC: CC69. This CC cannot be used for MIDI Learn or manual MIDI Control assignments in the plugin since it is already dedicated to controlling Snapshot selection. It is not necessary to use MIDI Learn or manually create a MIDI Control assignment for Snapshot selection; simply configure your MIDI controller device to send MIDI CC69 with the desired value, as shown below.
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Reserved
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Values |
Functions |
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69 |
0-7 8 9 |
Snapshot 1-8 select Next snapshot select Previous snapshot select |
MIDI Control Assignments and Hardware Compatibility
Other than the “reserved” MIDI CC69 for Snapshot Control as mentioned above, Helix Stadium Native does not reserve or limit the use of any MIDI Channels or CCs for MIDI Learn or manual MIDI Control assignments. However, Helix Stadium devices are configured by default to use MIDI Channel 2 to access their user-created “Bypass/Control” MIDI assignments of preset block parameters. (Helix Stadium devices are configured by default to use MIDI Channel 1 for their dedicated “Global” parameters, such as onboard footswitches, knobs, expression pedal, etc, display parameters, etc.).
Therefore, when a Helix Stadium Native preset has been imported into a Helix Stadium device, you’ll need to configure your MIDI Controller device to transmit its MIDI CCs on Channel 2 (or whatever the MIDI Channel is set in the Helix Stadium device’s Global Settings > MIDI > Bypass/Cntrl MIDI Channel) to trigger the MIDI CC parameter assignments in the preset. Please see the MIDI section of the Helix Stadium Owner’s Manual for additional details.
When a Helix Stadium device preset has been opened in the Helix Stadium Native plugin, if it includes user-created “Bypass/Ctrl” MIDI assignments for its block parameters, they can be triggered on any MIDI Channel from your MIDI Controller.
MIDI Learn
Using the MIDI Learn button 
Using MIDI Learn via the Toolbar Button
The toolbar’s MIDI Learn button toggles the plugin’s Learn mode enabled/disabled, and also serves as a MIDI input indicator. It lights up green whenever MIDI messages are detected entering the plugin instance, as shown below. This indicator is very helpful for confirming whether you’ve routed MIDI correctly and whether the plugin is receiving MIDI messages from your external controller.
Disabled - Enabled - MIDI Input
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Configure your external MIDI controller (such as a pedal, knob controller, or software) to send your preferred MIDI CC# (other than the “reserved” CC69, as mentioned above) on any MIDI Channel.
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Within the Signal Flow, select the Amp, Cab, Effect, or Split block for which you want to create the MIDI parameter assignment. For this example, we’ll click on a Wah block in the signal flow to assign its Position parameter.
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Click the MIDI Learn button on the plugin Toolbar to enable MIDI Learn. Assignable blocks and parameters become outlined and shaded to indicate they can be selected to “learn” a MIDI assignment.
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Click on the Wah’s Position slider or knob within the Edit Panel to “arm” it. The armed parameter becomes highlighted in red, as shown below. Note there is also a status message at the bottom left of the plugin window telling you it is awaiting an incoming MIDI CC message.
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To cancel MIDI Learn without creating an assignment, click the MIDI Learn button again.
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Tips:
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You’ll see that all Amp, Cab, Effect, and Split blocks in the signal flow are also shaded when MIDI Learn is enabled. Clicking a block arms its Bypass switch for MIDI Learn.
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It is also possible to select and arm multiple blocks or parameters within the current Edit Panel, and all will learn the incoming CC for simultaneous control.
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Once a parameter is armed, send the MIDI CC message from your MIDI controller. The Position parameter within the Edit Panel responds instantly: its value turns white, the learned MIDI CC appears (CC 11) on the Edit panel control, and an “X” button appears on hover to clear the assignment, as shown below.
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Click the toolbar MIDI Learn button to disable MIDI Learn.
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Optionally, click and drag to adjust the Position parameter’s Min and Max controls to customize the controller range, as shown below.
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Click on the “X” button on the control to clear, or click the MIDI icon on the parameter to edit the MIDI CC assignment.
Repeat the above steps to create additional MIDI Control assignments as desired. Remember that MIDI Control assignments are saved per preset, so be sure to save your preset!
Creating MIDI Control Assignments Manually
As an alternative to using MIDI Learn, MIDI assignments can be created manually in the Edit Panel or a block’s Action menu as described in the following steps.
Note: MIDI Assignments can also be configured, edited, or cleared in the Automation/Controller Assign Panel, similarly to what is described in the steps below. For details, please see the Automation/Controller Assign Panel page.
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To create a MIDI assignment for the block’s Bypass switch: Right-click the block and select Assign MIDI from the Action menu, then choose the desired CC number, as shown below. (Also, see the following MIDI Assignments for Switch-Type Parameters section.)
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To create a MIDI assignment for a block’s parameter: Select the block in the Signal Flow to display its parameters in the Edit Panel, right-click on the desired parameter knob, slider, or switch, then choose the desired CC number, as shown below.
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Once assigned, the Position parameter within the Edit Panel responds instantly: its value turns white, and a MIDI icon appears on the Edit Panel slider or knob.
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Click on the MIDI icon to edit the CC assignment as needed (choose “None” to clear the assignment).
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Optionally, click and drag to adjust the Position parameter’s Min and Max controls to customize the controller range, as shown below..
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Configure your MIDI controller device (or software) to send the same CC as selected in the previous step. Once you send the MIDI CC from your device, the assigned parameter should now respond. Repeat the above steps to create additional assignments as desired.
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Be sure to Save your preset to retain your assignments.
MIDI Assignments for Switch and Step Type Parameters
Helix Stadium Native’s blocks can also include several non-continuous parameters, such as a Bypass switch, Amp Channel switch, the Ratio selector for a Compressor, Note Sync values for a Delay, etc. You can also use MIDI Learn using the preceding steps to create assignments for these parameters as well—with the following source controllers:
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For 2-state switch parameters such as the Bypass/Enable of any effect block, The Bright/Normal of an Amp, etc.: A CC with a value of 0-63 sets the switch to its first state (off), and 64-127 sets the switch to its second state (on).
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For step parameters with more a set of 3 to 25 options, such as the Ratio of a Compressor, the Note Sync of a Delay, etc.: CC values map sequentially (e.g., value 0 for the first item in the list, 1 for the next, and so on).
Creating a MIDI Control Assignment in the Automation/Controller Assign Panel
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With the desired Amp, Cab, or Effect model selected in the Model List, click on the Automation/MIDI Assign panel to view its panel.
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Click the Parameter menu and select the parameter that you want to control via MIDI. In the image below, a Pitch Wham model’s Position parameter is selected.
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Adjust the MIDI In slider to select the CC value to map to the parameter, as shown above.
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Once created, the assignment appears in the Assignment List on the left side of the panel.
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