Helix and HX presets from your setlist app, over Bluetooth
One Box. The setlist switches the preset, Helrig edits it.
You want the setlist to change the preset for you. The Helrig Box takes Bluetooth MIDI from OnSong or another setlist app and passes it to your Helix or HX over USB. Helrig edits the same pedal over Wi-Fi.
How the pieces fit
Your setlist app, on an iPad, sends a preset change over Bluetooth to the Box. The Box passes it to the pedal over USB. If the pedal has a MIDI Thru, it hands the message on to your other pedals. Helrig, on a laptop or a tablet, talks to the same Box over Wi-Fi.
What you need
- A Helrig Box with the Bluetooth MIDI firmware (v1.1.0 or later). Build one or update yours.
- Your pedal plugged into the Box’s USB-A port.
- An iPad or a Mac with a setlist app that sends Bluetooth MIDI.
Set it up
- Flash the Box at box.helrig.com/flash. A Box you already have keeps its Wi-Fi networks.
- Plug the pedal into the Box.
- Connect the Box as a Bluetooth MIDI device.On an iPad, use Apple’s list of Bluetooth MIDI devices (the one AUM shows) and accept the pairing request. On a Mac, open Audio MIDI Setup, show the MIDI Studio, click the Bluetooth icon and connect Helrig Box.
- In your setlist app, pick the Box as the MIDI output. It is listed as Helrig Box once it is connected.
- Send a preset change from a song. Open the song and the pedal switches.
OnSong’s own Bluetooth button didn’t connect the Box in our tests. Connect it from Apple’s list first, and OnSong shows it as connected.
A rehearsal workflow
Keep Helrig open on a laptop or tablet and the setlist app on the iPad. Tweak a tone in Helrig, save it to the slot, then open the song in OnSong and hear it. We ran Bluetooth MIDI, a Wi-Fi editing session and OnSong at the same time without dropped messages. We haven’t run a long set.
Other setlist apps
Any app that sends Bluetooth MIDI should reach the Box the same way. We tried OnSong, AUM and the Nord app. We haven’t tried MobileSheets, Stagetraxx or others, so check one before the gig.
What it doesn't do
- It doesn’t edit presets over Bluetooth.
- It goes one way: the pedal’s MIDI output isn’t read.
- Anyone within Bluetooth range can pair with the Box, because there is no pairing window yet. Once paired, the link is encrypted.
- It has been tried with an HX Stomp, an iPad and a Mac.
Questions
Can the Helrig Box replace a WIDI Jack?
For switching presets, yes in our tests: OnSong on an iPad sent preset changes over Bluetooth to the Box, and the HX Stomp changed preset. Over Bluetooth the Box handles MIDI only, and it has only been tried with an HX Stomp.
Does the Helrig Box work with OnSong?
Yes. OnSong's preset changes reach the pedal through the Box. Connect the Box from Apple's list of Bluetooth MIDI devices first: OnSong's own Bluetooth button didn't connect it in our tests, and OnSong shows the Box as connected once the list has.
Can I edit presets over Bluetooth?
No. Bluetooth carries MIDI, and MIDI switches presets. Editing goes over Wi-Fi or USB, in Helrig.
Does Bluetooth MIDI need Helrig Connect?
No. Your app talks to the Box and the Box talks to the pedal, so Helrig isn't in the path. Editing through the Box in Helrig needs Helrig Connect or Helrig Pro, the same as over USB.
Which pedals does it work with?
It has been tried with an HX Stomp. Other Helix and HX pedals should take the same preset changes, but haven't been tried yet.
More
OnSong, WIDI, Line 6, Helix, HX and Bluetooth are trademarks of their owners. Helrig is not affiliated with them.