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Helix Simple Pitch

Helix Simple Pitch lets Praxis retune your live instrument path per song by sending MIDI CC to a Helix preset that contains a Simple Pitch block.

What It Requires

Praxis sends ordinary MIDI CC messages, so the target device needs to:

  • host a Simple Pitch block
  • expose MIDI CC assignments for Bypass, Interval, and Cents
  • receive MIDI on the channel Praxis sends

This is aimed at Helix-family devices and other Helix-capable setups that support those controls.

Why It Exists

When a recording is not exactly at concert pitch, you can either retune the recording or retune your instrument path. Helix Simple Pitch is for the second workflow.

Praxis reads each song’s tuned value and sends the Helix values needed to match that song.

What The Song tuned Value Means

The tuned field is a semitone offset, and it can include fractional values.

  • 0 means no correction.
  • -0.32 means roughly 32 cents flat.
  • +1.00 means up one semitone.
  • -2.14 means down two semitones and about 14 cents.

What Praxis Sends

Praxis drives three Helix parameters:

  • Bypass CC
  • Interval CC
  • Cents CC

When the song’s tuned value is zero, Praxis bypasses the block.
When the tuned value is non-zero, Praxis turns the block on and sends the interval and cents values that match the song.

Helix Setup

  1. Add a Simple Pitch block in your Helix preset.
  2. Assign MIDI CC to Bypass, Interval, and Cents.
  3. Match Helix MIDI receive channel to the channel Praxis will use.
  4. Save the preset.

Praxis Setup

  1. Open Settings > MIDI.
  2. Enable Helix Simple Pitch.
  3. Choose a send channel or leave it on Default.
  4. Set the Bypass, Interval, and Cents CC numbers.
  5. Make sure the song metadata has the right tuned value.

Runtime Behavior

  • Each song load reads the song’s tuning offset.
  • Praxis sends the Helix values for that song.
  • Neutral tuning bypasses the block.
  • Song-by-song tuning lets you move through a mixed setlist without manual preset edits.

Manual Control

Praxis also supports manual Helix adjustment from the Helix control panel in the Playback and Player screen or from Praxis Remote.

Verification Checklist

  • Helix preset contains a Simple Pitch block.
  • CC assignments exist for Bypass, Interval, and Cents.
  • Praxis CC values match the Helix assignments.
  • MIDI send channel matches Helix receive channel.
  • The song has a valid tuned value.

Troubleshooting

  • No pitch change: verify channel and CC assignments.
  • Wrong amount of shift: confirm the tuned value is stored in semitones.
  • Helix stays neutral: confirm the song is not at zero tuning.
  • Inconsistent behavior: verify the song metadata.

See Also