If you could give us more specifics as to what exactly you want to see and why, that might help. I think most of us use song states to set various plugin states, or rack states. Then you’ll always see which state you’re in.
I’m guessing you’re a guitar player like me, and you’re used to a ton of pedals or of course the Helix. But there’s an easier way using Song States. Every single parameter is saved in each song state. Set it to what you need, save and lock it, then do the next song part.
You can name the states like " Heavy Drive with verb" or whatever so you know what it is, which works well for simple songs with just 2-3 states and you’re going back and forth throughout the song. But I usually just build the song sequentially and advance to the next as needed. So song states like "Verse 1, “Chorus 1”, “Bridge”, etc and just step through the song sequentially. (Another button goes to Previous State just in case).
So only one button to worry about (mine has Orange tape on that button so it’s really easy). Torsten, Dave Dore and many others have a lot of great ideas like this.
Like Dluther I use an FCB 1010 but with the stock chip, although I use it the same way he does, just send CC messages and PGM messages. However sometimes you need to see where the Expression pedal is at, or whatever, so yes you need visual feedback. There are all sorts of ways Cantabile can give you visual feedback. One way is to save your Rack State(s) for the plugin so that the plug editor is open to the view you want. So whenever that rack state is used in a song you’ll see the plugin view.
OR save the song or rack state to what you want and add a Show note and you’ll know where you are.
Another very simple way is to create a binding for a particular view… i.e. when I change from Rhythm guitar to Lead, but I need to stay on that Song state, I have the onboard keyboard pop up on the bottom of my screen so I instantly know I’m in Lead mode. So one button on FCB1010 sends a CC message to a Song-level binding to toggle the 2 song states (Song level is not BG rack, so it will toggle only on that song.) Then I add another binding for the same CC, select View then onscreen keyboard then toggle. Set it so it’s visible while in Lead mode and lock the state there. Toggle, check Rhythm so keyboard is gone, lock state. Done.
A third way is even better, using the custom buttons to indicate settings such as gain in db, reverb, or whatever you want to monitor from your plug. That’s a little trickier to get to work, but once you understand it’s quite good. Try the Custom Button section of the guide, or read this thread which is a little more complex but is similar: How to display current note or octave in a controller bar button?
BTW, there are several foot controllers folks use here, so search for that. Personally I’ve used FCB1010 for years, maybe 10 or more, and now have 3 for the various locations I’m playing at. It’s big, a bit heavy, but it’s a tank and has never given me a problem. And look into WIDI bluetooth midi, for no more midi cables. I think there are some other brands now doing inexpensive wireless midi too.
Best of luck!
Tom