CONTROL SWITCHER WITH GCX AUDIO SWITCHER-midi controller

[oblivius]

HI,
I'm going to set up the con switcher for Mesa MKV amp chnls, solo..no problem. I also have a GCX for loops ie stomp boxes. Soooo my question is this. As I've read through the manuals of both, I'm not sure I'm understanding how to get the two devices to "speak" to each other via the MIDI pedal which is a Rocktron Midi mate. I know this is a V-lab forum but maybe there is some advice available from some kind folks out there. IF it matters I'm running things through a G-Major effects processor. I can use the G-maj relays for the channel switching but I really need to add the GCX loops for the stomp boxes. Thanks in advance.

[nyteowl]

Since you're already using a GCX for your pedals, I'm guessing you don't have enough open loops to handle the amp switching and that's why you're adding a Control Switcher. Just connect the GCX MIDI Out to the Control Switcher MIDI In, and the Control Switcher jacks to your Mesa as needed.

Your MIDIMate is already talking to your GCX, so you could probably configure the Control Switcher to use the same MIDI Channel (16) with different CC# values that are not in the same range as the values being sent to your GCX. See Pages 8 thru 10 in the Control Switcher manual for instructions on configuring the MIDI Channel and CC# values you will need.

[oblivius]

Thanks Mr. Nyteowl...

Grateful for your input on this and other threads. I still need a third midi cable to get things cooking and was curious to know if you're familiar with Midi mate ops. The ONE thing I cannot do is assign any of the 5 instant access buttons to anything other than the GCX loops. So the MM buttons 5->9 (in control mode) control on/off switching for amp ch's, loops on/off which is lovely but I cant figure out (if there's a way) to assign those buttons to any patches. I'm sure you get that but in other words, I call up patch 14 from patch 15 which goes from a fat rhythm to an airy chorus and I'd love to tell those instant access buttons to also switch channels simultaneously; and/or the stomp boxes.
I'm not an experienced midi person but can usually figure this stuff out eventually.

I bought the control switcher because i thought maybe it will have the programmable functions I'm describing above. Through one, both, or another yet unknown device, I just want to step on one button and have amp Ch2 switch on, the TS box switch off, and G-maj preset #.. called up.

OR.....
Just use the G-maj for the amp Ch 1,2,3 switching, boost, effects etc.(which works fine) and somehow getting those few stomp boxes to switch on/off via midi mate somehow?? That's the other almost simpler looking option. Do you know if the Rocktron Patchmate 8 would work any differently than the Voodoo GCX? They're essentially the same hardware. I don't want to drop another $300 on something that's the same although sometimes being the same brand makes a big difference....

Hey, thanks again for any advice
Dave

[oblivius]

Well after all that said I figured it all out. I don't really need the C Switcher after all unless I need to add extra loops. I was reading thru all the manuals and it clicked what I needed to do. Thanks again.

[nyteowl]

Well after all that said I figured it all out. I don't really need the C Switcher after all unless I need to add extra loops. I was reading thru all the manuals and it clicked what I needed to do. Thanks again.

Ah, but the Control Switcher contains no loops; it can only be used for switching purposes. You could. however, "transfer" four switching functions currently assigned to your GCX over to a Control Switcher to free up those four loops for your pedals.

[oblivius]

Yeah I guess I meant "free up" loops...what you said Now to chase the ground hum... Or at least that's what it sounds like. Guitar-> GCX input -> GCX out ->1st loop -> TS808
-> out to MKV input...I haven't put any other "boxes" in the loops YET and still have hum...
hum on CH2 & CH3 regardless of TS on/off. No hum CH1. Soooo gain hum? Some have suggested to remove the ground wire inside the GCX....may try that if all fails

[JohnClark]

Yeah I guess I meant "free up" loops...what you said Now to chase the ground hum... Or at least that's what it sounds like. Guitar-> GCX input -> GCX out ->1st loop -> TS808
-> out to MKV input...I haven't put any other "boxes" in the loops YET and still have hum...
hum on CH2 & CH3 regardless of TS on/off. No hum CH1. Soooo gain hum? Some have suggested to remove the ground wire inside the GCX....may try that if all fails

To test if it is a ground loop thru the GCX chassis, you can connect your guitar directly to the In of Loop 1 rather than going thru the Guitar In/Out. If the buzz goes away then lifting the internal chassis ground should help when you go back to using the Guitar In/Out jacks.

Let us know what you find.

[oblivius]

Thanks John... That new cable route did NOT help with the Hum....
DC

[oblivius]

Further advice John? Hum still present when connected thru loop #1. The hum leaves when I take the loop out of the routing while still using the amp switching thru several loops..Thanks in advance

[nyteowl]

Did I understand correctly, that you've determined Loop 1 is the source of your hum?