Ground Control Setup

[mikesteele1]

I am seeking someone local to south florida that could assist me in setting up the ground controller with my rig. My setup consists of actually 2 separate rigs yet running together at the same time. (at times). First is a Fractal AXE FX iii through a matrix power amp, second is a traditional mesa boogie triple recto. I originally had it running through an A/B/y box...but too many buttons to push when live. Also on my pedal board is a wah, phase 90, tuner and univibe. So my goal is to connect everything (aside from wah and tuner) to the ground control and set up all the presets. Sometimes I want both amps running together (fractal and mesa) sometimes just the fractal, sometimes fractal and mesa with an effect pedal.... ect... Any suggestions?

[JohnClark]

I'm afraid I don't have someone that can set this up in person, but I'm sure we can get it most of the way there right here

The Ground Control Pro is a MIDI controller so it will directly control the AxeFX via MIDI, but you would need something like our GCX to control the non MIDI gear (the pedals, the Mesa Channel Switching, and the A/B/Y signal routing.

Are the pedals run in front of both the AxeFX and the Mesa or are any effects routed thru an effects loop?

[mikesteele1]

Thanks for the reply. So there will be no channel switching on the mesa...Mesa is always set to channel 3 on high gain...just need the ability to turn the mesa on and off via the ground control. As far as the pedals, I dont mind having them run through the front of the rig (same as my tuner and wah pedal) Nothing is running through effects loop. Trying to avoid the GCX.... I attached a photo of the board along with labels on what actions i want the controller to do.

pedal board.jpg (18.03 KiB) Viewed 6075 times

[JohnClark]

Sorry, but I cannot read the labels in the picture This forum's attachment bandwidth limit probably renders it at too low a resolution

The Ground Control Pro by it self will not switch the pedals in and out of the signal path or switch the amps on and off. You will need an audio switcher of some sort if you want Ground Control Pro presets to control the pedals and amp switching.
Since the Mesa won't need any channel switching, our HEX switcher may work for you to control the pedals and the amps...

In re-reading your first post it looks like the Axe-FX is always live and you sometimes add the Mesa. Is that right?
If so, you could do the following...
1. Connect your guitar to HEX Loop 2 In.
2. Put the pedals you want to control into any of HEX Loops 2-6.
3. Run a Y-Cable from the HEX Output with one side going to the Axe-FX Instrument Input and the other side going to HEX Loop 1 IN
4. Connect HEX Loop 1 Send to the Mesa Instrument Input to allow Loop 1 to turn the Mesa On and Off.

A Ground Control Pro preset could then set the programmed sound on the Axe-FX, Select if the Mesa is On or Off, and set any combination of the connected pedals.

I hope that helps!

[mikesteele1]

I believe i do need the voodoo lab GCX switcher (I just ordered it) so i can control the A/B/Y box along with my pedals.... i attached more pics... I want to be able to switch back and forth between the fractal and the mesa along with having them both on at the same time..then add some pedal effects when i want

[JohnClark]

I believe i do need the voodoo lab GCX switcher (I just ordered it) so i can control the A/B/Y box along with my pedals.... i attached more pics... I want to be able to switch back and forth between the fractal and the mesa along with having them both on at the same time..then add some pedal effects when i want

Well alright then!

Assuming the Tuner and Wah will stay out on the floor with the Ground control Pro and everything else will be in the rack, here is how I would likely set this up...

1. Wireless to GCX Rear Panel Feedthru.
2. GCX Front Panel Feedthru to Tuner.
3. Tuner to Wah.
4. Wah to GCX Front Panel Guitar In.
(This all provides an easy way to bypass the wireless should you ever need to by simply plugging your guitar into the tuner.)

5. GCX Rear Panel Guitar Out to GCX Loop 1 In.
6. Pedal #1 connected to GCX Loop 1 Send/Return.
7. GCX Loop 1 Out to GCX Loop 2 In.
8. Pedal #2 connected to GCX Loop 2 Send/Return.
9. GCX Loop 2 Out to GCX Loop 3 In.
10. Pedal #3 connected to GCX Loop 3 Send/Return.
(You could keep adding pedals by continuing thru the loops up to Loop 6)

11. Loop 3 Out (or the out of the last Loop used for pedals) to BigShot Input.
12. BigShot Out A to GCX Loop 7 In.
13. GCX Loop 7 Send to "Amp A" Instrument Input.
14. BigShot Out B to GCX Loop 8 In.
15. GCX Loop 8 Send to "Amp B" Instrument Input.
(The BigShot will remain set to Both and GCX Loops 7 & 8 will Mute/Un-Mute the Outputs to the amps.)

Let us know if you run into any troubles!

[mikesteele1]

This is great! Once the unit comes in...if i have any questions i will revert back to ya!

[mikesteele1]

One last question....how about hooking up the Fractal AXE FX and the Mesa boogie to the ground controller and everything.... Then I assume I would need to program the ground controller...

[JohnClark]

One last question....how about hooking up the Fractal AXE FX and the Mesa boogie to the ground controller and everything.... Then I assume I would need to program the ground controller...

The MIDI Connections would be as follows:

1. Ground Control Pro MIDI Out to GCX Pedal In. (The GCX will provide Phantom Power to the Ground Control Pro over the MIDI Cable. Make sure to use a MIDI Cable that has all five pins wired, usually labeled "5-Pin Active" or "5-Pin Wired")
2. GCX MIDI Out to AxeFX MIDI In.

The Mesa isn't MIDI capable so the Ground Control Pro does not connect to it in any way. The Ground Control Pro will control the GCX and when the amp is connected to Loop 7 or Loop 8 on the GCX your Ground Control Pro presets can tell the GCX to have the appropriate Loop On or Off.