Gc Pro with Trex Spindoctor problems

[wotreeclapton]

Hi
Im trying to control my Trex Spindoctor with the Ground control pro.
Its communicates on Midi Channel 1 (as set by the Spin Doc)
After setting up the program change numbers in a patch edit, everything works, but when switching between patches the Spin doc only respond's if it is the only device enabled from the GC pro! If i connect a whammy as well (with a thru box) and run it on Midi Channel 2 or 5 (for example) the Spindoctor will stop responding to the control changes anyone got any idea's?

Cheers

[JohnClark]

What is the MIDI thru box you are using? If you swap the two outputs from the thru box does the Whammy stop responding instead? Also, with the Ground Control Pro programmed to control both devices, connect the Ground Control Pro MIDI Out directly to the MIDI In on the Spindoctor to test without the thru box. Let us know what happens.

[wotreeclapton]

Thanks for the reply John,

Im using a Midi solutions Quad thru box, I have try'd both of your suggestions but it makes no difference if the signal is going direct to the Spin Doctor or not,
I also have connected my GCX switcher and that seems to work with the Spindoctor with no problems, its only when i try to use more than 1 midi device at the same time,
I have try'd using the whammy on different midi channels, (same effect)
Even if i set up the GC Pro to transmit to any other midi device on any channel but not physicaly connect the device It seems to disrupt the Spin doctor.

So my signal chain is GC Pro-GCX Switcher-Midi Thru box-Spin Doctor&Whammy

Cheers

[JohnClark]

Well it sounds as if the fault is within the Spindoctor. Is there any way to set the MIDI channel it responds to, and if so is it perhaps set to OMNI mode accidentally? You may want to contact T-Rex to find out what your options are to resolve this issue. Good Luck!

[wotreeclapton]

Hi John
I Just thought I'd let you know how I solved this problem for anybody else who encounters a similar thing.

I tried contacting T-Rex whom are completely useless! needless to say after several attempts of e-mailing both them and a local distributer they have both completely ignored me. the distributor was quite o.k. to start with but after a while nothing from them either. It's a shame they can't be as good as you guys with after sales support.
So I had to solve the problem myself!!

I purchased a MIDI SOLUTIONS ROUTER and programmed that to filter out all midi messages not applicable to the Spindoctor (Channel 1), then placed that between the midi thru box and Spindoctor, Hey pesto everything works

Thanks Mr T-Rex for making me spend another 150 bucks to make your product work how it should.

And just to spite me it's now broken after 9 gig's and has lost virtually all of its output gain!! Ha Ha

Once again thanks for all your help John,
I will be recommending Voodoo lab products to everybody in the future.

[Xspeed]

I have a similar promblem. When I select a program with the midiboard it seems to work fine, but after about 15sec it goes to bypass mode. If I change the drive or the tone it happens even faster. Its the same if I use a computer and usb-midi or midi-keyboard.
Im completely new to midi, do the msb-lsb has anything to do with the program change message, the drive or tone parameters dont seem to be adjustible with midi anyway?

Thanks for any answer!

[wotreeclapton]

HI

I have a similar promblem. When I select a program with the midiboard it seems to work fine, but after about 15sec it goes to bypass mode.

The Spindoctor will go into bypass if it is sent (the same) program change twice, like a latching switch on,off,on,off etc so check your not sending any extra program changes.
The tone and drive should not effect anything only the store light should come on.

[Xspeed]

Im pretty shure I dont send the same prog message twice cause its acting weird right before it goes to bypass. It makes a quiet blowing noise that increases in volume and then shuts off. I guess its something wrong with it. But its just interresting that it reacts correct to the messages and if I choose any of the first four programs where only one indicator(A-D) lights up its no problem. To bad I probably wont get any help from T-rex.

[wotreeclapton]

Sounds like it has problems, good luck with getting it fixed, mine took 2 months last time, and ive just had to send it off again!!

Only good thing is i bought a Engle E530 preamp as an alternative, Sounds great and hopefully will be more relaible then the T-rex

[bobdupuy]

Hi,

I've the same problem with my T-REX Spin doctor preamp: Each time it receives a midi command that it should not handle (channel other than 1, or command other that program change), it goes to bypass instead of ignoring the command. It looks like a major bug in the midi implementation of the pedal. Furtheremore, choosing to switch to bypass when receiving twice the same program change seems weird too.

Is there any way to join the T-REX support to report this HUGE bug and get it fixed ? Seems that guys from the Voodoo Lab support/forums are more active...

Robert.