I've been using various midi controllers for what seems like a thousand years, some good, some not. So, what I'm going to throw out here for you all to hopefully chime in on, is a couple of small/easy software change suggestions for the Ground Control Pro that, I believe will improve the fundamental functionality of the unit.
Now, I don't know who you guys pick as the direct competitor for the GCP BUT, in my mind it is the Rocktron All Access (function-wise, NOT price) against which the GCP really stands up quite nicely. I've got a couple of VERY high profile friends who are All Access users and, when I told them that I had decided to go with the GCP, they thought that I may not like it. The reason? Well, with the All Access you can have 15 presets per bank which, is wonderful for those of us who don't get too busy with instant access switches. You can also configure the All Access in (I think?) a 10x5 mode which allows you to have 10 presets per bank with 5 instant access switches. I know there are a couple other modes BUT, you now get my point.
To me, the GCP is a great unit in many regards already BUT, I'm frustrated with the way the unit works in 10 preset mode. Now, I KNOW that what I want to see this unit do could be done with relative ease (compared to the intense programming that must have gone into making the GCP work seamlessly with the ElevenRack) but it won't happen unless enough of us GCP users ask for it. Here's what I want to formally ask our friends at Voodoo Lab to make a reality for us.
Add new modes of operation to choose from
1. 12 preset mode - if you're like me and are using the unit in 10 preset mode (most of the time), the +/- inc/dec buttons are useless. Once programmed, it is RARE that I will ever simply click up/down through presets. One of the great lures of the Rocktron All Access is being able to have 15 presets per bank BUT, the GCP is an already great unit that, if it had the ability to do 12 presets per bank, it would be a game changer for myself and others. I cannot tell you how much I want this to happen with my GCP!!!
I'd also like to have a choice as to where preset 1 starts. Most of the midi controllers I've ever used in my life have preset 1 located on the bottom row of the controller and first button on the left. I know this is silly in a way BUT, you only have this option if you are using the GCP in 4 preset mode. Surely this is an easy thing to change, no?
2. In addtion to the 4x8 mode (4 presets/8 instant access), I'd very much like an 8x4 mode where you have 8 presets with 4 instant access switches. I can think of quite a few operational scenarios where this would be very useful.
3. The ability to configure the GCP so that you can have it operate globally in 10 preset mode, 12 preset mode, 4x8 or 8x4 mode OR select the mode of operation PER BANK!
PLEASE READ WHAT I HAVE TO SAY NEXT!Scenario 1. Let's say you have to do a song that requires you to have multiple instant access functions (whammy on/off, stompbox on/off, starting/stopping a sequencer) well, you could set up bank one to be in 4x8 or 8x4 mode to perform that tune.
Scenario 2. Let's say you're doing a bunch of tunes where you need to simply bounce between several presets and don't need to control all the stuff in scenario 1. Well, you could set up bank 2 in 10 or 12 preset mode to handle these tunes.
It would be such a nice thing to be able to change modes of operation per bank without having to go into set-up mode. The flexibility would be so much more performance friendly.
Anyways, that's where I'm at and I would really appreciate my fellow GCP users chiming in and (hopefully) persuading John and Josh to implement these basic but fundamental improvements to the GCP. I would be willing to bet these features could be implemented in a relatively short amount of time to boot.
Thanks for your consideration,
Ray Mitchell
