GC switching of Axe-Fx effect blocks

[bobwootton]

Hi. I'm looking to be able to use the top row of six footswitches on my Ground Control to switch the effect blocks on/off in a patch on my Axe-FX (like I used to do on my TC G-Force).

I'm in 'bank4' mode on the GC, but I don't know what cc's the GC's six switches transmit on so I can't set the Axe-Fx to respond to fx block switching commands.

Anyone done /overcome this one, please? Thanks!

[JohnClark]

If the Instant Access buttons are set to their defaults as GCX loop controllers then they should be sending Control Change messages 80-85 on MIDI channel 16. Otherwise you can program the MIDI channel and Control Change message you want them to send by doing the following...

Note for any readers: This is for the Original Ground Control with v2 software... NOT a Ground Control Pro.

1. Press both Setup buttons at the same time.
2. Press the Utility button.
3. Press the Bank Down button repeatedly until the screen reads "P.ACC=BANK 4".
4. Press the Cursor Right button to see what the Instant Access buttons are currently programmed to do or to edit as needed. The screen will read something like "5. GCX-1 LOOP 1" which is telling you that Instant Access button #5 is currently set to control GCX #1, Loop #1. Use the Data +/- buttons to change which specific GCX is to be controlled as well as which loop or to assign a MIDI channel and Control Change message. Use the Cursor Left/Right buttons to change which Instant Access button you are programming for and to select which parameter you will be changing with the Data buttons.
5. Once you are done, press either Setup Button, then press the Yes button to exit Setup Mode.

[bobwootton]

Thank you, John, very kind. In fact I stumbled across this solution by reading the GC pro manual and then seeing if the routine would carry across to my older but MUCH LOVED AND TRUSTED GC v2.

The Axe-Fx also offers some helpful flexibility, as you can tell it which cc to listen on for each of its effect block switches.

I wanted to do this so I could evaluate how the Ax-Fx works as a set of stompoxes running into a favourite combo, so I set up a patch in the Axe-Fx which resembles a floorboard with multiple stompboxes, each of which I can now actvate separately from the GC. As with everything else I've tried with the Axe-Fx, it sounds very good after a little tweaking.

I've set the GC switches to 'invert', which means that when I call up the patch, all the effects are off. (If I set it to 'normal', preset recalls with the effects off, and they don't switch on until the relevant activating button on the GC is pressed twice, which isn't gig-friendly).

Which takes me to the last outstanding thing - the GC's indicator lights. Whenever I call up the preset, all six indicator lights (buttons 5 thru 0) come on. I've tried the fix on TC's web site (I can't find it now but I have it printed out at home, written by a guy called James? some years back). The process works fine for storing and recalling switching for my GCX in each patch, but it doesn't seem to work for saving the indicator light settings for individual effect block switching in 'bank4' mode.

It's not a big problem - I just have to remember that in this configuration a light on the GC means the effect is off, but it would be great if there were a fix!!!

Best wishes and thanks again, John.

[JohnClark]

The steps outlined on the TC site are not only slightly incorrect, they are for the Ground Control Pro, so either way they won't be much help to you. The LED status being programmable on re-programmed Instant Access buttons was not available until the Ground Control Pro. What you are seeing is normal for the original Ground Control. You can re-set the buttons to their default GCX controllers then have the Axe-FX learn the new commands, although this too is not without issue as the Control Change messages will be sent with the preset which can cause some processors to toggle the effect off again... basically, you will have to experiment while keeping in mind that you are using a controller that was around for many years before any processor allowed individual effect blocks to be bypassed. Good Luck!

[bobwootton]

Thanks again, John. Considering how long I have had the GC (since ca.1990) and how it has coped, and continues to cope, with all the different devices I have asked it to control, I'm extremely pleased with it.

I also prefer its two-row layout to the GC Pro's three-row format, so I'm quite happy to live with the indicator lights operating 'in reverse'. Best wishes.