Voodoo Lab

Here's one that has worn a bald spot on on my head over the last 6 months.I am using the old ground control V2.5 and ground link ,GCX switcher ,CFX4 channel switcher G-major 2, Mesa Mark 4.The ground control and link control the GCX loops, G-major and CFX4.two expression pedals are connected to the G/C, 2 Erine ball 250k Every- thing seems to work fine for a few days,i can change channels on the amp ,program and control changes on the G/M ,expression pedal can do their thing.Then all of a sudden when making a program change on the G/C , the amps channel change is switching between two different channels .OK.. me thinks then that i can trace down the problem.I remove the ground link, I switch ground controls to my spare same v 2.5 ..still does it...i change CFX4's and its cable to the Mark 4 ..still does it... i change midi cables...still does it..I use the Mark4's pedal switcher directly and the amp changes channels no problem.I clean all the jacks and switches,and torque down the board evenely on the G/C.. I am expert at programing the devices but this problem is going to force me to buy a hair piece.I could buy a G/C pro but i am too stubborn and curious as to the issue that is causing this .

Does the amp continually bounce back and forth between the two channels? If so, the next time it starts doing this simply remove the MIDI cable from the Ground Control... this will show if it is a MIDI signal instructing the switcher to bounce or if the gremlin is elsewhere.

JohnClark wrote:Does the amp continually bounce back and forth between the two channels? If so, the next time it starts doing this simply remove the MIDI cable from the Ground Control... this will show if it is a MIDI signal instructing the switcher to bounce or if the gremlin is elsewhere.

No not continuously ..Say G/C pedal #1 controls P/C #41 AND LOOP #3 and Mk4 #1 channel.Pedal #2 controls P/C #44 and loop 4 and Mk4 # 3 channel .Going from pedal #1 to #2 should change the amp channel to #3..it goes to #3 then instantly to # 1 channel on the MK4 . I am looking through a hair piece catalog right now.

Are you controlling the CFX-4 with Program Changes? Are any of the CFX-4 switches set to Momentary rather than Latching?

JohnClark wrote:Are you controlling the CFX-4 with Program Changes? Are any of the CFX-4 switches set to Momentary rather than Latching?

Program Changes...and latching C/1/2/3/4.

Does the LED for the CFX-4 switch controlling Channel 3 on the Mark IV change states when this occurs? Are there any other devices named in the Ground Control that are assigned to the same MIDI channel you are using for controlling the CFX-4? What device(s) are the two expression pedals set to control for these two presets? Have you tried simplifying the setup with only programming the Ground Control to control the CFX-4 and removing any other devices or GCXs as well as the expression pedals?

JohnClark wrote:Does the LED for the CFX-4 switch controlling Channel 3 on the Mark IV change states when this occurs? Are there any other devices named in the Ground Control that are assigned to the same MIDI channel you are using for controlling the CFX-4? What device(s) are the two expression pedals set to control for these two presets? Have you tried simplifying the setup with only programming the Ground Control to control the CFX-4 and removing any other devices or GCXs as well as the expression pedals?

I am pretty sure it bounces but i will cheque next bounce[lol].No other devices on same channel,CFX4 is on 16 and G/m is on 15 GCX is not named in G/C...Expression pedals are controlling G/M .I will simplify next time it appears.

9vz190 wrote:

JohnClark wrote:Does the LED for the CFX-4 switch controlling Channel 3 on the Mark IV change states when this occurs? Are there any other devices named in the Ground Control that are assigned to the same MIDI channel you are using for controlling the CFX-4? What device(s) are the two expression pedals set to control for these two presets? Have you tried simplifying the setup with only programming the Ground Control to control the CFX-4 and removing any other devices or GCXs as well as the expression pedals?

I am pretty sure it bounces but i will cheque next bounce[lol].No other devices on same channel,CFX4 is on 16 and G/m is on 15 GCX is not named in G/C...Expression pedals are controlling G/M .I will simplify next time it appears.

So it has happened again!Put your Sherlock hat on! The CFX-4 does change states. I can now reproduce the problem at will!! With the two expression pedals in the fully off position the problem will surface every time.If I move either pedal fractionally.. anything above 28 on the 1-127 scale of the pedal the problem will not.. i repeat will not appear.Below 28 ..0-27 ,the problem appears every-time.If i use only 1 expression pedal in either port the problem will not appear. I tried calibrating the pedals in set up mode so the min press number would be above 27...didn't stop it from reoccurring.This happens with the 2 ground control units . What do you think? Sir Watson.

I think we need to know what your expression pedals are set to control... what Control Change message and Target Device are the pedals set for?

JohnClark wrote:I think we need to know what your expression pedals are set to control... what Control Change message and Target Device are the pedals set for?

The pedals are set to Pedal1-CC#7......Pedal2,CC#16....Controlling the GMajor 2's Delay and modulation.The thing is the g major can be disconnected and it will still do it.just the GC and GCX switcher and CFX4 and Mark4.