GCX/GCP Not communicating

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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RoyceW
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:06 am

GCX/GCP Not communicating

Post by RoyceW »

I played this past Friday night, everything was working better than it has in a long time which was nice. I brought all the gear to another of my rehearsal spaces last night, set it up and promptly noticed that although my GCP appeared to be working fine, it was not communicating with the GCX. The active LED doesn't light up at all, but the GCP memory is fine and is switching presets like it should. The display is also fine, so I know it's getting enough power, so hoping this is a cable issue.

The GCX is providing phantom power to the GCP, so it may be the cable, but the GCP is receiving power and behaving normally.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'll be by the rig tomorrow night to test any answers you may have.

Thanks!

JohnClark
Posts: 7494
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 2:33 pm
Location: The Lab

Re: GCX/GCP Not communicating

Post by JohnClark »

Check closely that you are not rotating the MIDI connector when inserting it into the Ground Control Pro MIDI Out. Because this is a 7 Pin connector, it is possible to force a 5 Pin cable into this connector with the pins misaligned. The locator dimple should be at the bottom of the shield when plugging into a Ground Control Pro.

Let us know what you find.
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RoyceW
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:06 am

Re: GCX/GCP Not communicating

Post by RoyceW »

I am 100% positive it was inserted correctly. I had the GCP sitting on top of my rack and was looking directly at the connection port (and cable) as I was inserting it. Whenever the cable isn't inserted properly on my GCX, the display goes weird and nothing lights up. The whole time I was trying to troubleshoot this issue, the GCP was properly powered and the cable was inserted correctly. I also tried switching the cable around to see if that would make a difference to no avail.

JohnClark
Posts: 7494
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 2:33 pm
Location: The Lab

Re: GCX/GCP Not communicating

Post by JohnClark »

Is there any other MIDI gear in this rig routed after the GCX? If so, does that still respond when this problem appears?

How long have you had this GCX?
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---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------

RoyceW
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:06 am

Re: GCX/GCP Not communicating

Post by RoyceW »

The only other MIDI piece I have is a TC GMajor 1 that is linked with the GCX as a device. Never had a problem with it communicating with the GCX, but as a result of the communication issue between the controller and the switcher, the GMajor doesn't switch presets either (obviously because there's nothing switching it). I've had this GCX and GCP for 3 years now. I've actually had to replace the GCP once and have had to send the replacement back for a warranty repair once as well for a dead Bank switch.

domct203
Posts: 157
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 11:07 am

Re: GCX/GCP Not communicating

Post by domct203 »

Have you tried a different MIDI cable from the GCP to the GCX?

Dom
Ground Control Pro | GCX | Control Switcher | PP2+ | Mesa Dual Rectifier Roadster | Mesa Mark V | Mesa Stiletto Deuce | (2) Mesa Rectifier 4X12's | '73 Gibson Les Paul Custom | '12 Gibson Les Paul Trad | '10 Carvin CT6M | TC G-Major

RoyceW
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:06 am

Re: GCX/GCP Not communicating

Post by RoyceW »

It was the cable, thanks! In the meantime I also wired the GMajor so it's directly in the loop of my amp without going through the GCX. Somehow cleared out my volume loss issue. Working!

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