Voodoo Lab

I own the GCX and GCP, and finally made a Medusa cable so I can control my Bogner Ecstasy amp.

I have the GCP set up for 8 instant access and 4 presets. The Ecstasy has three channels, each requiring momentary switches, which I programmed into the GCX.

I have no problem changing channels with the three instant access buttons (though the GCP's LED indicators not following along with each channel change like they do on the Bogner footswitch will take some getting used to). But with channel switches as part of program changes, I'm getting poor results. For instance, I'll be on the amp's blue channel, and when I hit a program change that includes a switch to the green channel, the green LEDs on the amp will flash for a split second, but the amp will stay on the blue channel.

It's as if the program change isn't closing the circuit long along enough to complete the channel switch. Some MIDI switchers let you adjust the contact time for momentary switch functions, but I don't see that option described in the GCX owner's manual.

The Bogner website lists the GCX as an example of a MIDI switcher that can work with the Ecstasy. I'm new to MIDI, so maybe I'm doing something wrong. Any ideas?

I believe the trick with the Ecstacy is that you actually set the loops controlling the channels to latching (Normal on the GCP) rather than momentary... seems weird I know, but it works. Let us know if that helps or makes things worse.

JohnClark wrote:I believe the trick with the Ecstacy is that you actually set the loops controlling the channels to latching (Normal on the GCP) rather than momentary... seems weird I know, but it works. Let us know if that helps or makes things worse.

I set those three loops to Normal, and it worked on program changes. The channels switched like they're supposed to.

But now the instant access functions don't work right. I'll be on the blue channel, and when I hit the instant access for the green, BOTH the blue and green LEDs on the amp light up, telling me both channels are on at the same time. That can't be good, right?

Based on the way the XTC normally switches channels with momentary switching, it made sense that using latching switches would cause this. I had the amp on standby when I tried this so I have no idea what this might have sounded like, but I didn't want to risk causing damage to the amp.