Pedal Switchers via CC messages?

[Piplodocus]

Hello!

The GCX says it can be controlled via CC80-87 on channel 16. Pedal switchers appear to a ground control like half a GCX. So if I've got 2 pedal switchers daisy-chained can I use Cc80-87 on them or does it not work like that and magical sysex stuff happens too?

What about 2 GCXs or 4 pedal switchers?

Obviously I could try putting my computer in the middle and try to capture midi messages between them but it's a big PITA. I assumed the first pedal switcher takes 80-83, and retransmits 84-87 on 80-83 to the next one so they can all work blind with unidirectional data, but I haven't a clue in practice.

[nyteowl]

If you will be using these devices with a GCPro, when you configure/identify them in the Expanders Section (See Pages 8 and 9 in the manual), the GCPro will know what CC messages to send to control the respective loops on each device.

If you're not using a GCPro, there is a chart on Page 11 of the Control Switcher manual that tells you what CC messages you'll need your controller to send in order to control the individual loops on whatever combination of GCX and/or Control Switcher devices you wish to use.

[JohnClark]

The Pedal Switchers will identify themselves in a Ground Control Pro rig.. A Ground Control Pro will assign Pedal Switcher #1 to be Loops 1-4 of GCX #1, and Pedal Switcher #2 to be Loops 5-8 of GCX #1.

It is all based on the order they are connected in the MIDI path.

I hope that helps!

[Piplodocus]

Any way I can control it with other things too, other than the GCP? So I can control it from computers and other midi stuff?

Can I program the pedal switcher the same way as that control switcher manual works or did you think I meant control switcher nyteowl? And put it in midi cc receiving mode by holding button combinations? Or like the GCX manual? There's no mention of these in the pedal switcher manual.

im guessing it's not totally proprietary and uses standard messages or sysex?

[Piplodocus]

Found this thread that says about setting them up with sysex...
http://voodoolab.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2392

Will that sysex command configure both pedal switchers? Then use the next 4 ccs for the 2nd pedal switchers?

Any more related useful midi info for 2 pedal switchers?

[nyteowl]

My apologies. For whatever reason I misread the title and thought you were talking about Control Switchers.

However, John clarified that a GCPro will recognize both Control Switchers AND Pedal Switchers in a similar manner, so given that, I suspect the CC number designations would remain the same, regardless of what controller you use, but per that thread you just referenced it looks like you will need to send the sysex message.

Just curious...why two Pedal Switchers? Seems like what you want to do could be accomplished much easier with a single GCX or a pair of Control Switchers, unless you already have the Pedal Switchers.

[Piplodocus]

I have the 2 PSs already. The GCX is great if you wanna put your pedals in a rack and never touch them. I like mine by my feet though so I can use expression pedals/fuzz probe plate/tap tempo/hold functions/generally twiddle knobs in front of me, etc. 1 PS is in front of the amp, 1 in the loop. Like this...

http://youtu.be/CIApV7ifxy0

[JohnClark]

Sending the SysEx message first is what will make each Pedal Switchers dynamically identify itself in the MIDI patch as 1/2 of a GCX. With two pedal Switchers you would then be able to use Control Change 80-87 on MIDI Channel 16 to control your eight loops.

p.s. Your linked vid with the original Ground Control should be able to do the same thing. If you've enabled GCX #1 under Expanders (and connected the MIDI Cable to the MIDI In on the first Pedal Switcher) the original Ground Control will control the two Pedal Switchers as if they were the eight loops of GCX #1.

[Piplodocus]

Thanks John. Yep, I'm fine with the GC by itself, was just trying to get how to use something else. I've cracked it and get the scheme now. So after that sysex command 2x PSs become 80-83 and 84-87. Similarly if there were 2 GCXs on te end of the chain after the PSs, after the sysex, they will then be 88-95 and 96-103.

Is that the limit 3 GCX or 6 PSs? As I read on another thread that 104 upwards was for momentary operation. What's that then (obviously on/off operation is 0=off, 127=on, but I have no idea how momentary operation works)?

Thanks!

[JohnClark]

You can actually run up to 4 GCX (8 Pedal Switchers) with the Ground Control system.

Here are the Controller numbers for each "GCX"...

GCX #1
Normal (Latching) = 80-87 / Momentary = 104-111

GCX #2
Normal (Latching) = 88-95 / Momentary = 112-119

GCX #3
Normal (Latching) = 64-71 / Momentary = 96-103

GCX #4
Normal (Latching) = 56-63 / Momentary = 72-79


On a GCX, the Momentary mode is intended for controlling amplifier switching functions. It doesn't really have a place on the Pedal Switchers.

Good Luck!