Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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SixStringGrace
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:29 am

Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by SixStringGrace »

Hi,
I'm wondering is there any way to power a commander while connected to a Pod HD500x? I tried a 5 pin MIDI on the IN + OUT but I guess the Pod doesn't send power. Is there any kind of cable that could add the power via power cable? Maybe some kind of Y cable?
Thanks!
SSG

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

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by JohnClark »

This will require a custom cable or custom interface box to be made that will apply power to pins 1 and 3 on the Commander's MIDI Out jack. Personally, I'd go for a custom interface box so you can still use regular MIDI cables. (as long as the MIDI cable connected to the Commander is 5 Pin Active, that is ;) )

An interface box would simply have a pair of 5 Pin DIN jacks and a power jack. The DIN jacks would have pins 2, 4, and 5 wired between them as a MIDI pass-thru. Label one of the DIN jacks "MIDI In" and connect the power jack to pins 1 and 3 of the "MIDI In" only.

The Commander will accept 9V AC or DC and draws about 20mA. If using a DC source, you do not need to be concerned with the polarity.

I hope that helps!
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SixStringGrace
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:29 am

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by SixStringGrace »

Ok, so basically this

https://www.rjmmusic.com/store/product. ... ctid=16245

but 5 pin on both sides would work.


So in theory, before I track down a tech to do this, the Commander should send PC's to the Pod and the lights on the Commander will reflect which patch I'm on?

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

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by JohnClark »

Same idea, but yes, you will need one appropriate for using 5 Pin jacks.

The Commander will send MIDI Program Change 1-10 on MIDI Channel 1. The button numbers match the Program Change number sent. The LEDs on the Commander will reflect the Bank and Preset button of the last button push.
------------------====Cheers!====------------------
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---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------

SixStringGrace
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:29 am

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by SixStringGrace »

Ok, so I guess there's no need for the MIDI in to be connected? Or would I not be able to do the power over the OUT line?

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

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by JohnClark »

I'm not too sure I follow you...

The MIDI connections would be as follows:

1. MIDI Out of Commander to the MIDI In on the "Phantom Power Box".
2. MIDI Out of the "Phantom Power Box" to the MIDI In of the HD500.

The MIDI signal from the Commander goes thru the Phantom Power Box to the HD500. The Phantom Power Box sends power only to the Commander.

I hope that helps!
------------------====Cheers!====------------------
Image
---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------

SixStringGrace
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:29 am

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by SixStringGrace »

Yeah, I just meant the Commander doesn't need an IN only an OUT.
Thanks for your help, John!

SixStringGrace
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:29 am

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by SixStringGrace »

JohnClark wrote: The MIDI connections would be as follows:

1. MIDI Out of Commander to the MIDI In on the "Phantom Power Box".
2. MIDI Out of the "Phantom Power Box" to the MIDI In of the HD500.

The MIDI signal from the Commander goes thru the Phantom Power Box to the HD500. The Phantom Power Box sends power only to the Commander.
Ok, so I'm going to build this into a pedal enclosure. what's the pin layout going to look like?
end 1 MIDI 5 pin: ?
end 2 MIDI 3 pin + 2 lead from 9v: ?

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

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by JohnClark »

SixStringGrace wrote: Ok, so I'm going to build this into a pedal enclosure. what's the pin layout going to look like?
end 1 MIDI 5 pin: ?
end 2 MIDI 3 pin + 2 lead from 9v: ?
JohnClark wrote: An interface box would simply have a pair of 5 Pin DIN jacks and a power jack. The DIN jacks would have pins 2, 4, and 5 wired between them as a MIDI pass-thru. Label one of the DIN jacks "MIDI In" and connect the power jack to pins 1 and 3 of the "MIDI In" only.
;)
------------------====Cheers!====------------------
Image
---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------

SixStringGrace
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:29 am

Re: Line 6 Pod HD500x + Commander

Post by SixStringGrace »

Awesome, tyvm John

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