Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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Sconley666
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:02 am

Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by Sconley666 »

Greetings

I’ve used a gcx and ground control forever with great success. I just bought another gcx and the control switcher to expand my rig. I am totally disappointed because it seems to me (and I could be wrong) that I cannot use the additional gear without a firmware upgrade to my ground control which is version 1.01. Help! I just spent a pile of money and now what? I am crafty with a soldering iron. Where do I get the upgraded ROM chips for my ground control?

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

Re: Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by JohnClark »

Do you have the original 12 button Ground Control OR the 15 button Ground Control Pro?
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Sconley666
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:02 am

Re: Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by Sconley666 »

I’m sorry it is the original 12 button

Sconley666
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:02 am

Re: Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by Sconley666 »

Do I need to also be concerned that my original gcx is different looking from my new one? My old one says ground control system and dmc instead of voodoo lab

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

Re: Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by JohnClark »

OK, so your original Ground Control (I'd guess about 25 years old!) does need an update in order to control multiple GCXs. This ability was introduced with the v2 Firmware launched in the mid 90's.
Your older GCX may also need an update to be able to be used in a multi GCX setup. The way to know what version firmware a GCX has is to note the direction the LEDs light up when first powered up. Left to Right would be v1 Firmware and will need to be updated. Right to Left would be v2 Firmware and would not need an update.

Now for the best part... We still support these products! Please give us a call or write to info@voodoolab.com so we can get the necessary update chips ordered and sent out to you.

I hope that helps alleviate some disappointment ;)
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Sconley666
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:02 am

Re: Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by Sconley666 »

Disappointment alleviated!

valdoltra
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:46 am

Re: Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by valdoltra »

I bought used DMC GCX (It says DMC instead of VL) and have Ground control pro 1.13 (from year 2012). My LEDs light up all at the same time and then scroll one by one from right to left. Is there a need to update GCX? There is no plan for complex usage. Just loops on/off and CC's to G-Major.

Regards,
Vladimir

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

Re: Dual GCX, single control switcher, ground control and disappointment

Post by JohnClark »

valdoltra wrote:
Thu Aug 29, 2019 1:31 am
I bought used DMC GCX (It says DMC instead of VL) and have Ground control pro 1.13 (from year 2012). My LEDs light up all at the same time and then scroll one by one from right to left. Is there a need to update GCX? There is no plan for complex usage. Just loops on/off and CC's to G-Major.

Regards,
Vladimir
This GCX is already running the v2 firmware so it does not need any update.

Good Luck!
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