I'm using a DMC era Ground Control Pro, v1.02, and a Voodoo Control Switcher. The Control Switcher is first in the chain, providing phantom power to the GCP. When sending MIDI PCs to multiple devices on multiple channels, downstream devices are getting garbled MIDI PCs. The most visible example of this is my Digitech DSP128+, where the display will show program numbers that intermittently vary between changing correctly, not changing at all or rapidly displaying random programs before settling on one.
If I power the GCP with a power supply and move the Control Switcher to the end of the chain, everything responds correctly. If all devices are set to the same MIDI channel, everything responds correctly. Neither of these are ideal options beyond troubleshooting.
Any thoughts?
-m
MIDI data glitches
Re: MIDI data glitches
Welcome to the forum...
Kinda hard to troubleshoot your issue with the limited information given. Could you please share what MIDI devices you are using, on what channels, and in what order they are connected?
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mrcoffee883
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- Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:45 pm
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Re: MIDI data glitches
Limited? ROFL...
I listed the relevant pieces of gear. There is also a Dirt Clod. The Control Switcher is on MIDI ch 1, the DSP128 is on 2, the Dirt clod is on 3. The problem persists regardless of what component is on what channel, but only if they are on different channels. As stated, the Control Switcher is first, because it provides phantom power to the GCP, and the problem persists regardless of what order the other devices are connected, as long as the Control Switcher is first. If I move the Control Switcher, anything downstream receives garbled PCs, hence, placing it last in the chain - again, as specified - makes it a non-issue although it is not an ideal solution.
Any other information you'd like me to add or repeat?
-m
I listed the relevant pieces of gear. There is also a Dirt Clod. The Control Switcher is on MIDI ch 1, the DSP128 is on 2, the Dirt clod is on 3. The problem persists regardless of what component is on what channel, but only if they are on different channels. As stated, the Control Switcher is first, because it provides phantom power to the GCP, and the problem persists regardless of what order the other devices are connected, as long as the Control Switcher is first. If I move the Control Switcher, anything downstream receives garbled PCs, hence, placing it last in the chain - again, as specified - makes it a non-issue although it is not an ideal solution.
Any other information you'd like me to add or repeat?
-m
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mrcoffee883
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:45 pm
- Location: HTX
Re: MIDI data glitches
Meh.
For what it's worth, I ordered & received parts and built a phantom power injector before getting any meaningful response from either Voodoo or forum members. The issue, while not truly resolved, is for now a non-issue. The Ctrl Sw is still passing gibberish to MIDI Thru, but since it is now last in the chain it doesn't matter. I'll finish tidying up the wiring in the rack after I sleep.
-m
For what it's worth, I ordered & received parts and built a phantom power injector before getting any meaningful response from either Voodoo or forum members. The issue, while not truly resolved, is for now a non-issue. The Ctrl Sw is still passing gibberish to MIDI Thru, but since it is now last in the chain it doesn't matter. I'll finish tidying up the wiring in the rack after I sleep.
-m
Re: MIDI data glitches
Sorry for the delay!
If the trouble only happens when the Control Switcher is providing Phantom Power then I'd first check that you are providing enough current for both units.
If the trouble happens when NOT providing Phantom Power and anywhere the Control Switcher is placed than I'd have to admit it's possibly something wrong with the Control Switcher. Have you tried Resetting the Control Switcher? (Hold Buttons 2 and 3 while powering up, press each lighted button, then wait for all lights to flash)
Also, is your Control Switcher the older model with the Black Buttons, or the newer model with the light up Red Buttons?
From your picture I see you have a quite old Ground Control Pro, but it does have the good tact switches in it vs the not so good ones that were used in the first units, so that's good!
If the trouble only happens when the Control Switcher is providing Phantom Power then I'd first check that you are providing enough current for both units.
If the trouble happens when NOT providing Phantom Power and anywhere the Control Switcher is placed than I'd have to admit it's possibly something wrong with the Control Switcher. Have you tried Resetting the Control Switcher? (Hold Buttons 2 and 3 while powering up, press each lighted button, then wait for all lights to flash)
Also, is your Control Switcher the older model with the Black Buttons, or the newer model with the light up Red Buttons?
From your picture I see you have a quite old Ground Control Pro, but it does have the good tact switches in it vs the not so good ones that were used in the first units, so that's good!
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---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------
---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------
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mrcoffee883
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:45 pm
- Location: HTX
Re: MIDI data glitches
Hi John,
No worries.
Adequate power was the first thing I suspected; the problem persists when powering the GCP with it's own power supply.
The next thing I did, although I dreaded reconfiguring everything from scratch, was factory resets on all related gear.
The Control Switcher is the red button version.
Yeah the GCP is a dinosaur but these things are built like tanks!
Lastly, yes, the problem persists with any MIDI device placed after the Control Switcher.
No worries.
Adequate power was the first thing I suspected; the problem persists when powering the GCP with it's own power supply.
The next thing I did, although I dreaded reconfiguring everything from scratch, was factory resets on all related gear.
The Control Switcher is the red button version.
Yeah the GCP is a dinosaur but these things are built like tanks!
Lastly, yes, the problem persists with any MIDI device placed after the Control Switcher.
Re: MIDI data glitches
Well that's no good that it causes trouble wherever its placed! Please give us a call or write to info@voodoolab.com so we can arrange for this Control Switcher to come back for an inspection/repair. Be sure to mention this thread and that I sent you 
------------------====Cheers!====------------------
---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------
---------==Voodoo Lab Magician & Tech==---------
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mrcoffee883
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:45 pm
- Location: HTX
Re: MIDI data glitches
Thanks, John. I will have to figure out some form of alternative to handle my channel switching before I can pull the Control Switcher out of my rack. I've gotten spoiled to having it. For now, it's at the end of the MIDI chain and not causing headaches. Truth be told, it gave me a good excuse to rewire my rack and neaten things up a little.
-m
-m