I need a channel switcher/footswitch for a Herbert. HELP ME!

[blessedadversary777]

I need a footswitch for a Diezel Herbert that switches all the different channels and options that the Herbert offers. I am open to suggestions. My Herbert will be in Tuesday and I really want to have a footswitch lined up. I am pretty much clueless as to what the best option is as this is my first Diezel I have ever owned. I dont use alot of rack stuff; just a tuner, a power conditioner, and a rackmount wireless unit, so I dont need anything too sophisticated. What I do need is YOUR input. Lets hear it!

 

[blessedadversary777]

There is no foot switch currently on the market that will offer the functionality you are seeking. However, Diezel is working on releasing a foot switch for the Herbert model very soon. As to an exact release date for this foot switch I'm not sure on. Perhaps Peter can chime in on here regarding this.

I am also working on a foot switch for the Herbert, VH4 and Hagen models. However, mine is mainly aimed towards those who own a "pre-MkII" model as Diezel's foot switch will not be compatible with the pre-MkII models.

For now your only option is to use a MIDI controller to switch patches on the Herbert. You would create patches with the panel switches set up in a variety of different ways, then use a MIDI controller to recall these patches.

I have an RJM Mastermind midi switcher but I was looking for one that was more oriented towards just operating the amp in the conventional method as with other amps. It would also be a plus if the switcher was able to make the midcut and FX loop and other features the herbert has footswitchable too. That would be the ideal pedal for what I need.

 

[blessedadversary777]

I was told my herbert is a 2010 pre MK2 model. So that would be compatible with the custom Wilder switch right?

 

[blessedadversary777]

I was told my herbert is a 2010 pre MK2 model. So that would be compatible with the custom Wilder switch right?

Yes. It will plug in via the MIDI port and the MIDI port on the Herbert will phantom power the switch.

I should have circuit boards in and assembled by the beginning of next week (the week of February 20th) but will need to order up a run of chassis and switches so it's still a month or so out from final release. If you would like I can add you to the waiting list for the switch and notify you once I have switches ready to order & ship. No prepayment is required.

1. Will it operate the FX loop?
2. Will the mid-cut option be footswitchable?
3. Will it have independent buttons for each channel?
4. How much, shipped and Paypal'd?

 

[blessedadversary777]

1. Will it operate the FX loop?

Yes

2. Will the mid-cut option be footswitchable?

Yes

3. Will it have independent buttons for each channel?

Yes

4. How much, shipped and Paypal'd?

As it is still in development we don't yet have a final price (I can say for a fact though that it will not be less than $100). But I will keep you posted as soon as we do.

I am totally loving the answers to all those questions. Count me in as of now. If I cant get my RJM Matermind to do what I want I will definitely want one! Thanks

 

[spguitar]

Lake Butler Mitigator $100 on Ebay

 

[blessedadversary777]

If you're planning to assign instant access switches on the mastermind to the functions on the Herbert don't bother. The current software in the Herbert will not respond to instant access CC messages.

However, I currently have a software upgrade that will add the ability to respond to CC messages from instant access switches on MIDI controllers that are equipped with them that is currently in testing on the Herbert. Once it completes the testing phase I will let you know. This would certainly be a cheaper option considering that you have a MIDI controller that would be capable of taking advantage of this added functionality.

The only limitation to this is that the RJM Mastermind can only operate in either IA mode or patch mode. On top of that, you only get 5 IA buttons so two of the functions would not be switchable with the software upgrade due to the limited number of IA buttons on the controller.

Now the beauty of my foot switch is that you can plug it in inline with the RJM Mastermind so that you have your Mastermind set up for patch recall while being able to use my foot switch to call the channels/functions individually. Moreover, you can program my foot switch so that the LEDs on the foot switch come up in the same state as the functions come up in for each patch.

All of this negative news about the Herbert is making me want to just get rid of the Diezel! IMO, the Diezel should come with some type of switcher. Especially for the price! Just my opinion. So, what about the Rocktron Midimate?

 

[blessedadversary777]

Lake Butler Mitigator $100 on Ebay

I researched up on the Lake Butler. It appears they went out of business.

 

[blessedadversary777]

So, what about the Rocktron Midimate?

It isn't the controller that is the limitation. It is the software in Diezel amplifiers. It's not currently coded to respond to MIDI controller change messages (it will only respond to program change messages currently), and these are the messages that get sent by instant access buttons.

But this is about to change...and very soon. My code is in testing currently and with my code the amp WILL respond to MIDI continuous controller messages in addition to patch recall messages. This will allow the amplifier to respond to instant access buttons on a MIDI controller that is equipped with them. This is the missing element on Diezel amplifiers and is the reason I took on doing a ground up rewrite of their code in the first place.

Now I'm not sure what your price range is BUT...if you're looking for a decent MIDI controller that can do instant access for a good price I recommend the Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro. With my upgrade chip (once I release it), it will give you enough instant access buttons to be able to control the Herbert's channels/functions with one IA button to spare. Or you can stick with the original plan to purchase one of my foot switches when I release those. Either way, you will have options available and very soon.

For now, you can at least program "patches" that switch stuff on and off with the RJM Mastermind, but you will just have to put up with having to program multiple patches to switch multiple functions until this stuff is ready for release.

Ok. Thank you VERY much for your educated input. I am weighing my options. As of now, Im either gonna invest in a Diezel Columbus or your switcher as soon as it comes out.

 

[spguitar]

Lake Butler Mitigator $100 on Ebay

I researched up on the Lake Butler. It appears they went out of business.

Yeah they're old but it's still my all-time favorite midi controller. I used one for about 7 years and just bought another.

 

[blessedadversary777]

Lake Butler Mitigator $100 on Ebay

I researched up on the Lake Butler. It appears they went out of business.

Yeah they're old but it's still my all-time favorite midi controller. I used one for about 7 years and just bought another.

Do u have a Herbert? And do u use the Lake Butler with it? Just curious

 

[blessedadversary777]

Ok. Thank you VERY much for your educated input. I am weighing my options. As of now, Im either gonna invest in a Diezel Columbus or your switcher as soon as it comes out.

The Diezel Columbus is program change only. This means it can only recall "patches" of things switching on/off simultaneously. It will not give you the individual switch-ability that you're looking for. Matter of fact, there is nothing the Columbus will do that your RJM Mastermind won't do so you would be back to square 1.

In order to switch things individually, the devices have to be "control change" compatible. As of current, nothing Diezel makes is control change compatible.

The new FS7HE footswitch they're making is supposed to switch things individually, however it is only compatible with the MkII series Diezel amplifiers.

Not trying to be the bearer of bad news here but I'd really hate to see you spend your money on gear that won't give you the functionality that you're looking for.

Well, it sounds like you need to hurry up with the magic switches that you're making so I can be happy! Seriously, get off of your computer and go make me one! PLEASE! Just joking, but really though...

 

[spguitar]

Lake Butler Mitigator $100 on Ebay

I researched up on the Lake Butler. It appears they went out of business.

Yeah they're old but it's still my all-time favorite midi controller. I used one for about 7 years and just bought another.

Do u have a Herbert? And do u use the Lake Butler with it? Just curious

Yup!

 

[elfredoo]

All of this negative news about the Herbert is making me want to just get rid of the Diezel!

if you wanna get rid of a diezel that you did not receive yet then go ahead.

there are no "bad news" about the herbert. there is one man trying to convince you of bying his pedal which is not even available yet - speaking badly about midi implementation that has worked for many users for many years. your herbert has midi capabilities that are quite standard: you can change channels with a common midi pedal (and i think even the loop, master2 and mute). using cc's to control certain aspects are primarily known for switching and controlling fx units... most of the classic tube amps out there are simply analog footswitchable and if you want to integrate these amps and their switching functions into a midi rig you have to buy an external midi-switcher (if it is not integrated into the midi-pedal).

so cool down and wait for the amp to play it. the amp is channel switchable with quite any midi pedal. functions like the +/- are not switchable cause peter doesn't want it to since you have a too big difference in the sound/perceptive volume from one sound to another. but there are ways to mod it if you want.

if you want to wait for the wilder switch it is ok and it will perhaps (or certainly) add functions. but the amp still is first class as it is and perhaps when you have spent some time with it you don't even want to switch +/- or have the extra fancy stuff.

 

[blessedadversary777]

All of this negative news about the Herbert is making me want to just get rid of the Diezel!

if you wanna get rid of a diezel that you did not receive yet then go ahead.

there are no "bad news" about the herbert. there is one man trying to convince you of bying his pedal which is not even available yet - speaking badly about midi implementation that has worked for many users for many years. your herbert has midi capabilities that are quite standard: you can change channels with a common midi pedal (and i think even the loop, master2 and mute). using cc's to control certain aspects are primarily known for switching and controlling fx units... most of the classic tube amps out there are simply analog footswitchable and if you want to integrate these amps and their switching functions into a midi rig you have to buy an external midi-switcher (if it is not integrated into the midi-pedal).

so cool down and wait for the amp to play it. the amp is channel switchable with quite any midi pedal. functions like the +/- are not switchable cause peter doesn't want it to since you have a too big difference in the sound/perceptive volume from one sound to another. but there are ways to mod it if you want.

if you want to wait for the wilder switch it is ok and it will perhaps (or certainly) add functions. but the amp still is first class as it is and perhaps when you have spent some time with it you don't even want to switch +/- or have the extra fancy stuff.

Thanks for your advice. I got the Herbert today and am gonna mess around with it and the RJM Mastermind and see what all I can accomplish with it. The amp is definitely top-notch but the dirty channel does seem a bit "flubby" for my taste, but, Im gonna tweek on it and see if I can get the flubbiness out of the dirty channel. I guess Im just too used to the tightness of my Pittbull Ultralead and 5150iii Anyways, thanks again...

 

[Peter Diezel]

The third channel is build for single notes.

If we should tweak it send me some pictures
of the PCB inside the amp.

Best,
Peter

 

[GtarLover]

The third channel is build for single notes.

Wow, this is the first time I have heard this Peter. I have been having an interesting experience lately that the more I have been playing Herbert with the band, the more I have been using channel 2 for rhythms in most situations. Then switching to channel 3 for the leads or simply boosting the volume on channel 2. I have been experimenting with adding a little gain boost for leads on channel 2 as well, yet I don't even have to do that when I use channel 3 with boosted volume for leads.

It is great to have you here Peter!! I learn something new every time you add your input to a thread, thank you for that.

By the way, the OP was asking about controllers and switching. Personally I think Wilder's ideas are wonderful, especially for those of us that have the pre-MKII Herbert amps. I am excited about the possibility of switching the Herbert's controls via midi, not just program change (it's already capable of that) but instant access and I know a lot of others are excited about this as well.

Looking forward to cool new possibilities!! Oh yeah...and Herbert RAWKS

Enjoy!!

 

[blessedadversary777]

After many hours of tweeking the Herbert, I have come up with the same conclusion for the low tuned 7 strings stuff. Channel 2 with the gain about 90% and the mid-cut settings both about 40% and the presence and deep set about the same. Sounds better than any other variations I came up with. The clean channel sounds like angels descended from heaven above and are strumming sweet melodies through my strings of divine bliss! Awesome clean channel to say the least. Now if Wilder would make those switchers I would be forever grateful...

 

[elfredoo]

i love the 'wilder'idea, too. but surely blessedadv. was such insecure at one point of this thread that he wanted to give back his amp. a simple: "almost every midicontroller can switch your amp patchwise (you can change channels, mute, loop and master2), but if you additionally want to switch channels etc. while staying on one midipatch you can wait for the wilder switch & midi replacement chip" would have done the trick. some people aren't into this midi stuff and just want to switch their channels on an amp that happens to use midi.

so no bad feelings, i love the wilder idea and will be happy if i can try one when the vh4 (peter approved) version is in the market. didn't want to attack anybody personally.

 

[blessedadversary777]

The third channel is build for single notes.

Wow, this is the first time I have heard this Peter. I have been having an interesting experience lately that the more I have been playing Herbert with the band, the more I have been using channel 2 for rhythms in most situations. Then switching to channel 3 for the leads or simply boosting the volume on channel 2. I have been experimenting with adding a little gain boost for leads on channel 2 as well, yet I don't even have to do that when I use channel 3 with boosted volume for leads.

It is great to have you here Peter!! I learn something new every time you add your input to a thread, thank you for that.

By the way, the OP was asking about controllers and switching. Personally I think Wilder's ideas are wonderful, especially for those of us that have the pre-MKII Herbert amps. I am excited about the possibility of switching the Herbert's controls via midi, not just program change (it's already capable of that) but instant access and I know a lot of others are excited about this as well.

Looking forward to cool new possibilities!! Oh yeah...and Herbert RAWKS

Enjoy!!

Hey man, I was just curious what you are using for your gain boost on channel 2? That sounds like that would be very useful in my situation