MIDI footswitch VH4

[andy1978]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a MIDI footswitch working well with a VH4?

Up to now, I am using a BOSS GT10 Board, but I have some problems. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I do not have an explanation for this and after changing the MIDI controller in the VH4 I believe my BOSS GT10 to be the reason for the problem.

Andy




P.S.: Bye the way, the BOSS GT10 has a fixed MIDI table concerning the program changes. You cannot define e.g. bank 36-3 and at the same time bank 37-3 to send the same program change to a MIDI device.

 

[slyvren]

Most modern controllers should work. I've had good luck with the ones below.

rocktron midimate (in the middle, easy but pretty powerful)
tech21 midimouse (super simple)
tech21 midimoose (simple)
voodoo lab ground control pro (more complex midi rigs)
behringer fcb1010 (flexible but not simple to program)


Hope that helps!
-John

 

[Jens Kruse]

The one that does not work is the Midi Buddy. At least I never got it to work with VH4s.

The Columbus of course is what I'd recommend.

Jens

 

[Zabra Hexx]

The Columbus of course is what I'd recommend.

+1
I concur.
Columbus is awesome! And as reliable as a tank!

 

[JoshXR]

The Columbus is a beast! My cables never seem to survive my gigs though! lol

 

[andy1978]

Thanks for all the answers. Now I have a FCB1010 from a friend and I am going to do some tests during the weekend to solve my problem with VH4 and MIDI. I the near future I try to get a Columbus.

For these tests I have a further question in advance: When I got my VH4 one month ago, it worked well with a BOSS GT10. Two weeks later there arrose problems and MIDI didn't work anymore. Two times it switched to channel one, although I chose channel 2, sometimes it stopped completley working for half an hour or a day and last weekend during a gig it stopped completely. Even the change of the MIDI controller, Peter had sent me one (Thanks!), did not help.

So, perhaps you have some tips to get it work. What I have now
-2 ATMEL controllers
-serveral 5 pin MIDI cables
-a GT10 and a FCB1010
-a lot of standard electronic components

Are there any other components I can replace in the amp? Perhaps somebody knows some typical components, that like to fail in the VH4 MIDI section.

Thanks in advance,

Andy

 

[duesentrieb]

Are you sure that it is set to the correct midi channel?

See manual for the "how to . . ."

I'd use Omni btw.

And I'd get a pedal which runs off VH4's phantom power like
- Rolls
- Nobels
- ...

even an Engl midi pedal can be used, but then you have to rewire the VH4 midi in jack (there's a thread somewhere where I've give another "how to" . .. )

Olaf

 

[i.ak]

The Columbus is a beast! My cables never seem to survive my gigs though! lol

Change your cables to XLR. Much more reliable and easier to find in case of "emergency". Very easy task if you do not use phantom power and about 10 minutes more difficult if you do use. But if you connect your cable directly to your amp you might need to consider building a panel or box if you do not dare to touch your amp's connectors.

And to the original thread topic: VoodooLab GCP here. If feature-wise suitable to you, I highly recommend this.

 

[i.ak]

even an Engl midi pedal can be used, but then you have to rewire the VH4 midi in jack (there's a thread somewhere where I've give another "how to" . .. )

Olaf

Olaf, in case of a need for rewiring, it is due to Phantom power in different pins, right?

 

[musemark]

I used a Tech 21 Midi Moose for years and it worked great with it, was also phantom powered from the VH4, now using a Rocktron All Access and that also works great, hope this helps

 

[Ventura]

I've used a Columbus and used a GCP. Columbus was awesome, but just as a channel changer it's overkill. I needed my MIDI board to do more than just channel switch and the GCP is great at all things MIDI at a good price. I like it better for 'all things MIDI' than the Columbus simply due to its layout, alphanumeric display, and functionality. YMMV

 

[duesentrieb]

even an Engl midi pedal can be used, but then you have to rewire the VH4 midi in jack (there's a thread somewhere where I've give another "how to" . .. )

Olaf

Olaf, in case of a need for rewiring, it is due to Phantom power in different pins, right?

Yes. And it is easier to rewire the midi in jack of the VH4, cause its PTP.

 

[andy1978]

Hi all,

I found my problem with MIDI and my VH4. It was the midi in jack. I replaced it and now it works great with a FCB1010. The latter seems to be a very universal MIDI controller and there is a big community.

I made an extra circuit on PCB to use the phantom power of my VH4 that works well. The circuit is based on a relay, which automatically changes between MIDI phantom and power supply of the FCB1010. When there is phantom power it switches to this supply.

Thanks for the discussion,

Andy