Need help figuring out how to use MIDI on Framus Dragon

[skullfxr]

I am using a decibel 11 switch Dr. and I can't figure out how to do it. I called db11 and their tech guy is unable to figure it out (must I say that he is cool and spent quite a bit of time trying to figure it out).

If anyone has used MIDI with a Framus helllp!

 

[GOHOINC]

Probably things you know but thought I might try and help based on what I read in the manuals...

Looks to me like the Switch Dr. needs to be in preset mode, this is also default operation but maybe check and insure you are in preset mode.

From there it looks like each bank/button sends a program change message. So step on a button.

Once a PC is sent, the LED light on the back on the Framus, above the store button, should light up.

Once the LED is lit you set the amp to whatever channel you want and the master volume you are using for that channel. Then press the STORE button againand the light should go off.

Once you activate that preset on the Switch Dr. again, it should return the amp to the channel you want.

So what is the issue you are having or is not working?

 

[skullfxr]

The 'store' led isn't lighting up.

 

[GOHOINC]

Took me a while to get midi working right back when I had a vh4s. So sorry if you thought about these things already but it's the process I went through to eventually figure it out... from what you describe i would think that either switch dr. Isnt sending pc message (switch dr mode?) or framus isnt receiving it (bad midi board?) or cable isnt working to connect them (bad cable? Many cheap cables are 5 pin but only have 3 wired, I needed true 5 or 7 wire cables). In my case i wound up buying a new cable and then figuring out I had to replace the midi board on my vh4s...

 

[1meanplexi]

Is there an option for momentary or latching on the Dr switch?

 

[skullfxr]

Took me a while to get midi working right back when I had a vh4s. So sorry if you thought about these things already but it's the process I went through to eventually figure it out... from what you describe i would think that either switch dr. Isnt sending pc message (switch dr mode?) or framus isnt receiving it (bad midi board?) or cable isnt working to connect them (bad cable? Many cheap cables are 5 pin but only have 3 wired, I needed true 5 or 7 wire cables). In my case i wound up buying a new cable and then figuring out I had to replace the midi board on my vh4s...

I bought a higher end midi cable cable (Roland Gold) because I have heard of problems with some cables.

I am hoping that I don't need another.

I hope the midi board isn't fucked on the amp.

I am sure that the Switch Dr. is set up right, I did that part with their engineer on the phone. He knows his unit, but was unsure how the Framus worked.

I am going to keep working at it.

I still have a few more things to try.

 

[skullfxr]

How do you know if the midi cable is 7 pin. I have no problem ordering another cable if that is the problem.

 

[GOHOINC]

If I remember correctly I had a proco midi cable from sweetwater which was found to be 3 pin discrete wired, I think all HOSA midi cables are now 5 pin discrete wired, Im using the HOSA pro series which just means it has the removable ends vs. a molded end. The roland website says the gold midi stuff is 4 conductor so I believe it should be 5 pin discrete wired as the 4 conductor wires go to the left and right of center pins and the bare common wire is the center pin. Guitar center sells HOSA midi cables if you have one nearby, could be a quick and relatively cheap way to test and verify its not the cable... They usually have cable testers at the store and might be able to tell you directly if there is a problem with your cable. That is of course assuming they are open for business.

The dragon also has trs inputs for channel changes if I read the manual correctly. The switch dr has the 2 sw inputs as well. You could wire those up and try switching channels that way?

 

[skullfxr]

If I remember correctly I had a proco midi cable from sweetwater which was found to be 3 pin discrete wired, I think all HOSA midi cables are now 5 pin discrete wired, Im using the HOSA pro series which just means it has the removable ends vs. a molded end. The roland website says the gold midi stuff is 4 conductor so I believe it should be 5 pin discrete wired as the 4 conductor wires go to the left and right of center pins and the bare common wire is the center pin. Guitar center sells HOSA midi cables if you have one nearby, could be a quick and relatively cheap way to test and verify its not the cable... They usually have cable testers at the store and might be able to tell you directly if there is a problem with your cable. That is of course assuming they are open for business.

The dragon also has trs inputs for channel changes if I read the manual correctly. The switch dr has the 2 sw inputs as well. You could wire those up and try switching channels that way?

I will have to look into the cable thing again. Why would some midi cables be 4 VS 5 pin. I got a Roland gold cable, I thought it would be a good cable. I guess I still have to try some other things. Before I go further.

I can wire up a footswitch for it without issue but ideally want MIDI.

 

[skullfxr]

If I remember correctly I had a proco midi cable from sweetwater which was found to be 3 pin discrete wired, I think all HOSA midi cables are now 5 pin discrete wired, Im using the HOSA pro series which just means it has the removable ends vs. a molded end. The roland website says the gold midi stuff is 4 conductor so I believe it should be 5 pin discrete wired as the 4 conductor wires go to the left and right of center pins and the bare common wire is the center pin. Guitar center sells HOSA midi cables if you have one nearby, could be a quick and relatively cheap way to test and verify its not the cable... They usually have cable testers at the store and might be able to tell you directly if there is a problem with your cable. That is of course assuming they are open for business.

The dragon also has trs inputs for channel changes if I read the manual correctly. The switch dr has the 2 sw inputs as well. You could wire those up and try switching channels that way?

I will have to look into the cable thing again. Why would some midi cables be 4 VS 5 pin. I got a Roland gold cable, I thought it would be a good cable. I guess I still have to try some other things. Before I go further.

I can wire up a footswitch for it without issue but ideally want MIDI.

 

[GOHOINC]

I think your roland cable is probably wired 5 pin discrete.t the roland has 4 conductors so it should be good, if it only had 3 wires it would be 2 conductor I think. Still cables are a pretty cheap thing to try, so might be worth it to try and verify...

Found this link below, might be hepful.

https://community.musictribe.com/t5...-Framus-Dragon-via-the-NOVA-System/td-p/81096

 

[skullfxr]

Damn. This shit is rough. Lol