New to Herbert's Midi and how it works

[Metal6string]

So I have been playing my Herbert at home without a Midi controller but now I have a Roland GFC-50 Midi controller. I also have a POD X3 Pro that has a lot of great effect presets I have created saved in memory that I would like to use but I would not be using the amp modeling from the POD, if connected to the Herbert. I know that the Herbert has 128 programs(patches, program changes), also the POD X3 Pro has 32 Banks with 4 Patches(A,B,C,D) in each for a total of 128 possible patches. I have NOT been using them together because I don't know how to connect them via MIDI.

Herbert Midi questions first:

Until now, if I want to change the tone of the Herbert I twist knobs to get desired tone. But I find that I waste time doing this method because I had a great tone for that particular song a week ago but now I need to remember the settings. Can I save different settings of tone to the MIDI or does the MIDI only save the MID Cut and amp channel selected for the "patch, program changes" on the Herbert?

Herbert + POD together:

IF POSSIBLE I would like to connect the POD and Herbert thru MIDI and have the Roland GFC-50 control both with the numerical patches from each device matching each other. Example: Patch 1 on Herbert would marry with POD Bank 1A, then Patch 2 on Herbert would marry with POD Bank 1B, and so on and so forth all the way to a total of 128 on both devices.

If this combination is possible I would appreciate the help in setup process.

Thank you for your time and for reading my post.

 

[GtarLover]

Herbert Midi questions first:
Can I save different settings of tone to the MIDI or does the MIDI only save the MID Cut and amp channel selected for the "patch, program changes" on the Herbert?

Herbert + POD together:

IF POSSIBLE I would like to connect the POD and Herbert thru MIDI and have the Roland GFC-50 control both with the numerical patches from each device matching each other. Example: Patch 1 on Herbert would marry with POD Bank 1A, then Patch 2 on Herbert would marry with POD Bank 1B, and so on and so forth all the way to a total of 128 on both devices.

OK, first question...NO, you cannot save different tonal settings on each channel. What you can do is what you describe, switching channels, on/off mid-cut, Master Volume, Loop, etc in a preset. However each preset on the Herbert will need it's own preset on the foot controller and need to be linked to a preset on the Pod. There is another option that I will get to later.

Second question...yes, you can assign your foot controller to switch the Herbert and the Pod simultaneously. That is the whole wonderful thing about midi. Just hook up your foot controller to the Herbert's input (with a 7-pin midi cable for power) and then from the out/thru on Herbert you would go out to the input of the Pod. Remember, the Pod can't have an amp or cab loaded, just effects. You will also need to have the Pod hooked up to the effects loop of the Herbert. I suggest the switchable loop or the parallel loop for your set-up.

Now, here's the other option I was referring to earlier, "new shit has come to light!!"

I am not familiar with the foot controller you have, does is have Instant Access switches? Switches that can turn a particular function or effect on/off, only that function or effect (not a preset button). I ask because if you are interested in being able to control functions like mid-cut, loop, and Master Volume on your Herbert with Instant Access switches, then I highly recommend you check out the Evolution chip from Wilder Amplification. You would simply need to swap the chip in your Herbert (it's not hard) and then could control all the functions separately!! I did it and it's awesome!! For example, now I can switch mid-cut on/off with one button and not change anything else.

Anyway, bottom line, what you are asking about is fairly basic midi functionality and you can hook it up with 2 midi cables and 2 instrument cables to run the Pod into the Herbert's loop. Then it's just a bit of programming and you are golden.

Hope this helps a bit and have fun!! Diezel Rawks

 

[Metal6string]

Thank you very much for that information, I was thinking it was going to be a lot harder!! So it sounds pretty much like a plug and play setup.

I have heard of the Evolution Chip and pedal, I might get into that when I have some extra cash. The picture below is the Roland controller I have and I don't think that has Instant Access. I do have another pedal board but it's the Line 6 FBV Shortboard MkII and it has RJ-45 connector. Maybe I could used the Shortboard with a Hybrid cable that is RJ-45 on one end and 7-pin Midi on the other along with the Evolution chip....LMAO

Seriously, to you think the Shortboard would work? It does have a program that allows the buttons to be assignable.

Thanks

 

[SinDes1]

The Roland GFC-50 is a "patch only" controller. There are 4 jacks on the back that allow you to interface either expression pedals or latching switches to send out CC messages, but these CC messages are hard programmed into the MIDI controller (CC's 7, 16, 64, and 80) and cannot be changed.

With this type of controller, the Evolution foot switch would be the perfect addition to the rig. The Evolution foot switch can be integrated with your current controller to allow for both patch recall from your current controller and "instant access" to the amp's channels and functions from the Evolution foot switch. The Evolution foot switch can also be programmed to switch along with the programmed preset configuration so it always stays in sync with how the amp is being switched.

However, if you ever decide to get a more advanced controller that features programmable instant access buttons like a Ground Control Pro or a Rocktron All Access or MIDI Raider, the Evolution firmware upgrade chip would be a great option. The Evolution firmware upgrade supports MIDI CC, which allows the player to use the controller's instant access buttons to control each of the amp channels and functions "stomp box style" in addition to allowing for patch recall.

Just thought I'd throw this your way to make product selection easier for you in case you decide to go that route.