small wish list for Herbert

[Striezel]

Hi everyone,

after using the Herbert for some months now, I'm still in tone heaven!
Over time, I have found three little things that, if fixed, could make this wonderful amp perfect for me:

1.) The midi system reacts flawlessly to program changes, but: is there a way to address individual functions on the Herbert via controller changes? Example: I want to switch to a certain sound incl. FX patches. I will use a program change message for that. Now, without changing patches, i want to turn the mid cut on and off by using a controller switch on the midi board.
According to some other posts, this is not possible at the moment. There's nothing in the manual either. But I'm sure this would be greatly appreciated by some people (VH4 owners too)!

2.) There's a small issue with the switchable loop: it seems to not completely take out the direct signal when switched on, especially on channel 3. Try this: connect a patch cable to the switchable loop return and let the other end unconnected. Leave the switchable loop send unused. Select channel 3 and switch the loop on. There should be silence, as there is no connection between send and return, right? It is not - there is still some sound. For me, this is a little disturbig when using a tremolo fx or a whammy in the loop, as there is always a little "dry" sound in the signal.
I've read in other posts that this has been fixed on newer Herbies. Is there a working mod for older ones?

3.) When using an expression pedal via midi (for example to control a whammy in my 19" fx), there is always a scratching sound through the speakers when moving the pedal. As if you could hear the controller data itself - single clicks when moving the pedal slowly, digital scratch sound when moving fast. I have really tried everything to get rid of it, but there seems to be no cure for this. The only way is to take the Herbert out of the midi signal chain, but that's not how it was intended to be ;-)
I heard this is a known problem on every tube amp that has a midi interface (but I can't prove that). It is not a loud sound, and would probably drown in a live situation, but it is there. Does anybody encounter the same thing? Perhaps there is a possibility to fix this in the future.

Do you find my suggestions reasonable, or am I too picky? I know these are minor things which won't bother most people.... What do you think?!!

 

[Bato]

It´s true about point 2. I was dissapointed too.

 

[duesentrieb]

Not sure if there is an easy fix - I'm using the switchable only to hook preamps into the loop, so I'm switching to channel 1 simult. - solved.

 

[Bato]

In that case ok! But im using one exp. Pedal of the FCB1010 Midi Board as a Vol. Pedal. When i turn the Pedal down, you can still hear the Amp Sound. Same procedure with turning the G_Major to bypass mode. That´s not nice. It´s like my cheap JCM900 Marshall. Only the Silver Jubille has a 100% "true" serial loop. As far as i know of course.

 

[Peter Diezel]

Should I answer ?

 

[Bato]

Yes please Master!
Why wont Herbie shut up when i turn the pedal down?

Or i´ll ask you the same question in Frankfurt.

Come on, we are the Frankenconnection!

 

[Striezel]

Yeah Peter,

tell us what you think about my picky little list

 

[diezelboy]

I'm curious about #2 and #3 myself. Why is the Herbie clicking on MIDI incoming messages such as an expression pedal?

Peter, what's the cure? Is there anything we can do to mute the clicking to incoming MIDI messages?

If is the light turning on and off that makes the clicking? That would be an easy fix - unsolder the LED

 

[scottph]

I think Peter was being sarcastic, as he has addressed these "issues" before...

 

[nbarts]

Hey, I've sent an email about the loop issues I'm having more than 2 days ago. What's up with customer service?

 

[diezelboy]

I think Peter was being sarcastic, as he has addressed these "issues" before...

Hi if Peter answered these issues can u pls email me a link especially for # 2 and #3?
Thanks

 

[Peter Diezel]

1. On/Off functions needs send and recieve. If You switch the
amp instead of the pedal, the pedal will be confused and shows
wrong status.

2. I will check it out, it works flawlessly on my workbench.
Maybe there is a small signal caused by grounding

3. The scratch comes from sending midi signals permanently.
Use a filter in before the midi jack.

 

[diezelboy]

Hi Peter
Thanks for the note.
What MIDI filter do you recommend?

Yeah, I have board v2.0 and I'm getting a bit of bleedthrough from the preamp although the volume is off on the effects (using a TC G-Force as well as a GT-10). I would like know if there's a fix for that too. My VHT is dead quiet when the loop effect level is 0 on the fx processor.
Thanks

 

[Peter Diezel]

No overview about the filters on the market.

Guys, please use Your effect loops us usual.

What is the sense to put a cable into the return
and listen, how good the bleedthrough from ground
to signal is ?

The bleedthrough on the VHT is better, but the Diezel has
100dB ground to signal ratio and that´s not bad.

What is the sense to turn the output of the effect unit
to zero ?

But I try to get it "fixed"

Peace,

Peter

 

[Bato]

What is the sense to turn the output of the effect unit
to zero ?

In my case f.e., to use one of the exp. pedals on my midi board as a Volume Pedal. When it´s down, i can still hear a signal. But it´s the same at Mesa and Marshall.

So what....

 

[diezelboy]

Hi Peter
My main concern is the MIDI crackling noise when you use an expression/volume pedal on any MIDI controller and the crackling that I'm getting from GT-10 which is sending clock synch messages I think. All Herbie owners with this set up are experiencing this.

Is there a way for the Herbie to ONLY respond to PC (or CC if it makes sense) messages and ignore/filter out the rest as they're not really used by the amp for anything, AND route the whole MIDI message to MIDI OUT/THROUGH - maybe an easy MIDI firmware fix.

As far as the loop preamp bleedthough a good example would be using a tremolo effect, or patching an external preamp to the power section, or simply a fade out (whether by pedal or automated) (yea I know you can use your guitar's volume knob)

As far as I know the VH4 is not acting in this fashion.
Thanks guys!

No overview about the filters on the market.

Guys, please use Your effect loops us usual.

What is the sense to put a cable into the return
and listen, how good the bleedthrough from ground
to signal is ?

The bleedthrough on the VHT is better, but the Diezel has
100dB ground to signal ratio and that´s not bad.

What is the sense to turn the output of the effect unit
to zero ?

But I try to get it "fixed"

Peace,

Peter

 

[Peter Diezel]

I take care of it !

 

[eddyrox]

Hi Peter
My main concern is the MIDI crackling noise when you use an expression/volume pedal on any MIDI controller and the crackling that I'm getting from GT-10 which is sending clock synch messages I think. All Herbie owners with this set up are experiencing this.

Is there a way for the Herbie to ONLY respond to PC (or CC if it makes sense) messages and ignore/filter out the rest as they're not really used by the amp for anything, AND route the whole MIDI message to MIDI OUT/THROUGH - maybe an easy MIDI firmware fix.

As far as the loop preamp bleedthough a good example would be using a tremolo effect, or patching an external preamp to the power section, or simply a fade out (whether by pedal or automated) (yea I know you can use your guitar's volume knob)

As far as I know the VH4 is not acting in this fashion.
Thanks guys!

No overview about the filters on the market.

Guys, please use Your effect loops us usual.

What is the sense to put a cable into the return
and listen, how good the bleedthrough from ground
to signal is ?

The bleedthrough on the VHT is better, but the Diezel has
100dB ground to signal ratio and that´s not bad.

What is the sense to turn the output of the effect unit
to zero ?

But I try to get it "fixed"

Peace,

Peter

Peter, I am experiencing EXACTLY the same issue as Diezelboy with my Herbert (2008 model). Basically while hooked up to the Boss GT10, the save light flutters constantly as the midi is sync'd with the controller. The worse part of this issue is that the crackling/clicking noise audible through the cabinet. I have hooked the Boss GT10 using the "4 Cable Method" through the switchable serial loop. As noted earlier by SeanNYC106 and Diezelboy, my VH4 does NOT have this problem.

Please advise.
Thank you!
mike

 

[diezelboy]

Hey guys
Upon further investigation, using the MIDI OX and SendSX.
The GT-10 is sending an "FE" message which is called "Active Sensing". It's like a heart beat pulse. I'm sure other MIDI devices like synths (if you're using guitar synths) or whatever are sending similar signals as well.

The FCB1010 or other midi controllers with Expression pedals are sending CC# and when you use the expression pedals the Herbie goes crackling for every CC# value sent.. there's 127 values in a full pedal sweep so you get a lot.

I'm interested in what Peter comes up with! He always comes up with something to makes us happy! He did the previous time I've asked!

 

[eddyrox]

Hey guys
Upon further investigation, using the MIDI OX and SendSX.
The GT-10 is sending an "FE" message which is called "Active Sensing". It's like a heart beat pulse. I'm sure other MIDI devices like synths (if you're using guitar synths) or whatever are sending similar signals as well.

The FCB1010 or other midi controllers with Expression pedals are sending CC# and when you use the expression pedals the Herbie goes crackling for every CC# value sent.. there's 127 values in a full pedal sweep so you get a lot.

I'm interested in what Peter comes up with! He always comes up with something to makes us happy! I he did the previous time I've asked!

thanks DB. I've used the Herbert (serial #001/700) with the Rocktron All Access and a Rocktron Expression MFX unit, but without incident. My latest Herbert (May 2008) however is showing the same signs as described. The "active sensing" from the GT10 is driving me fu*king nuts! Thanks Peter for all of your help!
mike.