VH4, Ground Control Pro, GMajor hookup

[nat120]

Can someone help me with connecting VH4, Ground Control, and the G Major effects unit with my Midi cables?

 

[Jordon]

I cannot remember if the VH4 suppilies phantom power to the GCP, but if it does, I woud simply run the correct pin-configuration DIN (MIDI) Cable from the OUT of the GC Pro and to the MIDI IN of the VH4, then from the MIDI THRU on the VH4 to the MIDI IN on the G Major. Just be careful with the phantom power from the VH4, I'm sure Peter can help more with this. I've only owned a VH4 in my dreams, but I do own a GC Pro and G Major. Hope this helps.

 

[RedB4Black]

I used a Ground Control Pro and a Rocktron Xpression with my Herbert. I imagine it is much the same. I'm actually selling the GCP now because I bought a Columbus because I wanted it to be an all Diezel set-up.

Get a 7 pin to 7 pin midi cable (Rocktron sells them for about $19). This will power the GC so you don't need the wall wart. It works on my Herbert and I know it works on the VH4 from another person's experience. The GC doesn't draw enough power to be a problem.

Then connect the GC MIDI out to Diezel MIDI in with the 7-pin to 7-pin cable. Use a regular 5-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI Thru to the G-Major. Programing the channel changes on the VH4 should be easy. I keep the amp and the effects unit in MIDI Omni mode. Make sure the G-major patches are set to accept MIDI commands (I have to do this on the Rocktron - not sure if the G-major requires it). Push for example button 2 on your GC. Set the VH4 the way you want and press the store button. Then create a patch on the G-Major. Save the patch to your G-Major (for example - patch 10). Use the MIDI mapping feature on the G-Major to Map MIDI Command 2 (received from GC) to patch 10. Repeat this process for other buttons - you should be all set. This is for Program Changes only. I don't think the Diezel can do Continuous Control commands from the GC and I haven't done them with my effects unit.

 

[nat120]

I hooked up all three and it seems to work great. My only other question is I only have 5 pin midi cables and it seems to work fine. I only had it on for about 20 minutes because I will not have time to program everything until this weekend. Will a 5 pin work just as good as a 7 pin for the Ground Control?

 

[RedB4Black]

^Do you have the GCP plugged into the wall or is it drawing power from the amp with just the 5 pin cable? I didn't think you could get phantom power with a 5-pin. If it works then great. The 7-pin allows you to ditch the wall wart plug so you just have one cable. Sam Ash.com sells them for about $20.

 

[nat120]

I am not using the wall wart. The GC is drawing phantom power from the VH4 using the midi cable 5 pin.

 

[RedB4Black]

I am not using the wall wart. The GC is drawing phantom power from the VH4 using the midi cable 5 pin.

Cool then. I thought it had to be 7 pin. All set then.

 

[Me]

I'm glad I just read this... I've just bought a 2nd hand Ground control (the old one, not the pro) and was about to blow £25 on a special 7-pin midi cable. But this says I can use the normal 5 pin I already have? Hurrah!

DMC should change their manual to say "connect it with a 5-pin midi cable to the DMC GCX, or a Diezel ('cuz Peter thinks of everything), or a 7-pin for other non-DMC stuff!"