Some cool stuff here for Diezel amp owners...

Hey all,

I thought this might be of interest to some others here. I have been interested in finding a way to control individual options on my Herbert for a while and with having a Hagen now as well, I am even more interested. I don't just mean changing patches, I want to be able to turn options like mid-cut, Volume 2, loop, etc...on and off within a patch, without changing anything else. Anyway, I considered different possibilities, but as far as I know this hasn't possible, until now. I just got an email from Jon Wilder of Sinister Designs, a company in CA that has some cool new options for all of us who want to be able to have better control of our Diezel amps. I hope some others find this as useful I as do.

I will definitely be in line for this!
Just FYI, I have been using a Liquid Foot Pro controller to change patches on my Herbert since I got it, but to be able to switch options,especially mid-cut, WAHOO!!!



COPIED EMAIL BEGINS HERE:

Not only are the midi chip and the foot switches coming out, but I'm pleased to announce that we now have a release date set for them in the very near future!

The official release date for the upgrade chips is August 15th. The new chip enables the player to switch the amp's channels and functions individually without having to create a new patch (requires a MIDI controller with "Instant Access" buttons). A few improvements were also made to the user interface as well as how the amp handles incoming MIDI data (the amp no longer "freezes up" when sending a burst stream of MIDI data like a lot of advanced MIDI controllers do with the amp in Omni mode).

The official release date for the foot switches is September 1st. These foot switches are "plug & play". They plug right into the MIDI In port on the amp and use the amp's phantom power to power them. They work with either a 5-pin or a 7-pin MIDI cable. They look and feel like a simple foot switch. Assuming the user has the amp on MIDI channel 1 and/or omni mode is active, they're ready to go right out of the box with no further programming required. The MIDI channel of the foot switches can be very easily changed by the end user and can be assigned to MIDI channels 1-7. They also have a MIDI In port for interfacing an external controller for patch changing and the foot switch can be programmed to make the buttons come up in the on/off/channel states that match the patch as external amp patches are recalled from the external controller.

These foot switches are hand drilled and hand assembled. Unlike a lot of common MIDI controllers that use tactile switches with a spring loaded vintage looking button actuator, these controllers feature real heavy duty Carling switches in them...they're built like a tank. They will be made to order so there will be a 3-4 week lead time prior to shipping once the order has been placed. The controllers will come pre-set for the Herbert, VH4, or the Hagen amp (customer will have the option to choose which amp set-up when ordering).

The replacement chips will be USD $50 + $5.95 USPS Priority Mail shipping to the CONUS (international shipments will be calculated based on destination) and each will come with full detailed instructions on how to remove the old and install the new chip.

The price on the foot controller will be USD $400 + shipping (shipping will vary by location).

As a bonus for Rig Talk members only, I will be starting the pre-ordering process on August 1st. Any controllers pre-ordered between August 1st and September 1st by Rig Talk members will receive a $50 discount on the regular price (just mention Rig Talk when placing your order).

One more thing...the web site is still a work in progress. Until the site is up, I will be doing orders via PayPal invoicing. Customers who wish to order can either email or contact us via phone with the information for the product they wish to order and we will send them a PayPal invoice via email. There will be a "Pay with PayPal" and a "Pay With Credit Card" option on the invoice for the customer to pay how they wish.

Our normal business hours are from 9AM-6PM Pacific Time Monday-Friday and I'm answering emails even beyond those hours usually. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions at -

(559) 317-0289

Email: jon@sinisterdesignsonline.com

Jon Wilder
Chief Design Engineer
Sinister Designs

What happens when you are switching the mid cut on
the Herbert via front panel while using this pedal ?

There is a reason why we are not offer the CC messages

Peter Diezel":3ub8brxz said:

What happens when you are switching the mid cut on
the Herbert via front panel while using this pedal ?

There is a reason why we are not offer the CC messages

Click to expand...

While I completely understand your mode of thinking I just don't understand why it's not an option. Lots of midi gear functions this way and most of us that use midi systems are used to its quirks. We use Program changes along with CC messages. Primarily the PC is for channel (patch) swithing and CC is for switching on and off things like mute, master 2, loop, midcut.

It's under my impression that most midi guys wouldnt touch their amp to switch something on the fly. If they do they know a PC will reset what they did. The reason we long for CC is if we want 2 volume options on 4 channels utilizing both PC and CC we only need 5 buttons instead of 8 with just PC. The number grows exponentially for each feature you add. Master 2 and loop on 4 channels? 6 buttons vs 16 buttons.

Plus there is another issue if using other midi gear... We have to set uP duplicate patches just for these functions, but selecting the new patch with master 2 and everything else the same is a pain. So now we have to make new patches with each channel and effect configuration just for a solo boost... If Diezel offered a chip with both PC and CC as even an after sale option I think it would make many people very happy.

-John

John pretty much got it spot-on. Thank you very much, sir.

Peter - We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious.

Mr. Wilder, thank you for doing this "custom rom"

slyvren":yn5zmo40 said:

Peter Diezel":yn5zmo40 said:

What happens when you are switching the mid cut on
the Herbert via front panel while using this pedal ?

There is a reason why we are not offer the CC messages

Click to expand...

We have to set uP duplicate patches just for these functions, but selecting the new patch with master 2 and everything else the same is a pain. So now we have to make new patches with each channel and effect configuration just for a solo boost... If Diezel offered a chip with both PC and CC as even an after sale option I think it would make many people very happy.

-John

Click to expand...

This is the biggest reason why I have been looking for this solution. Master Volume on/off and then of course Mid-Cut on/off as I mentioned before. Program changes take up space on my controller and it wold be SUPER cool to have the ability to click MV and Mid-Cut on/off without changing patches.

Peter, you would have to ask Jon about that, I have no idea...

Oh yeah, I NEVER touch my amp during a gig. Except to turn up

And you promise you don´t touch your amp ?

GtarLover":1fvbrsq5 said:

. . .Volume 2, loop, etc...on and off within a patch, without changing anything else.

Click to expand...

Already there with MIDI on Herbert. There's some other simple mods for Einy.

Peter Diezel":k0m9rq86 said:

And you promise you don´t touch your amp ?

Click to expand...

Clearly load in and load out don't count. Otherwise I just glance over at it thinking, "WOW, you sound great!"

King Crimson":3v0hzwg1 said:

GtarLover":3v0hzwg1 said:

. . .Volume 2, loop, etc...on and off within a patch, without changing anything else.

Click to expand...

Already there with MIDI on Herbert. There's some other simple mods for Einy.

Click to expand...

How are you doing this with Herbert? I mean I know you can switch patches and therefore switch what is on/off that way, been doing it this way all along. What that means is I have a patch that has my rhythm sounds and then another patch that is the same only engaging Master Volume, for example. But are you saying you can switch MV or Mid-Cut on/off using an IA button? If so, you need to let us know how you are getting that done!

King Crimson":2gc5get5 said:

GtarLover":2gc5get5 said:

. . .Volume 2, loop, etc...on and off within a patch, without changing anything else.

Click to expand...

Already there with MIDI on Herbert. There's some other simple mods for Einy.

Click to expand...

Other mods? I have the channel one mode mod, is there another mod other than this?

Peter Diezel":1061f4ej said:

And you promise you don´t touch your amp ?

Click to expand...

Promise to not touch the "switching" features while using midi to control it. Otherwise I touch my amps very often.

That sounded wrong

Peter, if this were an option I think most people would love to goto Diezel for the solution instead of 3rd party. Its like the one tiny thing missing from the amps for a completely MIDI controlled system. I can vouch that I'd buy 2 VH4 chips and a Hagen chip THE DAY they are available.


-John

As I ever told before...Diezel amps will be completely perfect with this feature in board!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey! I was wondering what happened to you Mr. Wilder

I was asking what happened to your thread, with the pictures of the pedal, a few weeks ago.

Hey Banana,

I am pretty sure there was some hoopla about doing business on the forum, which I personally don't understand because people are doing it all the time.

Anyway, the bottom line is the chips and controllers will be available very soon and he is offerring Rig Talk brothers a discount on the controllers! I am in the market for the chip myself, actually 2 because I have Herbert and Hagen.

For the price of the chips, this is not a no-brainer. I already have my midi controller, so I don't need the foot controller, but would consider it if I didn't already have one.

Anyway I am excited and will get a lot of mileage out if this easy upgrade. It's not a big deal to switch out the chips, pretty easy I think, and I am not a tech.

bananaladonpcp":21jxp6ti said:

Hey! I was wondering what happened to you Mr. Wilder

I was asking what happened to your thread, with the pictures of the pedal, a few weeks ago.

Click to expand...

Pics and more information can be found here -

https://www.facebook.com/wilderamps

GtarLover":2w7ti8oe said:

How are you doing this with Herbert? I mean I know you can switch patches and therefore switch what is on/off that way, been doing it this way all along.

Click to expand...

So what else do you want to do? I mean my focus is on playing my guitar, not playing checkers with MIDI CC. There’s more than enough there at this time.

My Herbert controls all my rack gear and that’s good enough for me. That includes switching on/off the MC, swapping between MV1 & MV2, switching any of the three Herbert channels I want to and assign. That includes whatever rack gear patch from Herbert's command to whatever rack gear patch I want to map to.

Other than that, I must not be understanding what you are attempting to accomplish further with MIDI control.

King Crimson":2uk34mro said:

So what else do you want to do?

Click to expand...

Some of us would like to have a given set of things called up, and within that set of things that is currently called up, be able to turn one of those things on or off at any given moment. Currently, we can only switch things in groups. This means one controller preset for each configuration we can think up. Then we have to remember which controller preset holds that specific configuration...

Whereas if we had the ability to use the instant access buttons on our controllers, if we want to turn something on or off within a given configuration, we can just hit the button that is assigned to that one thing that needs to go on or off. This will also lessen the number of controller presets that we need to use up in order to get the things to switch the way we want them to.

It's about taking full advantage of all that MIDI has to offer. With this level of control available, one can only imagine the possibilities.

Just 5 days until we release our Evolution series firmware upgrade chips. These chips will add MIDI CC compatibility to your Herbert, VH4 and Hagen amplifiers. This stands to benefit those with "instant access" button equipped MIDI controllers as it will provide the means to switch the amp channels & functions on the amp "stomp box" style in addition to being able to store patches like before.

The new firmware has been undergoing extensive "real world" testing in a Herbert as well as the Hagen (the VH4 and Hagen use the same digital circuit) for several months now and we are pleased to announce that everything works 100% with zero issues.

The Evolution chips will be available for immediate shipment. Same day shipping on orders placed before 4PM Pacific Time.

Call (559) 317-0289 or email wilderamplification@gmail.com to place your order!

We are now accepting orders for our Evolution firmware upgrade chips! Add MIDI CC support to your Herbert, VH4 or Hagen. By adding MIDI CC support, you can now have direct access buttons on your MIDI controller assigned to each of the amp's channels and functions. Not only will you be able to recall patches, but you'll be able to also switch the amp "stomp box style" right from your "instant access" button equipped MIDI controller...something that has been asked for by many Diezel users here on Rig Talk.

Have a patch called up but just need to turn your mid-cut on or off? There's an instant access button for that! Or how about your V2 or your channel inserts? There's an instant access button for that too!

Email us at wilderamplification@gmail.com or call us at (559) 317-0289 to place your order!

i don't see the advantage just to controll the amp features.
that could do already the old FS-7 and the columbus easily - plus many more.
i guess $400 is pretty steep for a "noname" controller.