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185 Views 3 Replies Latest reply: Dec 7, 2012 4:33 AM by jimsreynolds RSS
hellraiser06 Just Startin'
hellraiser06
9 posts since
Oct 1, 2010
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Dec 7, 2012 1:28 AM

Would Phantom Power from a Midi Switcher Damage POD HD500 ?

Hey guys,

 

Im thinking of buying a Voodoo Midi Control Switcher to enable midi on my tube amp and planning to use my Pod HD500 as the controller. So the midi out of the pod will be connected to the midi in (it's a 5 pin connection) of the voodoo and since voodoo has a phantom power (doesn't have a button to disable it) i was wondering if this could be dangerous in any way to the pod? Thank you.

  • jimsreynolds Power User
    jimsreynolds
    2,227 posts since
    Jun 27, 43450
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 7, 2012 3:45 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
    Re: Would Phantom Power from a Midi Switcher Damage POD HD500 ?

    Are you talking  about one of these ?  http://www.voodoolab.com/controlswitcher.htm

     

    If so, this unit does not provide the phantom power ... instead it consumes it from a GCX or Pedal Switcher.  If  you do not have either of  those units then the Control Switcher is powered from a 9V.  In that case the Midi from the Control switcher should be standard.

     

    Also, standard MIDI uses just three pins (2,3 and 4) so a Midi cable with just those pins implemented will not carry any power. The manual for the GCX confirms this.  Checkout page 12 ... http://www.voodoolab.com/manuals/gcx_manual.pdf

    • hellraiser06 Just Startin'
      hellraiser06
      9 posts since
      Oct 1, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 7, 2012 3:56 AM (in response to jimsreynolds)
      Re: Would Phantom Power from a Midi Switcher Damage POD HD500 ?

      Hi Jim and thanks a lot for your answer, it helps a lot. Indeed that is the unit I'm planning to get. If it doesn't provide phantom power than obviously no problems. I was confused by the manual though: http://www.voodoolab.com/manuals/control_switcher_manual.pdf   page 4, point 2 states:

      MIDI IN: Receives MIDI commands and provides phantom power for Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro or Commander foot controllers.

       

      On page 5 it continues:

      Control Switcher can be powered by any output of a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+ with the DIP switch in the normal position, or any 9V output of a Pedal Power ISO-5, using the cable which is red on one end and black on the other. You can also power it from any 9V output of a Pedal Power AC using the cable which is red on both ends.

      Control Switcher also provides phantom power to its MIDI IN jack which will power the Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro or Commander. You must use a MIDI cable that has all 5-pins wired, commonly marked 5-pin active.

       

      What do you think? In any case if I can get a hold of a non-active midi cable I'm sure it should be fine. Is there a way of knowing this? Normally they just say 5 pin midi cable or 7 pin midi cable, how can I find out if it would carry power or not?

      • jimsreynolds Power User
        jimsreynolds
        2,227 posts since
        Jun 27, 43450
        Currently Being Moderated
        Dec 7, 2012 4:33 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
        Re: Would Phantom Power from a Midi Switcher Damage POD HD500 ?

        Interesting.  So it sounds like

         

        • The GCX can power the Control switcher and/or GCP/Commander
        • The Control Switcher can independently power the GCP/Commander
        • All devices require a 5-pin cable with all pins implemented if power is to be used.

         

        That is my reading of this though frankly I agree that there is still ambiguity.  They do not explicitly state, "if you do not want to use phantom powering then use a midi cable with just three pins connected" .

         

        The simplest thing to do is to drop a question directly through to Voodoo labs and ask , "Can I control the Midi Control Switcher with my Line 6 HD500?  What kind of Midi cable should I use and do I need to worry about the phantom powering provided by the Midi Controller". 

         

        You could try their forum http://www.voodoolab.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9 or call/email them using the details here.  http://www.voodoolab.com/contact.htm .

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