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9034 Views 14 Replies Latest reply: Dec 21, 2010 3:35 AM by Leo_rocks RSS
irvl Just Startin'
irvl
6 posts since
Aug 1, 2006
Currently Being Moderated

May 26, 2009 9:02 AM

Pocket Pod USB controller

I have a home brew midi controller that I designed that I use to change settings on different midi based pedals that I use (POD XT Live, other pedals, etc.).  I'm currently playing around with a Pocket Pod (I love this device due to its size) and it would be nice to have similar control over it using it's USB port.  It would be pretty straight forward for me to include some hardware (USB master) in my home brew unit and write some simple software for it, however I'd need to know how to talk to the Pocket Pod.  Is that info available anywhere and can someone point me in the right direction?  Is it based on a standard?  ... Any info is appreciated.

thanks,

Irvman

Tags: pod, controller, midi, pocket
  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,600 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 27, 2009 10:19 AM (in response to irvl)
    Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

    Hi,

     

    I can't be much help here unfortunately as a lot of those specs are not available to the public. I can tell you that the driver for the Pocket POD is just a class compliant generic driver but I'm not really sure how you would send MIDI through the USB pipe.

     

     

    Line6Miller

    • irvl Just Startin'
      irvl
      6 posts since
      Aug 1, 2006
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 27, 2009 1:06 PM (in response to ricksox)
      Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

      It doesn't have to be midi going through the USB pipe.  What I'm essentially after is the format of the data required to send to the pocket POD via USB that will result in changing the user channel bank number.  That doesn't seem like it needs to be super secret info.

      Irvl

    • Leo_rocks Just Startin'
      Leo_rocks
      6 posts since
      Mar 24, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 18, 2010 1:50 PM (in response to ricksox)
      Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

      Is the pocket POD able to receive MIDI signals sent to its USB port ? If yes (and it seems this is the case, since the Pocket POD is among the devices that can be controlled by MIDI commands according to the PDF "MIDI Continuous Controller Reference" which can be downloaded from the Line 6 Website), one could make a MIDI controller for it using this board:

       

      http://www.arduino.cc/

       

      Here are some projects going into that direction:

       

      http://shiftmore.blogspot.com/2010/01/quick-and-dirty-arduino-midi-over-usb.html

       

      More advanced:

       

      http://tomscarff.110mb.com/USB_MIDI/USB_MIDI.htm

       

      I haven't spent much time on it yet as I have other ongoing projects at the moment, but I hope this helps anyone who wants to put more effort in such a DIY project.

      • zuguz Just Startin'
        zuguz
        2 posts since
        Nov 26, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Dec 20, 2010 3:19 AM (in response to Leo_rocks)
        Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

        YESSSSSS!

         

        Arduino was exactly what I had in mind in order to accomplish this...

         

        As I said before, ideias ate still floating a bit  around my head, but arduino is definitively a starting point.

         

        I've successfully managed to send MIDI codes/values/notes over USB to a Computer Software using arduino, MIDIOX and MIDIOKE (to "see" what was passing though the MIDI Channel), so I don't see no reason not te able to make such a controller to operate the POD usig the same principle.

         

        My next step is to send those codes over USB from a Computer Software to the POD, and if everything goes well (once again, don't see no reason why) I'll connect arduino (running a proper program) to the POD and see if magic happens.

         

        Right now I have a Project I have to deliver to a custommer by the end of the year, so I guess I'll only have chance to try this out in 2011.

         

        Thank you,

        zuguz

        • Leo_rocks Just Startin'
          Leo_rocks
          6 posts since
          Mar 24, 2008
          Currently Being Moderated
          Dec 21, 2010 3:35 AM (in response to zuguz)
          Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

          however, since the different presets don't have fixed numbers for direct access, the best would probably be to have a board which allows to read the current setting of the Pocket POD and to save the access on it to a button and to have lets say 5 to 10 buttons to access those saved presets. Navigating with a foot pedal the same way you do it directly on the Pocket POD with the 4-way button doesn't seem to be a good idea when you play live.

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,600 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 27, 2009 2:14 PM (in response to irvl)
    Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

    Maybe so however, product development does not give us that kind of information so I'm afraid I can't help out in regards to what you're trying to do.

     

    http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback/?topic_id=3

     

     

    Line6Miller

  • boogietone Just Startin'
    boogietone
    2 posts since
    Dec 22, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 1, 2009 5:02 PM (in response to irvl)
    Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

    Did you figure out if this is possible? It would be of great if it was.

     

    Thanks.

    • irvl Just Startin'
      irvl
      6 posts since
      Aug 1, 2006
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 2, 2009 2:13 PM (in response to boogietone)
      Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

      I installed a USB sniffer and spent a little time looking at the data.  I also got the USB standard and had a quick read of that.  Bottom line is that it's possible to do they way I first described it, but it's a lot of hassle.  I think that the best approach is to build a USB host controller that has a class compliant audio driver like what you would find on a PC.  The audio driver supports midi over USB and so you can control the pocket pod by sending midi via the driver API.  A number of midi host controller ICs come with this sort of driver software that can be embedded into an embedded hardware design.  I've ordered a Cypress eval kit that supposedly comes with this software and once I play with it, I'll let you know if it works.

      cheers,

      irvl

      • Ringleader Just Startin'
        Ringleader
        1 posts since
        Mar 21, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Sep 28, 2009 8:10 PM (in response to irvl)
        Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

        If you select Options -> MIDI Monitor in the Vyzex editor you can see all of the MIDI activity and exactly what message it takes to change the functions on the Pocket POD.  I just don't know how to wire up the custom cable required from my MIDI foot controller to the Pocket POD.  Anyone?

  • zuguz Just Startin'
    zuguz
    2 posts since
    Nov 26, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 10, 2010 5:43 AM (in response to irvl)
    Re: Pocket Pod USB controller

    Dude,

     

    I noticed that your post is quite old, but where is a contribution: MIDI Continuous Controller Reference

     

    This document describes the setup of Line 6 devices for MIDI communication and includes reference tables for MIDI controllers.

    So here you have all info about MIDI channel, CC codes, NoteOn, NoteOff, blablabla..

     

    I find your post trough googl'in when searching info to do the same as you intended...I have a few ideas, but in general it is all messed up in my mind. The midi chanels and codes and USB Host and Drivers and MIDI and SDAGHSDAGASVG are still "shacking".

     

    Inicially I though in a "hard-mod" for the pocketPod, as I would solder the buttons directly into the Pod's Board and build the footswitch, but then it "hit" my mind the ideia of a MIDI Controller that does the same without "harm" to the device.

     

    Anyway, how far did you get in this project?

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