PC Message Repeater?

[brettyc]

I want to repeat the program change (PC) message sent by my HX Stomp to 6 different MIDI enabled pedals on 6 different channels.  What's the best way to do that?  Command Center needs an option under Command>Bank/Program>Program where we can pick from 1-127 OR ALSO "Current PC".  This would at least allow for "Paste All Commands" to be the last step.

 

In Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo, when MIDI PC Tx is set to MIDI or MIDI + USB: the PC messages sent by HX are only on one channel, even with MIDI Base Channel = OMNI (in that case they're sent on channel 1).

 

I have 6 MIDI enabled pedals connected in my setup.  They're all listening on different MIDI channels.  I would love for all of them to receive the same PC message each time I change a preset in the HX.  That would save me a TON of time editing and saving presets on each of them.  It's a big interruption to creative flow when I've got knobs where I want them but instead of just clicking "Save", I have to think...

What PC is this pedal on, is it different than the HX?

What PC's haven't I used already?

How do I set this pedal to that unused PC again?.....Google the manual...again.

Do I have any Instant slots open in Command Center?

Are these instant slots set up to the correct channel?

What PC do I set this to?

 

Is there a quick way to do this?  Besides using Command Center to "Copy All Commands" from one preset > "Paste All Commands" to another preset > Edit the PC# for 6 different instant slots, etc.

[rd2rk]

Short of using 6 ICs all set to the same PC but on different channels (wasteful and time consuming) one solution I can think of is a BOME Box and MIDI Translator Pro software - a cost altogether of over $300.

 

Bome Software | everything sounds.

 

It's possible (if you're normally tethered to a computer anyway) that the SW ($65) can be used without the HW, and there's a trial version.

 

Another possibility might be (again, if you're normally tethered to a computer anyway) something like Cantabile which IIRC allows for this sort of MIDI mapping.

 

Cantabile - Software for Performing Musicians (cantabilesoftware.com)

 

There's a FREE Lite version. I used this a long time ago and it's quite good.

 

 

[DunedinDragon]

I think you're going to find the MIDI implementation in the Helix is pretty limited in it's flexibility for doing such things.  That's what prompted me to move to a legit dedicated MIDI controller which, in my case, is a Morningstar MC8 which controls everything including the Helix.  This allows you to incorporate multiple MIDI messages whether it's triggered by the footswitches on the MIDI controller or if triggered from the Helix or any other equipment.  For example when I change banks on the MC8 it (which equates roughly to a preset change on the Helix) it automatically sends any number of CC or PC messages to various devices that I want to coordinate with that preset.  Very simple and very easy.  If I need to copy a sequence of commands from another bank it's just a simple copy/paste operation.

[brettyc]

@rd2rk I hadn't heard of Bome.  I will check it out.  Thanks!  I have been looking a bit to see if other hardware can accomplish this.  Maybe Morningstar or Disaster Area?

[brettyc]

On 1/13/2023 at 8:04 PM, DunedinDragon said:

I think you're going to find the MIDI implementation in the Helix is pretty limited in it's flexibility for doing such things.  That's what prompted me to move to a legit dedicated MIDI controller which, in my case, is a Morningstar MC8 which controls everything including the Helix.  This allows you to incorporate multiple MIDI messages whether it's triggered by the footswitches on the MIDI controller or if triggered from the Helix or any other equipment.  For example when I change banks on the MC8 it (which equates roughly to a preset change on the Helix) it automatically sends any number of CC or PC messages to various devices that I want to coordinate with that preset.  Very simple and very easy.  If I need to copy a sequence of commands from another bank it's just a simple copy/paste operation.

 

Great to know, thanks!  I've been looking at the Morningstar MC6 but couldn't tell if it would make life that much easier.

[rd2rk]

On 1/13/2023 at 7:15 PM, brettyc said:

@rd2rk I hadn't heard of Bome.  I will check it out.  Thanks!  I have been looking a bit to see if other hardware can accomplish this.  Maybe Morningstar or Disaster Area?

 

DD's suggestion is probably your best choice if you want to add HW to your setup. The SW suggestions I made are only practical if, as I said, you're already tethered to a computer anyway.

[Donaldpotchford]

On 1/14/2023 at 1:15 AM, brettyc said:

I want to repeat the program change (PC) message sent by my HX Stomp to 6 different MIDI enabled pedals on 6 different channels.  What's the best way to do that?  Command Center needs an option under Command>Bank/Program>Program where we can pick from 1-127 OR ALSO "Current PC".  This would at least allow for "Paste All Commands" to be the last step.

 

In Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo, when MIDI PC Tx is set to MIDI or MIDI + USB: the PC messages sent by HX are only on one channel, even with MIDI Base Channel = OMNI (in that case they're sent on channel 1).

 

I have 6 MIDI enabled pedals connected in my setup.  They're all listening on different MIDI channels.  I would love for all of them to receive the same PC message each time I change a preset in the HX.  That would save me a TON of time editing and saving presets on each of them.  It's a big interruption to creative flow when I've got knobs where I want them but instead of just clicking "Save", I have to think...

What PC is this pedal on, is it different than the HX?

What PC's haven't I used already?

How do I set this pedal to that unused PC again?.....Google the manual...again.

Do I have any Instant slots open in Command Center?

Are these instant slots set up to the correct channel?

What PC do I set this to?

This thing I want to use to try to make some application for this source https://gamblizard.ca/no-deposit-bonuses/ because there is no deposit bonuses, and I would like to try to make some money with this, but I'm not sure I will succeed of that and I ask. Whov has tried to do this before?

 

Is there a quick way to do this?  Besides using Command Center to "Copy All Commands" from one preset > "Paste All Commands" to another preset > Edit the PC# for 6 different instant slots, etc.

I tried to do this too, it didn't work and I understand that I need to buy something else for my computer for it to work properly, but I'm really interested if it will work for you, I'm waiting for the result, and if I can help you with something - you can write me.

[brettyc]

On 1/26/2023 at 9:39 AM, Donaldpotchford said:

I tried to do this too, it didn't work and I understand that I need to buy something else for my computer for it to work properly, but I'm really interested if it will work for you, I'm waiting for the result, and if I can help you with something - you can write me.

I’m eyeing the Morningstar MC6 but they’ve been sold out for a while.  I don’t need more foot switches though so I’m still not sold on that either.  An option I haven’t pursued yet is through my Boss ES-8.  It’s not as easy as the Morningstar stuff to plug in to the computer and I’m not interested in programming it all through the tiny menu.  I’m running it and the HX on the same channel so its presets change with the HX.  I leave the ES-8 in stomp mode which allows me to change pedal selection on the fly, save it all with my feet and then it’s there when I come back to that preset later.  That’s where I realized the power of having all MIDI pedals synced to the same PC all the time.  I could edit on the fly, save with one button push and stay in the flow.  Someday I’ll block off the time to plug the ES-8 in to the computer and program the 100+ presets to the corresponding PC.

 

So, it’s not that I can’t accomplish what I want to do but, rather, it would take a lot of time programming.  I will keep you posted.

 

I’m actually surprised pedal makers don’t allow for PCs and CCs to send/receive on different channels.  Keep the CCs separate for individual parameter control.  Keep the PCs together so you can have “pedalboard presets”.

[williamtinker]

On 2/15/2023 at 5:37 AM, brettyc said:

I’m eyeing the Morningstar MC6 but they’ve been sold out for a while.  I don’t need more foot switches though so I’m still not sold on that either.  An option I haven’t pursued yet is through my Boss ES-8.  It’s not as easy as the Morningstar stuff to plug in to the computer and I’m not interested in programming it all through the tiny menu.  I’m running it and the HX on the same channel so its presets change with the https://casinohex.org/canada/.  I leave the ES-8 in stomp mode which allows me to change pedal selection on the fly, save it all with my feet and then it’s there when I come back to that preset later.  That’s where I realized the power of having all MIDI pedals synced to the same PC all the time.  I could edit on the fly, save with one button push and stay in the flow.  Someday I’ll block off the time to plug the ES-8 in to the computer and program the 100+ presets to the corresponding PC.

 

So, it’s not that I can’t accomplish what I want to do but, rather, it would take a lot of time programming.  I will keep you posted.

 

I’m actually surprised pedal makers don’t allow for PCs and CCs to send/receive on different channels.  Keep the CCs separate for individual parameter control.  Keep the PCs together so you can have “pedalboard presets”.

It seems like you're discussing different options and considerations for your pedalboard setup and MIDI control. Let's break it down:

1. Morningstar MC6: You mentioned that you are interested in the Morningstar MC6, but it has been sold out. However, since you don't need additional foot switches, you're not entirely convinced about this option.
2. Boss ES-8: You have a Boss ES-8, which you currently use in stomp mode. While it may not be as straightforward to connect to a computer and program as the Morningstar devices, you appreciate its functionality for changing pedal selection on the fly and saving presets with your feet.
3. MIDI Control: You've realized the benefits of having all MIDI pedals synced to the same PC, allowing you to edit and save presets quickly and easily. However, you also mention that programming the presets on the Boss ES-8 would require a significant amount of time.
4. MIDI Channel Separation: You suggest that it would be helpful if pedal makers allowed for separate MIDI channels for PC (Program Change) and CC (Continuous Controller) messages. This way, you could have separate control over individual parameters while maintaining the convenience of pedalboard presets.

[brettyc]

Here's a late follow up to this post:

 

I just bought a Morningstar MC6 Pro and, it solves my issue.  I highly recommend this unit.  They're also working on 4 button and 8 button versions (search "MC4 Pro MIDI Controller" on Google).  It sports an incredible amount of MIDI I/O.  The programmability is unreal and the app makes it very easy.  I've got an HX Stomp XL but, this thing would be an incredible controller for the Stomp and MIDI capable pedals.