paulsmusic Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 I've recently started using an HX-Stomp with a Boss RC-500 loop-pedal, and want to use MIDI to sync preset changes between the two devices. I've set the RX / TX MIDI channels to 1 on both devices, and am using the RC-500 to send Program Change messages to the HX-Stomp. I've read the manuals for both devices, and made the appropriate settings (I think!!), so that when I change presets on the RC-500 it should also change presets on the HX-Stomp. It's not working though... As far as I understand, the RC-500 automatically sends a Programme Change message when I switch presets, corresponding to the patch number. So if I switch from RC-500 Patch 1 to Patch 2, it automatically sends a PC:002 message, which should change the HX-Stomp to preset 2...or have I misunderstood this? I'd be really grateful for any advice. This is my first attempt at using MIDI to sync devices! The only other problem I can think of is that the cable I'm using might not be suitable; I didn't buy the official BMIDI-5-35 cable recommended in the Boss manual, but purchased (new) a similar cable on Ebay for 1/3 the price... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PierM Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 Have you set the MIDI PC RX correctly? (OFF/USB/MIDI Port/Both) Also remember BOSS uses TRS MIDI Type A, so you need a proper cable adapter otherwise it wont work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 It could very well be the format of the PC message from the RC-500 that's causing problems. In essence the Helix expects two messages to select a preset. One is the CC Msg for the preset change and the next is a PC message designating the preset number. These are technically sent as two distinct messages, but that may not be the way the RC-500 formats the message. The PC message number may also not be a direct correlation to the RC-500. For example, to select preset one you would typically send a CC:32 value of 4 followed by a PC:0. Preset 2 would be CC:32 value of 4 followed by a PC: 1. It might be useful to download a MIDI spy program to see what's actually being sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 On 7/25/2023 at 12:42 PM, paulsmusic said: I didn't buy the official BMIDI-5-35 cable recommended in the Boss manual, but purchased (new) a similar cable on Ebay for 1/3 the price... Not all TRS to MIDI cables are the same. https://minimidi.world Sometimes the cheapo, cheapo option from Fleabay are not what you might expect - some are for audio. The BOSS connector is wired like this. Hope this helps/makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 Boss MIDI Out -> HxStomp MIDI In Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PierM Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 On 7/25/2023 at 8:24 PM, Schmalle said: Boss MIDI Out -> HxStomp MIDI In No, isnt that easy. The RC500 doesnt use DIN, but TRS Type A. Standard is Type B, so if OP isnt using a proper TRS to DIN Type A, it will never work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 On 7/25/2023 at 10:36 PM, PierM said: No, isnt that easy. The RC500 doesnt use DIN, but TRS Type A. Standard is Type B, so if OP isnt using a proper TRS to DIN Type A, it will never work. It is that easy: Boss MIDI Out -> HxStomp MIDI In given using the correct cable. My point is: Don't connect i.e. MIDI Out with MIDI Out. Seems dumb to mention but is a common mistake and the actual cabling wasn't detailed in the OP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 On 7/25/2023 at 10:53 PM, Schmalle said: Seems dumb to mention but is a common mistake and the actual cabling wasn't detailed in the OP. Not the actual brand name of the cable, but the OP does mention - “I didn't buy the official BMIDI-5-35 cable recommended in the Boss manual, but purchased (new) a similar cable on Ebay for 1/3 the price...” I guess you get what you pay for, because there are lots of DIN to mini TRS on Fleabay that may look like they are suitable for MIDI but they are designed for audio connection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 On 7/26/2023 at 1:07 AM, datacommando said: Not the actual brand name of the cable, but the OP does mention - “I didn't buy the official BMIDI-5-35 cable recommended in the Boss manual, but purchased (new) a similar cable on Ebay for 1/3 the price...” I guess you get what you pay for, because there are lots of DIN to mini TRS on Fleabay that may look like they are suitable for MIDI but they are designed for audio connection. I get that and it is a likely explanation for the problem. If you agree that it is possible that @paulsmusic might have the right cable but connected it wrong - you get my point. I just added a possible cause that wasn't mentioned before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PierM Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 Point is Boss is shady with his standards, so they dont clearly states their "raccomended" adapter is a TYPE A TRS. People will just buy a cable looking like it, without knowing the TRS soldering is different, and it wont work. Since the standard is TYPE B, it's very common to buy this last one. I have seen this a million times. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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