Snapshots with midi Voodoo Lab Control Switcher

[lycralad]

Hi,

Can someone explain in an ‘idiots guide’ to enable midi switching of my amp channels in snapshot form.

I had a cable made for my PRS head to connect to their Control Switcher to allow the 3 features (channels, reverb, boost) to be controlled by the helix.

All I’m wanting is a change from clean to overdrive channel per snapshot.

Ive been in touch with VL support who said my midi settings in the helix were correct to speak to the controller.

Hoping instant commands could do this but I’m struggling to grasp this midi lark.

Any advice please.

 

 

[Schmalle]

Control Switcher:

1. Factory Reset

1. Apply power while holding down both buttons #2 and #3.
2. LED #1 will be on. Press button #1.
3. Press buttons #2, #3 and #4 as each LED comes on.
4. LEDs will blink and then stay on. Remove power.

2. Enable CC message control

1. Apply power while holding down button #3. LED #3 will flash until you release the button.
2. Press buttons #1 and #2 so that #1 is OFF and #2 is ON.
3. Remove power when finished.

You can now send CC messages #80-83 to control the four loops.

 

Helix:

Set Global Settings -> MIDI/ Tempo -> MIDI Base Channel to 1.

Test CC function:

1. In Command Center set a footswitch to CC Toggle, Base, 80, 0, 127, Latching .
2. Use the footswitch to test whether switch #1 on the Control Switcher reacts.
3. If it works check the other switches,too: replace 80 with 81, 82, 83 in the CC Toggle command's CC # parameter.
4. Remove footswitch CC Toggle again (set it to None).

Now your good to use Instant Commands to send MIDI CC messages #80-83 per snapshot.

 

 

 

[lycralad]

Thanks for reply but following your suggestions and Voodoo Labs Tech Team I’m no further along. 
At first I thought it was user error but now I’m thinking the units faulty, Helix and Controller are not working together.

[Schmalle]

MIDI is a standard protocol. If both units 'speak' MIDI (which they do) then they are compatible.

 

Is the cabling like this: Helix MIDI Out -> Control Switcher MIDI In?

Is the MIDI cable ok?

 

Test Helix sending MIDI CC messages:

You can hook up the Helix to a computer via USB and check whether it sends the right CC messages using a DAW or a MIDI monitor e.g. MIDIView.

Make sure Global Settings -> MIDI/Tempo -> USB MIDI is engaged for that.

If you see it sending MIDI messages via USB it also sends it via MIDI OUT.

 

Or even better use another MIDI-USB interface and connect the Helix to it via MIDI and then use a MIDI monitor program on a computer.

[lycralad]

All cabling is in the correct inputs.

Tried two new midi cables.

Frustrating, spent two days faffing around with this.

[Schmalle]

After you did the MIDI monitor investigation mentioned above: report back and we can go on narrowing down the problem.