Using the Blackstar Live Logic 6-Button USB MIDI FS to control my HX Effects?

[PSYRE_Official]

So, I did a little internet browsing today to try and find a MIDI controller for my HX Effects since I keep it in a rack unit on a slide-out shelf and wanted a way to manipulate the 6 preset/effect buttons from a distance; commence the Blackstar Live Logic.

 

I saw quite a few other forums recommending other controllers but the issue was that they had 8 buttons/switches and there was a redundancy in the sense that two of the 8 switches would be useless as the HX Effects only has 6 proper switches + the mode/tuner buttons.

 

Both units utilize USB editors so it only seems feasible that getting them to work in tandem with one another should be relatively simple. I am posting here because I have never worked with MIDI and don't really know what I'm doing. All I really want to know is if these two products can work together; from there I will take the time to learn how to optimize my setup.

 

Any thoughts?

[rd2rk]

Yes, it will work. How well depends upon what it is you need it to do.

 

Simply switching presets? No problem.

 

Bypassing FX? Not so simple:

 

 

Ideally, you want a controller that sends messages when the controller's preset loads, the way Instant Commands work in Command Center.

TBH, something like the Morningstar MC6 is your best bet for this, but not cheap.

I don't recall if the LL will do that, maybe they've added that ability since I last looked into it.

 

Changing Snapshots? Works within a preset, but loading a specific snapshot when the preset loads (other than the SAVED Snapshot)?

Not possible, as it can only send one message at a time. Again, maybe they've added that ability recently.

 

Re: # of switches - why not just send MIDI to do what you want vs using MIDI to activate a FS that then does what you want?

Or a combination, making an 8 switch MIDI controller more useful?

For example, a FS that performs multiple functions, parameter changes and such, could be directly activated with its factory MIDI CC#, while simple BYPASS functions could be assigned a custom MIDI CC.

 

Anyhow, just some thoughts.

 

 

[PSYRE_Official]

Hi rd2rk,

 

Thanks for the reply! I simply want to switch between 6 presets on my Line 6 HX Effects in preset mode with an external MIDI footswitch that will be out front on stage and easily accessible to me. Alternatively there is this Paint Audio MIDI Captain Mini 6 switching device. I simply want to switch between 6 different presets, 1 preset per footswitch button on the Live Logic. (or another 6 button device) I am not very savvy when it comes to MIDI so I am looking for a simple solution.

 

Thanks again!

[silverhead]

See pg. 49 of the HX FX manual. Then learn how to send those midi commands from your specific midi controller.

[rd2rk]

Preset switching is the most basic MIDI function. If all the switch does is that, and that's all you need, why pay for more?

 

At that level, what you're looking for is dependability.

My entry into MIDI was the FCB1010, VERY cheap, 15 years ago? It still works fine.

By default, out of the box, preset switching is what it did.

With the UNO2 chip it can do just about anything you can imagine that you might need MIDI to do.

That said, it's NOT what you're looking for. It's big, ugly, and even with the stock chip it does more than you need.

 

The price of the BSLL on Amazon is $179. The MC6 is $229, and the Paint Audio MIDI Captain is $89.

Which has the most dependable switches? I have no idea.

If I was in your shoes, I would go for the MIDI Captain. If it feels like it has cheap switches, Amazon has a great returns policy.

On the other end, I would be very surprised if the Morningstar MC6 wasn't the best.

 

So, two bits of advice.

First, stay away from Bluetooth wireless. Someone will jump on and say "Oh, BT is fine, I have no problems!"

Not my experience. When you hit that switch on stage you want it to work, not have to re-pair between songs while the audience thinks "SO amateur!"

I have the BOSS Waza-Air Headphones with the dedicated Airstep BW BT controller. It FREQUENTLY loses connection. VERY annoying!

 

Second, the longer I used MIDI the more I needed/wanted it to do. That's how I went from the stock Behringer FCB1010 to the UNO2 chip.

The Paint Audio MIDI Captain does most of what the much more expensive MC6 does and has proper MIDI DIN ports.

It's WAY more capable than the BSLL.

For $89, that's where I would start. I've heard good things about it over on TGP, and nothing bad.