It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
If there's a better forum for this type of thing, please let me know and I'll move the post
I'm just about to start trying to set up my Boss ES-8 and planning to use it to change patches on my DD-500 as well as the channels on my JVM via MIDI.
Now, I’m definitely not expecting to be able to get this all up and running instantly as I have no prior experience/knowledge of using MIDI, but just have a couple of wee questions that I’m hoping folk can help with to help me on my way:
How many MIDI cables will I need? Can I just do: ES-8 > DD500 > JVM, or do I need to create a complete loop: ES-8 >DD500 > JVM > ES8?
(Or even: ES-8 >DD500 > JVM > DD500 > ES8?)
Can anyone suggest any useful links/references that I can read through to get a basic understanding of what I need to know, to get me started?
I really am not looking to set up anything complicated here – no tap tempo, no fancy switching/parameter changes – just amp channel changes and patch changes on the DD500
Thanks in advance
Keir
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
Hope this helps / makes sense.
I have a similar setup using a Joyo PXL to select patches on a TC Flashback and channels on a Blackstar Series One. Only two cables needed (short one from the Joyo’s MIDI OUT socket to the TC’s MIDI IN socket, long one from the TC’s MIDI THROUGH socket to the amp’s MIDI IN).
Most likely potential gotcha is MIDI channel assignments, a lot of stuff seems to come out of the box set by default to OMNI, meaning that it’ll retract to commands coming in on any channel - you might have to do some digging in manuals to work out how to make sure the delay pedal and amp are set to “listen” on different MIDI channels...
When I used my es5 with multiple midi devices I found it easier to buy a midi splitter. So es 5 into splitter into each device.
HOW RIDICULOUS.
But OP, in this instance you will need a splitter box too as @teetonetal suggests.
Perfect (about the cables)
Still not understanding the MIDI terminology though (channel 1/channel 2) so that's what I'm looking to read up about. I don't want to plague the forum with loads of NOOB questions
If I set the amp up to listen to channel 1, and DD-500 to channel 2, will this be a Global understanding throughout the whole unit/each bank/preset etc?
This is a ridiculous explanation!
My JVM has MIDI through, so couldn't I just got ES-8 > JVM > DD-500?
Makes sense though!
You can either set data to transmit on all 10 cables (Omni) or you can be specific and specify cable/channel 1-10
The receiving device, can then be set to OMNI where it picks up all data, or a specific channel. Generally, if you have more than 1 device, you need 1 channel per device and nothing in OMNI.
A midi through enables that data to continue from 1 device to the next. A splitter box does the same, all 10 channels are sent to all outs. I prefer it, I find it easier to trouble shoot.
Then Midi data is either Program (PC) or Control (CC) you need to read up what your device can read.
Normally PC messages are used to change a Preset on a piece of hardware, so think changing from Patch 1 to patch 5 on the DD500
CC is then normally assigned to individual parameters, so CC 1 could be tempo, CC 2 could be feedback etc
normally CC is normally associated with a 2nd value for amount, 1-127 with 1 being low and 127 being high value. Sometimes a the value is is grouped in bands, eg 1-63 = off 64 to 127=ON, and sending any value within the band puts the parameter in that state.
SO say CC no. 1 controls on/off
Sending a value of 34 on CC1 = Off, sending a value of 120=ON
where things get confusing is when manufactures poorly implement midi and use PC instead of CC, or only allow you to send OMNI or just 1 or 2 channels.
Boss generally get it right, amps can be a right PITA
Midi is actually great once you get your head around it. It’s like a vision of the future, as imagined by the 1970s.
THIS is a great help, I think, ha ha! Thanks for this!
Just thinking that sometimes I won't be using my own amp, therefore I will need a separate set of patches on the ES-8 for this scenario which then means I'll be missing a MIDI connection to the DD-500. So, looks like I might need a MIDI splitter after all.
Which MIDI splitter do you use?
Midi is great once you get the hang of it.
@Teetonetal @GavRichList
Could I use one of these:
https://www.custompedalboards.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SAM_7007.jpg
Or are these still risky as it doesn't look like it's powered at all?
ah bugger - I was thinking that one cable to the DD500 and then only one more required out to the JVM - was forgetting that the signal actually needs split
I also need a patchbay you see, so was trying to kill 2 birds with one stone!
Cheers again