M9 Questions...

munkeyfish · #1 04-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Hey Guys,
I just bought a M9 used today and have printed off the owners manual and been searching TB for a few hours now (and just overloaded from here and other sites) and I just want to ask a few questions and have all the answers in one place and hope it helps other too.

1. What cable do I need to get the updates? Anyone know a good one (with part #) on the cheap? Where to buy?

2. What expression pedals are you guys using? I read the Line 6 EX1 is not the exactly the best one out there.

3. How do I tell what ver. of the software I have? So far I seen I need the cable to see which one... But I read weeks ago that I don't, but be damned if I can find that post again.

I might have more as we go. But thanks for the responses in advance.

(I also posted this in the Line 6 forum, sorry for the double post, but wasn't sure if my thread would see much traffic there)

LM Bass · #2 04-23-2011, 09:19 PM

I bought the Line 6 expression pedal, and so far it seems to work fine. The cable you need is a USB to Midi cable, I bought the M-Audio one. Good luck with the new toy!

Explorer · #3 04-23-2011, 11:48 PM

You don't need the cable to display the version number. Go to set up mode, and it's on one of the screens.

Any decent USB to MIDI cable will work.

As far as specific procedure for updating, I'm sure there are posts on the Line 6 forum and website to help, regardless of whether you're using a PC or a Mac. The one caveat I remember is that some people have their data rate set slowly on their PC, and their updates were timing out. If you run into that issue, look up the words "M9 update MIDI timeout" and you'll find more specific information than I can remember.

Good luck!

behndy · #4 04-24-2011, 12:01 AM

yeah, the M-Audio Mono i think it's called. about $20 and it works fine.

for an expression pedal the higher of the two Ernie Ball VP-Jr's is a tank. smooth throw too. i think the 1k one? the lower rated doesn't work with the M9. i think they run about $100 new.

hope that helps.

judas jedermann · #5 04-24-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by behndy

for an expression pedal the higher of the two Ernie Ball VP-Jr's is a tank. smooth throw too. i think the 1k one?

Ernie Ball VP JR 25K is the one.

behndy · #6 04-24-2011, 01:00 AM

yessuh. been forever since i bought mine. too many damn model #'s to remember in EfxVille.

cheapbasslovin · #7 04-24-2011, 07:30 AM

The firmware version is on the MIDI/Gate/Display screen in setup.

stflbn · #8 04-24-2011, 09:36 PM

The lIne6 pedal works fine. It's just build from plastic and not as rock solid as many people would like. Offset is that the others also weight a lot more.

Unless you're touring or tough on your gear the line6 will work great, and if something happens to it you'll have an idea if you 'need' a rock solid costlier pedal or not.

xikbastard · #9 04-25-2011, 04:32 AM

i used the ernie ball vp jr 25k (passive) for expression pedal coz it build like a tank and M-Audio mono that works, i use another midi-usb cable and it does not work accept the M-Audio ones.

on my board it weights a ton, i hate it, my back ache from carrying that damn thing. i am now considering ditching my M9 for home use and have a small gig board to drag along.

munkeyfish · #10 04-25-2011, 08:00 PM

I hope this one is right or will work, I just snagged it up... Will it work??

M-AUDIO MIDISPORT UNO USB/MIDI INTERFACE | eBay

M-AUDIO MIDISPORT UNO USB/MIDI INTERFACE

iamdenialNJ · #11 04-25-2011, 08:27 PM

Yeah, that works munkeyfish.

munkeyfish · #12 04-25-2011, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdenialNJ

Yeah, that works munkeyfish.

Thanks for the reinsurance!

iamdenialNJ · #13 04-25-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by munkeyfish

Thanks for the reassurance!

No problem. It's very easy process to upload the new firmware. It'll take you about 10min tops.

munkeyfish · #14 04-25-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

The lIne6 pedal works fine. It's just build from plastic and not as rock solid as many people would like. Offset is that the others also weight a lot more.

Unless you're touring or tough on your gear the line6 will work great, and if something happens to it you'll have an idea if you 'need' a rock solid costlier pedal or not.

I agree wholeheartedly with you here. But my thoughts are that I could go with the Line 6 ones that are known to work fine but be kinda weak in the construction. I also am thinking I could just go ahead and buy the "better built" ones for around the same cost used as the new Line 6 ones and save me the money I would lose if the plastic ones failed. And I know my luck, they would fail right when I need them the most, like at a show or recording, etc.

So, for piece of mind, I think I will seek out the EB Volume Jr.s. I kinda think of my gear as do my tools, I'd rather spend a few bucks more on the known, usually trusted brand, that should last a lifetime vs. a "better deal" of an unknown and questionable lifelong usefulness of a tool brand I don't know or looks/feels kinda cheaply made.

Plus the EB Jr's. seem to hold resale real well if I ever need to move them! I feel the I could get what I spend on the in the used market, so win/win I think.

Thanks for the insights everyone. This is why I love this forum, lots of cool cats with lots of great knowledge. Wish this forum was around when i first started, all the money and time I could have saved, lol.

munkeyfish · #15 04-25-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdenialNJ

No problem. It's very easy process to upload the new firmware. It'll take you about 10min tops.

Sweet, about to download the Line 6 Monkey for when it gets here and jump right in.

It is a PITA and fun all the same time building a bass effects board. Never use to use effects or used maybe a EQ or Compressor from time to time in the past, now.... I have 10+ Pedals I am working through, lol...

Main keepers are the M9 and the RC20XL so far, unless I trade up to the M13 and RC30XL, lol