MIDI Switching/Controllers??

[caden000]

ive searched this topic but cant quite find out how exactly these things function. im not quite sure how a midi switcher such as a Ground Control can switch on and off individual pedals and stompboxes in racks, how does all of that work? what is the purpose of MIDI in this process? how do players control stompboxes with a switcher? how is something like this wired? i clearly dont know much so some help and explaination would be much appreciated. thanks!

 

[EricssonB]

Never used or needed, but I'll listen. Sub'd.

Oh and hello from Buckley AFB.

 

[caden000]

Never used or needed, but I'll listen. Sub'd.

Oh and hello from Buckley AFB.

thanks. anybody?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Sure I'll explain it, the midi is merely the signal to switch your presets, sound1, sound2, etc.. Your presets or combos of pedals, rack effects, effect order, and or microphones or whatever. For the other part of the equation you need a quality switcher like the Swtichblade, I believe the Ground Control people also make a similar component. The switcher allows you to rout the signal to only the effects you want in the order you want. You just have all your pedals on, the switcher just passes the signal to where you need it. Also a good switcher will be true bypass helping prevent any extra unwanted noise. Also this allows you to leave all your pedals in a rack and you only need your midi pedal on the floor of the stage.

By the way it's not a cheap setup, the midi pedal is cheap, the switcher is not. Expect to spend close to 1K.
Good luck,
Dirk

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

By the way it's not a cheap setup, the midi pedal is cheap, the switcher is not. Expect to spend close to 1K.
Good luck,
Dirk

Yeah- my MIDI controller alone was more than that It can get very expensive. But you can get 8 loop switchers for under $400 new, and if you only need a simple controller like a MIDIBuddy, you can have a setup for around $500.

 

[caden000]

Sure I'll explain it, the midi is merely the signal to switch your presets, sound1, sound2, etc.. Your presets or combos of pedals, rack effects, effect order, and or microphones or whatever. For the other part of the equation you need a quality switcher like the Swtichblade, I believe the Ground Control people also make a similar component. The switcher allows you to rout the signal to only the effects you want in the order you want. You just have all your pedals on, the switcher just passes the signal to where you need it. Also a good switcher will be true bypass helping prevent any extra unwanted noise. Also this allows you to leave all your pedals in a rack and you only need your midi pedal on the floor of the stage.

By the way it's not a cheap setup, the midi pedal is cheap, the switcher is not. Expect to spend close to 1K.
Good luck,
Dirk

so the midi "switcher" is basically a big hub of cables that connect to all your individual pedals individually?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Exactly. You can almost think of it as a rack mounted mixer too.
Dirk