source audio c4

[Goatrope]

UPDATE:

DMC.micro arrived a day early (way to go, USPS!)

Did the setup but the thing was acting wonky. Shot off an email to Disaster Area Designs at 4:54pm. By 5:07 I had a reply and a fix! DIP Switch needed setting. Those guys ROCK!

Everything is running perfectly now. With the DMC.micro I’m becoming more confident jumping between presets. Also getting better/ faster at minor preset tweaks on the fly, and saving them in real-time. I’ve learned al lot about the C4 over the last few days, and I’m just scratching the surface.

Re-laid out my board and I’m a happy camper. Can’t wait until I wow folks this weekend at the gigs!

Gratuitous pedal shot below. Path is tuner > Synth > Comp > EQ > LPF/HPF. The other pedals (JamMan and Duplicator) are not for bass. I just keep everything up on the board, running off my power supplies.

View attachment 3641735

UPDATE:

Two gigs into it and I’m extremely pleased with the C4, which pushed the EHX Micro Synth, MXR Script Phase 90, and EBS Octobass off my board. The C4 easily covers each of those pedals, plus so much more.

I’ve got a few patches cobbled together from Community uploads then modified. So much in this thing, I’m glad that now I have some days to dig deeper before the next couple of gigs.

In a live setting, I had some challenges in just finding my presets quickly, so now I know I must save them in logical groups such that I remember where everything is, and can more easily move between related presets. I did print out a cheat sheet, but in the dark, or with bright lights in my face, it was tough.

The DMC.micro worked great. My only gripe is that my foot covers the display when I’m on the foot switches, so I need to be mindful of where I rest my paws.

Volume adjustments are going to take more time. I’ve got a few presets dialed-in, but still have many more to correct. Hitting the Alt button and turning the knob was a bit tedious, so I’ve gone back under the hood to set one of the Control knobs to function as an Output control. This is just temporary until I’m comfortable with the levels. I tried using the mobile app with my phone for this, but it just didn’t have enough sensitivity to quickly get my levels set.

All in all, a fine showing for the first couple gigs with this C4 Noob. Not missing my other pedals one bit, and really excited about digging deeper into the C4.

 

[sunbeast]

UPDATE:

Two gigs into it and I’m extremely pleased with the C4, which pushed the EHX Micro Synth, MXR Script Phase 90, and EBS Octobass off my board. The C4 easily covers each of those pedals, plus so much more.

I’ve got a few patches cobbled together from Community uploads then modified. So much in this thing, I’m glad that now I have some days to dig deeper before the next couple of gigs.

In a live setting, I had some challenges in just finding my presets quickly, so now I know I must save them in logical groups such that I remember where everything is, and can more easily move between related presets. I did print out a cheat sheet, but in the dark, or with bright lights in my face, it was tough.

The DMC.micro worked great. My only gripe is that my foot covers the display when I’m on the foot switches, so I need to be mindful of where I rest my paws.

Volume adjustments are going to take more time. I’ve got a few presets dialed-in, but still have many more to correct. Hitting the Alt button and turning the knob was a bit tedious, so I’ve gone back under the hood to set one of the Control knobs to function as an Output control. This is just temporary until I’m comfortable with the levels. I tried using the mobile app with my phone for this, but it just didn’t have enough sensitivity to quickly get my levels set.

All in all, a fine showing for the first couple gigs with this C4 Noob. Not missing my other pedals one bit, and really excited about digging deeper into the C4.

The limited buttons of the DMC Micro are one of the reasons I searched out a used DMC 8 for my C4 (and other MIDI needs)- you always have 4 different preset footswitch per page, which is great when you switch through different sounds within a song

 

[Goatrope]

The limited buttons of the DMC Micro are one of the reasons I searched out a used DMC 8 for my C4 (and other MIDI needs)- you always have 4 different preset footswitch per page, which is great when you switch through different sounds within a song

That’s cool. This is my first excursion into MIDI so I really went with what I thought was a simple solution. I may evolve into a better one over time. For now I’m going to keep working with what I have. Definitely considering your solution, so thanks for that.

 

[bassbrad]

@Goatrope a couple of things I found helpful was swapping out the alt 2 knob for a larger round one and making that my default output setting on all live patches. Also did the same on my Aftershock.

 

[Schopes]

Quick question that has likely been covered...

I am trying to use both C4 inputs, but as inputs for different instruments. I would have them going out of output 1.

I can’t seem to make this work? I’ve adjusted input volumes for both inputs, tried the different versions of Default Input in the “Hardware Options”, I made the Input Routing Option to Dual Input 1 and 2....

I’ve checked cables and instruments as well...is there something obvious I’m missing?

 

[Robertron]

Quick question that has likely been covered...

I am trying to use both C4 inputs, but as inputs for different instruments. I would have them going out of output 1.

I can’t seem to make this work? I’ve adjusted input volumes for both inputs, tried the different versions of Default Input in the “Hardware Options”, I made the Input Routing Option to Dual Input 1 and 2....

I’ve checked cables and instruments as well...is there something obvious I’m missing?

The C4 has more routing options that need to be programed.
In your preset you need to make sure you're programming two voices.

Go to "Voice 1". Select "Mono Input 1" as the source and "Direct Output" as the destination. Use "Processor Pan" to tell the C4 which mix you want the voice to be sent.

Go to "Voice 2". Select "Mono Input 2" as the source and "Direct Output" as the destination. Set "Processor Pan" here again.

Next look at "Mixes" and select your desired output.

So for example if you want both instruments to go to the same Output...
Voice 1: Mono Input 1, Processor Pan 0, Destination Direct Output
Voice 2: Mono Input 2, Processor Pan 0, Destination Output

Mix 1: Output 1 Only

Should work. .

 

[Schopes]

The C4 has more routing options that need to be programed.
In your preset you need to make sure you're programming two voices.

Go to "Voice 1". Select "Mono Input 1" as the source and "Direct Output" as the destination. Use "Processor Pan" to tell the C4 which mix you want the voice to be sent.

Go to "Voice 2". Select "Mono Input 2" as the source and "Direct Output" as the destination. Set "Processor Pan" here again.

Next look at "Mixes" and select your desired output.

So for example if you want both instruments to go to the same Output...
Voice 1: Mono Input 1, Processor Pan 0, Destination Direct Output
Voice 2: Mono Input 2, Processor Pan 0, Destination Output

Mix 1: Output 1 Only

Should work. .

Ok, so I tried that, but I didn't get success and I don't think it is what I want.

My setup is using the C4 as one of the 2 Send/Returns for my HX Stomp. I'm trying to do something odd, but not totally necessary?

I've started to use a midi foot keyboard to play virtual instruments through an iOS app. What I'm looking to do is use as few blocks as possible in the HX Stomp to be able send a virtual instrument (like a virtual bass sound) from my iOS device directly to the C4 so that I can have the same effect I would use on my "real" bass being played by the other instrument. Basically, I don't want to have to split the two input signals on the HX stomp...I use that for things like distortion blends and such.

I also want to keep my real bass signal going to the C4 as well. I'm not really looking to use both of them at the same time, but having the ability to play through the C4 either way?

Here is a horrible outline of the signal path...

I guess in short...(and likely a better description)...
I want to have both C4 inputs able to utilize the synth voices (square/saw waves), depending on which input is receiving the signal. I would actually make settings on the C4 that would work best for whichever input would be providing the audio signal.

I'm brain fried for the day, so I'm sure I didn't explain this any better than I did before...but I made a meh picture?

 

[sunbeast]

Ok, so I tried that, but I didn't get success and I don't think it is what I want.

My setup is using the C4 as one of the 2 Send/Returns for my HX Stomp. I'm trying to do something odd, but not totally necessary?

I've started to use a midi foot keyboard to play virtual instruments through an iOS app. What I'm looking to do is use as few blocks as possible in the HX Stomp to be able send a virtual instrument (like a virtual bass sound) from my iOS device directly to the C4 so that I can have the same effect I would use on my "real" bass being played by the other instrument. Basically, I don't want to have to split the two input signals on the HX stomp...I use that for things like distortion blends and such.

I also want to keep my real bass signal going to the C4 as well. I'm not really looking to use both of them at the same time, but having the ability to play through the C4 either way?

Here is a horrible outline of the signal path...
View attachment 3649067

I guess in short...(and likely a better description)...
I want to have both C4 inputs able to utilize the synth voices (square/saw waves), depending on which input is receiving the signal. I would actually make settings on the C4 that would work best for whichever input would be providing the audio signal.

I'm brain fried for the day, so I'm sure I didn't explain this any better than I did before...but I made a meh picture?

If you aren’t looking to use both sources at once, then I believe you can just change the input going into the voice section depending on the preset? So a bass preset will utilize Input 1 as the source/pitch-detector source for the voices and a synthesizer preset will utilize Input 2

 

[Real Soon]

Alright gang, I've been spending money on holiday stuff and had to add a delay pedal to my setup that would save presets & allow tap tempo. Coincidentally, it's MIDI-friendly, meaning I've got two of those now, and once I finally pick up a C4, that'll be three.

So I'm thinking of going for a DMC 4 Gen3 (less likely but possible, a 6). I was doing some thread reading but wasn't seeing it... just to be TOTALLY sure: MIDI via USB from the DMC controllers, can that go direct into the C4 without needing an adapter? The other two I'd use a MIDI hub (or 1/4" jacks on the 6 I think) with, still netting a minimum of added hardware if I'm right about that.

I'm hoping to be able to do a scroll or dedicated footswitch hit on the DMC that sends the requisite CC & value to the C4 to recall a stored preset, + necessary PCs/CCs/values to the Mercury7 and Alexander Quadrant for the same. If I can pull that off, that will be a more than adequate start to my MIDI journey.

 

[Goatrope]

Alright gang, I've been spending money on holiday stuff and had to add a delay pedal to my setup that would save presets & allow tap tempo. Coincidentally, it's MIDI-friendly, meaning I've got two of those now, and once I finally pick up a C4, that'll be three.

So I'm thinking of going for a DMC 4 Gen3 (less likely but possible, a 6). I was doing some thread reading but wasn't seeing it... just to be TOTALLY sure: MIDI via USB from the DMC controllers, can that go direct into the C4 without needing an adapter? The other two I'd use a MIDI hub (or 1/4" jacks on the 6 I think) with, still netting a minimum of added hardware if I'm right about that.

I'm hoping to be able to do a scroll or dedicated footswitch hit on the DMC that sends the requisite CC & value to the C4 to recall a stored preset, + necessary PCs/CCs/values to the Mercury7 and Alexander Quadrant for the same. If I can pull that off, that will be a more than adequate start to my MIDI journey.

In order to go from the DMC4 to the C4 via USB, you’d want the “ghost adaptor”, since both devices have the same mini USB plug.

Might want to consider some right-angled mini-plug adaptors too, for a more tidy installation.

 

[Quatschmacher]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
C4 vs Microtron IV - which is which?

 

[Real Soon]

In order to go from the DMC4 to the C4 via USB, you’d want the “ghost adaptor”, since both devices have the same mini USB plug.

Might want to consider some right-angled mini-plug adaptors too, for a more tidy installation.

That's a small-enough bit of extra kit that I wouldn't mind floor-mounting it and calling it a day. Thanks for the tip; I'll probably go used for the controller and just nab a new gHost from the company.

I actually ended up with a few EBS flat-patch TRS cables due to late-night inebriated supply ordering a few months ago, heh... and they're the longer ones, so I ought to be able to get rowdy without causing a mess. But if I get a smaller controller and need to use exp epdal on the C4 directly... that's a definite smart move, getting the low-profile cable instead of some big adapter begging to get snapped off by accident.

 

[sunbeast]

Alright gang, I've been spending money on holiday stuff and had to add a delay pedal to my setup that would save presets & allow tap tempo. Coincidentally, it's MIDI-friendly, meaning I've got two of those now, and once I finally pick up a C4, that'll be three.

So I'm thinking of going for a DMC 4 Gen3 (less likely but possible, a 6). I was doing some thread reading but wasn't seeing it... just to be TOTALLY sure: MIDI via USB from the DMC controllers, can that go direct into the C4 without needing an adapter? The other two I'd use a MIDI hub (or 1/4" jacks on the 6 I think) with, still netting a minimum of added hardware if I'm right about that.

I'm hoping to be able to do a scroll or dedicated footswitch hit on the DMC that sends the requisite CC & value to the C4 to recall a stored preset, + necessary PCs/CCs/values to the Mercury7 and Alexander Quadrant for the same. If I can pull that off, that will be a more than adequate start to my MIDI journey.

If you get one of the DMCs with the extra 1/4” utility output then apparently you can use a 1/4” splitter to get MIDI to two pedals (though not sure if the Meris and Alexander utilize the same configuration). Another option is to buy a MIDI junction box (the MIDI Solutions Quadra Thru is cheap and effective) and a few MIDI to 1/4” cables from DMC. The bigger the DMC controller you pick up the more presets you can have dedicated footswitches for (you set them up under different preset pages) in case you want to easily switch different presets in one song. The DMC 4 is probably the smallest I’d recommend for multiple MIDI pedals if you aren’t using another controller pedal to trigger it.

 

[Real Soon]

If you get one of the DMCs with the extra 1/4” utility output then apparently you can use a 1/4” splitter to get MIDI to two pedals (though not sure if the Meris and Alexander utilize the same configuration). Another option is to buy a MIDI junction box (the MIDI Solutions Quadra Thru is cheap and effective) and a few MIDI to 1/4” cables from DMC. The bigger the DMC controller you pick up the more presets you can have dedicated footswitches for (you set them up under different preset pages) in case you want to easily switch different presets in one song. The DMC 4 is probably the smallest I’d recommend for multiple MIDI pedals if you aren’t using another controller pedal to trigger it.

I'll research it a bit more buuut I think they do! I know those pedals are exclusively 1/4" MIDI standard so if, say, the DMC 6 has MIDI out on sufficient multijacks, that sounds like a winning connection (assuming appropriate messages are available to send). That said, at this point I've convinced myself of either a 4 or 6, prob not an 8 bc of size and overkill, and if a 4 does the job with a splitter that I can mount underneath, that may actually fit on my board.

The DMC 4 is preferable for now due to balance of use vs size, but if I think I need a 6, I'm prepared to create a small multi-board rig. That sort of thing can really be painless with a little practice.

There's a bit of in-depth but straightforward thinking, and a lot of conceptual critical thinking to be done here! But done right, I believe an affordable and also programmable-by-normal-people setup is well within my grasp. ALSO: theoretically, I could install the C4 before my MIDi rig, since the 6 on-pedal presets are enough for any of the originals sets I'll be playing in the near future. MIDI is more for amazing convenience than total necessity, though one band I'm in is starting on a 20-song RnB playlist, so.............

 

[Gibs210]

I'll research it a bit more buuut I think they do! I know those pedals are exclusively 1/4" MIDI standard so if, say, the DMC 6 has MIDI out on sufficient multijacks, that sounds like a winning connection (assuming appropriate messages are available to send). That said, at this point I've convinced myself of either a 4 or 6, prob not an 8 bc of size and overkill, and if a 4 does the job with a splitter that I can mount underneath, that may actually fit on my board.

The DMC 4 is preferable for now due to balance of use vs size, but if I think I need a 6, I'm prepared to create a small multi-board rig. That sort of thing can really be painless with a little practice.

There's a bit of in-depth but straightforward thinking, and a lot of conceptual critical thinking to be done here! But done right, I believe an affordable and also programmable-by-normal-people setup is well within my grasp. ALSO: theoretically, I could install the C4 before my MIDi rig, since the 6 on-pedal presets are enough for any of the originals sets I'll be playing in the near future. MIDI is more for amazing convenience than total necessity, though one band I'm in is starting on a 20-song RnB playlist, so.............

Memory serves, the 3xl/4 series can do up to two 1/4” midi devices on their own. I know disaster area makes a Y cable for this. But I thought he also made an update that allows for midi out on the expression jack.

just be aware that the chase bliss stuff, requires a crossover cable, or the special Y cable if that’s one of your pedals.

 

[Goatrope]

@Goatrope a couple of things I found helpful was swapping out the alt 2 knob for a larger round one and making that my default output setting on all live patches. Also did the same on my Aftershock.

Thanks.

I’ve now set some of my more difficult-to-level presets to use the alt2 knob as well. That will be a lot faster to adjust in the heat of the moment.

I also re-laid out my board to give the C4 more space, so I can hit the little button when needed, but more importantly, so I have easy access to the USB port. Now I can pull my R/A USB plug and swap in my 15ft USB cable for laptop connections at home. This beats pulling up the C4 from its Velcro every time I want to connect the laptop.

Gratuitous pedalboard pics:

 

[Real Soon]

Ohhhh I'd misread miniplug & assumed that meant for audio. A mini USB right-angle cable! Yeah that's a sweet way to get it out of the way of things.

 

[N-Bass84]

Alot of the outputs on your power supply are 150ma max. The C4 has a power draw of 165ma @9v. Your MXR pedals could probably be daisy chained off one of the 150ma outputs.

Make sure the "A" or "B" slot on your power supply is set to 9v and plug your C4 into it.. those two supposedly output 500ma each. You never want to plug a pedal in to a power source providing less ma than you need. More is fine. Less can cause damage. I'm almost willing to bet that's where your hum is coming from.

Thanks, I contaced D.A, and they almost stated the same. I had the C4 plugged into one of these "isolated" outputs, set to 9v. The humming got better, but it didn`t dissapeared completely. I used this Palmer device for years, but I always had smaler problems with hum, especially after daisychaining some less mA hungry devices (MXR). I now suppose that there were none real seperated outputs on this particular device.

That power supply only has two different ISOs on it. I would guess that you've got a good reason now to grab a power supply that has way more isolated taps on it, and from the quick peep at your board you've got a few pedals that are causing problems with each other rather than just the C4 and the DMC.

You`re right, I think it was kind of a chain reaction thing. I recently switched to a Cioks, which not only made the humming dissapear, but solves the daisychaining problem, too. That`s whats happening to a person that is buying quality gear but is to stubborn to spend coin on a decent power supply for years. Couldn`t think of a betty buy.

Know I`m going back o.t. by having fun with my C4. I´m still struggling to find a decent lead sound that doesn`t sound like Mickey Mouse on acid like in this one here Happy new year by the way.

 

[Proton Lenny]

Alright C4 hive mind. Since I'm still waiting for my C4 to show up at my door, I'll need to rely on you lovely people to dig into this for me because my curiosity is killing me. I believe that the C4 has frequency modulation in a rudimentary sense (exponential FM for brash textures, and dissonant effects). But can it do actual linear FM synthesis? I'm looking for true FM synthesis, i.e. modulating one sine wave with another sine wave in a controlled way (so the pitch doesn't have to be dissonant), and modulating the modulator with one of the envelopes. Is this at all possible on the C4? @rsmith601 care to chime in?

 

[Phagor]

can it do actual linear FM synthesis

Yes it can. You can modulate one sine wave with another, and even cross modulate them (which gets chaotic pretty quickly - good source of noise though). You can also modulate oscillators with the input signal, which is not classic FM but is a good way to get metallic and digital synth sounds.

Having messed around with FM synthesis (on a DX7 a long time ago, and more recently on Dexed and FM7), the C4 is not quite so controllable - the modulation depends on the FM knob but also the envelope shape, sensitivity and gate so can be difficult to tweak.

There was some discussion on the C4 thread about getting the classic DX7 E.BASS 1 sound a few pages back. Close but not quite there is the verdict.