Wrapping my head around the C4 Synth Pedal

[jam.majors]

Do you need WiFi for the phone app? Or Bluetooth?

You need an internet connection either via cell/mobile service or wifi. I don’t believe you can store your saved-in-the-cloud presets to the phone, but that would be awesome

 

[jam.majors]

Do you need WiFi for the phone app? Or Bluetooth? Or does it only work with that cable?

You need internet and the cable.

 

[Les Fret]

You need internet and the cable.

Ok that’s not very practical for live use. I wished it was something like the Eventide H9 app. That is a Bluetooth app. So no cable or internet needed which makes it practical for live use.

 

[bassbrad]

Ok that’s not very practical for live use. I wished it was something like the Eventide H9 app. That is a Bluetooth app. So no cable or internet needed which makes it practical for live use.

You can use Bluetooth as seen in this



It works. But you can only send command changes or load patches from the Neuro Cloud. Anything you want to save would be done manually ( erasing stored info to the written location )

 

[Les Fret]

You can use Bluetooth as seen in this



It works. But you can only send command changes or load patches from the Neuro Cloud. Anything you want to save would be done manually ( erasing stored info to the written location )

Interesting. Do you have to go through the steps each time you connect the cable or does it remember the settings?

 

[Jeff Elkins]

You can use Bluetooth as seen in this



It works. But you can only send command changes or load patches from the Neuro Cloud. Anything you want to save would be done manually ( erasing stored info to the written location )

Has anyone actually tried this? I assume any bluetooth adapter would work based on Roger's straightforward presentation. There are several ~$15 on Amazon.

I've been eyeing the Neuro Hub, but I only use the C4 and Aftershock, and my board real estate is pretty limited. This would totally work fine for my use cases.

 

[bassbrad]

Has anyone actually tried this? I assume any bluetooth adapter would work based on Roger's straightforward presentation. There are several ~$15 on Amazon.

I've been eyeing the Neuro Hub, but I only use the C4 and Aftershock, and my board real estate is pretty limited. This would totally work fine for my use cases.

It does indeed work

 

[Jeff Elkins]

It does indeed work

I may run out and get one of those tomorrow. I don't need it for programming; I'm good with the cable and desktop app. I've never uploaded any patches to the cloud, but could do easily enough to retrieve them while out and about to grab on-the-fly preset changes with my iPhone

 

[Buzzment]

Re: the DMC Micro Pro, the most recent update allows you to use the 1/8" to 1/4" TRS cable to control it (the Neuro cable that comes with the pedal). There's more details on their site, but that saves you buying an extra usb cable, and you can keep both the DMC and C4 plugged in to your computer for editing while still running your setup as normal.

I recently got a new DMC micro pro..I want to hook it up to my C4 with this updated method..Is it the same process as setting it up via the usb port?..I see a tutorial of the usb method but not the new method.. While setting it up, is it true that you have whatever device going into the USB port set as device A,so the Raster will b device A etc.. Also does this new method require a firmware update..I guess I can check which firmware I have on my new pro if so?I want to connect my Red Panda Raster V2 through the USB method/port..Then my Meris Enzo to the midi in/out 5 pin port...

 

[jam.majors]

I recently got a new DMC micro pro..I want to hook it up to my C4 with this updated method..Is it the same process as setting it up via the usb port?..I see a tutorial of the usb method but not the new method.. While setting it up, is it true that you have whatever device going into the USB port set as device A,so the Raster will b device A etc.. Also does this new method require a firmware update..I guess I can check which firmware I have on my new pro if so?I want to connect my Red Panda Raster V2 through the USB method/port..Then my Meris Enzo to the midi in/out 5 pin port...

As far as I know, if you have 2.02a (or newer if there is one), all you have to do is set it up as normal, just using the neuro cable.

 

[Buzzment]

just hooked up 2 of my pedals for the first time to the Micro..Meris Enzo and C4..
I have just noticed that when I move any knob on the Meris there is a crackling sound..This is definitely due to the Micro as when I disconnect the Micro from the Enzo the crackling noise is not there as it never has been unless I have it connected to the micro..I even plugged the Micro to my Meris Polymoon and that crackles too!!
I haven't a clue what it could be.. Faulty lead?..The lead is brand new..5pin to 3"•5 headphone jack,I have an adaptor to 1/4 inch connected to the headphone jack.. I'm wondering is this the problem.. Coincidentally I haven't got this problem with the C4 which is hooked up to the micro using the multi jack..I really have had nothing but issues since I hooked the micro up..it's depressing..

 

[Gsnorgathon]

Are the Meris pedals set up so they're transmitting MIDI data when you turn knobs on them? Maybe a MIDI feedback loop?

 

[Buzzment]

I don't know what a feedback loop is.. sorry I'm a total noob when it comes to midi.. How can I check what you are saying?Is it a setting on the Meris configuration settings or the Micro settings?..I have the Meris settings set to Midi and Midi channel 2..On the Micro I have it set as Device B... Actually it says in the Micro manual that if I'm using the 5 pin port that I should set the Multijack jack setting(I'm not using the Multijack port btw) to EXP..I thought to myself is this a mistake in the print so I put the Multijack setting to Jack tip and it didn't work..then I put it to Midi ring and that worked,but with the crackling noise when I turn knobs.. Maybe I should put the setting to Exp like the manual says?...

 

[Gsnorgathon]

I'm wondering if maybe the turning the knob on the Meris pedal is sending MIDI to the DMC.micro, which might in turn be configured to send MIDI back to the Meris pedals. Unfortunately I don't have enough experience with the DMC.micro (and none with Meris pedals) to make any specific suggestions. Just guessing that maybe the DMC.micro is set to pass incoming MIDI signals, and that they might be going from the Meris pedals to the DMC.micro and back to the Meris pedals, resulting in, to use a technical term, a slight case of indigestion.

If there's a MIDI through setting on the DMC.micro, try turning it off.

 

[Buzzment]

I turned it off..still the same..So I changed the set up by connecting the Enzo to the micro through the Multijack port and its perfect..no crackling...So the problem has to be with the 5 din midi port...or my cable or my 3.5 to 1/4 adaptor..

 

[Jeff Elkins]

You can use Bluetooth as seen in this



It works. But you can only send command changes or load patches from the Neuro Cloud. Anything you want to save would be done manually ( erasing stored info to the written location )

Update: I set this up and TRS-connected my C4 to my Ultrawave Bass as described in the video. Following the directions I was also able to configure the bluetooth receiver to communicate with the pedals.

Here's what I've learned:
1. Not all receivers are the same.
a. the MPOW device in the video that Roger uses should be available at Walmart, but I couldn't find any in-stock locally or online.
b. The first one I purchased was a ZIIDOO Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter/Receiver. I could not get that one to communicate with the C4 no matter how I configured it. I tested the device by sending music to a JBL speaker setup I had, and it worked but it seemed that it was sending the entire stereo signal to the left speaker. The C4 needs to hear it on the right side. I'm also suspicious about the dual functionality of that bluetooth device, since it both transmits and receives and there's a switch... anyway, many parts to consider. My tests were not super scientific and ended early due to frustration.
c. The second one I purchased was a Smof receiver (marketed for your car). SUCCESS (partial, see below).

2. Even though the extra configuration tools are designed (according to SA) to enable Android users to overcome the myriad implementations different phone manufacturers use, I found that my iPhone 13 mini needed to leverage them as well.

3. The Neuro app treats different pedals differently with different interfaces. One example: When you call up the interface for the UW-B, it has an on/off button in the upper right corner. The C4 interface has no such button. I'd rather stomp my pedals so this is just an observation.

Results:

- I was able to configure the bluetooth device to communicate with the pedals; the C4 flashed as described in the configuration tool through each setting.
- When I select a preset from the library, factory, or community tabs, nothing changes on the C4. The unit also doesn't respond to changes in parameters via Neuro. I'm on the latest firmware. I did a factory reset on the pedal, but that didn't change anything.
- I was able to turn the [downstream] UW-B on and off AND load presets from the cloud. That was super cool and was as-described, but after the C4 failed to read new presets, unexpected.

I switched their locations, putting the UW-B first. That pedal continues to work as expected, just like before. I can turn it on/off, select presets, and change parameters from the Neuro app.

The C4 still won't take a preset. Interestingly, the control light at the top of the pedal DOES blink when parameter change signals are sent from within a preset in the app. But nothing actually changes. Following another lead, I tried using the "Send All" lightning menu item, but nothing seems to happen when I click that icon.

Maybe there's a feature/function in the Neuro app I'm missing? I can pull up C4 or Spectrum presets from multiple locations in the cloud, I can edit them, and it has a save-to-pedal functionality that looks like it works, but doesn't. I simply can't change the preset that the C4 is using or any of the parameters through the app in a way that implements the change on the pedal.

 

[bassbrad]

Update: I set this up and TRS-connected my C4 to my Ultrawave Bass as described in the video. Following the directions I was also able to configure the bluetooth receiver to communicate with the pedals.

Here's what I've learned:
1. Not all receivers are the same.
a. the MPOW device in the video that Roger uses should be available at Walmart, but I couldn't find any in-stock locally or online.
b. The first one I purchased was a ZIIDOO Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter/Receiver. I could not get that one to communicate with the C4 no matter how I configured it. I tested the device by sending music to a JBL speaker setup I had, and it worked but it seemed that it was sending the entire stereo signal to the left speaker. The C4 needs to hear it on the right side. I'm also suspicious about the dual functionality of that bluetooth device, since it both transmits and receives and there's a switch... anyway, many parts to consider. My tests were not super scientific and ended early due to frustration.
c. The second one I purchased was a Smof receiver (marketed for your car). SUCCESS (partial, see below).

2. Even though the extra configuration tools are designed (according to SA) to enable Android users to overcome the myriad implementations different phone manufacturers use, I found that my iPhone 13 mini needed to leverage them as well.

3. The Neuro app treats different pedals differently with different interfaces. One example: When you call up the interface for the UW-B, it has an on/off button in the upper right corner. The C4 interface has no such button. I'd rather stomp my pedals so this is just an observation.

Results:

- I was able to configure the bluetooth device to communicate with the pedals; the C4 flashed as described in the configuration tool through each setting.
- When I select a preset from the library, factory, or community tabs, nothing changes on the C4. The unit also doesn't respond to changes in parameters via Neuro. I'm on the latest firmware. I did a factory reset on the pedal, but that didn't change anything.
- I was able to turn the [downstream] UW-B on and off AND load presets from the cloud. That was super cool and was as-described, but after the C4 failed to read new presets, unexpected.

I switched their locations, putting the UW-B first. That pedal continues to work as expected, just like before. I can turn it on/off, select presets, and change parameters from the Neuro app.

The C4 still responds the same way. Light flashes when change signals are sent. But nothing changes.

Maybe there's a feature/function in the Neuro app I'm missing? I can pull up C4 or Spectrum presets from multiple locations in the cloud, I can edit them, and it has a save-to-pedal functionality that looks like it works, but doesn't. I simply can't change the preset that the C4 is using or any of the parameters through the app in a way that implements the change on the pedal.

I'm sure the SA folks will appreciate your detailed report, I would remind you that the solution in the YouTube was from over 2 years ago just after the C4 was released ~ lots of water, updates, revisions and a lot of difference between Bluetooth 2.0 and 5.0 not to mention the updates to phones and the C4. I'm sorry this solution was not a successes for you - I tried it back then and it did work but my needs outgrew the phone app quickly.
I sincerely hope you come to terms with the wonderful world of Source Audio pedals.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

I'm sure the SA folks will appreciate your detailed report, I would remind you that the solution in the YouTube was from over 2 years ago just after the C4 was released ~ lots of water, updates, revisions and a lot of difference between Bluetooth 2.0 and 5.0 not to mention the updates to phones and the C4. I'm sorry this solution was not a successes for you - I tried it back then and it did work but my needs outgrew the phone app quickly.
I sincerely hope you come to terms with the wonderful world of Source Audio pedals.

Thanks. I’m not fussed, just recording for posterity and possible solutions from others that have tried it. It definitely seems like something simple and just as likely to be user error as anything, considering it works exactly as advertised for the Ultrawave pedal.

Edit: Oh! And I thought the same. I sent SA a message today with a little more information and a link to my post.

 

[Buzzment]

I'm wondering if maybe the turning the knob on the Meris pedal is sending MIDI to the DMC.micro, which might in turn be configured to send MIDI back to the Meris pedals. Unfortunately I don't have enough experience with the DMC.micro (and none with Meris pedals) to make any specific suggestions. Just guessing that maybe the DMC.micro is set to pass incoming MIDI signals, and that they might be going from the Meris pedals to the DMC.micro and back to the Meris pedals, resulting in, to use a technical term, a slight case of indigestion.

If there's a MIDI through setting on the DMC.micro, try turning it off.

You were right!!found out what was wrong..I changed the setting in my Meris pedal from Midi Out to Midi Thru..no more crackling noise ..

 

[Gsnorgathon]

Glad it worked!