FM9 to Voodoo Gizmo to change Mesa Mk5 35w channels and solo

R

Rocky Gallo

Inspired
Is anyone using the Fm9 to switch the channels of a Mesa Boogie Mk 5 35watt amp? I have the specialty cable from the amp to the Gizmo. Haven't had any luck getting the signal sent from the fm9. I"m coming out the midi out of the fm9 to midi in of the gizmo.out the guzmo to the amp. I added the midi block to each preset. But I'm not exactly sure hiw to route the midi block. Al I want is to change the channels on the amp when changing to different scene. I tried just using the Gizmo with the fm9 disconnected and it changes perfect. I'm missing something I'm sure... any help or guidance would be appreciated... Thank u
 
What midi channel is the FM9 and amp Gizmo on? They need to be on the same channel to talk to each other!

Midi block doesn't need any routing it can be placed anywhere on the grid and you just need to set the correct midi channel and PC and/or CC no.
 
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Paulg2uk said:
What midi channel is the FM9 and amp Gizmo on? They need to be on the same channel to talk to each other!

Midi block doesn't need any routing it can be placed anywhere on the grid and you just need no set the correct midi channel and PC and/or CC no.
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Ok... I think both are on ch.1, I will have to check it out tonight... thank u
 
Paulg2uk said:
What midi channel is the FM9 and amp Gizmo on? They need to be on the same channel to talk to each other!
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Not really correct.

The Scene Midi block needs to send the CC or PC on the channel the Gizmo is configured to listen on.

@Rocky Gallo - what method does the Gizmo use to trigger changes? Does it have any indicator that is receiving midi?

Make sure your midi cable is correctly inserted. Some cheaper ones are poorly designed and can allow the cable to be inserted misaligned.
 
unix-guy said:
Not really correct.

The Scene Midi block needs to send the CC or PC on the channel the Gizmo is configured to listen on.

@Rocky Gallo - what method does the Gizmo use to trigger changes? Does it have any indicator that is receiving midi?

Make sure your midi cable is correctly inserted. Some cheaper ones are poorly designed and can allow the cable to be inserted misaligned.
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That's what I said they, need to both be configured to the same midi channel so the FM9 can send midi CC or PC messages to it! I did this recently with the Mini Effects Gizmo X! Worked great before I moved all my analog pedals and VP4 to a separate board.

There's no midi indicator on the amp Gizmo to show its receiving midi. I'm assuming it's the RJM Mini Amp Gizmo we are taking about here?

If the Amp Gizmo is changing channels on the amp with no issues it could be the midi cable from the FM9 to the Gizmo as well like unix-guy suggested!
 
Paulg2uk said:
That's what I said they, need to both be configured to the same midi channel so the FM9 can send midi CC or PC messages to it! I did this recently with the Mini Effects Gizmo X! Worked great before I moved all my analog pedals and VP4 to a separate board.

There's no midi indicator on the amp Gizmo to show its receiving midi. I'm assuming it's the RJM Mini Amp Gizmo we are taking about here?
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You said they both "need to be on the same channel"... The Fractal has a midi channel and that's irrelevant to the Scene Midi block.

So while it might be that you intended to say the same thing, it wasn't clearly expressed (IMO) - especially if someone is a midi novice.

Although you did also mention the midi channel regarding the Scene Midi block, which I missed on first read through.
 
unix-guy said:
You said they both "need to be on the same channel"... The Fractal has a midi channel and that's irrelevant to the Scene Midi block.

So while it might be that you intended to say the same thing, it wasn't clearly expressed (IMO) - especially if someone is a midi novice.

Although you did also mention the midi channel regarding the Scene Midi block, which I missed on first read through.
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Sorry if that was unclear!
 
I use an Amp Gizmo with the FM9. Def need to make sure that you're sending MIDI on the same channel the Gizmo is receiving. Are you using multiple MIDI devices daisy-chained? That can also cause problems.

I have my Amp Gizmo on channel 2. I don't use CC to control individual switches. I set up multiple presets with switch configs I need and send PC.

Screenshot 2025-01-24 at 5.11.18 PM.png
 
elvis said:
I use an Amp Gizmo with the FM9. Def need to make sure that you're sending MIDI on the same channel the Gizmo is receiving. Are you using multiple MIDI devices daisy-chained? That can also cause problems.

I have my Amp Gizmo on channel 2. I don't use CC to control individual switches. I set up multiple presets with switch configs I need and send PC.

View attachment 150749
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No just the amp. I just want to be able to switch the amp channels when I switch the scene on the fm9. Say from clean amp channel to distortion channel. And also switch the solo channel on and off too. Mean when I switch to the solo scene on the fm9 it will also engage the solo switch on the amp
 
A couple ways to do that. You can either send a bunch of CCs for each switch that needs switching in each scene, or set up a number of presets in the GIZMO and send one PC per scene to choose which GIZMO preset gives the channel and function settings you want. I do a PC per scene and switch amp modes that way. I had a V:35 a while back and it worked great with that amp. When I choose different scenes, you can see the VALUE change in the block. That is the GIZMO preset that I'm changing to.
 
Yes, if you set up presets in the Gizmo. You only need one of the command lines (I'm controlling two MIDI devices). You will want to set up your gizmo like this by setting and storing the switch states:
Preset 1 Channel 1 EQ OFF Etc
Preset 2 Channel 2 EQ OFF Etc
Preset 3 Channel 2 EQ ON Etc
Etc.

For each scene, set VALUE to the gizmo preset you want.

Does this make sense?
 
elvis said:
Yes, if you set up presets in the Gizmo. You only need one of the command lines (I'm controlling two MIDI devices). You will want to set up your gizmo like this by setting and storing the switch states:
Preset 1 Channel 1 EQ OFF Etc
Preset 2 Channel 2 EQ OFF Etc
Preset 3 Channel 2 EQ ON Etc
Etc.

For each scene, set VALUE to the gizmo preset you want.

Does this make sense?
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I actually have the Voodoo Labs control switcher... it has 4 buttons on the front of it 1-4... I have the midi cable coming from the out/thru of the fm9 going to the input of the switcher... coming out the Multi port of the switcher with the special made cable from Voodoo labs and connected to the footswitch port of the amp. Via the switcher #1 button changes the channel, #2 button turns the eq on, and button 3 engages the solo function, I added the midi block to my scene.
First command is: PC Chan. 1, value 1,
2nd com. PC Chan 2, value 2
3rd com. PC Chan 3, value 2
I try the test button and it does not engage any of the switches on the Voodoo controller... im sure it something simple im doing wrong?
 
Rocky Gallo said:
I actually have the Voodoo Labs control switcher... it has 4 buttons on the front of it 1-4... I have the midi cable coming from the out/thru of the fm9 going to the input of the switcher... coming out the Multi port of the switcher with the special made cable from Voodoo labs and connected to the footswitch port of the amp. Via the switcher #1 button changes the channel, #2 button turns the eq on, and button 3 engages the solo function, I added the midi block to my scene.
First command is: PC Chan. 1, value 1,
2nd com. PC Chan 2, value 2
3rd com. PC Chan 3, value 2
I try the test button and it does not engage any of the switches on the Voodoo controller... im sure it something simple im doing wrong?
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Did you check the docs on the VL to make sure what midi it expects to receive? It is likely not the same as the Gizmo.

Also, I tried last year to help a well known musician (who is also a forum member) to get his working and could not make it happen. I'm very comfortable with midi and manuals ;)

In the end, he had personal contacts at VL and they helped him perform a reset (which we had already attempted) and then it worked as expected.

So, after you've made sure the midi setup looks correct you might try resetting the VL... And if that doesn't work then context their support.
 
Rocky Gallo said:
Just and update! I wanted to thank everyone for the help. I have the Fm9 working great with the Voodoo labs controller via midi. Now I can switch from scene to scene and it engages the correct channel on the amp, the Eq, and the solo functions. Thank you!
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For future reference of others, what was the solution?
 
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