Using a Softstep 2 (or any controller) and the MFC-101 together

beatdropper

beatdropper

Member
Hey all, anybody here familiar with the Softstep? Or using a MIDI controller THRU the MFC-101?

I just got a Softstep 2 and just managed to wrap my head around programming it. I've set up all my switches to be external controllers. When I plug my midi cables directly into the Axe FX, it works like a charm. But when I try to plug them into the MFC-101, nothing works! I have my MFC-101 set up to receive MIDI on channel one, and both my Axe FX and Softstep 2 are also on channel one.

It's been a long evening -> morning of poring over manuals and googling stuff, I come to you all defeated and exhausted. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks so much!
 
Let me try to clarify. Is it a feature of the MFC-101 to relay the MIDI data from my Softstep going in and out of the MFC's ports back to the Axe FX? Or are the MFC's MIDI ports solely for connection (antiquated for those with FASLINK) to the Axe FX?

It would be easier for me to set up on stage if I didn't have to plug the Softstep into the back of the Axe FX.

Everything works great when it's like this.

Softstep -->MIDI ports in back of Axe--> Axe FX -->FASLINK-->MFC-101

I want to know if it's possible for it to work like this.

Axe FX -->FASLINK-->MFC-101-->MIDI ports in back of MFC-101-->Softstep

Sorry for the bump and unclear thoughts!
 
if the MFC is set to use anything other than the MIDI ports for Axe communication, then the MIDI ports don't function at all.

so you'd have to change over to MIDI for MFC to Axe, and possibly use a MIDI splitter depending on the type of communication you need.

many devices that have both MIDI and something else (ethernet, USB, whatever) only can use one at a time.
 
MFC has no MIDI Thru ability so this wouldn't work. The only thing you can do with a connection to MFC MIDI In is recall MFC presets via program changes.
 
I wonder if MIDI Thru is something Fractal could include on the next update to the MFC. Would it be possible to forward the MIDI data over the FASLINK connection?
 
I really wanted this to have a better answer than that......i.e. Yes the MFC has midi pass thru. I had never thought about the Softstep being used with the Axe, but that would have been a super cool way to add some more switch options!!! Its a crying shame that it does't allow you to do that. I would love to be able to add 10 more switches to control on/off functions in the Axe........oh well, another add to the wish list!!
 
ssmorga78 said:
I really wanted this to have a better answer than that......i.e. Yes the MFC has midi pass thru. I had never thought about the Softstep being used with the Axe, but that would have been a super cool way to add some more switch options!!! Its a crying shame that it does't allow you to do that. I would love to be able to add 10 more switches to control on/off functions in the Axe........oh well, another add to the wish list!!
Click to expand...

Well, the Softstep DOES work with the Axe Fx. It can do simple on/off switching as well as incremental X/Y stuff that is great for controlling delay time, tremolo rate, etc.

My issue is that I can't wire it thru my MFC. But I can always use FASLINK for my MFC and then use the MIDI ports in the Axe for the Softstep. Kind of turns my simple 3 cable set up into a messy pile of cables, that's why I was hoping for the MFC thru functionality. But don't walk away from this thread thinking you can't use the Softstep with the Axe FX.
 
beatdropper said:
Well, the Softstep DOES work with the Axe Fx. It can do simple on/off switching as well as incremental X/Y stuff that is great for controlling delay time, tremolo rate, etc.

My issue is that I can't wire it thru my MFC. But I can always use FASLINK for my MFC and then use the MIDI ports in the Axe for the Softstep. Kind of turns my simple 3 cable set up into a messy pile of cables, that's why I was hoping for the MFC thru functionality. But don't walk away from this thread thinking you can't use the Softstep with the Axe FX.
Click to expand...

So, you can actually use multiple control inputs on the back of the Axe unit itself? THAT I never knew......I was thinking that it was a case of you have to pick one or the other, meaning Midi input or Ethernet input(I have a Mark 1). If I could use both the MIDI and Ethernet then I could just make a custom snake with a MIDI and Ethernet cable together. Am I understanding this correctly???
 
Speaking of the Axe FX, what you just said is true. I use the MFC over FASLINK and the Softstep over MIDI and they work well together.

As for the MFC, that device can only be set to use one method of communication at a time i.e. FASLINK or MIDI or Ethercon.

Making a custom snake for your MIDI and Ethernet cables sounds really cool!
 
Ok, before I go and drop a few hundred on an additional controller.......how do you hook up the Softstep to the Axe? Isn't it just a USB output? Do you have a USB to Midi converter or something?
 
Yes, there is a MIDI Expander box that you have to buy if you want to use it with anything other than a computer or a tablet. I believe if you add the Softstep to your cart, it asks you if you want to get the Expander too.

I hope you're at least a little bit acquainted with programming a MIDI controller. I'm pretty new at it and it took me a couple of days to figure out what I wanted.
 
beatdropper said:
Yes, there is a MIDI Expander box that you have to buy if you want to use it with anything other than a computer or a tablet. I believe if you add the Softstep to your cart, it asks you if you want to get the Expander too.

I hope you're at least a little bit acquainted with programming a MIDI controller. I'm pretty new at it and it took me a couple of days to figure out what I wanted.
Click to expand...

Cool, I was going to buy the Softstep used as I can save around $100 on it, but I may not be able to go that route if I need the Expander box. I am not a professional when it comes to MIDI programming, but I am fairly proficient. I was going to download their software to see what all it entailed first.

Another question though about power......how do you get power to your Softstep? I am so used to having the phantom power with the MFC so that all I have to do is run the MIDI cable to it and it gets powered. I don't really want to have to figure out a power option for the Softstep, but I'm assuming that it won't be powered by the phantom power from the Axe.....will it?
 
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