PBC 6x Additional MIDI control??

C

Chris Delany

Active Member
I'm pretty sure the answer to this question is 99% no but it would be really cool if it was possible so I thought I would ask...

Is it possible to have an additional midi controller that would be able to access a button page on the PBC 6x? Similar to how a page up or down footswitch can be added? I would ideally like to make a button page with some really quick access buttons that would work with the PBC. I know there is no 5 Pin MIDI so not sure how this would even work. Also the controller in question would be a 6 button Luminite MIDI controller.

Thanks!
Chris
 
Maybe this cable:

https://btpa.com/Midi-Footswitch/5-Pin-Midi/midibs-ii.html

or our MultiBox (which will breakout the PBC6X's MIDI jack to MIDI OUT and a MIDI IN):

https://www.rjmmusic.com/multibox-midi-thru-box-and-trs-midi-adapter/

and the following information will help get your idea off the ground.

CC Link: Controlling buttons using incoming CC messages​

It’s also possible to control IA buttons using CC messages sent from a computer or other MIDI controller. Each IA button has a parameter CC Link that enables this feature. When you turn CC Link on, incoming CCs are compared against the first action in each button’s action list. If the incoming CC matches the channel and CC number assigned to the first action in the action list, the button will update based on the CC’s value (0-63 = off, 64-127 = on).

For example, if the first action on a button is Device 1 / CC Toggle #14, and MIDI device 1 is set to channel 4, then incoming CCs on MIDI channel 4 with CC number 14 will control the button.

Please note that each device has an Ignore Incoming CCs setting, which when set, will disable the CC Link feature for that device.

When an IA button is activated due to an incoming CC message, the button will execute all of its actions except the first one in the list (the CC that triggered the button in the first place). This helps to avoid endless loops between the Mastermind and computer.

Remote Control​



The Remote Control setting works with CC Link. When Remote Control is checked, the button still sends its actions as normal, but the button's visible state doesn't change. Only incoming CCs can change the visible state of the button. This feature is used with DAW software like Ableton which allows bidirectional synchronization of Mastermind buttons and Ableton controls.
 
You're welcome Chris!

Let me/us know if you have any questions or require some help with this.
 
Chris Delany said:
Hey Mario,

Am I understanding this signal flow/concept correctly?
Click to expand...
You want to swap your top jacks - the top right one should be connected to the PBC (using a cable that connects all five pins - many cables only connect three). You can send MIDI out via most any jack, but the jack that you mean to send signals will need to be connected to one of the left side DIN MIDI jacks.

On that note, I've been running a dual MIDI controller setup for years. I'm no YouTuber, but after getting a ton of questions about my setup, I made this video way back explaining what's going on - maybe you'll find it helpful?

No idea on timeline, but I'm actually planning on making an updated video, as I do a ton more with the dual MIDI controller setup now than I did back then. I use external MIDI controllers to bank through PBC songs, switch PBC pages, and to give me instant access to a number of effects and global presets. I even combine the PBC and Morningstar MIDI capabilities to create a ramping trem on my HX Stomp (which does not have that capability on its own). It's insane what you can do with these controllers when you get creative with them!
 
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PianoMan said:
You want to swap your top jacks - the top right one should be connected to the PBC (using a cable that connects all five pins - many cables only connect three). You can send MIDI out via most any jack, but the jack that you mean to send signals will need to be connected to one of the left side jacks.

On that note, I've been running a dual MIDI controller setup for years. I'm no YouTuber, but after getting a ton of questions about my setup, I made this video way back explaining what's going on - maybe you'll find it helpful?

No idea on timeline, but I'm actually planning on making an updated video, as I do a ton more with the dual MIDI controller setup now than I did back then. I use external MIDI controllers to bank through PBC songs, switch PBC pages, and to give me instant access to a number of effects and global presets. I even combine the PBC and Morningstar MIDI capabilities to create a ramping trem on my HX Stomp (which does not have that capability on its own). It's insane what you can do with these controllers when you get creative with them!
Click to expand...
Super helpful! Thank you for all the information! I’ll check that video out too!!
 
PianoMan said:
You want to swap your top jacks - the top right one should be connected to the PBC (using a cable that connects all five pins - many cables only connect three). You can send MIDI out via most any jack, but the jack that you mean to send signals will need to be connected to one of the left side DIN MIDI jacks.

On that note, I've been running a dual MIDI controller setup for years. I'm no YouTuber, but after getting a ton of questions about my setup, I made this video way back explaining what's going on - maybe you'll find it helpful?

No idea on timeline, but I'm actually planning on making an updated video, as I do a ton more with the dual MIDI controller setup now than I did back then. I use external MIDI controllers to bank through PBC songs, switch PBC pages, and to give me instant access to a number of effects and global presets. I even combine the PBC and Morningstar MIDI capabilities to create a ramping trem on my HX Stomp (which does not have that capability on its own). It's insane what you can do with these controllers when you get creative with them!
Click to expand...
So to connect your PBC to the Morning Star is it just the MIDI out into the MIDI in? and then MIDI out on your Morningstar is going to your other midi devices? Is the MIDI between the PBC and Morningstar bidirectional? This was what was throwing me for a loop initially.
 
No, you need to have some sort of interface that breaks out the PBC’s single MIDI port to in/out. In our case, it’s the Multibox.

To give you an example, here is the MIDI loop I use to control a bunch of pedals.

PBC MIDI In/Out > RJM Multibox > Morningstar MC6 > Strymon Timeline > Strymon Bigsky MX > HX Stomp > RJM Multibox > PBC

I also have other pedals that get MIDI via other Multibox outputs, but that don’t need to be in the loop.
 
PianoMan said:
No, you need to have some sort of interface that breaks out the PBC’s single MIDI port to in/out. In our case, it’s the Multibox.

To give you an example, here is the MIDI loop I use to control a bunch of pedals.

PBC MIDI In/Out > RJM Multibox > Morningstar MC6 > Strymon Timeline > Strymon Bigsky MX > HX Stomp > RJM Multibox > PBC

I also have other pedals that get MIDI via other Multibox outputs, but that don’t need to be in the loop.
Click to expand...
Okay cool! I didn’t see the multibox on your board but I’m sure it was underneath. Thanks again man, you rock!
 
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