Can you use a Midi Switch to Control Mesa Mark IV

[messenger]

Can you use a midi switch to control a mesa Mark IV instead of the 6 button switch?

 

[Gainfreak]

Can you use a midi switch to control a mesa Mark IV instead of the 6 button switch?

What do you mean midi switch?

If you mean can you control the MKIV via midi then the answer is yes but you will need a midi switcher and a GXC type of controller. There are some effects boxes like the g-major that allows you to do some amp switching but it is only limited to a few controls

 

[SFW]

I was able to control the channel switching with my G-Major. I leave the graphic EQ on all the time though. So if you need more control than that, you'll need a switching system.

 

[Gainzilla]

In addition to whats been mentioned, you can go with an Axxess CFX4 w/ custom cable for the MkIV and you will have total midi control over your amps switching functions. Of course youll need the Midi Controller of your choice to control it all.

Personally, I think the best bang for the buck is the Voodoo Labs GCX. Not only can you switch a bunch of functions but at the same time, you can run pedals and processors through it. For the price, its a hard alternative to beat IMO, thats what Im doing...

Kage

 

[messenger]

I thought I read somewhere about controlling a MKIV with a midi foot controller, but I don't see any midi jacks on the amp. I'm thinking about getting one, and sometimes they don't have the footswitch with them used. So I thought maybe I could get a cheap midi footswitch and use that.

 

[Gainzilla]

I thought I read somewhere about controlling a MKIV with a midi foot controller, but I don't see any midi jacks on the amp. I'm thinking about getting one, and sometimes they don't have the footswitch with them used. So I thought maybe I could get a cheap midi footswitch and use that.

Nope, you need an interface to go from midi to relays. The MkIV has a the DIN type input for the footswitch but that isnt midi. The MKIV has 1/4" jacks for all of its switchable functions and if you want to control any or all of those functions, youll need relays that are midicontrollable. You can find them on some rack processors like the Gmajor, Replifex etc and you can find them on things like the GCX or the Axxess box that I told you about.

You still need a foot controller and there are plenty out there, it really is up to you to decide what you want to do with it. I have no need to turn things on or off on the fly so a simple MIDI controller that will allow me to choose any number of presets is fine with me. If you need to turn things on and off, then youll need something like a ground control pro that has presets and control switches.

come to think of it, doesnt that Behringer Midi footswitch have relays built into it? Theyre cheap and work well from what I hear, that may work for you...

 

[cyndicate]

I think the Behringer has only up to two relays built into it. If your able to find a Rocktron Midi octopus those work also, you'll have to find it used but they are really cheap when they do come up, like under $100 bucks. I used to use the Octopus with the Behringer footcontroller and that worked really well.

 

[eecamichael]

RockMAN Octopus works great, as does the Peavey Midi Pro (also under $100 on ebay). Personally, I agree with Kage about the GCX and Ground Control Pro. Hard to be beat.