Weird VH4 channel switching problem

[adivines]

Hello all. I've been using a VH4 with a Ground Control Pro for a few weeks now but as all I need to do is change between the 4 channels I feel its kind of overqualified for the job. So, after reading the recommendations on here I have purchased two Randall RF4s (one as a backup) but the channel switching with the RF4 is well f*cked up...I cannot get the head to store the correct changes. If I run through the presets on the footswitch and store the corresponding channels on the head via the store button on the front panel then only two of the channels are correct. Then if you re-store the incorrect channels the problem swaps over to the other two channels and they are then incorrect. If you then re-store all 4, it is OK when you run up the channels 1-4 but when you swap between channels the problem reappears. The only way I can get it to work correctly is to hit the switch for the channel I want on the RF4 twice, which is absolutely no use whatsoever obviously. This happens with both RF4s. I have tried swapping the midi cables, using the RF4 with external PSU, programming while on standby and programming while amp is on- all to no avail. If I go back to the Ground Control then all is well. Whats up here then!?!?

EDIT- Could this be something to do with the RF4 having latching switches (the Ground Control are momentary)?

 

[peterdjp]

I was having that problem w/ my VH4S and the Ground controll pro. I had a yamaha midi footswitch that worked fine. I think the problem was I had to program from the ground controll not the VH4. So I saved channel info on the ground controll and not on the amp then it worked.

 

[Peter Diezel]

I think there are small and simple midi pedals out there.

 

[i.ak]

Hello all. I've been using a VH4 with a Ground Control Pro for a few weeks now but as all I need to do is change between the 4 channels I feel its kind of overqualified for the job. So, after reading the recommendations on here I have purchased two Randall RF4s (one as a backup) but the channel switching with the RF4 is well f*cked up...I cannot get the head to store the correct changes. If I run through the presets on the footswitch and store the corresponding channels on the head via the store button on the front panel then only two of the channels are correct. Then if you re-store the incorrect channels the problem swaps over to the other two channels and they are then incorrect. If you then re-store all 4, it is OK when you run up the channels 1-4 but when you swap between channels the problem reappears. The only way I can get it to work correctly is to hit the switch for the channel I want on the RF4 twice, which is absolutely no use whatsoever obviously. This happens with both RF4s. I have tried swapping the midi cables, using the RF4 with external PSU, programming while on standby and programming while amp is on- all to no avail. If I go back to the Ground Control then all is well. Whats up here then!?!?

EDIT- Could this be something to do with the RF4 having latching switches (the Ground Control are momentary)?

In order to clarify few things...

Did you hit a preset (i.e. no.1) in the RF4 and then set the VH4 to correct setup (e.g. ch1 + send2) and then press store twice? And redo the whole thing for preset number two for channel number two and so on.

The VH4 is super easy to program due to its ability to utilize "learn-programming". Set a MIDI program from the controller and setup the VH4 and hit the store twice. In other words, you show the VH4 what it is supposed to do when a certain MIDI command is received (= learning).

 

[adivines]

I was having that problem w/ my VH4S and the Ground controll pro. I had a yamaha midi footswitch that worked fine. I think the problem was I had to program from the ground controll not the VH4. So I saved channel info on the ground controll and not on the amp then it worked.

The RF4 is not programmable though, so unfortunately this is not an option.

I think there are small and simple midi pedals out there.

I don't think that they come smaller or simpler than the RF4 do they!?

In order to clarify few things...

Did you hit a preset (i.e. no.1) in the RF4 and then set the VH4 to correct setup (e.g. ch1 + send2) and then press store twice? And redo the whole thing for preset number two for channel number two and so on.

Yep. Loads of times now, still no good.

 

[adivines]

OK, I’m standing in front of the rig now. Here is the sequence as it happens, maybe this may be some help-

First I store the channels in the correct order (by pressing the appropriate switch on the RF4 and pressing store twice on the head)
1=1
2=2
3=3
4=4

But, if I run through the channels using the footswitch, this is what I get-
1=1
2=4
3=3
4=4

But then, if I press 2 on the RF4 (in order to go back to restore channel 2), it is fine i.e channel 2 comes up. But if I now run through the channels, I have this-
1=4
2=2
3=4
4=4

So, channels 1 and 3 are now wrong. So I go back to 1 on the RF4 to restore the correct channel (press the channel 1 button on the head and store twice). But I now have this (WITHOUT having touched any of the other switches on the RF4 or the head i.e. I have only stored one change)-
1=1
2=1
3=3
4=1

But if I go back to 2 on the RF4 to start to correct this, I then get the correct channel on the head (2). Unfortunately, the rest of the channels have changed too. So I now have this-
1=1
2=2
3=1
4=4

Which is nearly correct, I only need 3 to be the right channel. This time 3 on the RF4 is still channel 1, so if I restore 3 (press the channel 3 button on the head and store twice) that should be fine, right? But, if I now go through the channels I have this-
1=1
2=3
3=3
4=3

This just keeps going on and on and on without any end. I can’t detect a sequence so I have no clues. Can anyone help?

 

[adivines]

Another symptom- if you press the same channel switch twice, it swaps between the correct channel and the last saved channel...is this normal (I'd hazard a guess not). Peter, please help! I have gigs starting on Thursday and would like to have found a solution by then if possible.

 

[Peter Diezel]

I cannot help, if the amp is working.
Try to check out another midi pedal.