Bug or Corrupted Firmware? Preset Messages don't Respond to Engage Preset

[abemccalment]

Before I start I want to acknowledge that I have a bug report in for issues related to Engage Preset when the preset state is shifted. In short, if I unshift and send Engage Preset the message doesn’t send because all messages behave as if the preset is still shifted. Ex, change the message to go when the preset is in “shift” and the message goes. All of that happens with the MC6 Pro plugged into the computer, I didn’t even try it on the pedalboard.

This new issue is wild! I can make the preset and save it while plugged into my computer and all actions/messages go as expected. But as soon as I install the pedal on my board and power up the board this preset is broken from the perspective of the Engage Preset message.

Here’s a screen capture of all active messages in the malfunctioning preset:

Double Tap Release, message 4, is the action that isn’t working via Engage Preset message after powering up the pedalboard with MC6 Pro installed…

Below is the preset that should trigger message 4:

I had the MC6 Pro off my pedalboard, plugged into my computer and it worked just fine, see the activity data below:

But as soon as I put it on my pedalboard and powered it up the message stopped sending!

Here’s the crazy part. I go to the preset in the editor, hit Save Preset, and now it works correctly again! I power cycle the pedal, plug it into Morningstar Editor and the messages are right, so I turn off the power on my board, put the MC6 Pro back on it, power up… and the message isn’t getting sent again! With the unit still on my board and powered up I connected to my computer and sure enough the message isn’t getting sent according to the MIDI Monitor. When I look at the preset it’s still correct. So I clicked Save Preset and it started working correctly, still on the pedalboard, no preset changes… Unplug from my computer, power cycle the pedalboard, and it’s broke again.

That’s the pattern:

• Make preset, test off board plugged into computer: Works
• Put on pedalboard and power up… Broken
• Connect to computer, navigate to preset and save: Works
• Unplug, leave pedalboard on, still good.
• Power cycle pedalboard… Broken

Here’s my question. How does booting the MC6 Pro on the pedalboard with all the midi devices plugged in corrupt THAT preset? Others work, though I’ve seen some glitches. Is there some signal coming from my MIDI devices on power-up that is causing this? Whatever you folks think, I’m listening.

[abemccalment]

I wanted to try one more thing. I fixed the preset and instead of powering off the whole board I just unplugged the MC6 Pro’s power. When I plugged it back in the preset was broken again. So it isn’t the act of booting the controller at the same time as booting all the other MIDI devices, the problem is booting the controller in the presence of the other MIDI devices.

Here’s everything connected:

• Omni Port 4 → Strymon El Capitan V2
• DIN → ML5R → Wampler Terraform
• Relay ports A and B connect to outboard reed relays; it was the easiest way for me to convert 1/8" to 1/4" with what I have and it isolates the MC6 from any currents my switched devices may draw.

[GuitarWolf]

I believe the culprit is msg 1 of your second screenshot. Put the ‘toggle preset’ message as the very last message of this preset and see if it resolves the issue.

[abemccalment]

The behavior is the same. I’m considering reloading the firmware and starting over…

[james]

can you share the bank backup file for this, so I can test it?

[abemccalment]

Please find the export at the bottom. This issue reproduces when the pedal is powered up while installed on the pedal board. I have the connections listed above.

Here is the sequence to demonstrate the problem:

• MC6 Pro Boots into Bank 16
• Press Preset F, Bank changes to 21
• Press Preset D, Page toggles to 2 and Preset J is activated.
• Press Preset H, Message 1 is sent
• Press Preset I to send toggle 2 messages
  • Preset H stays in Toggle 2
• Press Preset I to send toggle 1 messages
  • Message 5, Engage Preset - Bank 21, Preset H, Double Tap Release
    • Preset H is still in toggle 2, I expect it to send Message 3, but it does not.

To fix the glitch:

• With pedal plugged in and on, navigate to preset 21H and press Save Preset
• Repeat the sequence above… everything works correctly.

Morningstar_MC6PRO_All_Banks_Backup_20260716_213001.json.zip (125.8 KB)