Help Needed: Connecting MC3 to Vongon Polyphrase - MIDI Issue

[thedao]

Hi everyone,

I’m having trouble connecting my Morningstar MC3 MIDI controller to a Vongon Polyphrase pedal. After following all the troubleshooting steps, I still can’t get the Polyphrase to respond to MIDI messages. I’m hoping someone here might have experienced a similar issue or has some advice!

Setup Details:

• Connection: MC3 MIDI Port 3 → Polyphrase via a 3.5mm TRS cable.
• Switch Configuration on MC3:
  • R+ (Ring Power): Down (unpowered).
  • R (Ring Data): Up (MIDI data via Ring).
  • T (Tip Data): Down (no MIDI data via Tip).
• Cable: A normal TRS cable (works fine with other MIDI pedals).
• Polyphrase MIDI Channel: Default (Channel 1).

What I’ve Tried:

1. Tryed to verify the MIDI Channel: I think that Polyphrase is listening on Channel 1 but I can’t be 100% sure.
2. Sent Multiple MIDI Messages: Tested both CC and PC messages, such as CC #7 (Mix) and PC #1 (recall preset).
3. Confirmed MC3 Settings: Double-checked that the MC3 is sending messages correctly to Port 3 to other pedals (Chroma Console for example).
4. Power Cycles: Restarted both devices several times.
5. Checked the Manual: Vongon specifies that the Polyphrase requires a Type B MIDI adapter that’s why I changed the internal switch configuration on port 3 on the MC3.

Question:

Could this issue be due to the TRS cable I’m using? Should I try a standard DIN MIDI / Type B TRS cable instead?

Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[GuitarWolf]

@thedao

R (Ring Data): Up (MIDI data via Ring).

Hi, midi on ring is type A.
Type B requires midi on tip.

[thedao]

Thanks for the suggestion! I updated the MC3 switch settings to align with the Type B configuration as follows:

• Ring Power (R+): Down (unpowered).
• Ring Data (R): Down (no MIDI data via Ring).
• Tip Data (T): Up (MIDI data via Tip).

Unfortunately, it’s still not working with the Vongon Polyphrase. I’ve double-checked the settings, the cable, and the Vongon manual, and everything seems to be configured as recommended for Type B MIDI now.

Could there be another factor I’m missing? Has anyone successfully used the Polyphrase with the MC3 or a similar controller? Do I perhaps need a different TRS-to-MIDI cable?

[TonyS]

I would check if the device is really on channel 1. It is documented in the manual how to change the channel. Does the cable work with other pedals? Even if it does, try switching cables.

[GuitarWolf]

I’m sorry, I got that wrong.
‘Source’ in this picture, is 5V.
‘Sink’ is data.

https://minimidi.world/