I use my MC8 to control a Boss RC600 looper. They are “bank synced”, so when I punch up Memory Slot 12 (example) on the looper, the MC8 follows suit with Bank 12, which is set up for that particular song, and off I go.
However, what if I want a different bank on the MC8? Is there an easy way to just bring up a desired bank? Basically, I need to start using the second page of some of the banks, but they will not be corresponding with the looper’s memory slot. If I want (example) memory slot 45 on the looper but Bank 15 on the MC8, what’s the best route to accomplish that without disabling my current sync?
Thoughts?
Are the MC and the RC synced both ways?
If not you could simply programm a switch on the MC or an aux switch with a bank jump. This would give you another set of (fixed) combinations.
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I’m actually unsure if they’re “two-way” synced, but even if they are, I should be able to undo that without an issue since all PC changes come from the RC600.
I think I follow your logic … if the Bank Jump feature can jump to a specific bank:
In theory, I could just “burn” Mem 30 on my RC600 and have it be a slot with no useable MC8 controls. I could still use it for looping, just only using the onboard switching. Program Bank 30 of the MC8 to have only Bank Jump commands and now have access to 16 other banks and their respective “page twos”? Or maybe even use press for one bank jump, hold for a different one, and literally have access to all of my banks
Not bad … I will test today!
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Cool, but why ‘burn’ a bank on the RC? You could programm a bank jump on each of your MCs banks which points to a bank on the MC which then has the bank jumps to the destination you are going for. That way you can re - combine your RCs and MCs banks without sacrificing the basic synchronisation when choosing a bank via the RC
Here’s why:
I currently use an iPad for lyrics, and it is also MIDI-connected to the RC600 (via USB). The lyric app sends a PC message to the RC based on the song I choose, which punches up the proper Memory Slot on the RC, and in-turn, the proper Bank on the MC8. This is currently NOT reverse-synced. The MC8 does not “initiate” bank changes, it only responds to them.
The RC600 has 99 slots, and the MC8 has 30. Anytime I pull up a memory beyond #30 on the looper, the MC8 responds by going to Bank 30 and - obviously - no further. So my issue is, when I pull up Memory 45, I want to then use Bank 12, Page 2 (example).
So now I’m using Bank 30 on the MC8 as a “bank jump” page, with each switch set to pull up Page Two of an existing bank; one bank on press, another on long press. So I can pull up Page Two of Bank 1 with a press, and Page Two of Bank 2 with a long press. I’ll have notes in my lyric sheets to remember which Bank I need.
So when I pull up Memory 45 on the looper, the MC8 will go to Bank 30, and I can now choose the correct “page two” for the particular song.
I hope that’s clear…
The reason for “burning” a memory slot on the RC600 is that I won’t have actual MC8 control of Memory 30 since it’s all Bank Jump commands (both pages, effectively giving me 58 useable banks; 1 thru 29, page 1 & 2). But that’s ok - it’s not “unusable”. Just not MC8-controlled.
I hope this makes sense. I get what you’re saying but from a workflow standpoint, I think this is a better system.
Time will tell…
Good evening IanEric,
Here is how I proceed, if it helps:
The iPad talks to the MC8 via Bluetooth (widiUhost.) Each MobileSheet partition sends 1 PC + 1CC to call a preset of the MC8
So 1 MC8 preset = 1 song. With only 5 banks, you already have 110 songs! (5x22)
And You never have to click on it exept if iPad or Bluetooth are out of order.
Each preset sends to the machines the parameters they need, (PC’s , CC’s to Kemper, VoiceLive, BeatBuddy, Infinity Looper, XR-18) then Bank Jump to the “Playing Bank.” If you want a different page, you write it too in the song preset.
This “Playing Bank” controls only the basic triggers of the machines.
The sync is given to everyone by the BeatBuddy.
Stef
The input is appreciated, but we have totally different uses for the device. I’m a solo act, and I live-loop everything. I don’t have any backing tracks nor drum machines; it’s all 100% live. So I use the MC8 as an add-on to my looper for additional and more complex control of tracks, effects, etc.
Yes Ian, I’m also a live looper without backtracks and I know what you mean (Ok, I use a drum machine…)
But you have to empty your looper and change your fx and some patches between each song, right?
If your pedalboard is well prepared via midi before the song, you don’t need many switches during the song. Do you ?
Each memory slot is set up differently. Some are song-specific, others are generic but fit many different songs. Most of my FX are handled within the looper, and I don’t have to empty it; I just change memory locations. There are 99. I don’t use any real “automation” for looping, so I hit lots of switches, which is fine; I think the tap dance is part of the “show”.
I’m on a break at a gig right now, and unfortunately this system isn’t working as I planned. It’s not a big deal (for now) but the MC8 does not “default” to bank 30 if it receives a PC higher than 30. It just doesn’t respond and stays on its current bank.
I may need to rethink this …
You may be able to utilize the Midi Converter under Controller Settings!
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Using the converter is an interesting idea. I will try that. My only concern is that this won’t give me access to all the Page 2’s, since only 16 commands can be converted. I’m actually already using one, so I’ll have 15 left, giving (perhaps) instant access to 15 page 2’s. To be fair, I currently don’t even need that many, however I’m constantly increasing my repertoire and there will come a time when I want/need more so I like to “future proof”.
Not that it helps you right now (still sold out) but the MC6 Pro has 128 banks with 4 pages each (plus Profiles so you can store songs you’re not gigging currently in an unused profile).
I might just have to grab a 6Pro when they come back in stock…
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Just to put a period on the end of this thread…
I did order and receive an MC6 Pro. I’m not using it yet for live work, since it’ll take some time to program and integrate and I’ll have to wait until I have a few days off from gigging. But it sure is COOL and I can’t wait to put in on my board!
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