RM 1250 + duals midi switching

max44 · Post by **max44** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 11:10 am

Hello MTS users,

I just got (lucky to get) a Randall RM 1250,
On top of that I use my 12 dual modules in it, so it is a perfect world !
The original footswitch works fine but has only 3 buttons, so each button switches 8 channels : 1-8 / 9-16 / 17- 24 (not useable live ...)

I have a G Lab GSC2 midi footswitch that I try to configure with the RM1250 and the duals, without success yet : if anyone can help that would be great

Thanks, Max

Mattfig · Post by **Mattfig** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 11:15 am

The MIDI on the 1250 is not workable like standard MIDI. I don't know if it's simply reduced to using a three button switch or what but I tried lots of MIDI stuff with no success with 1250....

Great score though!

JayDA · Post by **JayDA** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 11:37 am

I don't think it's actually MIDI, it may use a MIDI cable...but all I could ever get mine to do was cycle through channels like you're describing.

max44 · Post by **max44** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 1:09 pm

Thanks guys,
I guess it was designed only for studio work then ...
I can live with it, just have to be super fast with my feet to change channels if I wish to use it live !
Matt fig :Yeah it is quite a beast and I would add : if amps were engines this would be The V12 of all amps
Jayda : I still have your fog lifted RT2/50 and it still sounds awesome
Max

JayDA · Post by **JayDA** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 1:13 pm

max44 wrote: Jayda : I still have your fog lifted RT2/50 and it still sounds awesome

That was a GREAT amp, so much so that every time I see one for sale I want to buy another one and have it modded. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

max44 · Post by **max44** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 2:36 am

Jayda : Yes it is a great amp ... even in stock form since it has Heyboers transformers (as explained by Rob from Jaded Faith)
The Foglift + NFB pot add even more articulation !

On the other hand the RM1250 has chinese transformers (made in Taiwan actually) and I can clearly tell the sound is different and feels less powerful ...
I'm actually talking with Rob to improve the RM1250 in a simple way : Foglift and things like that, as changing the transformers on this beast would be too much of a hassle (Rob has done it in the past but it was a pain of a job apparently)

Back to topic : I have talked to Galao (who provides the dual channel modification midi kit) and he told me the RM1250 has midi connections, but is not programmable and only reacts to CC# (Continuous Control messages) so it means it can be controlled, but only with a programmable Midi footswitch (i.e. Roland FC 300, Behringer FC1010 for instance)
I have asked GLab to help me out with this, expecting their answer and will let you know
Max

warmachine67 · Post by **warmachine67** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 6:24 am

If you do have any success with cracking the midi code on the 1250, please report it here.

As for mods, just sending Rob the board and having a normal foglifter mod will be the biggest bang for your buck when shipping is considered. I think the stock presence board on a 1250 is one of the biggest reasons they don’t sound as good.

max44 · Post by **max44** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:03 pm

Problem solved :

Thanks to Galao who pushed me going through my GLab Gsc2 manual - concerning the CC# setup - I finally manage to set it up with the RM1250

So for those who care : your midi pedalboard / footswitch has to be programmable (able to send CC messages), and has to send messages on midi 1 channel only (RM1250 is setup on midi 1 channel)

For single modules the RM1250 will recognize the following CC# :
(as listed in the RM1250 manual)
- module 1 : CC# 1
- module 2 : CC# 6
- module 3 : CC# 7
- module 4 : CC# 8
- module 5 : CC# 9
- module 6 : CC# 14
- module 7 : CC# 15
- module 8 : CC# 16
- module 9 : CC# 17
- module 10 : CC# 22
- module 11 : CC# 23
- module 12 : CC# 24

For dual modules the RM1250 will recognize the following CC# :

- module 1 channel A : CC# 5
- module 1 channel B : CC# 1
- module 2 channel A : CC# 6
- module 2 channel B : CC# 2
- module 3 channel A : CC# 7
- module 3 channel B : CC# 3
- module 4 channel A : CC# 8
- module 4 channel B : CC# 4
- module 5 channel A : CC# 13
- module 5 channel B : CC# 9
- module 6 channel A : CC# 14
- module 6 channel B : CC# 10
- module 7 channel A : CC# 15
- module 7 channel B : CC# 11
- module 8 channel A : CC# 16
- module 8 channel B : CC# 12
- module 9 channel A : CC# 21
- module 9 channel B : CC# 17
- module 10 channel A : CC# 22
- module 10 channel B : CC# 18
- module 11 channel A : CC# 23
- module 11 channel B : CC# 19
- module 12 channel A : CC# 24
- module 12 channel B : CC# 20

Strangely enough single modules' CC# don't always correspond with channel A's dual modules' CC# ... So I guess if one changes from single to duals, one will recall channel A's dual modules for the same preset only in slots 2 - 3 - 4 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 10 - 11 - 12
(and channel B's dual modules for the same preset in slots 1 - 5 - 9)

Weird ! and I hope I made myself understandable ...

(I only own dual modules, no singles, so I could not compare : this is only a guess ...)

Have fun !
Max

maxxstock · Post by **maxxstock** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:23 pm

Max, you say amazing things !!!

I did not know if the 1250 can accept dual modules (a / b channels).

Did you make mods on this amplifier or not?

Thank you!

Max

warmachine67 · Post by **warmachine67** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:40 pm

The 1250 can accept duals without any modification, somehow it came from the factory that way.

Max44, many thanks for that cc# info. I’ve been pondering what to do since I got the synergy duals running in mine. Sounds like I just need to get a behringer or Roland midi foot controller now.

max44 · Post by **max44** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:43 pm

Hey Maxx !

The RM1250 accepts dual channel modules in stock form,
It was actually the only MTS product in the Randall line to do so I guess ...

Cheers, Max

max44 · Post by **max44** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:49 pm

Warmachine67 : You're welcome !

I only own dual modules, that's why I bought this RM1250 cause I knew it would play and switch both channels ... the only issue was that midi setting : now we know this beast can be controlled conveniently (i.e live !) with an adequate midi footswitch and this is great news

Quote : " As for mods, just sending Rob the board and having a normal foglifter mod will be the biggest bang for your buck when shipping is considered. I think the stock presence board on a 1250 is one of the biggest reasons they don’t sound as good "

I will definitely think about this ... thanks
Max

warmachine67 · Post by **warmachine67** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 9:08 am

Not trying to hijack the topic, but since midi Jedi masters are participating:), any idea if a Rocktron Midimate could be used with the 1250 for dual CC access?

I just don’t have enough midi knowledge to read the manual online and know if it will work. The midimate is cheaper than the Roland and has a smaller size without the two cc pedals, that’s why I’m wondering.

galao · Post by **galao** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 12:47 pm

As a MIDI-Jedi I can confirm that the Midimate is also fine for this purpose. It can send programmable CC-messages and can be phantom powered over a seven-pin-MIDI-cable, which is a plus. I just don´t like to read manuals for other people to give them step-by-step-instructions except they have questions about my products.

warmachine67 · Post by **warmachine67** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 4:21 pm

Many thanks galao, I don’t mind diving in and figuring it out, just wanted to make sure it’s the right rabbit hole.