Using Apogee Gio with Mainstage 1

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Level 1

35 points

Using Apogee Gio with Mainstage 1

I just got an Apogee Gio, and I'd like to use it with Mainstage 1, but I'm having some problems. The buttons on the Gio are functioning like momentary switches instead of latching switches. For instance, I'm running Mainstage with Amplitube 3 as a plugin, and I'd like to use the Gio to turn on one of Amplitube's stomp effects. When I push the buttons on the Gio, the stomp effect comes on and stays on for as long as I push the button. Once I let the button go, the effect goes off. I'm using the learn function in the layout view, and this is how it learns the button pushes from the Gio. What setting do I need to change to make this a latching function?

I'm also trying to get the Gio to work directly with the standalone version of Amplitube, and that's been troublesome as well. Amplitube isn't saving the latching function with the preset, so if I change presets, it goes back to a momentary switch function, and under the global MIDI settings it treats all button pushes as two pushes (one when pushing the button, and one when releasing the button), so when I try to go to the next preset, it jumps ahead two. I'd just like to get all my new toys working together properly!!

Thanks for your help,
Matt

MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 28, 2010 2:59 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 28, 2010 9:12 PM in response to Matthew Wynn

On the first item with the Gio controlling Amplitube 3's stomps, you need to send two values for the same CC in order to turn the stomps on and off e.g. CC 22, Value 0 then also send CC 22, Value 127 as well.

As for the second item, try it again after you've made the changes above but I'm not sure if it will work because there are significant known MIDI bugs in Amplitube 3's Global MIDI settings functions right now. I submitted a few problems to IK tech support and they advised me an update with a number of fixes will be coming in the near future. So if it doesn't work with the change, then, I'd wait for the update to come out to see what that brings.

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Answer 2

Matthew Wynn Author

Level 1

35 points

Mar 29, 2010 5:23 AM in response to JasTheMusicman

Thank you for the reply. The way that the Gio works now, the 5 silver "stomp" buttons send MIDI CC #'s 25-29, the "next" button sends CC# 30, and the "previous" button sends CC# 31. All function in such a way that they are normally at value 0, and when pressed go to 127, but go back to 0 when released. Are you saying that the Gio needs to be changed so that when it is pressed it stays at 127? Can I change how the Gio functions? How do I do that? The only software that came with the Gio was for calibrating a foot pedal (for wah or volume). Sorry for all the questions. I'm a MIDI noob.

I assumed that the problem with Amplitube 3 was Amplitube itself. I'm sure IK wants people to buy their hardware. I think they are working on it though. The 3.0.1 update that just came out seemed to improve the MIDI performance for some (just not for me!).

Thanks,
Matt

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Answer 3

Mar 29, 2010 4:42 PM in response to Matthew Wynn

Hey Matt,

I d/loaded and installed AT3 3.0.1 and here's what I've figured out...

In this case, I don't have a Gio, I'm using an FCB1010.

Amplitube 3 stomp control works differently between Standalone mode and Plug-In mode.

In Standalone mode, it needs two values for the same CC in order to toggle the stompboxes on and off. I used CC 21 value 0, followed by CC 21 value 127 (the FCB sends both of these messages out when the switch is depressed). AT3 successfully learned the switches and turned the stomp on and off no problem.

In Standalone mode, it needs only a single value CC, so this time I sent CC 21 value 0 only, mapped it to a Mainstage button and then mapped AT3 to a mappable MS parameter. I could turn the stompbox(es) on and off no problem here as well. I've created a video on this but just need to edit it and post it on YouTube, will update you here when it's up.

I don't know if you can edit the GIO to do the above but I can tell you that from a MIDI point of view, that's what Amplitube 3 needs for each mode so if you can get the Gio to do that, you should be all set...I know, probably easier said than done 😉

J.

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Answer 4

Matthew Wynn Author

Level 1

35 points

Mar 30, 2010 5:51 AM in response to JasTheMusicman

J.

Thank you for all of your work on this. It is appreciated. Are you able to get the "next" and "previous" presets functions to work with the Behringer pedal? When I tried this in Amplitube, it would jump ahead two presets. From the sound of it, this is due to the Gio sending two MIDI values (0 then 127) with each button press. I was able to get the stomps to work in standalone mode, but ran into another problem. I needed to change the toggle function in the MIDI learn menu, but if I then changed to a different preset, and then went back to that preset, it reverted to the old toggle setting, even if I'd saved the preset. It really sounds like this is all a result of the Gio sending two MIDI values with each button push. I've got an e-mail to Apogee tech support to see if I can change what the Gio is sending.

Thank you,
Matt

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Answer 5

Mar 30, 2010 6:57 AM in response to Matthew Wynn

No problem Matt.

Yeah, as for the Next and Previous...the Next pedal seems to work ok using either technique. I tested two different ways mapping a footswitch that send two values 0 and 127 and then using another switch that sent just one value 0. Both times I moved Next by one patch so it doesn't seem to matter in this instance.

As for the Previous, there's still a MIDI bug in Amplitube 3.0.1 that IK Multimedia need to fix. I don't understand how they could fix the Next but not the Previous?? 😟

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Answer 6

Mar 31, 2010 8:09 AM in response to JasTheMusicman

Matt,

I've posted a video on how I set up Amplitube 3 stompboxes in Mainstage. I'm guessing you already know most of this, but I did it in a way that anyone who doesn't know could follow it so just skip through the parts you already know.

I'll also post separately so it's searchable for anyone in the future looking for help on this.

Here's the video, it's in 720p HD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRWeavPogII

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Answer 7

Matthew Wynn Author

Level 1

35 points

Mar 31, 2010 10:03 AM in response to JasTheMusicman

Yeah, I'm pretty much doing all of that. Mainstage talks to Amplitube fine, but I just can't get the Gio to work with Mainstage 1. As far as I know, there's no program to change what it is sending. I have an e-mail to Apogee tech support, and they are working on it. The Gio is sending a "0" when a stomp button is pushed, and then a "127" when released, so Mainstage (and Amplitube 3) sees two messages and turns the stomp on and then off. Thanks again.

Matt

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