Behringer X32 Compact mixer -> footswitch for FX on/off and tap-tempo?

[mcnach]

We often run sound ourselves, and we'll be using an X32 Compact. 

 

Has anybody got a footswitch that could be used to turn a delay on/off and to set the tempo? I imagine that it's possible via midi but I'm quasi-illiterate when it comes to midi.

[BigRedX]

Is there a dedicated socket for such a footswitch?

 

If not you'll probably have to use MIDI. You will need to check the manual's MIDI implementation chart (usually somewhere near the back) to find what parameters can be controlled by MIDI and what MIDI messages are required.

[mcnach]

50 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

Is there a dedicated socket for such a footswitch?

 

If not you'll probably have to use MIDI. You will need to check the manual's MIDI implementation chart (usually somewhere near the back) to find what parameters can be controlled by MIDI and what MIDI messages are required.

 

 

No, there isn't one on the Compact X32, that's why I thought MIDI would probably have to be to communicate with the X32.

 

I guess the process is now:

 

1) establish that the FX on/off and tap tempo can be controlled via midi

2) find a compatible controller that gives me at least a couple of footswitches to be assigned to the parameters above

3) figure out the midi map assignments?

 

[Dad3353]

54 minutes ago, mcnach said:

No, there isn't one on the Compact X32, that's why I thought MIDI would probably have to be to communicate with the X32.

 

I guess the process is now:

 

1) establish that the FX on/off and tap tempo can be controlled via midi

2) find a compatible controller that gives me at least a couple of footswitches to be assigned to the parameters above

3) figure out the midi map assignments?

 

You might find the information in this 'blog' post useful. It would appear that FX is not a great problem; less sure about tap tempo. Worth a read through..?

 

What Jessie Did Next blog page ...

 

Hope this helps. 

[BigRedX]

2 hours ago, mcnach said:

No, there isn't one on the Compact X32, that's why I thought MIDI would probably have to be to communicate with the X32.

 

I guess the process is now:

 

1) establish that the FX on/off and tap tempo can be controlled via midi

2) find a compatible controller that gives me at least a couple of footswitches to be assigned to the parameters above

3) figure out the midi map assignments?

 

 

Then you'll need to find the MIDI implementation chart for your mixer. It should be part of the documentation and will describe exactly which MIDI messages the mixer will respond to and if the parameters you want are available for MIDI control the method by which to access them.

 

If you are having difficulty understanding it, post the MIDI implementation chart here and I'll be able to advise you further.

Edited 7 hours ago by BigRedX

[Dad3353]

45 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

... It should be part of the documentation ...

 

It should indeed, but the doc is a bit... err... 'sparce', lacking in detail and clarity. The link I posted explains a bit better how to approach the subject. 

[BigRedX]

2 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

It should indeed, but the doc is a bit... err... 'sparce', lacking in detail and clarity. The link I posted explains a bit better how to approach the subject. 

 

That's worrying. It's a while since I last bought a new piece of MIDI enabled kit, but in the early days including a MIDI implementation chart was IIRC a mandatory requirement for any device sporting MIDI sockets and using the MIDI logo on its products, packaging and documentation. I've just had a look on the MIDI association's website and including an implementation chart is one of the requirements for both the original MIDI and MIDI2 specifications.

 

The problem for the OP is that neither of the functions they want to access are part of the standard MIDI specifications, and therefore access to the MIDI implementation chart is almost essential to be able to work out if MIDI control of those parameters is possible and if so what messages to use. 

 

In the absence of proper documentation there are two things that the OP can try:

 

1. Connect the MIDI out of the X32 to a MIDI interface and computer with a MIDI sniffer application running. Then activate the relevant controls on the X32 and see what MIDI messages (if any) are detected by the sniffer application. If MIDI message are being produced then use a DAW to send them back to the X32 and see if they have the desired effect. However just because activating the function from the X32 doesn't produce any outgoing MIDI messages doesn't automatically mean that it can't receive and use them.

 

2. Since the functions required are not part of the standard MIDI CC set, accessing them may require mapping an unassigned CC number to the function. If this is the case there will be a way of doing this from the X32 interface or an editing program. Start by looking at any screens that allow access to MIDI functions on the X32.

 

HTH.

[Dad3353]

Here's the relevant (two...) pages from the User Manual (has to be from my Google Drive, as every bloomin' file seems to be too big these days for BC ..!)...

 

X32 Compact Midi Implementation info ...

 

Hope it helps. 

 

[BigRedX]

Based on that here are the relevant sections:

 

MIDI RX> ASSIGN

Whenever assignable controls are set up for transmitting MIDI commands, reception of that same command (status or continuous) will be reflected on the respective assignable control element (button light, encoder LED collar). 

 

That means the control assignments for transmit and receive are the same per function.

 

Unfortunately the next section says:

 

MIDI TX > ASSIGN

We restricted the user assignable MIDI commands to some generic elements, in order to keep things simple enough.

 

You'll need to look at the relevant MIDI TX ASSIGN screens on the X32 to see if want you want to do is achievable. It may be possible to use suggestion #1 from my previous post to see if activating the relevant functions from the X32 interface produces a MIDI message on the MIDI out. However if it is possible to assign MIDI control to functions that are not in the factory default set, a lack of MIDI output may not be an indication that what you want to do is impossible.

 

Unfortunately in the the absence of comprehensive MIDI documentation (what Dad3353 supplied whilst being somewhat useful is not a proper MIDI implementation chart) any further progress is going involve the OP doing some serious menu diving and a lot of trial and error.

Edited 4 hours ago by BigRedX

[BigRedX]

If none of the above works, if the X32 supports memory dump via MIDI, then it may be possible to activate these functions using MIDI System Exclusive messages.

 

This will involve a deep dive into understanding Sysex messages, and even if it is possible you may struggle to find a budget footswitch capable of transmitting them.

[BigRedX]

One final bit of lateral thinking for accessing tap-tempo via MIDI.

 

If the delay time can be synchronised to MIDI clock or MTC then it might be possible to use a device that can transmit MIDI clock or MTC, that has its own tap tempo footswitch, to use the MIDI timing information to control the delay time on the X32.

[Dad3353]

On the other hand, it should be possible, and doubtless easier, to route an Aux Send/Return to an external delay unit that has the required on/off and tap-tempo features. 

[BigRedX]

And another lateral thinking thought...

 

Can the functions you want, be accessed from a computer running the editor program attached to the X32?

 

If so you should be able to use something like an AirTurn pedal to control the editor program which in turn controls the X32. If the functions in the editor program doesn't have the necessary keyboard shortcuts you may need an additional utility to produce some. On the Mac I can recommend Keyboard Maestro I use this with an AirTurn for controlling our backing track functions. I'm sure there's something similar available for Windows.

 

Of course Dad3353's suggestion of an external delay device that has the required functions is probably a far simpler solution.