Voodoo Lab GROUND CONTROL User manual

GROUNDCONTROL
Programmable MIDI Foot Controller
Owner'sManual
DIGITAL MUSIC CORPORATION

Please visit our web site at:
www.voodoolab.com
Copyright 1998 by Digital Music Corporation.
This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are
reserved. No part of it may be reproduced or transmitted by any
means or in any form without the express prior consent in writing
from Digital Music Corporation.
Ground Control, System Mix, GCX, and Ground Link are
trademarks of Digital Music Corporation.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 3
Overview . . . . . 3
About this Manual . . . . 4
CONNECTIONS 5
Power . . . . . 5
MIDI . . . . . 5
Expression Pedals . . . . 6
QUICK START 7
SETUP MODE 9
Entering Setup Mode . . . . 9
Device Names & MIDI Channels . . 9
Expression Pedals . . . . 11
Expanders . . . . . 13
Utility . . . . . 16
Exiting Setup Mode . . . . 18
PROGRAM DEVICES 19
Entering Program Devices . . . 19
Assigning MIDI Program Changes . . 20
Using Expression Pedals . . . 21
Controlling the System Mix Plus VCA . 22
Controlling the GCX Guitar Audio Switcher . 23
Naming Presets . . . . 24
Saving Presets . . . . 24
PRESET MODE 26
Preset Access: Bank . . . . 26
Preset Access: Bank4 . . . 27
Preset Access: Direct . . . 27
ABOUT MIDI 28
WARRANTY 30

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Introduction
Overview
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The Ground Control is a programmable MIDI foot controller
which allows you to control up to eight MIDI devices at once.
It will also control our System Mix Plus and up to four GCX
Guitar Audio Switchers.
The Ground Control lets you use standard guitar volume pedals
to add real-time control of your sound with MIDI continuous
controller messages.
You can create presets which will select programs on each of
your devices and specify the function of the two expression
pedals. With the addition of the GCX Guitar Audio Switcher
your presets can also turn pedal effects on or off, select amp
channels, plus many other functions.
You can name each of your presets on the Ground Control's
bright, stage-friendly alphanumeric display. Presets can then be
recalled instantly with a single button to completely redefine
your sound.
The Ground Control has three basic modes: Setup mode,
Program Devices mode and Preset mode.
Setup Mode
Setup mode lets you configure the Ground Control for your
system. This is done only once when you start using the
Ground Control, and then only when you add or change
devices.

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Program Devices Mode
You use Program Devices to actually create your presets. This
is where you:
•Select Programs for each MIDI device.
•Specify the function of the two Expression Pedals.
•Set the System Mix Plus volume.
•Turn loops on or off in the GCX Guitar Audio Switcher.
When you have finished creating your sound, you can name
and save it as a preset. You can store up to 100 different
presets, or 360 with the optional expanded memory.
Preset Mode
This is how you use the Ground Control when you are playing.
You simply select the preset, and the Ground Control recalls
the information you specified in Program Devices mode.
About This Manual
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If you only want to quickly use your Ground Control to call up
the programs on one MIDI device, just read "Connections" and
"Quick Start".
To get the maximum use and flexibility from your Ground
Control, skip "Quick Start" and proceed to "Setup Mode". If
you are not familiar with MIDI, you may want to read
Appendix A: About MIDI first.

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Connections
Power
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To use the supplied Power Adaptor, plug the body of the
adaptor into a suitable power receptacle. Then plug the cable
into the jack marked "Power" on the Ground Control.
If you have the GCX Guitar Audio Switcher, you don't need to
use the supplied power adapter. The GCX will phantom power
the Ground Control through a standard 5-pin MIDI cable.
If you are not using the GCX, but have a device that supports
phantom power via a 7-pin MIDI cable, this device can power
the Ground Control. Connect the 7-pin MIDI cable from your
Ground Control's MIDI Out to the 7-pin MIDI In on the
device. Then connect the Ground Control's Power Adaptor to
the phantom power jack on the device.
MIDI
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Connect a 5-pin MIDI cable from the Ground Control MIDI
Out to the MIDI In of your first device. If you are using the
GCX, it should always be your first device.
If you have additional devices, connect the MIDI Thru of the
first device to the MIDI In of the next device. If the device has
no MIDI Thru, then use its MIDI Out. Continue to chain your
devices until they are all connected. If you are chaining more
than three devices, using a MIDI Thru box like the Digital
Music MX-28S will eliminate possible data errors.

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Expression Pedals
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There are two Pedal inputs on the back of the Ground Control.
Many devices allow you to change parameters in "real-time" via
MIDI Continuous Controllers.
Any passive guitar volume pedal can be used. Guitar volume
pedals always have high impedance pots, typically 250K.
To connect your pedal, simply plug a guitar cord between Pedal
jacks 1 and 2 on the Ground Control and the AMP or OUT jack
of your volume pedal(s).

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Quick Start
Quick Start lets you use your Ground Control in a very limited
manner. It is provided for those users who want to just plug it
in and use it as quickly as possible. It is highly recommended
that you proceed to the following section, SETUP MODE.
To use Quick Start, the Ground Control must have its original
factory settings. To restore to factory settings, see Initialize
Memory on page 18.
Changing MIDI Programs
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Your device must be set to respond to MIDI channel 1 or
"omni", which means that it will respond to any MIDI channel.
To call up a program on your device, choose a BANK for the
first digit by pressing [SELECT ∧or ∨], and press [0-9] to
choose the second digit.
For example, to call up program #21:
1. Press [SELECT ∧] until you reach BANK 2. (The BANK
number is the leftmost digit in the display).
2. Press [1] to Load (activate) Preset 21; the display says:
21. INIT
Your device should change to #21.
Note: If you press [SELECT ∨] from BANK 0, nothing will
happen. If you press and hold [SELECT ∨]for a few
seconds, you will enter PROGRAM DEVICES. You can
return to Preset mode by pressing [SELECT ∧].
Expression Pedals

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If you plugged a volume pedal into the Ground Control to use
as an Expression Pedal, set your device to respond to MIDI
Continuous Controller 007. If you don't know how to do this,
see the owner's manual for your device.
Your volume pedal must be plugged into the Ground Control's
"PEDAL 1" jack. Enable the Expression Pedal from Setup
mode. Here's how:
1. Press both [SETUP MODE] buttons (numbers 5 and 0) at
the same time to enter Setup mode.
2. Press [LEARN PEDAL] (button 7).
3. The Ground Control will display "P1 IS OFF". Press
[+/YES] to turn Pedal #1 ON.
4. Exit Setup mode by pressing either [SETUP MODE]
button, then press [+/YES].
If Program Numbers Don't Match
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Some devices number their programs starting at 0 instead of 1.
If your programs are off by 1 you can correct it as follows:
1. Press both [SETUP MODE] buttons at the same time.
2. Press [DEVICE NAME/MIDI CHANNEL].
3. The Ground Control displays "1.DEVICE /01". Press and
hold [CURSOR >] until the display says "STARTS AT 01"
4. Press [-/NO] to set the start number to 00.
5. Exit SETUP MODE by pressing either [SETUP MODE]
button, then press [+/YES].

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SETUP MODE
Setup mode is used to tell the Ground Control about your
system. In Setup mode you will:
•Assign names and channels to each of your MIDI
controlled devices.
•Enable and calibrate any guitar volume pedals being used
as MIDI expression pedals.
•Enable control of the GCX Guitar Audio Switcher(s) and
the System Mix Plus.
•Define the function of each Ground Link button.
•Select other options or restore factory settings.
Entering SETUP MODE
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To enter Setup mode, press both [SETUP MODE] buttons at
the same time. The Ground Control will display:
SETUP MODE SELECT 6-9
Setup mode is divided into the following functions:
•DEVICE NAME/MIDI CHANNEL [6]
•LEARN PEDAL [7]
•EXPANDERS [8]
•UTILITY [9]
You will access each of these functions by pressing its
corresponding button.
Device Names & MIDI Channels
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You must specify a name and channel for each MIDI device in
your system.

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After entering Setup mode, activate this function by pressing
[DEVICE NAME/MIDI CHANNEL]. The display will read:
1. DEVICE / 01
↑↑↑
Number Name Channel
Number
You can define devices 1-8. This number tells you which
device you are defining. Press [SELECT ∧or ∨] to choose the
number of each device.
Name
You should enter the actual name of your devices, such as
"MPX-1", "EVENTIDE" or "TRIAXIS".
The Ground Control starts with device #1 named "DEVICE".
Devices 2-8 are blank. You change the name using the
[DATA] and [CURSOR] buttons.
Note: If you press and hold a button it will repeat. You can press
both [DATA] buttons at the same time for a space.
Channel
Each of your devices must be set to respond to a particular
MIDI channel, 1-16. The channel must match the number you
enter here.
Each of the devices (1-8) which are not being used must be set
to "--". This turns off the device.
To set the channel:
1. Press [CURSOR >] until the channel is blinking.
2. Press [DATA +/-] to select the desired channel number or
"--" for off.

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Note: Each device in your system must be set to its own MIDI
channel to respond properly.
Start Number
Most devices number their programs starting from 1. If your
device starts numbering its programs from 0, then the device
will always be off by 1 from what is displayed on the Ground
Control. You can fix this by telling the Ground Control that it
should "start at 0". Here's how:
1. Press [SELECT ∧or ∨] to choose the device 1-8 that you
need to change.
2. Press and hold [CURSOR >] until the display reads:
STARTS AT 01
3. Press [-/NO] to select "STARTS AT 00" or press [+/YES]
for "STARTS AT 01".
Expression Pedals
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To use guitar volume pedals as MIDI expression pedals, you
must enable and calibrate them here.
After entering Setup mode, activate this function by pressing
[LEARN PEDAL]. The display should read:
P1 IS OFF
To enable (turn on) the pedal connected to "PEDAL 1", press
[+/YES]. To disable (turn off), press [-/NO].
Slew
Now press [CURSOR >]. The Ground Control will display:
P1 SLEW=NORM
Slew refers to the response of the Pedal as you sweep it from
full off to full on. You can select between Normal and Fast. In

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most cases the Normal setting is preferred, but you may want
to try the Fast setting.
Press [-/NO] or [+/YES] to select between NORM and FAST.
Calibrate
You should calibrate your volume pedals so that they will track
properly. Here's how:
1. Press [CURSOR >] to display "SET MIN/PRESS YES".
2. Set your volume pedal to its minimum position (i.e. volume
all the way down) and press [+/YES].
3. When the display reads "SET MAX/PRESS YES" set your
volume pedal to its maximum position (volume all the way
up) and press [+/YES].
If the Ground Control can't read your volume pedal, it will say
"CHECK PEDAL". If you see this message, check that your
patch cord is connected from the OUT or AMP jack of the
volume pedal to the correct pedal jack on the Ground Control,
and that you are using a good cord.
If you get the message "TOO LOW", then your volume pedal
has the wrong value potentiometer in it. This is most likely
because it is a low impedance type intended for keyboards or
just isn't a volume pedal at all.
Pedals 1 and 2
If you are using two volume pedals, select the second pedal by
pressing [SELECT ∨]. The Ground Control will display:
P2 IS OFF
Repeat the above procedure for this pedal.

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Expanders
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Expanders allows you to configure your Ground Control for
use with the following:
•GCX Guitar Audio Switcher(s)
•Ground Link
•System Mix Plus
GCX Guitar Audio Switcher
The Ground Control can control up to 4 GCXs to provide any
combination of 32 audio loops and switches. To control GCXs
from your Ground Control, they must be enabled here.
After entering Setup mode, activate this function by pressing
[EXPANDERS]. The display should read:
GCX-1 IS OFF
To enable the GCX, press [+/YES] to turn GCX #1 on. If you
have more than one GCX, press [SELECT ∨] to access the next
GCX. The display will show:
GCX-2 IS OFF
You can continue to enable GCXs #2 through #4.
For most applications, you will use loops as either audio loops
or latching switches. If you need to control a momentary
switch function with one of the GCX loops, you must
configure it as follows:
1. Press [SELECT ∧or ∨] to select the appropriate GCX.
2. Press [CURSOR >] to access the desired loop. The display
will look like:
LOOP4=NORMAL
3. Press [+/YES] to select "MOM SW" for momentary switch
operation. Press [-/NO] to return to normal.

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Ground Link
Normal operation of the Ground Link is to control loops 1-8 of
GCX #1. You can redefine each button on the Ground Link to
control one of the following:
•Any loop of the GCX(s).
•Start and Stop a MIDI sequencer.
•Send MIDI continuous controller on/off messages.
To redefine Ground Link buttons, enter Setup mode and
activate this function by pressing [EXPANDERS]. Then press
[SELECT ∨] until you see:
G.LINK=NORMAL
Press [+/YES] and [-/NO] to toggle between Normal and
Programmed ("PROGRM") mode.
Once you have selected programmed mode, you can specify
button function by pressing [CURSOR >] to access the display
for each button. The first digit always indicates which button
you are programming.
GCX Loops:
The basic display reads:
3.GCX-1 LOOP6
This indicates that Ground Link button #3 will control loop 6
on GCX #1. Use [CURSOR < or >] to move the cursor and
select each parameter (Ground Link button #, GCX # or Loop
#). Then use [-/NO] and [+/YES] to alter them.
MIDI Sequencer Start/Stop:
With the cursor on the GCX #, such as:
3.GCX-1 LOOP6

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Press [+/YES] until the display shows:
3. SEQ S/S
Now Ground Link button #3 will start and stop your sequencer.
MIDI Continuous Controller On/Off:
With the cursor on the GCX #, press [+/YES] until the display
shows:
1.CH01 CTL004
This indicates that Ground Link button #1 will control MIDI
continuous controller #004 on channel 1. You can use
[CURSOR < or >] to move the cursor and select each
parameter. Then use [-/NO] and [+/YES] to select MIDI
channels 1-16 and continuous controllers 0-120.
Invert Controllers:
Controllers are turned on and off by sending a value of 0 or
127. Normally the Ground Link LED is off with a value of 0
and on with 127. If this is backwards for your processor, then
you can invert the polarity by pressing [CURSOR >] until you
see:
CTL NORMAL
Then press [+/YES] to change it from "normal to "invert".

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System Mix Plus VCA
The System Mix Plus includes a stereo volume control (VCA)
which can be accessed remotely with your Ground Control. A
VCA is a Voltage Controlled Amplifier which is just a fancy
name for a type of volume control. For the VCA to be
controlled by your Ground Control, it must be enabled here.
To enable the VCA, enter Setup mode and activate this
function by pressing [EXPANDERS]. Then press [SELECT ∨]
until you see:
VCA IS OFF
Press [+/YES] to turn VCA control on.
Note: When the VCA is enabled ("VCA IS ON"), you can only
use devices 1 through 7. Memory for device #8 is used to
store volume levels.
Utility
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Utility allows you to change certain default settings for the
Ground Control. Enter Setup mode and press [UTILITY] to
activate this function.
Directory Speed
This lets you control how fast the directory of presets scrolls
when you enter a new Bank.
Press [SELECT] until the display reads:
DIR SPEED=2
Press [DATA] to enter a value from 1 (slowest) to 4 (fastest).

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Preset Access
There are three different ways of accessing presets, "Bank",
"Bank4" or "Direct".
Bank mode lets you access your presets as 10 banks of 10
presets each. This way you use [SELECT ∧or ∨] to choose the
bank, then [0-9] to call up each preset within that bank.
Bank4 mode lets you access your presets as 25 banks of 4
presets each. You still use [SELECT ∧or ∨] to choose the
bank, but only [1-4] to call up the presets. This frees up the
upper row of buttons for instant access to other functions. This
mode is most commonly used if you have a GCX Guitar Audio
Switcher and you want to have instant control over the loops.
Direct mode let you access your presets by directly entering
the number of the preset. For example, to recall preset 37, you
would press [3] then [7]. In this mode, [SELECT] acts as
increment and decrement. This mode is used if you have a rigid
set list and want to pre-program all of the changes.
The Ground Control is initially set to "Bank". To select a
different preset access mode, press [SELECT] until the display
reads:
P. ACC.=BANK
Press [DATA] to select between Bank, Bank4 or Direct.
If you choose Bank4 mode, the Ground Control will default to
the upper row of buttons controlling GCX #1 loops 1-6. You
can redefine these buttons by pressing [CURSOR >] to select
each button. Read the section above under Expanders titled
"Ground Link" for a description of reprogramming buttons.

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Initialize Memory
This function restores the Ground Control's memory to the
factory settings.
1. Press [SELECT] until the display reads:
INIT MEM Y/N
2. Press [+/YES].
3. After the warning, if you still want to continue, press
[+/YES] again.
Exiting SETUP MODE
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To exit SETUP MODE, press either [SETUP MODE] button
and answer [+/YES] to the prompt. The Ground Control will
return to Preset mode.

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PROGRAM DEVICES
This is where you will:
•Select the Program for each MIDI controlled device.
•Specify what each Expression Pedal will control.
•Set the System Mix Plus volume.
•Setup audio loops and switches on the GCX(s).
•Name and save each combination as a Preset.
The changes occur in "real time" while you edit your presets,
so you can experiment with new tone combinations before you
save them.
Entering PROGRAM DEVICES
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When you power up the Ground Control, it starts out in Preset
mode. After displaying a startup message (which you can skip
by pressing any button), a directory of the presets in bank #0
will begin to scroll.
Before you enter Program Devices mode, you should select the
preset you want to edit. You can do this by pressing any button
[0-9]. The display will show that preset, for example:
01. INIT
Now to edit preset 01, you will press and hold [SELECT ∨]
until the Program Devices light (in the upper right) comes on.
If you were in a bank other than 0, you would press and hold
[SELECT ∨] until you reach bank 0. Then press and hold a
second time until the Program Devices light comes on.
Note: The delay in entering Program Devices is so that you don't
accidentally enter this mode during performance.