I have two KHE amp/cab switchers that are joined together in link mode. That means they operate as one big unit instead of as two independent ones. I have a KHE 4x4 FX and a KHE 8x4. Together, they form a 12x8 FX. Even though they each have separate MIDI channels, you can send MIDI to the main unit (on Ch 1), and the MIDI events are processed by both units. The units have 100 presets, which are way more than enough for my needs, and they respond to PC and CC messages. I programmed 13 presets in the KHE units to cover my basic amp/cab needs. PC 1 turns on amp 1 (a combo). PC 2 turns on a different combo amp--etc. I have three amp heads in the mix and two cabs. So, some of the presets I programmed will turn on amp head A with cab A. Another preset will turn on amp head A with cab B--and so on. The CC layout is fairly straightforward, although it gets a little funky when two units are linked together. CC messages can turn any amp or cab on/off as well. All of that is just background for what follows.
I want to use the PBC external switches to send CC messages to switch between cabs and/or switch between amps *after* I have already loaded a PBC preset. So, for example, in PBC preset 13, I send PC 9 to the KHE switchers. That switches on my Metropoulos Super Plex MK II head + Cab A. I have also programmed one of my external switches in IA Cycle mode to send CC messages to the KHE to switch between Cab B and then back to Cab A again. This allows me to play through an amp head and toggle between different cabs. Similarly, on the other external switch, I have programmed it to switch between different amps. Pressing the switch sends a CC message that turns on my Germino head. Pressing that switch again brings me back to my Super Plex. Between the two switches, I can toggle between two amp heads and two cabs.
Here's the thing. It works, but it shouldn't. Putting it differently, I don't see why it works the way I've programmed it. I would much rather understand exactly what's going on because that's going to serve me better in the long term with my programming.
CC 8 corresponds to Cab 1 (on my 4 x 4 FX)
CC 9 corresponds to Cab 2 (on my 4 x 4 FX)
CC 12 corresponds to Amp 1 (on my 8 x 4)
CC 14 corresponds to Amp 3 (on my 8 x 4)
Here's a screen shot of what's programmed for the first switch, which should toggle between cabs:
The KHE manual states that it only responds to a value of 127, which is why I put in 127 for both on and off states. Basically, I didn't know what I was doing exactly, so I just experimented until things worked. *But here's the part I don't understand.* Shouldn't I be sending CC 9 first in the cycle steps because Cab 1 is already on when the preset loads? CC 9 should turn on Cab 2, but it only works when I program it this way. Is there any way that the first press of my ext switch *is* sending the second command (CC 9) because its default state (sending CC 8) is already on, so the next press will send step two (CC 9)??
Here's the thing, though. When I press the second switch--the one that will toggle between my two amp heads--it works exactly as I'd expect it to work. Here's what I've programmed:
Here, when I press the switch, CC 12 must be being sent because my Germino comes on (CC 12, Amp 1). And when I press the switch the second time, I go right back to my Super Plex (CC 14, Amp 3). It's exactly the opposite of what happens with the cabs.
On the one hand, I'm thrilled that it works. I can switch between two amp heads and two cabs just by tapping two switches. It's totally bad ass. But I'm also completely baffled b/c I want to know what's going on with the programming.
If you've read all this, I owe you a beer.