joemakesnoise
Member
I'm currently planning a setup with the MMGT16 and an Axe-Fx 3, and I've run into a few questions about connecting the two devices that I haven't been able to figure out:
i) I was thinking of using a single cable to carry bidirectional MIDI between the MMGT 16 and the Axe-Fx, phantom power for the MMGT 16 as well as an additional Tuner-Out signal from the Axe-Fx to the floorboard.
The cable should be about 30 feet long. Since I couldn’t find a suitable pre-assembled cable, my idea was to use a 12 x 0.25 mm² cable, combining three strands for each of the two phantom power wires and thus increasing the conductor diameter to 0.75 mm², which should ensure adequate power delivery over the distance. Of the remaining 6 strands, two each would be used for the Midi-In and Midi-Out connection as well as the Tuner-Out.
For the connectors, I'd like to use the Neutrik NLT8 8-pin SpeakOn-connectors (https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nlt8fxx-bag) with the corresponding sockets (https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nlt8mpxx-bag). As for the cable, i found this option: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BHYQ62GS/ref=ox_sc_act_image_17?smid=A1JXRLD5PXO0OA&psc=1
My question is whether this is even feasible? I'm not entirely sure whether there might be any issues, particularly with regard to the cable's construction — for example, the (entirely shared) shielding (do i even need one? or is it better to use an unshielded cable?)*, the lack of twisting in the power or MIDI lines (is it necessary, e.g. to reduce possible interference?), or the connectors (ground etc.?). Can I simply trim the input cables leading to the 8-pin connector (Midi-In and Midi-Out, 12V DC power supply) and solder them directly to the socket and then split them up again on the MMGT16's floorboard (i.e. into 1x 12V DC input connector, 1x MIDI Output, 1x Midi Remote in; or should I better only use the 7-pin Midi connector on the MMGT16 for PP as well as Midi in and out)?
As convenient as it would be to have just one cable running from the rack to the floorboard for all connections (i use wireless for my actual guitar signal), the top priority is that everything works as reliably and safely as possible.
*I understand that it would make sense in principle for an instrument cable to have its own dedicated shielding, but since this is solely a signal feed for the tuner — which isn’t supposed to be audible otherwise — I’m not too worried about potential interference on this specific signal, as long as the Tuner works properly.
ii) Since some of the Axe-Fx's controls are also handled by Ableton, it would be necessary to integrate a MIDI interface such as the iConnectivity MioXM (https://www.iconnectivity.com/mioxm). Is it possible to simply connect the MIDI interface between the Axe-Fx and the MMGT16 (e.g. DIN 1 IN/OUT to MMGT16 via the 8-pin-connector and DIN 2 IN/OUT to Axe-Fx)? I would also like to use the midi interface to set up an alternative (redundant) connection as a backup for the 8-pin connection to the MMGT16 (e.g., DIN 3 IN/OUT via – separate – typical 5-pin DIN-connectors).
I would really appreciate your help!
Joe
i) I was thinking of using a single cable to carry bidirectional MIDI between the MMGT 16 and the Axe-Fx, phantom power for the MMGT 16 as well as an additional Tuner-Out signal from the Axe-Fx to the floorboard.
The cable should be about 30 feet long. Since I couldn’t find a suitable pre-assembled cable, my idea was to use a 12 x 0.25 mm² cable, combining three strands for each of the two phantom power wires and thus increasing the conductor diameter to 0.75 mm², which should ensure adequate power delivery over the distance. Of the remaining 6 strands, two each would be used for the Midi-In and Midi-Out connection as well as the Tuner-Out.
For the connectors, I'd like to use the Neutrik NLT8 8-pin SpeakOn-connectors (https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nlt8fxx-bag) with the corresponding sockets (https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nlt8mpxx-bag). As for the cable, i found this option: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BHYQ62GS/ref=ox_sc_act_image_17?smid=A1JXRLD5PXO0OA&psc=1
My question is whether this is even feasible? I'm not entirely sure whether there might be any issues, particularly with regard to the cable's construction — for example, the (entirely shared) shielding (do i even need one? or is it better to use an unshielded cable?)*, the lack of twisting in the power or MIDI lines (is it necessary, e.g. to reduce possible interference?), or the connectors (ground etc.?). Can I simply trim the input cables leading to the 8-pin connector (Midi-In and Midi-Out, 12V DC power supply) and solder them directly to the socket and then split them up again on the MMGT16's floorboard (i.e. into 1x 12V DC input connector, 1x MIDI Output, 1x Midi Remote in; or should I better only use the 7-pin Midi connector on the MMGT16 for PP as well as Midi in and out)?
As convenient as it would be to have just one cable running from the rack to the floorboard for all connections (i use wireless for my actual guitar signal), the top priority is that everything works as reliably and safely as possible.
*I understand that it would make sense in principle for an instrument cable to have its own dedicated shielding, but since this is solely a signal feed for the tuner — which isn’t supposed to be audible otherwise — I’m not too worried about potential interference on this specific signal, as long as the Tuner works properly.
ii) Since some of the Axe-Fx's controls are also handled by Ableton, it would be necessary to integrate a MIDI interface such as the iConnectivity MioXM (https://www.iconnectivity.com/mioxm). Is it possible to simply connect the MIDI interface between the Axe-Fx and the MMGT16 (e.g. DIN 1 IN/OUT to MMGT16 via the 8-pin-connector and DIN 2 IN/OUT to Axe-Fx)? I would also like to use the midi interface to set up an alternative (redundant) connection as a backup for the 8-pin connection to the MMGT16 (e.g., DIN 3 IN/OUT via – separate – typical 5-pin DIN-connectors).
I would really appreciate your help!
Joe
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