This article has been contributed by Patrick K. Gifford from the The REAL Dream Rig Facebook group. Thank you, Patrick!

Patrick's quick tips... 

... on how to make sure the AMP1 and the Line6 HX Effects work with MIDI:

Use the MIDI1 adapter cable

You must have the BluGuitar MIDI1 adapter. This is not just a cable, it is an active component (for more info on the MIDI1, check out this article‍). The MIDI1 is then connected to a regular MIDI cable into the HX Effects. You can find many short MIDI patch cables for this purpose.  

 

Send on MIDI channel 1

AMP1 only works on MIDI channel 1, so make sure all your commands are sent on channel 1. You can do this by explicitly stating "channel 1" in each MIDI command. Alternatively, if your HX Effects is globally set to send on channel 1, you can just use the default "base" setting each time you set up a MIDI command. Your choice.

 

Turn off MIDI clock and MIDI PC TX

Turn off MIDI clock in the HX Effects. This is found in "Global Settings". Also turn off MIDI PC TX found on the 3rd screen of the MIDI settings! Otherwise the MIDI LEARN process will never work properly (if you want to know why this is, check out this article). Trust those of us, who had to learn this the hard way. 🙂

 

Test communication

Start simple and test that the two devices are communicating: go to "Command Center" and assign CC Toggle 060 (Boost) to any foot switch. If you can toggle Boost on/off, you know the two devices are talking. If not, you need to troubleshoot.

 

Send single, unique MIDI commands

When you use PC commands with the MIDI LEARN function on the AMP1, be sure to send your Instant Command only one time! E.g. if you load your preset to send an Instant Command, hit that foot switch only once, while the AMP1's Reverb light is blinking. If you - intentionally or accidentally - hit it multiple times, you may find that your AMP1 freezes and you need to power it off and on (again, if you want to know why this is, check out this article‍).

 

Ask for help

If you have a problem, ask for help! This can be done either by clicking on "Give feedback about this article" at the bottom of this page or by asking the guys in the The REAL Dream Rig Facebook group. That is what this group is all about, to go DEEEEP on the Real Dream Rig. No need to get frustrated, maybe you are making a simple mistake that we have all made, too! I used to think that there was something "quirky" about the AMP1 MIDI implementation, until I learned about turning off PC TX on that 3rd screen of the MIDI options! The MIDI on the AMP1 is rock solid reliable, have no doubt about that!