H9 and BOSS ES-8 MIDI Control

[njstoehr]

I am a complete noob when it comes to MIDI control. I have seen a number of videos online showing the H9 controlled by various midi footswitches to include the BOSS ES-8. I have tried, very unsuccessfully I might add, to select H9 presets with my ES-8 and could use a little 101 type help in getting this setup.

I have connected the midi-out/thru on the ES-8 to the midi-in of the H9. I changed the H9 midi “RCV CH” to 1, “CLK IN” set to “ON”, and “OUTPUT” is set to “THRU”. On the ES-8 I have programmed a patch to send PC 11 out on Ch 1 in the hope of selecting the “What I’m Looking” preset. Unfortunately, when I select the patch on the ES-8 it does not change the preset on the H9. I am obviously doing something wrong and have no doubt that it is a simple fix but I am at a loss. Can anyone offer some insight?

Thanks.

[nickrose]

I'm thinking you should re-initialize the H9 and leave it at default settings. If you still have no luck, this would probably be an issue for Boss, rather than us.

 

[njstoehr]

nickrose wrote:

I’m thinking you should re-initialize the H9 and leave it at default settings. If you still have no luck, this would probably be an issue for Boss, rather than us.

 

 

Thanks Nick. I have tried that. Reset both actually. Still not working as I would have hoped. Before I call BOSS perhaps someone can point me in the direction of some “MIDI for Dummies” reading materials. Lol

[nickrose]

Essentially, if the H9 is at default settings, and you send it a low numbered (below 100) MIDI Program Change, it should load a preset without you doing anything else.

Which preset it loads is a different issue, but we can worry about that later.

If this is not happening (as is seems to not be), it's probably one of the following:

1) Bad cable

2) Cable not plugged into the right places

3) You think you are sending it a program change, but you are not.

4) Hardware fault on H9 (possible but unlikely in this case).

The first 2 are easy to check. The third (most likely) requires a conversation with Mr.Boss.

 

[njstoehr]

Finally got it figured out. Picked up a new midi cable, plugged it in and off to the races. Turns out the one I had was wired incorrectly, so I fixed it. Now I have to functioning cables and can switch presets with no problem. Thanks for the help.

[steve17]

Hi njstoehr,

I too am new to the H9 and midi control.  I came across this post and I was just wondering if, a year later, you are still happy with using your ES-8 as a midi controller for your H9.  Please let me know as I’ve just purchased an H9 and am thinking of getting the ES-8 soon.

Cheers,

Steve

[njstoehr]

steve17 wrote:

Hi njstoehr,

I too am new to the H9 and midi control.  I came across this post and I was just wondering if, a year later, you are still happy with using your ES-8 as a midi controller for your H9.  Please let me know as I’ve just purchased an H9 and am thinking of getting the ES-8 soon.

Cheers,

Steve

I am very happy with the ES-8 and H9 control. I was new to midi at the time so it was a learning curve for sure. ES-8 is actually pretty easy to use with regard to midi, just take some time to look up as much as you can on line, especially youtube videos.

Good luck. I don’t think you will be disapointed in anyway. Again, just do some research, take your time, and don’t get too frustrated. It really is easier than it seems.

Nate

[Glen Cruciani]

njstoehr wrote:

steve17 wrote:

Hi njstoehr,

I too am new to the H9 and midi control.  I came across this post and I was just wondering if, a year later, you are still happy with using your ES-8 as a midi controller for your H9.  Please let me know as I’ve just purchased an H9 and am thinking of getting the ES-8 soon.

Cheers,

Steve

I am very happy with the ES-8 and H9 control. I was new to midi at the time so it was a learning curve for sure. ES-8 is actually pretty easy to use with regard to midi, just take some time to look up as much as you can on line, especially youtube videos.

Good luck. I don’t think you will be disapointed in anyway. Again, just do some research, take your time, and don’t get too frustrated. It really is easier than it seems.

Nate

Nate,

I had a similar issue when I initially tried to get my ES-8 to control a Strymon Big Sky, H9 Max, and an H9 Core. No bad midi cables here, but I wound up making the ES-8 midi channel 1, the Strymon Channel 2, and the H9’s were 3 and 4. Also a noob, and really trying to trial and error my way through things. A few items I’d like help with.
Is it possible to choose a Memory patch on the ES-8, and have it pull up the correct sound on either a Strymon, or H9, but have them toggled to off or bypass? Basically this allows me to have all of the sounds at my disposal for a particular song live, but allows me to activate the sound from the Active switch for example on the H9. Thanks

[steve17]

Happy to hear that and thanks for the reply!

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