GT-6FxFloorBoard editor software

Started by gumtown, February 05, 2018, 03:16:25 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

gumtown

The GT-6FxFloorBoard software editor is free and available from
https://sourceforge.net/projects/fxfloorboard/files/GT-6FxFloorBoard/
with versions for
Windows
Mac 32 and 64 bit
Linux 32 and 64 bit.

The editor comes with a range of user patch files to load in your favourite guitar tone or effects.

The GT-6 by design does have some frustrating limitations on the midi communication process,
requiring the unit to be flipped back and forth in "Bulk Mode",
as the GT-6 is not capable of full duplex midi communicating during real time editing.

The GT-6 sometimes experiences midi performance fluctuations while transferring system exclusive patch data,
which may cause a random editor communication error dialog to popup.
Latter GT models do not suffer this data exchange bottleneck.

In order to use the editor properly, after initial midi setup, to user will want to syncronise the current GT-6 patch data status
with the editor. This is done by setting both the editor and GT-6 into "Bulk Mode".
The left panel "Patch Tree" can be expanded,and patch names will be read from the GT-6,
a "double click" on a selected patch name will load the patch data into the editor, and the editor GUI will display the relevent settings.
The editor and GT-6 can then be released from "Bulk Mode" (to Play Mode) and real time editing and adjustments can be made to the preamps and effects.

It is recommended if the adjusted patch data is to be saved into the GT-6, that it be done by the 'write' process on the GT-6 itself.
It can be done in "Bulk Mode" too, but cause a lot of faffing around.
The edited patch can also be saved to File (from the editor File menu).


Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

sixstringsid

I couldn't get it to communicate in bulk mode till I put it in debug. Then it would connect and I could turn debug off and it would work. I have to use debug every time to connect, not sure why it works but it does. Also the patch menu on the left either says no reply or bad data even though the patches show up. At least there is a work around. The only thing I can think of is my sound card EMU 0404 has Midi and maybe there is a conflict with the two. I haven't check to see if I can turn off the midi in the sound card yet.

sixstringsid

I forgot to mention that I use a Uno midi controller.

admin

Quote from: sixstringsid on February 05, 2018, 02:59:38 PM
I forgot to mention that I use a Uno midi controller.

What is your Operating system version?

sixstringsid

Quote from: admsustainiac on February 05, 2018, 03:26:01 PM
What is your Operating system version?

So far I've tried it under windows 7 both desktop and laptop. I've also tried it with same desktop and a older version of 32bit linux(would not even connect under linux, maybe a driver issue, didn't run modprob). The laptop under win 7 would read the name of the patches in the left pane correctly but refused to read the actual patch, then crashed, would even let me end the process tree. Going to boot up Linux under the laptop and see what I get. I might yank the sound card out of the desktop and see what happens. Will the software work if I get midi cables and run straight into the sound card? I love the software, sure would make programming a whole lot easier.

admin


gumtown

Quote from: admsustainiac on February 05, 2018, 04:27:40 PM
Are you using this MAudio Uno Driver Version 6.1.3 ?
http://m-audio.com/support/download/drivers/midisport-windows-driver-v6.1.3

The Uno is very fussy on having the correct driver, there are different variants of the Uno over the years too.
The GT6 is now pushing on for nearly 20 years, and very dated COSM compared to latter models.
I would recommend saving your $ € £ from buying another midi device
and get a used GT10 which has a built in USB port for audio and midi direct to the computer.

If you do decide to get another USB midi device, avoid the cheap a bay types,
They don't work. I recommend the Roland UM-One, but it will be worth as much as a used GT6.
And there is still no guarantee the GT6 WILL still play ball with it's dodgy midi interface.

Hope I am not putting you off the GT6, just want to save you from little returns for so much effort.

Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

sixstringsid

Quote from: gumtown on February 05, 2018, 04:54:48 PM
The Uno is very fussy on having the correct driver, there are different variants of the Uno over the years too.
The GT6 is now pushing on for nearly 20 years, and very dated COSM compared to latter models.
I would recommend saving your $ € £ from buying another midi device
and get a used GT10 which has a built in USB port for audio and midi direct to the computer.

If you do decide to get another USB midi device, avoid the cheap a bay types,
They don't work. I recommend the Roland UM-One, but it will be worth as much as a used GT6.
And there is still no guarantee the GT6 WILL still play ball with it's dodgy midi interface.

Hope I am not putting you off the GT6, just want to save you from little returns for so much effort.

I didn't look at the driver # but I did update it, still didn't work. No you aren't putting me off the gt6, it works for what I do, but I was considering maybe a gt8. So is that a no on using the EMU pci sound card and just grabbing some midi cables to hook it up?

sixstringsid

I see Guitar Center has a couple of used for 10's for sale. Hmmm I wonder what they would give me for the 6. Probably just hang with what I have. Besides the patch name not coming up correctly in the left pane, it works fine, just need to drop into debug to connect then once connected take it out so I don't have to click though the debug screens.

sixstringsid

Is there a way to adjust the patch level in the floorboard software, or just the knob on the unit?

gumtown

Foot Volume or Preamp Level are the only two software controls which will affect the patch level.

Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

sixstringsid

Quote from: gumtown on February 05, 2018, 06:50:34 PM
Foot Volume or Preamp Level are the only two software controls which will affect the patch level.

Thank you

sixstringsid

Hey Colin, I went out and got a set of midi cables and hooked straight into my E-MU 0404 pci sound card. I can't get this thing to talk to the gt6 at all. I grab a evaluation copy of GT Manager and it syncs right up. Can you suggest anything for me to try? I would rather use your software, I like the layout better than the GT Manager.

Thanks

sixstringsid

Hey Gumtown, I can get it to pull the data down in debug. Is there a way to turn the messages off and just leave it in debug? I don't really care if it doesn't pull the name off the left pane as I'm going to change it anyways.




gumtown

I just uploaded a new Windows version,
can't find my GT-6 at the moment to test it,
but added a midi time delay to help with certain problem midi devices,
and to help with the slow GT-6 system exclusive data throughput system.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/fxfloorboard/files/GT-6FxFloorBoard/

I got rid of the debug mode popup data too.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

sixstringsid

Hey Gumtown, thanks my friend. Changing the time didn't seem to have any effect on it. Still won't read the names on the left pane(bad data), it will display the name at the top of the screen. It still needs to be in debug to connect, but at least I don't have to deal with the popups. Its pretty fast reading the patches once connected.

The Midisport won't talk at all (I just use my sound card now). I'll give the midisport a shot with my laptop and let you know how that worked out. I won't be using my laptop for my music stuff, but will share any info I can get with you.

Crazy old machine. When I get back to work and get caught up on the bills I will be looking for something a bit newer. Finally getting the hang of programming it.

gumtown

I just found my GT-6, was hidden away in my daughters room, got to watch her with my guitar stuff  :D

Tomorrow I should be able to have a poke around with the GT-6.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

sixstringsid

Thanks my friend. BTW I'm going to send you some funds for writing the Floorboard stuff somehow. Just bare with me for a short time. If you only new how much a freaking HATE PayPal  >:( Those guys and I are at war.

I used to love her
But I had to kill her
I used to love her, Mm, yeah
But I had to kill her
I had to put her six feet under
And I can still hear her complain

gibvel

Hey gumtown,

I just got the low battery on my GT-6 and was going to backup my 6 before changing it out.  Do you think I'd lose my patches if I changed out the battery really quickly?

Anyway, I have the UM-ONE and can't seem to get it to work with the FXFloorboard editor.  It doesn't seem to be connecting to the GT.  There are times when the bulk dump popup will come up but when I do the transfer it doesn't have any bytes when it's finished.

Any advice?

admin

Quote from: gibvel on December 11, 2018, 03:49:40 PM
Hey gumtown,

I just got the low battery on my GT-6 and was going to backup my 6 before changing it out.  Do you think I'd lose my patches if I changed out the battery really quickly?

Anyway, I have the UM-ONE and can't seem to get it to work with the FXFloorboard editor.  It doesn't seem to be connecting to the GT.  There are times when the bulk dump popup will come up but when I do the transfer it doesn't have any bytes when it's finished.

Any advice?

Refer to the Boss GT-6 Service Manual
http://www.synfo.nl/servicemanuals/Roland/ROLAND_GT-6_SERVICE_NOTES.pdf

gibvel

Yeah, I know about all that my question was more about what I'm doing wrong or any advice to bulk dump my patches before replacing the battery.


gumtown

Replacing the battery while the GT-6 is powered off will lose or corrupt the patch data, you could risk replacing the battery while the GT-6 is powered on.

Best to make a backup, if you can't get GT-6FxFloorBoard to work, try a midi transfer software like
Bomes Midi SendSX
https://www.bome.com/products/sendsx

setup your midi adapter to Midi In in the software, set the GT-6 to Bulk Write send, wait for the data to transfer, then in SendSX -
FILE Save Midi In As, choose a file name and save as a *.syx file type.

The same software program can load the sysx data back into the GT-6, setup the Midi out port to your adapter, File Open (the one you saved) then "Send" [F4],
then wait for the dat to transfer (takes about a minute or two).
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

gibvel

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

How much of a "risk" is changing the battery with the GT powered?   :o

gumtown

Anything could happen,
the safest method is to change the battery powered off, then perform a factory reset on power up.

Which means saving your GT-6 patches and system settings is a good idea, first before the battery change.
All patches and system data saved *.syx file should be around 100kB in size.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

gumtown

Problem I have with GT-6FxFloorboard and other FxFlooorboard software using an external midi device, not sure if it is only specific with the midi device I have.
My Edirol UA20 (2 x 2 audio and 1 x 1 midi I/O) which I usually use is not compatible with Windows 10 (no win10 driver, and Win7 driver installs but system does not recognise it).

So I am using my Edirol UA101 (10 x 10 audio and 1x1 midi) device, but the problem is when the editor sends syx or midi, it opens and closes the midi port, and dispenses with the midi device on every midi message/transaction.
This has been no issue on Windows 7 with the other midi adapter,
but the Edirol UA101 sends 16 channels of note off and 16 channels of cc# controller reset each time the software closes the midi port.
So it sends 1 line of sysx code and 32 lines of cc# rubbish, causing the GT-6 to temporarily lock up for about 10 seconds.

Not sure if this is a specific 'quirk' with the Edirol UA101, or a Windows 10 thing, I think it is the adapter/device.

So I have a Roland UM-One on order.
 
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/