MIDI Octopus programming

Request or share system lineups and settings.
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darthoverdrive
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 1:39 pm
Location: Kansas

MIDI Octopus programming

Post by darthoverdrive »

Ok, so I’ve been playing with the MIDI Octopus and pedal board and the whole programming thing. Aside from some worn out buttons giving me grief I finally started to get a handle on this thing.

I put together a couple of worksheets to make programming a little easier. The Octopus Programming Chart is a blank worksheet that can be used with the Octopus only or with the MIDI pedal as well. Columns A through H are the switching jacks on the back of the unit and you can write in what module function they control. The Program #’s are listed along with the pedal’s Banks and LED colors, green and red. The boxes provide space to label the different settings. When filling in the chart I use the bang, *, to indicate that a switch is on or closed.

I’ve attached a worksheet of my current setup, it’s simple but functional. To simplify programming my rig I put each device into its own Bank. For instance channel 1 on my Sustainor occupies Bank 0, 1 – 5 and channel 2 occupies Bank 0, 6 – 10. My Distortion Generator occupies Bank 1, 11 – 15.

Hope these worksheets are useful. I’d like to hear from others on how your setups are programmed too.
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RockmanCentralBob
Posts: 421
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:10 am

Re: MIDI Octopus programming

Post by RockmanCentralBob »

I don't program mine to handle every possible combination, I program mine based on the sounds I use the most, or for a particular song. I find I don't need or use a whole lot of different sounds and it keeps the tap dancing down to a minimum. If I find I need a new combination for a particular part/song, I can always add it.
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darthoverdrive
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 1:39 pm
Location: Kansas

Re: MIDI Octopus programming

Post by darthoverdrive »

True, which is what I did. I programmed each device or channel with all available options on one bank. Another thought would be like you suggest. Set aside a bank for a song or specific sound. Have the default sound foot switch programmed in the middle. Then a clean sound to the left of that and a chorus sound to the right. Or a solo sound. Anyway something to that effect.

Guess it depends how simple or versatile one wants to make it. Or complex :D
RockmanCentralBob
Posts: 421
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:10 am

Re: MIDI Octopus programming

Post by RockmanCentralBob »

I use a Rolls/RFX Midi Buddy MP128 which has 10 buttons (2 banks of 5).
That tends to be enough for me most of the time (another 5 wouldn't hurt sometimes).
1: Clean 2
2: Clean 1
3: Dist only
4: Dist w Chorus
5: Dist w Chorus/Delay
6 ~ 10 same as above with louder volume.

or

1: Clean 2
2: Clean 1
3: Dist only
4: Dist w Phaser
5: Dist w Chorus
6 ~ 10 same as above but with Delay added