need pictures of a midi equipped quad

[straitouttahell]

For future reference, here are a few pics of my MIDI equipped Quad:

 

[4Draw]

I have a MIDI equipped Quad as well. I'm from Belgium, Europe, btw.

I do have some questions though. I know the quad has a high output level and is known to blow relays of MIDI switchers, right? Is this also the with the stock-MIDI equipped quad (like the ones discussed in this thread?).

Also, Straitouttahell, what are the advantages of having the MIDI circuit in there, is it useable at all? I'm sorry, but I didn't really understand your last explanation of its uses.

Thanks in advance!

 

[straitouttahell]

I do have some questions though. I know the quad has a high output level and is known to blow relays of MIDI switchers, right? Is this also the with the stock-MIDI equipped quad (like the ones discussed in this thread?).

To be honest, it's the first time I ever read or hear about this kind of issue. I have never used an external switcher, so I don't know, anyway a friend of mine has used the Quad like this (don't remember which switcher it was exactly, something from Rolls/RFX I think) for years and never had a problem. :shock:

Also, Straitouttahell, what are the advantages of having the MIDI circuit in there, is it useable at all? I'm sorry, but I didn't really understand your last explanation of its uses.

Oh, well, what are the advantager of having the MIDI circuit?

The short answer, of course, is that you don't need an external MIDI switcher.

The long answer is a bit more complex. Let me talk into how this circuit works first. On a typical MIDI preamp, you have presets and you have MIDI Program Changes. You can dial whatever sound on whatever preset you like, and then associate it to whatever MIDI program change you like.

As an example, let's assume that you have:

Preset #1: hot screaming lead

Preset #12: clean

Preset #88: crunch

You can assign each of these presets to whatever program change you want. You can use a simple MIDI pedalboard (like the Midibuddy), and have your preset #1 on MIDI #9. Or you can have it on MIDI #1. Or #74. It's part of the preset, so that you can configure it to be physically where you want it to be on the pedalboard.

You can't do this with the Quad. Each MIDI program change is preassigned.

You have Rhy1 on MIDI#1, Lead1 on MIDI#2, Rhy2 on MIDI#3, Lead 2 on #4, Rhy1+EQ on #5, Lead1+EQ on #6, Rhy2+EQ on #7, Lead2+EQ on #8. Then it starts again, you have Rhy1 on #9, Lead 1 on #10 and so on till MIDI #128.

You can't have, for example, Rhy1 on MIDI#6, because the MIDI adapter card installed on the Quad is factory programmed to give you Lead1+EQ with that program change. This means that you don't need an external MIDI switcher, but on the other hand you can't fully program your presets, so you will need to "remember" which channel on your Quad is assigned to each number on the pedalboard. Or, like I did, you will need to use a presettable pedalboard (like the Behringer FCB1010). Then you will have the chance to get each sound physically where you want it to be on the pedalboard. Hope this helps.

This sucks a little, but we can't forget the Quad was designed in the early 80's, I feel lucky it has MIDI capabilities.

btw, are you sure your Quad has got MIDI controller on board? According to your pic, I would say it is a *standard*, non-MIDI version. It's got caps on the MIDI ports.

 

[prs1999]

Ask MesieBooga.
I do belive he has a Quad w/ the MIDI option.

 

[4Draw]

I do have some questions though. I know the quad has a high output level and is known to blow relays of MIDI switchers, right? Is this also the with the stock-MIDI equipped quad (like the ones discussed in this thread?).

To be honest, it's the first time I ever read or hear about this kind of issue. I have never used an external switcher, so I don't know, anyway a friend of mine has used the Quad like this (don't remember which switcher it was exactly, something from Rolls/RFX I think) for years and never had a problem. :shock:

Also, Straitouttahell, what are the advantages of having the MIDI circuit in there, is it useable at all? I'm sorry, but I didn't really understand your last explanation of its uses.

Oh, well, what are the advantager of having the MIDI circuit?

The short answer, of course, is that you don't need an external MIDI switcher.

The long answer is a bit more complex. Let me talk into how this circuit works first. On a typical MIDI preamp, you have presets and you have MIDI Program Changes. You can dial whatever sound on whatever preset you like, and then associate it to whatever MIDI program change you like.

As an example, let's assume that you have:

Preset #1: hot screaming lead

Preset #12: clean

Preset #88: crunch

You can assign each of these presets to whatever program change you want. You can use a simple MIDI pedalboard (like the Midibuddy), and have your preset #1 on MIDI #9. Or you can have it on MIDI #1. Or #74. It's part of the preset, so that you can configure it to be physically where you want it to be on the pedalboard.

You can't do this with the Quad. Each MIDI program change is preassigned.

You have Rhy1 on MIDI#1, Lead1 on MIDI#2, Rhy2 on MIDI#3, Lead 2 on #4, Rhy1+EQ on #5, Lead1+EQ on #6, Rhy2+EQ on #7, Lead2+EQ on #8. Then it starts again, you have Rhy1 on #9, Lead 1 on #10 and so on till MIDI #128.

You can't have, for example, Rhy1 on MIDI#6, because the MIDI adapter card installed on the Quad is factory programmed to give you Lead1+EQ with that program change. This means that you don't need an external MIDI switcher, but on the other hand you can't fully program your presets, so you will need to "remember" which channel on your Quad is assigned to each number on the pedalboard. Or, like I did, you will need to use a presettable pedalboard (like the Behringer FCB1010). Then you will have the chance to get each sound physically where you want it to be on the pedalboard. Hope this helps.

This sucks a little, but we can't forget the Quad was designed in the early 80's, I feel lucky it has MIDI capabilities.

btw, are you sure your Quad has got MIDI controller on board? According to your pic, I would say it is a *standard*, non-MIDI version. It's got caps on the MIDI ports.

Great text! I totally understand now, I had no idea it was preset from the factory.

Been meaning to open her up, and will do so later today to verify if it is indeed a MIDI. The guy I got it from told me he used MIDI but stopped doing that, because he thought it was draining his tone, and therefor covered the MIDIports again.

 

[4Draw]

Update:

You're right, she's not a MIDI afterall, silly me! I'm pretty glad with that, though. Sure the MIDI's are a rare find, but I was always a reverb fanatic, and this thing gives me the lushest tube reverb I've ever heard, so the two tanks are definitly a + in my book, over the Midi board.

Opened her up and took some hardcore porn shots, which will be at your disposal soon.

 

[straitouttahell]

4Draw: I'm glad you're happy with your non-MIDI Quad

As per me, I play dry almost all the time because I love to hear the amp's raw tone, so when I got the chance I preferred to stick with this MIDI version of the Quad.

btw, there seems to be problems with the pics I have posted in the past.
They can be found here

 

[4Draw]

Great shots. Nice to have a point of reference!

Although some of the pictures (like the ones of the MIDI outputs/inputs) aren't showing up for me in bigger size.

 

[straitouttahell]

Although some of the pictures (like the ones of the MIDI outputs/inputs) aren't showing up for me in bigger size.

Keep refreshing your browser.

It happens to me as well, pushing F5 a coupla times usually fixes this.
Dunno why it happens, anyway, it is a free hosting service, I don't feel like complaining

 

[4Draw]

That sorted it out! Interesting to see the circuitry in there. Mesa's are always such a tight fit.

 

[ashjn]

There is a MIDI Quad on ebay right now with some good pictures...