Fender DEC Family Owners Manual - Page 10

10 ✧ G-DEC ✧ Updating the G-DEC Software The above MIDI configuration will also allow you to update your G-DEC software if and when an update becomes available from Fender, downloadable from http://www.fender.com. G-DEC update information will be made available from the download site. In general, to perform this operation, access the "Amp Update" item in the Utility Menu (see Utility Mode, page 11) and follow the on-screen instructions. Press Save to start the process. When the G-DEC states it is ready to receive a MIDI Update, use your selected SYSEX application (the same used for preset dumps and loads) to send the G-DEC update file to the amp. Other important instructions may be included with the update package. Using the On-Board Synthesizer with an External Controller The G-DEC has a full General MIDI compatible synthesizer on board that may be triggered using an external MIDI controller. Simply connect the MIDI Out port of your MIDI controller device (typically a keyboard or PC) to the MIDI In port on the G-DEC. Set your MIDI controller device onto any channel other than 10 and it will control the onboard G-DEC synthesizer (channel 10 is used for a drum kit). To change voices, use the appropriate program change message on your MIDI controller. Consult the MIDI controller device documentation on how to perform this function on your specific controller. Refer to the Appendix for channels of General MIDI voicings. Advanced MIDI sequence applications will allow you to create your own MIDI songs for playback on the G-DEC. Note also that the G-DEC does not store MIDI files onboard. It simply "streams" the MIDI song data to the onboard synthesizer and requires a connection to the PC or MIDI sequencer at all times for this functionality. If you would like to construct a MIDI song of your own using some of the patterns onboard the G-DEC simply play the pattern you would like and record as much MIDI Out data from the G-DEC as you desire using your MIDI sequence utility application on the PC. Note this will not record any guitar audio, simply MIDI data from the patterns. You can then modify and arrange patterns into songs using your MIDI sequencer software application and stream the resulting file back to the G-DEC as mentioned above. Refer to the Appendix for channels of General MIDI voicings. Connecting Two G-DECs Together You may also share presets directly from one G-DEC to another by simply connecting the two G-DECs with a standard MIDI cable. Connect the MIDI cable to the MIDI Out port of the G-DEC that holds the preset you want to share. Then connect the other end of that MIDI cable to the MIDI In port on the G-DEC into which you wish to load the preset. Then follow the Dump Preset procedure (see Utility Mode, page 11) on the G-DEC that holds the preset you want to share. Streaming MIDI Files to the G-DEC If you wish to play any available General MIDI file from your PC through the G-DEC, you will need a third party PC application that is able to play MIDI files to an external MIDI port. Search for a MIDI player or MIDI sequence utility from your favorite search engine online that works with your specific computer. Consult the documentation for your application on proper configuration. Once properly configured, play any MIDI file (typically a file with the .MID extension) from your MIDI player or sequence application. The MIDI Out port of your MIDI interface device must be connected to the MIDI In port on the G-DEC. Note that if the song is playing but sounds cluttered, make sure any MIDI thru function in your application is disabled, or simply unplug the MIDI cable from the MIDI Out port on the G-DEC. The G-DEC always outputs any MIDI information received on the MIDI In port on the MIDI Out port which may result in a repeated loop if your application has MIDI throughput enabled. Receiving MIDI Sending MIDI ✧ fender.com ✧