Advanced MIDI control of Kemper

    Currently I am developing Kemper support for the VController, a DIY midi controller that already supports a number of devices. This is what the VController looks like:


    [Blocked Image: https://i.postimg.cc/NjFkTrP9/dsc00010.jpg]


    I actually do not own the KPA myself, but I am trying to develop the software through a number of TeamViewer sessions with someone who does have both the VController and the Kemper.


    I have already found a lot of information on sysex commands that can be sent to the KPA. I am familiar with the excellent work of bj devices (https://github.com/BurenkovS/b…vendors/kemper_amps/kpa.h)


    But for the VController to work to its full potential, I need to read the rig- and performance names. I have found the information how to read the current rig and performance name, but the VController needs to read them ahead. So I would like to know if I can query the Kemper for the name of specific rigs or performances. That way I can fill the displays of the VController before a rig or performance is selected. Is this possible?


    I am looking for a specific MIDI sysex command, that includes a rig or perforrnace number, that will return the name of that rig or performance.


    More information on the VController project can be found here: https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=277.0

    Very cool. Are those backlight colors programmable?


    I started something similar but much simpler before. Old enclosure I had around, a Teensy (that has native MIDI support) a few momentary switches and some NeoPixels.


    Here's how mine looks - nothing like the VController :D


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    Ended up not using with the Kemper as I got an FCB1010, this ugly box is currently a mute / unmute box for my mixer (as you can see from the labels). Sends MIDI commands to the mixer to mute/unmute these channels. Naturally "guitar" can mute all three of the channels for the guitar, the two for the Kemper stereo out plus the DI as well.


    Anyway, I don't know the commands to pre-query the names but you may want to reach out to the custom FCB rom guys (Eurekaprom and Uno4Kemper), they may help.

    Thanks for responding. To answer your question: yes, the VController is fully programmable. It even has an external editor for PC and Mac. I have been working over three years on it now.


    The idea is that the VController works with other devices with minimal programming. Yet, it should read patch/rig names and effect types and names. It already works with a number of devices. But the functionality is always at the mercy of the manufacturer, the number of parameters that are exposed and known through midi.


    It is a diy project, only a few people have been courageous enough to build one.

    Can you buy the enclosure already pre-drilled / cut? If yes, I may just get one.


    (For me, drilling those 16 holes in my box was the 2nd most frustrating experience after soldering those tiny pads on the neopixels.)

    The enclosure is always the tricky part of these kind of projects. I have a good contact that can laser cut the enclosre. The trickiest bit for me is having it bent.


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    Full building plans are on github: https://github.com/sixeight7/VController_v3
    Also there are some video blogs on the build: https://www.youtube.com/playli…FpLT2szDHuSqDDrjR1xBdHkT-


    It is probably best to look for a local business that does sheet metal cutting and bending. Sometimes they are willing to help out an enthusiastic hobbyist :)

    Edited 3 times, last by sixeight ().

    It is very similar to the RJM Mastermind controllers which also have an editor for PC and Mac. Ron at RJM has worked very hard to make the Mastermind integrate seemlessly with several commonunits including Axe and Kemper. The RJM makes extensive use of two way midi for reading Performance names etc. I would watch a few videos of the RJM being programmed for Kemper to see what is possible regarding receiving names etc fro the KPA. If it can be done Ron will almost certainly have done it already.

    Hi @sixeight
    Tried sending you a PM but I guess you can't get them as a non-registered user.


    This is what I use, (adopted from the Kemper MIDI manual) just in case you haven't seen it.


    Send this to get the names from current performance:
    byte get_name_syx[] = {0xF0, 0x00, 0x20, 0x33, 0x02, 0x7F, 0x47, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x01, 0x00, 0x01, 0xF7};


    where:
    get_name_syx[12] = slot+1;


    There are other (more complex) ways to get names that are used by approved developers. You may have some luck if you contact support directly with a brief description of the project you are implementing. Kemper support are a very helpful bunch of folks!


    Hope that helps.

    Hallo have been developing the code a lot further. But some things are not very logical.

    1) If I pre-select a performance with cc#48 and 49 I can read the names of the new performance slots correctly. If I use cc#47 I cannot read the performance names.

    2) If a slot is empty it will return the name of the first slot. Do You have to check if a slot is empty first. If so, how?