Hey experts. I do not believe I have a solution for what I want to do but I wanted to ask.
Assuming I am using 2 ZMACS units daisy chained with a MIDI controller, is there a way to control them independently? For example ZMACS #1 will have 4 amps connected and feed into ZMACS #2 (cab out into an amp in on ZMACS #2). I need to be able to issue a MIDI preset to select an amp on ZMACS #1 and then on ZMACS #2 (coming from ZMACS #1) and control the cab selection and settings on ZMACS #2 where the cabs are connected to ZMACS #2… (I would have the midi controller connected to ZMACS #1 and using the Midi Thru to go into ZMACS #2 But, I don’t see a way to distinguish between the devices since they run in Omni mode and to save the settings for both. Open to ideas from those that know MIDI inside and out. I may be missing something. Thanks.
I cancelled my order for my second unit because I did not hear back with an answer. But, after getting things set up with a Midi controller, the way I got things to work was that I had unique Program Change number for each setting on my ZMACS unit when I hit the Store button. So, I’m thinking I could use MIDI thru to connect to the second unit and continue to use unique Program Change numbers for the second unit Store settings. I’m using 16 now to support 4 amps and 4 cab combinations. I would just need to confirm my MIDI controller supports 32 program change numbers which I assume it does. But, it would be great to hear from Fryette to confirm this all.
First of all, there’s a new application example in the manual on page 16 to show how to link two ZMACS units such that all connected amps ultimately route through the attenuator loop and cabs on the second unit.
Of course, you can connect cabs to the first unit, but they will only receive signals from the heads on that unit and no attenuator.
As far as controlling them independently, you don’t really need to. Just program your midi presets simultaneously for both.
In other words, select a midi preset, then set and store the settings for the first unit, Then set the second unit the way you want it to coincide with the way the first one is set and hit store on that unit. Each unit stores its own presets.
That’s what we do with the two units set up in our demo room.
There are circumstances where you will want to mute any selected amp on the first unit when playing an amp on the second, but you can also store that mute function as described above.
Thank you for the detailed response and that is how I had sketched things out myself to support 7 amps with one attenuator and 4 cabs. The one area that I was sketchy on was the MIDI control which you confirmed will work as expected. I also learned more about MIDI program changes as I programmed my MIDI controller for the first unit.