Saving Presets on the Vongon Polyphrase

Duskmos · 2024-04-02T23:16:29.243Z

Hey thanks for thinking of me haha. I haven’t done any preset saving on the Polyphrase yet, but one of the first things that comes to mind is making sure your MIDI settings are properly set up on the DT to actually send the PC messages. I’m sure you’ve already checked that but that has snagged me up plenty before. Also are you sure your MIDI adapter is the correct type? If you’ve used it to sync before then you should be good, but maybe that’s another thing to check. I’ll let you know if I get a chance to try it out myself =)

Tchu · 2024-04-03T00:00:11.027Z

Duskmos:

making sure your MIDI settings are properly set up on the DT to actually send the PC messages

Set properly.

Duskmos:

Also are you sure your MIDI adapter is the correct type?

Yes, a type B.

Duskmos:

If you’ve used it to sync before then you should be good

I’ve used it to sync and to change presets with no problem.

Duskmos · 2024-04-03T21:31:30.891Z

Hmm then it does sound a bit like a bug. Have you contacted Vongon directly? Curious what their take might be. I agree though, this way of preset management is rough. =/

Tchu · 2024-04-03T21:34:27.263Z

Duskmos:

Hmm then it does sound a bit like a bug

Have you tried to save a Preset?

Duskmos:

Have you contacted Vongon directly?

Yes. I’m waiting for an answer from them. This is what I send them 2 days ago :

Yesterday, I did some extensive tests again and my results were that it worked inaccurately meaning that the Preset wasn’t always saved. Even weirder, after saving a Preset, if I scroll the already saved Presets, it won’t be the same as if the previous savings were gone.

It’s the first time in my long journey that I see a saving system like this relying on PC messages. I’m curious to know what made you go this route? Can it be changed to something easier?

Presets and an easy way to save Presets are a big part of my (Live) setup. I really like the Polyphrase. It brings something different than my other Delay pedals and I understand that, in a way, it’s meant for explorations but I really need an accurate saving process.

Final thoughts : I don’t mind using PC messages to select a Preset. That’s the way I use it with my other MIDI pedals. But using PC to save a Preset is kind of awkward. What if holding down the TRIG FUNCTION and the ECHO STYLE buttons for 2-3 seconds saves the Preset on the current Program?

Also, you can’t scroll the Presets with the pedal only, you need a device that sends PC messages. A way to navigate the Presets directly on the pedal would be really welcomed. I’m thinking about someone who doesn’t have a device that can send PC messages here, like a purist guitarist.

Maybe I’m missing the point on Vongon’s vision though? I don’t want to be disrespectful in any way.

Duskmos · 2024-04-03T21:54:20.552Z

Sounds like a great note. I’m sure some button combos could make it happen if they got creative.

As I mentioned yesterday I haven’t done any work with presets on the Polyphrase yet, but maybe I’ll get some time to look into it this weekend. I’ll report back if I do!

Tchu · 2024-04-03T21:56:12.284Z

Thank you @Duskmos!

venain · 2024-04-03T22:24:08.287Z

This is strangely coincidental timing, I just finished setup on a pedalboard that heavily relies on midi and includes the polyphrase. Read your post and went to test preset save/loading and confirm its not working on my end either.

In my case I’m using a morningstar MC8 as the midi controller and everything else works on the polyphrase, CC, expression, etc, but no luck on saving/loading presets.

Tchu · 2024-04-03T22:46:31.282Z

Thanks for chiming in @venain! I was looking for a confirmation. Maybe if you contact Vongon, they will take this essential feature into consideration.

venain · 2024-04-03T23:59:24.528Z

Okay so I was trying to activate the trails mode and it wouldnt work, so I noticed I was on an old firmware. Did the update (which is the annoying audio file process, make sure you unplug the output on the polyphrase) and after the update I can do preset saving/loading as outlined in the manual.

Have you tried updating the firmware @Tchu?

Tchu · 2024-04-04T00:06:50.578Z

venain:

Have you tried updating the firmware @Tchu?

I think I’m on the latest FW. That’s the first thing I’ve checked but I could be wrong, that light flashes rapidly. Did I count 2 or 3 flashes, now you got me doubting.

I will install the latest FW and report back. Thanks for the follow up!

HoldMyBeer · 2024-04-04T00:22:13.558Z

At this point I am following along to see how this journey ends. I am rooting for you all!!!

Tchu · 2024-04-04T00:23:24.684Z

You need to save Presets too?

HoldMyBeer · 2024-04-04T00:25:14.269Z

No, not yet anyway. I’m just here for encouragement.

Tchu · 2024-04-04T00:27:19.211Z

I should have wrote you would need to save Presets as I know you don’t have the pedal yet but you’re interested to get one.

Tchu · 2024-04-04T00:34:55.311Z

I am waiting for an answer from Vongon but on their Website it says « Closed for our Wedding » until April 8th.

HoldMyBeer · 2024-04-04T00:37:07.961Z

Well, that’s a pretty good reason I suppose.

Tchu · 2024-04-04T01:16:44.069Z

Updated the FW, still inaccurate.

venain:

after the update I can do preset saving/loading as outlined in the manua

And it’s accurate? If you scroll up and down the Presets from PC messages, you always have the same settings each time for your saved Presets?

On my side, saving seems to work but when I scroll up and down, the parameters of the Presets are not always the same. I’m being precautious to not go pass PC 9 to avoid overwriting.

venain · 2024-04-04T04:58:34.854Z

hmm im not sure what you mean by scrolling, the way i’m doing it is just setting up one footswitch to directly send exactly the PC number to save and reload, so in my test I sent PC 11, then changed a bunch of settings and sent PC 1 and it recalled them, I tried with two different preset slots, 1 and 5, and it seemed to recall the correct settings when bouncing between them (though I didn’t super scrutinize to make sure it was perfect, but it seemed right)

Tchu · 2024-04-09T12:53:10.531Z

Good news. I’ve received an answer from Vongon :

I appreciate your feedback on the Polyphrase preset system. I understand that the system is a little bit non-traditional, and I apologize for any confusion. I will plan to work on adding an additional method to save presets like you describe (holding down trig+bypass). When we release firmware updates, I will notify our mailing list so keep an eye out for updates. Thanks for your time!

Best,

Ryan

venain · 2024-04-09T22:11:03.966Z

Nice! I really love the polyphrase, glad to see continued support. I had the ultrasheer for a while and while I did love it, i’ve become way too dependent on midi for my pedal stuff, its basically a requirement for me now