Directly Control Your Yamaha THR with the Airstep LITE -- No App Required!

[@benjaminifraimov5190]

Thanks man

[@DrewCreal]

You're welcome!

[@billw2809]

Hi Drew quick question, for the 1rst programmable mode, the 5 switches toggle through 5 modes on the yamaha, but can you add /save like reverb, delays etc on this first mode? or is it just 5 clean/distortion without effects? thanks

[@DrewCreal]

Hey Bill, thanks for your questions. The first mode just strictly let's you select which preset on the THR you want, 1-5. In the other modes, you have to sort of scroll through them, but you have the ability to turn different effects on and off. There's even a way that you can set up the Airstep LITE to do exactly what you want it to, since nearly every parameter on the THR can be controlled via MIDI. I hope this helps. Once again, thanks for watching and engaging with my videos, it's always appreciated. 👍😁

[@zedshredhead]

Loving the thr videos! Quick question, Does connecting directly to the thr10ii (not going via the thr remote app) mean that there is no horrible delay when switching patches. It pains me that there is no delay when using the physical buttons on the unit but takes ages via the thr remote app. Thanks, Zed

[@DrewCreal]

Thanks for watching! To answer your question, Yes! Setting up your Airstep Lite or Airstep YT to use with the THR allows the direct connection and no lag! The switching is now instant!

[@simonmaton]

Thanks Drew, I presume that Airstep must either be working with Yamaha or have somehow cracked what they are doing because I have spent countless hours trying to figure it out! Using a Raspberry pi and the aconnect, bluetoothctl and rtmidi, I can get as far as identifying and opening the bluetooth ports, but I can't see any input data and can't send any output data! :-(. I have designed and built my own midi controller for driving my Fractal rig live (It has built-in setlist functionality that allows me to directly download a setlist from Bandhelper etc.) so I would love to get it to work with my THR as well! :-)

[@DrewCreal]

Hey Simon, it sounds like you're up to some intriguing work. XSonic is a Chinese company, and the Yamaha THR is made in a Chinese factory. Some techs that work in the Yamaha factory may have share some secrets with the XSonic team, all I can do is guess that's how it went down. I'm sure there's a workaround but the type of stuff you're doing is over my head. Maybe check out Eli the Computer Guys and see if he has any Raspberry Pi suggestions for the Bluetooth protocol that you're working on.

[@-GuitarZero]

I'd love to see more documentation about the protocols used. There's little question that support will eventually end for both the Airstep and the THR smartphone apps as soon as they're no longer profitable. I'd like to make sure that mine is future-proof by making sure I can control all of the settings even if the amp lacks the physical controls. I tried enabling debug mode in my Android phone and logging the Bluetooth data, but I haven't been able to make heads or tails of the captured data.

[@billy4643]

Hi! I’m not sure i understand the difference between the YT and Lite, i know YT is made specifically for this amp, and you need the Yamaha app, but can the Lite also be used with the Yamaha app, or it’s only for direct use with the amp? Thanks

[@DrewCreal]

You can use the Lite with the app as well if you'd like, but this is a cool hack for just turning the amp on and being able to change presets and FX. In my opinion the Lite is a way more useful pedal because you can use it for several different devices, even your computer, but if you don't need that and just want something to control the THR, the YT is the way to go.

[@billy4643]

@@DrewCreal thank you for your quick answer! So even if I’m just using it for the THR, the lite is better since the app is not mandatory unlike the YT

[@davidmeadows105]

Drew, ive tried everything you’ve said but i dont get the THR options in the Updater drop down list, any suggestions please?

[@DrewCreal]

Hey David, I've got an updated video on this coming out on Wednesday. Stay tuned brother.

[@cybershredder2171]

Do you have to update the firmware every time you want to switch from controlling thr to controlling your computer?

[@DrewCreal]

If you want to use the Airstep Lite like a YT then yes, but you can still control your THR, computer and other effects using the function button, you'll just have to keep the THR remote app open.

[@spidding]

@DrewCreal so just to be clear, flashing this new firmware does not get rid of the base connectivity (PC) features. Ie. You don't need to reflash back to a base firmware version if you want to connect to PC?