Android, PC and Mac editors for GM 40 Deluxe

Hi everyone,

I've been eyeing the GM 36, and saving whenever possible to buy it, when the GM 40 Deluxe was launched, so I'll be going for the latter.

If one thing that attracted me to the GM was the availability of editors for both Android and PC, I was suprised when on the release notes for the GM 40 Deluxe, H&K states there's already available an editor for the iPad, but no other is mentioned.

On the H&K YouTube video stating the differences between the GM 36 and the GM 40 Deluxe, it's said that one can use presets of the first on the latter, although one will need to tweak them since the preamp on the 40 Deluxe is a completely new one.

So my question is: will the available editors for Android and PC be able to program the 40 Deluxe? Or will later on a specific app for Android and PC be released?

I know that the PC editor is programmed by some forum users, and I'm not asking for any additional work making it compatible with the GM 40 Deluxe, but at least an official Android app would be very welcome indeed, since I really dislike Apple products, for several reasons...

Hi Syn666, join the club, while there are a lot of Apple lovers here there are some of us who, like you, wouldn't have an Apple product if you gave it to us, (there's a worm in every one! )  I loathe M$ but at least things Windows were once on a path of offering some control over your own fate.  We know what Apple is like in terms of treating us as hostile morons who are incapable of wielding any control over our own devices.  But what the Heck, they aren't going to listen to me in any Sheldon Universe, (nor should they most people would say).

Much of the discussion here has revolved around what changes have really been made to the new 40 over the 36.  They state that "...thanks to Deluxe Tone Technology [Eh?], which pairs groundbreaking new circuit design advances [oh save me from the hype!] with renowned tone-shaping capabilities...".  In true marketing manner you have to ask, what the heck does that mean?  So what changes?  Looking at the external controls my own opinion would have been "not very much".  It mostly seems to revolve around increased options in the Red Box out, (a minor issue in my opinion), and the internal voicing for each channel.  The latter is of more interest to me as it affects how I play in the normal sense.  It could be a different circuit topology, they have talked about adding in a cathode follower stage when they learned of its contribution to distortion capabilities, or it could be simple tweaking of passive component values in some of the key positions.  Their marketing vids suggest it is a new topology, but we all now how you can trust marketing inuendo.

Looking at the amp in comparison, as far as I can see the controls stay basically the same but there are a few more options.  The Presence and Resonance can be made global as can the power soak.  If these are program controllable then that is a couple more fields in the file.  Hence they seem to have rewritten the iPad app to accomodate.  And it has to be said that with revoicing of the preamp controls you would have to tweak all of your patches anyway.  Ease for the user is just not the way marketing strategies in big companies seem to work.

Fredo is the guy who programmed the PC app and he has already come on to update us with the fact that he is beginning to work on updating the app to match the GM40.  Fredo - Post 160.  That guy knows what he is doing so all you need to do is to "watch this space". As to the iPad app, H&K do say that a new version is being developed for future release. The Android app is an unknown but I'm sure someone will take it on eventually.

So the short answer is that all of the info we currently have suggests you won't be able to use the apps as they stand to control the GM40, they will need a rewrite to accomodate the new control setup which requires a different settings field structure.  I'm not sure of the consequences of trying to use the old app.  It may just recognise the incompatibility and so shut out and give an error (as it should), it may do absolutely nothing at all, it may try to do something but give an incomplete control or it may even screw up the amp settings as things don't match up for some fields (poor programming if it does).  Given a little time I'm sure Fredo will come up with the new GM40 PC Controller.  His last one is great considering the size of the task and the fact that it's free!

Hi, bordonbert, thanks for you input.

We agree that marketing may spew words without any real meaning, so although I'm leaning towards the GM 40, I'd like to know if all the advantages, especially regarding the avalability / compatibility of editors so that ease of use will also be garanteed. I still know how to work with knobs, but it would be easier to have a better view of the tweaks I'd be doing to each preset.

I haven't delved into the "PC and Mac editors", post, so I missed than one! Shout out to Fredo for doing something H&K sould have done themselves, I hope they may bring him aboard for software development, and pay him handsomely for doing so!

Will be alert on all fronts concerning more info on the GM 40 Deluxe, editor development and the like!

The GMO has not the same presets that GM36. No PC app 's working ? Test the Fredo's one, doesn't match.

So I asked H&K about an android version and here is there response

Same answer they gave me via FB about two month's ago... They just have sent Fredo one by now, free of charge...

well hopefully they will come through I don't want to have to get a refurb ipad

android app: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hu.barre.amplifier.gm36
windows app: ctrlr.org/hughes-kettner-grandmeister-36

(both fully support gm40deluxe)

The app is not working with my Android Samsung TabE, and GM40. I have all the correct cables, I get a "device connected successfully" prompt from the app, but it does nothing with the settings on the amp via app.

I'm using an HDE USB to Midi cable, with an OTG patch cable into my tablet.
Samsung Android Tab E
Android Version 6.0.1

Really frustrated at the moment. Any ideas? Suggestions?