FSM 432 MKIII, the GM and external effects MIDI control

Hi guys,

I've got a back order on a GM40D / FSM 432 MKIII set, but since a lot of GM36 already own the controller, I thought to ask the following question here:

I'm building two separate pedalboards around the GM40D: one with a Fender FVP-1, a Korg Pitchblack Poly, a CAE MC404 wah and a Line6 M13, which will control presets on the GM40D via MIDI and will be connected via 4CM.

The lighter pedalboard will have the FSM 432 MKIII, a Mooer Wahter wah and a Line 6 M5.

Since I like using a compressor on clean tones, the idea for the lighter pedalboard would be to have the following chain: Guitar-Wah-M5 (Compressors mainly)- GM40D input.

The GM40D will be managing modulation and time-based effects.

What I want is to control either the GM40D and the M5 via MIDI, so, should the FSM 432 MKIII by which of the following:

a) FSM 432 MKIII MIDI Out--Line6 M5 MIDI In-- Line6 M5 MIDI Out-- GM40D MIDI In;

or

b) FSM 432 MKIII MIDI Out--GM40D MIDI In-- GM40D MIDI Out-- Line6 MIDI In;?

I know the FSM 432 MKIII can be powered either by DC In (option a)) or by MIDI 7-Pin (option b)).

What do you guys suggest?

You want to go FSM out-->GM40 in--->GM4 out--->Line6 in --->Line 6 out or thru ----> whatever other gear in....etc.

That way your phantom power works on the FSM using the 7pin.

If I had another chance I would not have spent the dough on the FSM. The most incredibly frustrating thing about these amps is that they didn't put a display on the head that at least tells you the patch number the amp is using, and a rotary knob to select patches manually. The FSM at least tells you what patch you are sending, but it's still pretty much impossible to tell without using the software librarian/ GM Remote application to actually see the midi patch number (not bank/patch) but actual program change number. And to use the FSM on stage you either need to memorize what is on each bank or write it down and keep the bank/patch numbers on your set list next to the songs.

I am using a Ground Control pro now and at least I can name the damn patches so I can see what is what while playing, plus also getting the ability to throw CC# messasges from the 8 buttons for toggling effects, boost, gate, reverb and other params on and off realtime which is like an extended version of FSM "stompbox" mode. I think HK was trying to make the amp look like an amp and not a piece of rack kit with a display on it, but even a two digit LED would have been very helpful.

I don't even use any other effects. Wah pedal into amp and the rest is just midi control of the amp. Very nice sounding setup and easier than programming a bunch of racks .

Well, memorising presets isn't an issue for me, but being able to control presets and effects on the fly is.

When the gear arrives I'll be putting up a board, so probably will go with a power supply for the wah and for the M5, so powering the FSM won't be an issue. I still want to mess around with the GM's effects, to see if they're up my alley, or if I'll need something else for that.

Thanks for your input!