melo-audio Melo Audio MIDI Commander TS MIDI Manual

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MIDI COMMANDER

MANNUAL V1.0

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What is MIDI Control?

The full name of MIDI is Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Compared to MIDI MIDI computer music may be more familiar to most musicians and producers. Essentially, both MIDI Control and MIDI tones transfer a small data to notes, or control message to make a preset change. If it is a MIDI note, it will be synthesized by computer to play music. If it is control message, the HOST received it will take the action which is pre-defined, such as patch switching. The advantage of MIDI format is its small range of several time communication.

The following is a brief introduction of several basic concepts about MIDI Control, so that you to learn this MIDI controller device and quickly use it.

MIDI Channel：MIDI communication occurs in sending (with MIDI OUT interface) IN interface) devices. All the devices should be set in the same communication, or they won’t respond to MIDI signal. And they can also receive and take actions to MIDI signal if set to receive all

MIDI Connection：As mentioned above, the devices support MIDI always equipped with MIDI Connector. Generally, the MIDI cable is a 5-pin male-to-male cable, connected to the device by socket. MINI IN and OUT use the same socket so they can just be disting-uished by the identifying in socket. The principle of connection is to connect MIDI OUT of sending device to the MIDI IN of receiving device. Sometimes there is a MIDI THROUGH socket for transmitting received data to other devices.

MIDI Commands：It is the most important section. MIDI instruction/commands is a set of data with parameters in fixed-format. And we should know its classification and logic structure. As introduced above, most of MIDI data are MIDI notes for playing MIDI music, including note tone, strength and volume. We care more about the transmission The commands sent from MIDI controller are numbers in particular pattern, which mainly includes PC commands (PC stands for Program Change) and CC commands (CC stands for Continuous Controller). In simple terms, PC command includes an index PC number received. MIDI PC instruction is supported in most effects, soft synthesizer and A CC command is normally used for controlling other parameters, such as ON/OFF of an effect module, the position of an expression pedal. CC command mainly includes two numbers. The first one is the CC index number (0-127) and the second is the sub-parameter (0-127). The index number is a label to determine different instruction, while the sub-parameter is the actual content. Generally, the controlled objects have regular volume, Wah, ON/OFF state and modules switch. The value of sub-parameter represents the states. For example, in volume control, the data 0-127 corresponds to the loudness. For some ON/OFF state, 0-63 represents the OFF state,

while 64-127 represents the ON state.

kilobytes which is almost 1/100 size of a normal MP3 file. So it is convenient to realize

channel (1-16) signals. Tips: The default channel of most MIDI devices is Channel 1.

and function of MIDI control commands.

number from 0 to 127. The host will switch the preset number corresponding to the

computer or mobile devices, then translate the received data into musical

data size. A songs is produced by MIDI, and the data size is usually in the

MIDI channel from CH1 to CH16 before

Control, the concept of

the real-

it will be faster and clear for

and receiving (with MIDI

MIDI keyboards.

occurrence, such as

MIDI Learn：There is no strict standard in CC commands function and it varies depending upon devices and manufactures. We need do some simple setup in receiving devices or controller to achieve the controlling function. There is a way called MIDI it will enter a wait state. Then controller sends a CC command to the receiving device, the device will record this CC command and assign to current action. MIDI learn function is way to mapping the CC# to actions

learning. Open MIDI learning mode in receiving device when set the instruction, and

supported by the host gear or Apps, and it provide a

without knowing the detailed command content.

MIDI COMMANDER OVERVIEW

MIDI COMMANDER is a unique control device in the market, and it is a very special control pedal in the Tone Shifter series. It is convenient for the guitarists to control and switch the tone by using foot switch when they use the high-end devices (such as Software effects, advanced multi-effects, rack equipment and tube Amps with MIDI control). Besides most recording/effects software Apps, most hardware gears with MIDI IN jack can also be controlled. MIDI COMMANDER arranges normal control functions commands) and pre-defined as HOST modes. In addition, it also has two customizable HOST that it is used to arrange self-defined MIDI control functions mapping with the foot switches. Also it has two

based on different HOSTs (software or gear who receive the

expression pedal inputs,

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which control the Wah and the Volume to assist the flexibility and creativity of playing. It batteries or USB, and it is also has the automatic charging function for chargeable batteries.

can be powered by 2x AAA

(Require special activation to avoid accidental charging or high current). This pedal design achieves minimum size and weight while keeping its usability. It can be used along with other audio interface or

hardware devices for live show and recording.

KEY FEATURES

• Compatible with USB-MIDI control and standard MIDI control

• With 10 foot switches, increase freedom of control

• 2 individual analog expression pedal input connectors, with screen display showing the pedal positions

• 6 Pre-defined HOST modes, including JamUp, Bias FX, KPA, etc

• 2 custom HOST modes

• Support USB power, 2 AAA batteries (Over 20 hours), also have function of built-in battery charger

• Weight: 0.95kg

• Size: 286x110x65mm

CONNECTORS/BUTTONS

The following picture shows that, the hardware interface of MIDI COMMANDER consists power switch, USB, MIDI output, expression pedal input interface; on the back there is a battery case for 2 AAA batteries. On the middle of the screen, you can see all relative control parameter and main information. It made easy to turn off the screen of computer or mobile device when using software effects.

of 10 metal footswitches; on the side of top, there are

10 10 10 10

9 9 9 9

Power ON/OFF

Previous Bank

128x64 OLED displaying USB-MIDI state,Battery state,PC number,CC#,EXP1 EXP2 position

USB

Next Bank

MIDI OUT

A-D mainly set for CC# or PC control

Figure-1 Footswitches and Connectors

2x AAA BAT CASE on the back

5 6

EXP1

1-4 mainly set for CC# or PC control

EXP2

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CONNECTION

The following section shows the possible connections of using MIDI COMMANDER with other devices.

•

Using USB cable directly connect PC like WINDOWS/Mac OS, and it can be identified by

•

There is battery case on the back side, you can put in 2x AAA batteries. It is OK with normal

the system without driver.

batteries or

rechargeable batteries. Please notice if put in with normal batteries, do not use charging function to charge batteries.

• Expression pedal interface is used for connecting standard analog expression control

pedal (Attached available pedals examples).

• Adopting Male to Male standard MIDI cable to connect MIDI OUT port to other devices

USB to connect when controlling software effects or other

recording software.

• Need the lightning OTG cable to connect iOS mobile device, like iPhone/iPad, official

camera adapter. OTG cable with charging back to iDevices is a

good way to make long time playing possible.

MIDI IN port. It only needs

name is Lightning to USB

FUNCTIONS

1.Switch Different HOST Modes

Press different buttons, hold on and turn on the power supply, you can switch to different HOST modes. Refer to following table of explanations for different host modes:

Entry Mode Mode Name Explanation of Mode

Suitable for use with iOS software JamUp. The 1 to 4 buttons are used for cc command that can be with the control of

Press Button 1 to turn on

Press Button 2 to turn on

Press Button 3 to turn on

Press Button 4 to turn on

Press Button A to turn on

Press Button B to turn on

Press Button C to turn on

Press Button D to turn on

JAMP

BIFX

KMPA

AXEF

ATO M

PC-8x

CUS-1

CUS-2

JamUp default module switch. Expression 1 controls Wah (Need to enable wah in patch chain), Expression 2 controls

the volume. A to D controls the position of patch switching

conversion, the total of 8 groups and 32 patches. Please note that all CC control contents can be re-edited or learned into new functions in the JamUp software, including Tap function, play/pause function and so on

Used for Bias FX software effects, and it is similar to the JAMP host mode, the way to display the PC number is

purely digital

Used for Kemper Profiling hardware effects. The PC number is organized in a group of 5 voices. The Button 4

is used to send a PC command to switch the 5th programof each group in this mode

Used for AXE FX series hardware effects, 4 patches is a group. The 1 to 4 buttons are used to send CC commands

and the A to D buttons are used to send PC program switching instructions

Used for ATOMIC series hardware effects

1 to 4 and A to D are used for sending PC instructions in this mode, 8 patches is a group, You can switch 8 different patches

Custom Mode 1. The specific content of CC control and PC control can be modified personally and saved in the custom setting mode

Custom Mode 2. The specific content of CC control and PC control can be modified personally and saved in the custom setting mode

in the group. Up and down buttons control the patch

Attention: Matching HOST mode with the real HOST is not mandatory. It can be more flexible in choosing HOST modes to meet final demand, and the control is totally decided by actual PC and CC commands. There is no strict standard among manufactures. We can’t guarantee all the instruction are matched for all the preset control functions even when the HOST mode matched.

2.Enter Battery Charging Mode

After putting in 2 AAA NiMH battery and connecting with USB power, press the button “UP” and hold to power on, the device enter charging mode. Charging process is automatic, and it will stop when be fully charged. As a reference, for charging battery with 800mAh, the time is about 3 hours. The charging process is controlled by built-in intelligent controller. Please notice that, do not charging the non-chargeable batteries. Batteries and USB cable can be presented together. When powered by USB, the pedal will stop getting current from batteries. NI-MH battery is not suitable for been kept as fully charged or long-time low current trickle charge. So when it doesn’t go into charging mode, USB power will not do any charging to the batteries.

3.Enter Custom HOST Setup Mode

Press button “Down” to power on, and enter the menu of custom host setup mode. There are 3 sub-menus, ”MIDI.CH”,

”CUS1”, “CUS2”. You can switch the menus by pressing button 2 and button 3.

MIDI.CH is used for setting the MIDI channel of each HOST mode. Under the mode, pressing UP/DOWN can choose different host modes. Pressing B and C button can setup the MIDI channel for this host. Settings are keeping even after the power down.

Menu CUS1 is for setting all custom parameters under CUS1 HOST mode. Please refer to the parameters and functions as the table shown below.

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S/N Parameter Option Instruction

ABC/123

ABC, 123

Select to display the patch number by 1A, 1B, 1C... or 1, 2, 3

Bank Move

Bank Mode

SCR Start

PC Start

EXP1 CC#

EXP2 CC#

KEY 1 MOD

KEY 1 CC#

KEY 1 Tog OFF, ON

KEY 2 MOD

KEY 2 CC#

KEY 2 Tog

KEY 3 MOD

KEY 3 CC#

KEY 3 Tog

KEY 4 MOD

KEY 4 CC#

KEY 4 Tog

KEY A MOD

KEY A CC#

KEY A Tog

KEY B MOD

KEY B CC#

KEY B Tog

KEY C MOD

KEY C CC#

KEY C Tog

KEY D MOD

KEY D CC#

KEY D Tog

4x, 5x, 8x, 10x

WAI, IMM

0, 1

0~127

PC#, CC#

0~127

PC#, CC#

0~127

OFF, ON

PC#, CC#

0~127

OFF, ON

PC#, CC#

0~127

OFF, ON

PC#, CC#

0~127

OFF, ON

PC#, CC#

0~127

OFF, ON

PC#, CC#

0~127

OFF, ON

PC#, CC#

0~127

OFF, ON

Select how many patches in a group.Note that 8x and 10x setups are the same in MIDI COMMANDER

WAI represents that it does not jump immediately after the patches change, waiting for patch jumping in new group after pressed footswitch, and the screen is flickering. IMM represents jumping to the 1st patch of next group immediately

0 represents the patch table displayed on the screen starts from 0 1 represents the patch table displayed on the screen starting from 1

0 represents that the actual PC value of 1stpatch table is 0 1 represents that the actual PC value of 1stpatch table is 1 Match the fourth and fifth settings, we can align the screen display with the host display number. There is no case that the SCR is 0 but the PC is 1, this setting will be ignored automatically

Set the CC instruction number of expression pedal 1

Set the CC instruction number of expression pedal 2

Set button to send PC or CC command

If it is a CC instruction, the instruction number, if it is a PC instruction, this will be invalid, the PC value will be determined by the position of the key