Rocktron MIDI Mate User Manual
MIDI Mate
Version 2
USER'S MANUAL
Footswitchable MIDI Controller
May be covered by one or more of the following: U.S.Patents #4538297, 4647876, 4696044, 4745309, 4881047, 4893099 and 5124657. Other
patents pending. Foreign patents pending.
PRECAUTIONS
NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS SECTION TO PROVIDE
YEARS OF TROUBLE FREE USE. THIS UNIT REQUIRES CAREFUL HANDLING.
All warnings on this equipment and in the operating instructions should be adhered to and
all operating instructions should be followed.
Do not use this equipment near water. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and
liquids are not spilled into the unit through any openings.
The power cord should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of
time.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT. THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD
BE SERVICED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY. DO NOT MAKE ANY INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT AT ANY TIME. DO
NOT TAMPER WITH INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AT ANY TIME.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY VOID THE WARRANTY OF
THIS EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS CAUSING SHOCK HAZARD.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
This unit accepts power from the 9VAC/1.5A adaptor supplied with the unit.
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
Do not expose this unit to excessive heat. This unit is designed to operate between 32° F
and 104° F (0° C and 40° C). This unit may not function properly under extreme temperatures.
Copyright ©1993
All Rights Reserved
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................ 1
MIDI ................................................................................................................. 1
MIDI Channel .................................................................................................. 1
MIDI Commands ............................................................................................. 2
Quick Setup ........................................................................................ 4
Features and Operation ..................................................................... 6
BANK ACCESS ............................................................................................... 8
INSTANT ACCESS ....................................................................................... 10
CONTROLLER ACCESS .............................................................................. 11
Editing the MIDI Mate ................................................................... 14
Title Editing ................................................................................................... 17
MIDI Channel Editing .................................................................................... 19
Controller Assignment Editing ...................................................................... 21
Programmable Patch Changes Editing......................................................... 24
Factory Reinitialization .................................................................... 26
Expression Pedal "Y" Cords ........................................................... 28
MIDI Implementation ........................................................................ 29
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Rocktron MIDI Mate™!
The MIDI Mate™ provides many different features and modes of operation. Its modes of operation range from very simple (transmitting a single
program change on a single MIDI channel) to complex (such as transmitting six program changes on six separate MIDI channels, five control
changes on five separate MIDI channels and a continuous control change
on a separate MIDI channel). The MIDI Mate™ is capable of sending
three different kinds of MIDI commands on a specified MIDI channel to
any MIDI device.
To use the MIDI Mate™ to its full potential requires some understanding of MIDI commands and specifications.
MIDI
MIDI stands for Musical I nstrument Digital Interface, and is an
industry standard system for communication between musical equipment.
Some MIDI devices only transmit MIDI messages, these are called trans-
mitters. There are other MIDI devices which can only receive MIDI
messages, these are called receivers. In addition, there are also MIDI
devices that both receive and transmit MIDI messages which can be called
receivers or transmitters. A receiver may be thought of as a MIDI "ear",
that is to say that it listens but never speaks. A MIDI transmitter may be
thought of as a MIDI "mouth", that is to say it speaks, but never listens. A
device that can both transmit and receive MIDI may be thought of as having
a MIDI "ear" and a MIDI "mouth" that allows it to both listen and speak.
A very simple MIDI setup requires only that there be a MIDI transmitter
and a MIDI receiver - one to speak and one to listen. More complex MIDI
setups may have devices that speak and listen to each other at the same
time. The MIDI Mate™ is a MIDI transmitter, capable of changing
parameters on MIDI receivers.
MIDI Channel
A MIDI channel is simply a way of encoding a command so that
multiple devices may talk to each other using the same physical wires.
Unless messages are encoded for the same channel, the transmitted
message will be ignored by the receiving device. By encoding signals in
this manner, the MIDI Mate™ can tell a particular receiving device to
perform a certain task while simultaneously telling a different receiving
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MIDI Mate™ Manual
device to do something else. Each receiving device only acts on the command intended for it.
MIDI Commands
The most common type of MIDI command is the MIDI program
change (often called a patch change). This command is intended to recall the
programmed settings of a receiving device. A programmable device, such as
the Rocktron ProGAP™ guitar preamp, may have parameters such as the gain
set to 40, the bass level set to 5dB, and the output level set to 10dB. These
settings can then be stored in preset #10. Each time the ProGAP™ receives
program change 10, these settings are recalled.
Another type of MIDI command is the MIDI control change. This
command is used to set a single parameter on a receiving unit to a specific
value. The preset of the receiving device is not changed, only the value of
the specified parameter. The specified parameter on the receiving device is
mapped to a number called a control number. A transmitting device sending
a control change will specify the MIDI channel, the control number, and the
value that the specified parameter should change to, or the controller value.
The controller value is a number from 0 to 127 that the receiving device
attaches to an actual parameter value.
How a device responds to a MIDI control change depends on both the
device and the parameter. Some devices will not understand a MIDI control
change and will simply ignore it. Other devices, like the Rocktron
ProGAP™, will respond to MIDI control changes. All of the parameters that
determine the sound of the ProGAP™ can be adjusted through MIDI control
changes. The ProGAP™ has 64 values for each parameter with each
parameter value corresponding to a different controller value. A convenient
way to perform MIDI control changes on these parameters is to use a
continuous controller. An expression pedal, volume pedal, fader, or any
potentiometer that can be plugged into the MIDI Mate™ qualifies as a
continuous controller. As the continuous controller resistance is changed, a
new controller value is sent to the receiving device. For example, if an
expression pedal is plugged into the MIDI Mate™, the pedal control number
is set to 10, and the ProGAP™'s output level is mapped to control number
10, moving the pedal back and forth causes the output level to change. To
achieve this, all that must be done is to match control numbers between the
parameter of the receiving device and the pedal of the transmitting device. It
is important to remember that the MIDI channels of the transmitting and
receiving devices must also match.
2
The loop and controls on the Rocktron ProGAP™ can be changed
through MIDI control changes as well. Since the loop and controls can have
only an on or off status, they are conveniently called on/off controllers. For
on/off controllers, a control change command with a controller value of less
than 64 is interpreted to be off. A value greater than 63 is interpreted to be
on.
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MIDI Mate™ Manual
Quick Setup
To start using the MIDI Mate™ right away, use a 5 pin MIDI connector and plug one end into the MIDI OUT jack of the MIDI Mate™. Plug the
other end into the MIDI IN jack of a MIDI receiving device. Plug the adaptor
supplied with the MIDI Mate™ into the POWER jack of the MIDI Mate™.
Plug the adaptor into a nearby compatible wall socket.
Now assign SET1's MIDI channel to the same MIDI channel of the
device that is receiving MIDI. Press the 2ND button so that the 2ND LED
lights. Now press the EDIT FUNCTION SELECT "à" button twice, until
"MIDI Channels" scrolls across the display. Allow the scrolling to finish,
and "S1CH 1" will be displayed. This shows that SET1 is assigned to MIDI
channel 1. To change the MIDI channel to match a receiving device's MIDI
channel, use the BANK (ADJUST) buttons. When finished, press the 2ND
button to turn off the 2ND LED.
Now the MIDI Mate™ will send the program change displayed by
the three character display to any MIDI receiver on the same channel.
Typical Quick Setup:
¼" STEREO TO
¼" STEREO CORD
See page 28 for information on
expression pedal cords.
PEDAL
MIDI OUT
PHANTOM POWER
POWER
9VAC-800mA
9VAC ADAPTOR
MIDIIN
MIDI RECEIVING DEVICE
EXPRESSION PEDAL
4
Quick Setup using a MIDI "Y" cord:
¼" STEREO TO
¼" STEREO CORD
See page 28 for information on
expression pedal cords.
PEDAL
MIDI OUT
(PHANTOM POWER)
MIDI "Y" CORD
EXPRESSION PEDAL
POWER
9VAC-800mA
9VAC ADAPTOR
MIDI IN
MIDI RECEIVING DEVICE
The power cord may be plugged into a special MIDI "Y" cord (Rocktron
Part# 006-1097) to power the MIDI Mate through pins 6 and 7 of the MIDI
Mate MIDI OUT jack. Rocktron also has a 5 to 5 pin MIDI cable (Part# 001-
1095) and 7 to 7 pin MIDI cable (Part# RMM900) available to power the MIDI
Mate through phantom power on other products.
Rocktron also offers an expression pedal stereo "Y" cord (Part# 006-
1107).
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MIDI Mate™ Manual
Features and Operation
The MIDI Mate features:
• Three modes of operation-
Bank Mode - Allows you to change presets within a bank of ten
presets with the touch of a single button.
Instant Mode - Allows you to change instantly from preset 01 to 99
with the touch of two buttons.
Controller Mode - Allows you to change presets within a bank of 5
presets with the touch of a single button, as well as access 5 buttons
which can send MIDI on/off control commands with the touch of a
single button.
• Eight character personal titles for each preset.
• Display of current MIDI program.
• LED over each button for instant recognition of preset.
• Phantom power supply.
• Expression pedal ready.
• Multiple MIDI program changes on separate MIDI channels.
• Multiple MIDI control changes.
• User friendly editing procedure.
6
Current program
number
Personal
title
Basic operating features...
Use to select
Bank, Instant or
Controller Access
modes
Function of dual function buttons
with 2ND L.E.D. off
(This accesses the function printed below
each button)
EDIT FUNCTI ON
SELECT
TITLES
MIDI CHANNELS
CONTROLLER ASSIGN
99 MIDI 99
BANK
IN STANT
CO NTROLL ER
ACCESS 2ND 0 1 2 3 4
Determines
the function
of the dual
PROGRAM CHANGES
5 6 7 8 9
BANK
(ADJUST )
EDIT PRESET
SELECT
STORE
These buttons provide
dual functions
function
buttons
EDIT FUNCTI ON
SELECT
MIDI 9999
BANK
IN STANT
CO NTROLL ER
ACCESS 2ND 0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
BANK
(ADJUST )
EDIT PRESET
SELECT
STORE
Function of dual function buttons
with 2ND L.E.D. on
(This accesses the function printed above
each button)
EDIT FUNCTION
SELECT
TITLES
MIDI CHANNELS
CONTROLLER ASSIGN
MIDI 9999
BANK
INSTANT
CONTROLLER
ACCESS 2ND 0 1 2 3 4
PROGRAM CHANGES
5 6 7 8 9
BANK
(ADJUST)
EDIT PRESET
SELECT
STORE
7
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