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Introduction To MIDI For Guitar Pedals & How To Use It – That Pedal Show

Published on Apr 20, 2018

In this video we delve into the near-limitless possibilities that MIDI brings to the guitar pedal world.
It’s a big subject with a tremendous number of potential applications, so we start from the beginning and explain the three basic functionality benefits that MIDI offers to pedal users. They are PCM (patch/program change messages), CC (continuous control) and MIDI Clock.
The upshot is that if you have MIDI-enabled pedals and some form of MIDI controller you can access a vast number of patch and parameter changes across multiple devices with one single footswitch press.
Please note that this video is focussed on the kind of pedals we use – high quality stompboxes, preferably with as much analogue signal path as possible. Regular viewers will know that we’re not into digital multi FX, rack gear or digital modelling amps/processors. They can all benefit from MIDI control as well of course, but we don't deal with them here.

Please enjoy the video…


Pedals in this episode…

• TheGigRig Three2One


• D’Addario Pedal Tuner
UK & Europe:
USA:
Australia:

• Source Audio Reflex Universal Expression Pedal - no longer made

• Ramble FX Kismet


• Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl HiFi
UK & Europe:
Australia:

• Strymon TimeLine
UK & Europe:
USA:
Australia:

• Eventide H9
UK & Europe:
USA:
Australia:

• Chase Bliss Audio Midibox


• TheGigRig MIDI Driver


• TheGigRig G2


Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here:


Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing and background: 00:00
- We have some new toys: 1:13
- Today’s amps: 1:46
- MEAT! 2:08
- Today’s questions: 2:47
- What is MIDI? 3:45
- PCM, CC and MIDI clock? 5:05
- PCM: program change messages: 5:33
- Can all pedals do MIDI? 8:45
- How does the MIDI switcher know what to change in the pedal? 10:08
- MIDI channels? 12:25
- Programming the MIDI controller: 15:58
- Ramble FX Kismet and Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl HiFi: 16:20
- MIDI connections? 19:55
- An example with the Warped Vinyl HiFi: 21:50
- What is that Collings? 23:25
- Sounds in the Kismet: 25:30
- CC – continuous control messages: 30:25
- MIDI clock for synchronised temp changes: 37:55
- MIDI clock with reverb and delay: 38:30
- Eventide H9 App and MIDI clock: 40:35
- H9 / TimeLine / Warped Vinyl with dotted 8ths? 43:35
- Let’s create some patches: 46:33
- Dan plays the new presets (thank goodness): 50:00
- …and remote control with Bluetooth? 53:10

Guitars in this episode:
• Fender Custom Shop 1963 Telecaster – watch Dan’s video at
• Collings I-30LC –

Amps in this episode
• Marshall 1987x head with 2061x cabinet, Celestion G12H Anniversary speakers
• Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III
USA: