Microdesignum

MIDI modules and controllers for guitar pedals

Microdesignum's core products are electronic MIDI modules built into guitar pedals so the pedals can be controlled by Program Change or Control Change MIDI messages, by simulating turning and pressing the pedal's control knobs or encoders⁸⁹¹⁰. The modules can be driven by a floor MIDI controller or by a computer via MIDI².

The range splits into two kinds:

• Universal modules, for pedals with ordinary footswitches and knobs. The simplest is a small kit for pedals with one footswitch: it replaces the mechanical footswitch with an electronically controlled relay that responds to MIDI messages³. A 4PDT relay version works the same way, with Control Change number 1 turning the relay on at values 64 to 127, and DIP switches setting the MIDI channel¹¹. Universal modules with digital potentiometers are also offered, so MIDI can simulate turning the pedal's own knobs².
• Pedal-specific modules, designed for a particular effect, such as the MIDI Control for EHX x9, which fully controls the Electro-Harmonix x9 pedals¹².

Universal modules at a glance

Pedal-specific modules

The deepest example is the MIDI Control for EHX x9, which fully controls the Electro-Harmonix x9 pedals (C9, Key9, Synth9 and the rest of the family), including the ON footswitch, the 1 to 9 program selector and the control knobs such as Dry, Organ, Mod and Click¹²¹⁴. Parameters like MOD or CLICK can be controlled in real time by an expression pedal or by control data from a computer¹².

The x9 module comes in two variants: Compact, where all the electronics sit in a special enclosure placed on top of the pedal with no drilling, and Rack, where the pedal is screwed to the rear of a 1U rack panel¹². The Compact version ships with self-adhesive tape carrying the original program names for each x9 pedal¹⁵.

Pedal-specific modules cover a wide slice of the Electro-Harmonix catalog, plus one TC Electronic pedal¹⁴¹⁶¹⁰:

A separate line, MIDI Expressione, is a family of expression pedals with a built-in miniature MIDI controller²¹. The Expressione 1F Module is a miniature controller for building into an expression pedal, with a microswitch under the toe of the pedal, designed for the Line 6 M13²².

Install services in the Czech Republic and through partners

Most modules are not plug-and-play: they have to be built into the pedal. Microdesignum provides that service itself at its location in the Czech Republic, and it also has partners in the USA, Canada, Australia and France that can provide the install services²³²⁴⁶. The process for an install service such as the one for the EHX POG2 is straightforward:

1. The customer sends in a pedal.
2. Microdesignum installs the MIDI module.
3. Microdesignum sends the pedal back²⁵.

For a direct install, the shipping instructions ask you to send the pedal without its power supply adapter to Microdesignum s.r.o., Delnicka 517, 252 66 Libcice nad Vltavou, Czech Republic, EU⁵.

Beyond single pedals, Microdesignum also builds complete pedalboard and rack control systems. A 2013 example build, based on a customer-supplied pedalboard and MIDI controllers, included²⁶:

• The pedalboard control electronics
• The power supply and power distribution
• A single-cable connection carrying the guitar signal, MIDI, power and booster control
• Enclosures and printing
• Remote control built into a guitar booster²⁶

Pedals sold with MIDI already installed

For players who would rather not modify an existing pedal, Microdesignum also sells new pedals with MIDI control already installed²⁰. These include the EHX POG2, EHX Voice Box, EHX Key9 and the TC Electronic Nova Delay, each an ordinary pedal with a Microdesignum MIDI module built in¹⁸¹⁴. An EHX Synth9 with MIDI control was listed as coming soon in the Compact variant¹².

The range (29)

Questions