The American Loopers Aux Switch for Morningstar MC3 MC6 MC6 PRO or MC8 (Side Jack) is a three-button footswitch that adds extra programmable switches to a Morningstar MIDI controller. It connects to the controller's side jack and each button can be set to do whatever the controller's own switches do, from bank changes to preset recall1. It is made by American Loopers in the USA1.
The switches and the jack
The switch carries three programmable buttons, and American Loopers fits what it calls Click-Less switches: "It also has the nice Click-Less switches to make it even nicer!"1. A click-less switch does not produce the mechanical click of a traditional stomp switch, since it only sends a signal to the controller rather than passing guitar signal.
Two details of the layout come straight from the maker:
- The center switch is made a bit higher than the outer two, to avoid hitting two switches at a time1.
- On an MC6, you can connect two of these aux switches for 6 switches total, because the MC6 allows for two of them1.
The connection is a single 1/4 inch jack to the controller's side socket, and it needs the right cable1:
American Loopers states: "You will need a TRS Cable for this pedal to work"1. A standard mono guitar cable will not carry the switching for all three buttons.
What the buttons can do
Because the switch feeds the Morningstar controller rather than processing anything itself, each button is programmed on the controller side. American Loopers describes the idea as adding "another 3 programmable switches to your Morningstar MC6 or MC8 MIDI controller"1. On the related two-button Mini Aux Switch, the maker explains the range of what can be assigned: "you can configure any of the two switches to do Whatever the switches on the Morningstar do. A few examples are: Bank Up, Bank Down, Preset recall, Midi Clock Tap Tempo, Expression"2.
The same maker also sells a single-button version, the Aux Switch For Morningstar MC3 MC6 MC8 PRO (1 Clickless Button), which it positions for players who do not want to program MIDI at all: "With this Aux Switch, you won't have to spend time learning complicated MIDI programming - simply plug it in and start u[sing it]"3. That version ships worldwide3.
Compatible Morningstar models and related versions
This side-jack, three-button model is listed for the Morningstar MC3, MC6, MC6 PRO or MC81. American Loopers' aux switch range covers different button counts and slightly different model lists:
| Switch | Buttons | Compatible models listed |
|---|---|---|
| Aux Switch (Side Jack) | 3 | MC3, MC6, MC6 PRO, MC81 |
| Mini Aux Switch (1/4" Jack) | 2 | MC3, MC4 PRO, MC6, MC6 PRO, MC8, MC8 PRO2 |
| Aux Switch (1 Clickless Button) | 1 | MC3, MC6, MC8 PRO3 |
The Mini Aux Switch uses what the maker describes as pro grade SCI Switches, "The same ones that high end builders uses on their $300+ pedals"2. American Loopers also builds other MIDI utilities, including the 2CH MIDI On or Off Switcher and the A/B Midi Switcher.
Questions
Does the American Loopers aux switch need a TRS cable?
Yes. American Loopers states that you will need a TRS cable for the switch to work, so a regular mono guitar cable will not do the job. A TRS, or tip-ring-sleeve, cable carries the switching signals for all three buttons over the single 1/4 inch connection to the Morningstar controller's side jack.
What can the aux switch buttons be programmed to do?
Each of the three buttons can be configured in the Morningstar controller to do whatever the controller's own switches do. American Loopers gives examples including Bank Up, Bank Down, Preset recall, MIDI Clock Tap Tempo and Expression, so the extra switches extend the controller's own programming rather than working as fixed-function buttons.
What does click-less mean on a footswitch?
Click-less switches do not produce the mechanical click of a traditional guitar pedal footswitch when pressed. On an aux switch for a MIDI controller this matters less for tone and more for feel and noise at the board, since the switch only sends a signal to the controller rather than passing your guitar signal.
Where is the American Loopers aux switch made?
American Loopers lists the aux switch as made in the USA. The company builds a range of MIDI switching and junction box products, and the switches used are described as pro grade SCI switches.
Sources (3)
- Aux Switch for Morningstar MC3 MC6 MC6 PRO or MC8 (Side Jack) (Three Click-less Buttons), American Loopers
- Mini Aux Switch (1/4" Jack) For Morningstar MC3 MC4 PRO MC6 MC6 PRO MC8 PRO (TWO Click-less Buttons), American Loopers (www.americanloopers.com)
- Aux Switch For Morningstar MC3 MC6 MC8 PRO (1 Clickless Button), American Loopers
