The Empress Midibox2 is a MIDI interface for pedals made by Empress Effects. As the maker puts it, "The Midibox2 allows you to connect Empress Pedals equipped with a control port to MIDI."1 It takes a standard 5-pin MIDI input and converts it to run over ordinary guitar patch cables, so a single MIDI controller can reach several Empress pedals without dedicated MIDI wiring.1
What it does and how it connects
The Midibox2's job is translation. "It converts the standard 5 pin MIDI cable to a simple guitar patch cable," Empress explains, meaning the control port on each compatible Empress pedal accepts a regular 1/4-inch patch cable rather than a MIDI cable.1 You plug your MIDI controller's 5-pin cable into the Midibox2, then run patch cables from its four control port outputs to up to four Empress pedals.1
The unit also passes MIDI onward. An internal dip switch can be set to accept MIDI out messages from a pedal's control port and relay them to the other control ports and to the MIDI thru/out connector, which is useful for chaining setups beyond the four direct outputs.1
Power and specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power input voltage | 9V DC1 |
| Power input connector | 2.1mm barrel connector1 |
| Power consumption | ~30mA1 |
| MIDI input | Standard 5-pin MIDI connector1 |
| Control port outputs | 41 |
| Enclosure material | Die cast aluminum1 |
| Dimensions | 1.25" H x 4.5" L x 2.5" W1 |
| Weight | 0.5 lb1 |
The ~30mA draw is modest by pedalboard standards, and the 2.1mm barrel connector is the common size, so most multi-output supplies can dedicate one output to it.1
Compatibility beyond Empress
The Midibox2 also appears in Strymon's support documentation as a compatible 5-pin MIDI to 1/4-inch MIDI interface that can send MIDI messages to the Strymon Sunset, so its use is not limited to Empress pedals alone.2
Videos
Scott Kindley
Questions
How many Empress pedals can the Midibox2 control at once?
The Midibox2 has four control port outputs, so it can control up to four Empress pedals simultaneously, according to Empress Effects Inc. MIDI out messages from a connected pedal's control port can also be relayed to the other control ports and the MIDI thru/out connector by setting an internal dip switch.
What power supply does the Empress Midibox2 need?
Empress specifies a 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm barrel connector, drawing about 30mA. That low draw means a standard pedalboard supply output will run it, but check that your supply uses the same barrel size and polarity before wiring it into a daisy chain.
Does the Midibox2 have a MIDI thru connector?
Yes. The Midibox2 includes a MIDI thru/out connector, and an internal dip switch can be set so that MIDI out messages arriving from a pedal's control port are relayed to the other control ports and to that MIDI thru/out connector.
What cable connects the Midibox2 to a pedal?
The Midibox2 converts a standard 5-pin MIDI cable to a simple guitar patch cable, which runs from its control port outputs to the control port on each Empress pedal. In other words, ordinary patch cables carry the MIDI data to the pedals.
Sources (2)
- Midibox2, Empress Effects Inc.
- How can I control Sunset with MIDI?, Strymon, 2021-07-15
