The Microdesignum MIDI Expressione 1F is an expression pedal with a built-in miniature MIDI controller and a microswitch under the toe of the pedal1. It belongs to Microdesignum's MIDI Expressione line of expression pedals with built-in MIDI converters, and it is aimed at a specific problem: some multi-effects units, such as the Line 6 M13, have no input for an external switch under the expression pedal, so a player cannot kick a wah on and off with their foot the way they would on a traditional wah pedal2.
The 1F solves that by putting the switch in the pedal itself. Pressing the toe of the pedal at the start of a wah passage sends a MIDI command out of the pedal's MIDI output that turns the effect on and off in the multi-effects unit, with an indicator LED showing the state2. Microdesignum says this greatly simplifies the operation of wah-wah in multi-effects3.
What the 1F does and how it works
The pedal converts two things into MIDI Control Change messages: the position of the pedal and the state of the toe switch. The built-in module sends CC values corresponding to pedal position over the range 0 to 127, and the switch state as 0 or 1274. Pressing the toe sends the on/off command; the pedal position keeps feeding the effect, typically a wah, its sweep.
The circuit is based on Microdesignum's smallest MIDI module, the Sardonyx 8 Mikron2. The 1F has no analog input, because its potentiometer is internal and already wired to the controller1. In the built-in version, the pedal has two identical power connectors: one takes the supply voltage and the other passes the same voltage on to further effects, so the pedal can sit in a powered chain2.
Module and pedal versions
The 1F comes in two forms, and Microdesignum also offers a build-in service563.
| Version | What it is | List price (2026-10-26) |
|---|---|---|
| MIDI Expressione 1F | Complete expression pedal with the MIDI controller built in | 160.00 USD1 |
| MIDI Expressione 1F Module | Standalone programmed module with connectors and footswitch, for building into your own pedal | 65.00 USD3 |
| Build-in service | Building the module into a customer's expression pedal sent to Microdesignum | 2 420,00 Kč including VAT2 |
The module is an assembled, programmed and fully tested miniature Sardonyx 8 Mikron controller, complete with connectors and the footswitch, intended for installation into a custom expression pedal76. Microdesignum lists quantity pricing for the module: 63.70 USD each for two, 63.05 USD for three, 62.40 USD for four, 61.75 USD for five, and 58.50 USD each for ten3. The build-in service, where you send your own pedal to Microdesignum, is priced indicatively and only for EU customers5.
MIDI connections and configuration
The MIDI Expressione line carries 1x MIDI IN and 1x MIDI OUT for connection to the effect. On the 1F specifically, the MIDI IN is used only for incoming configuration messages, not for merging other MIDI data2.
The MIDI channel and the CC numbers can be changed in two ways2:
The SysEx message format Microdesignum documents is `F0 4D 69 63 00 00 00 03 kk cc pp F7`, where the values set the channel and controller numbers2. Microdesignum states its MIDI modules are compatible with any MIDI controller from other brands9.
The 1F and the Line 6 M13
Microdesignum describes the 1F as suitable especially for the Line 6 M13 guitar effect1. The M13 is the case the pedal was built around: a multi-effects unit that takes an expression pedal but has no input for an external switch under it, leaving a player no foot-friendly way to switch a wah on and off mid-passage2. The 1F's product page on Microdesignum's site is titled "Expression pedal with MIDI toe switch for Line6 M13"3.
How the 1F differs from the 1A1F
The MIDI Expressione 1A1F is the sibling product, and the differences matter when choosing between them468.
| MIDI Expressione 1F | MIDI Expressione 1A1F | |
|---|---|---|
| Analog inputs | 01 | 14 |
| Toe switch | Yes, under the pedal tip1 | Yes4 |
| MIDI IN role | Configuration messages only2 | Works as a MIDI merger, forwarding MIDI IN messages2 |
| Range calibration | Not applicable, no analog input | Calibration switch maps the pedal to the full 0 to 127 range4 |
| Circuit basis | Sardonyx 8 Mikron2 | Sardonyx 20 Direttore2 |
| List price, pedal | 160.00 USD1 | 220.00 USD4 |
| List price, module | 65.00 USD3 | 72.00 USD8 |
The 1A1F's analog input accepts an expression pedal potentiometer and converts its value to MIDI CC over the full 0 to 127 range, with the range calibratable8. Unlike the 1F, the 1A also functions as a MIDI merger, safely forwarding MIDI messages arriving at its MIDI IN merged with the messages from the potentiometer converter2. The 1A1F combines both functions, the toe switch and the pedal position conversion2, and is based on the more powerful Sardonyx 20 Direttore module2.
For a player who wants one pedal that both sweeps and switches a wah on a Line 6 M13, the 1F is the simpler and cheaper option. The 1A1F suits setups where an additional external expression pedal or merged MIDI data needs to pass through132.
Questions
What is the Microdesignum MIDI Expressione 1F designed for?
It is an expression pedal with a built-in miniature MIDI controller and a microswitch under the toe, intended for guitar multi-effects such as the Line 6 M13 that have no input for an external switch under the expression pedal. Pressing the toe sends a MIDI command that turns the effect, typically a wah, on and off.
Does the Expressione 1F have an analog input?
No. The MIDI Expressione 1F has zero analog inputs. Its potentiometer is built in and wired directly to the internal MIDI controller, so there is no jack for connecting a separate expression pedal. The 1A1F version is the one with an analog input for an external expression pedal potentiometer.
Can I build the Expressione 1F module into my own expression pedal?
Yes. Microdesignum sells the MIDI Expressione 1F Module, an assembled, programmed and tested miniature controller with connectors and a footswitch, intended for installation into a custom expression pedal. It costs 65.00 USD, with quantity discounts from two units up. Microdesignum also offers a build-in service for pedals sent to them.
How much does the MIDI Expressione 1F cost?
The complete MIDI Expressione 1F pedal with the MIDI controller built in lists at 160.00 USD. The standalone 1F module lists at 65.00 USD, with quantity discounts: 63.70 USD each for two, 63.05 USD for three, 62.40 USD for four, 61.75 USD for five, and 58.50 USD each for ten.
What is the difference between the 1F and the 1A1F?
The 1F has no analog input and works only as its own pedal with a toe switch. The 1A1F adds one analog input for an external expression pedal potentiometer, converts it to MIDI Control Change over the full 0 to 127 range with a calibration switch, and works as a MIDI merger, forwarding messages arriving at its MIDI IN.
Does the Expressione 1F work with the Line 6 M13?
Yes. Microdesignum describes the 1F as suitable especially for the Line 6 M13, which has no input for an external switch under the expression pedal. The pedal's MIDI output connects to the M13, and the toe switch sends the MIDI command that turns the wah on and off.
Sources (9)
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- MIDI expression pedály, Microdesignum (www.microdesignum.cz)
- MIDI module for Expression pedal with toe switch for Line6 M13, Microdesignum.cz
- MIDI expression pedal with a toe switch, Microdesignum
- MIDI expression pedals, Microdesignum
- Expression pedal with MIDI toe switch for Line6 M13, Microdesignum
- Modul pro expression pedál s nožním tlačítkem pod špičkou pedálu, Microdesignum.cz
- MIDI module for conversion of expression pedal to MIDI with toe button, Microdesignum
- MIDI modules for build in guitar effects, Microdesignum
