The Microdesignum MIDI Grande 6F1D is a universal MIDI foot controller for guitar effects and amps, built by the Czech maker Microdesignum. It carries six footswitches organized into four registers, and it does two jobs: it sends MIDI messages you program yourself, and it can act as a MIDI-controlled controller, so receiving a single incoming MIDI command can fire off up to eight user-programmed MIDI messages12.
For a player, that means one stomp can switch a MIDI-equipped amp channel, change a preset on a rack unit and toggle a MIDI-controlled pedal all at once, without touching anything by hand. It is a switcher rather than an effect: your guitar signal never passes through it, only control data does. See MIDI pedals for how this kind of gear fits into a rig.
A universal MIDI controller
RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the MIDI Grande as a "Universal MIDI Controller"1. Its most distinctive trick is that it works in both directions. As the manual puts it:
"By receiving one MIDI command, it's possible to send up to 8 MIDI messages that are programmed by the user and stored in"2
the controller's memory. So another MIDI device, such as a master controller or a computer, can trigger a whole bank of stored commands on the 6F1D2.
Each stored command is fully programmable. The manual lists the command types and their ranges2:
| Setting | What it is | Range or options |
|---|---|---|
| CMD 1 Channel | Command 1 channel number | 1 to 162 |
| CMD 2 Type to CMD 8 Type | MIDI commands 2 through 8 | --- / PC / CC / SYN2 |
| CMD A Type | Expression pedal A MIDI command | --- / CC2 |
PC is a program change, CC a control change, and "---" leaves the slot unused. The controller works in three modes: regular mode for playing, global settings, and a layer of register settings2.
Power: 9V, 400mA
The 6F1D runs on 9V DC, center negative, with a current draw of 400 mA1. That draw is high for a pedalboard, so plan a dedicated output on your power supply rather than a daisy chain.
Microdesignum gives the wider picture on its product page: the controller accepts 9 to 15 V AC or DC with at least 400 mA available, a power adapter is part of the package, and external power sources are also possible3.
The 6F1D supports power supply over the MIDI cable itself. Power can be sunk or sourced from pins 6 and 7 of the seven-pin MIDI IN and MIDI OUT connectors, and all power connectors are interconnected3. This removes a wall wart from the stage floor, but you need a MIDI interface or adapter that feeds those pins.
The MIDI Grande range
The 6F1D is one of five models in the MIDI Grande range, all sharing the same 80 x 47 (35) mm profile and differing in width, footswitch count and register count3:
| Model | Footswitches | Registers | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5F1D | 5 | 3 | 204 x 80 x 47 (35) mm3 |
| 6F1D | 6 | 4 | 254 x 80 x 47 (35) mm3 |
| 8F1D | 8 | 6 | 324 x 80 x 47 (35) mm3 |
| 10F1D | 10 | 8 | 404 x 80 x 47 (35) mm3 |
| 12F1D | 12 | 10 | 474 x 80 x 47 (35) mm3 |
The 12F1D can be phantom supplied only by MIDI cable, while the 6F1D supports supply by MIDI cable as one option among several3.
The 8F1D Plus
The MIDI Grande 8F1D Plus is a variant of the 8F1D: a MIDI controller with eight footswitches, foot-operated control, one numeric LED display, and an ETH port using an EtherCon-compatible connector4. It also has 2 inputs for expression pedals4.
Expression pedals are not included with any MIDI Grande; the controller only provides the connections5. The manual specifies what works: any passive pedal with a potentiometer and a standard 6.3 mm stereo TRS jack, with power on the tip, the slider on the ring and ground on the sleeve2. Two expression pedals, A and B, can be assigned, each as a CC command5.
Manual and further reading
Microdesignum publishes an English manual for the whole MIDI Grande range, covering the three operating modes and command programming, plus a Japanese translation by Masaaki Tanaka available as a 1 MB PDF download2. RockBoard's PedalPedia entry for the 6F1D links the manual alongside a demo video by Bilx and a review by VGuitarForums1, and its MIDI Grande 12F1D entry carries the same manual link6.
Videos
Microdesignum s.r.o.
Microdesignum s.r.o.
Microdesignum s.r.o.
Questions
What power supply does the Microdesignum MIDI Grande 6F1D need?
It runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing 400 mA. Microdesignum says the controller also accepts 9 to 15 V AC or DC with at least 400 mA available, and a power adapter is included in the package. It can even be powered through the MIDI cable itself, using pins 6 and 7 of the seven-pin MIDI connectors.
How big is the MIDI Grande 6F1D?
The 6F1D measures 254 x 80 x 47 (35) mm and carries 6 footswitches organized into 4 registers. It is the second-smallest model in the range: the 5F1D is 204 mm wide, while the 12F1D stretches to 474 mm with 12 footswitches and 10 registers.
What is the difference between the MIDI Grande 6F1D, 8F1D Plus and 12F1D?
The models differ mainly in footswitch count and width: the 6F1D has 6 footswitches and 4 registers, the 8F1D has 8 and 6, and the 12F1D has 12 and 10. The 8F1D Plus adds a numeric LED display and an EtherCon-compatible ETH connector. The 12F1D can be phantom powered only by MIDI cable.
Does the MIDI Grande 8F1D Plus accept expression pedals?
Yes. The 8F1D Plus has 2 inputs for expression pedals, and the MIDI Grande manual describes two expression pedal slots (A and B) assignable as CC commands. Expression pedals are not included; any passive pedal with a potentiometer and a standard 6.3 mm stereo TRS jack works, with power on tip, slider on ring and ground on sleeve.
Is there a manual for the MIDI Grande?
Yes. Microdesignum publishes an English manual for the MIDI Grande range on its site, covering the three operating modes (regular mode, global settings and the layer of register settings) and the command programming. A Japanese translation by Masaaki Tanaka is also available as a PDF download.
Sources (6)
- MIDI Grande 6F1D by Microdesignum, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Manual for MIDI Grande footswitch controller, Microdesignum
- MIDI Grande, Microdesignum
- Nožní MIDI ovladač MIDI Grande 8F1D s Eth konektorem, Microdesignum
- Návod k použití MIDI Grande, Microdesignum
- MIDI Grande 12F1D by Microdesignum, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
