The Molten Voltage NODE is a programmable 4-loop MIDI audio switcher: a pedalboard switching unit that stores and recalls the bypass status of four isolated effect loops under MIDI control, so a MIDI controller can bring pedals in and out of the signal path song by song. It is built on Molten Voltage's PedalSync circuit platform, and it is discontinued, according to the maker's own product page1.
What the NODE does
The NODE sits between your guitar and your pedals. Your instrument connects to its 1/4" AUDIO IN, and each of the four loops has a SEND jack to an effect's input and a RETURN jack from its output, with the audio leaving through the 1/4" AUDIO OUT. When all loops are bypassed, the input is connected directly to the output. On the MIDI side, a 5-pin DIN MIDI IN receives program changes from your controller, and a MIDI THRU jack repeats MIDI data on to other gear3.
The loops are relay-switched true bypass loops. Molten Voltage's manual makes the case for that design directly31:
"True-bypass loops allow use of vintage pedals while leaving them all-original"
In practice that means older pedals stay unmodified, and the NODE does the switching around them3.
Programs and control
The NODE stores 128 programs, which the manual describes as robust storage3. Writing a program is a two-step move on the front panel: toggle the program switch down, then up again, and the current loop settings are written to the currently selected program3.
Recall happens over standard MIDI Program Changes. Molten Voltage's page for the Starship Kaom pedalboard describes how this works with the company's own controller: "NODE's 128 programs are recalled using standard MIDI Program Changes from the" [Molten Voltage MASTER CONTROL]4. The MASTER CONTROL is one option; any of the compatible controllers below will do the same job.
Compatible MIDI controllers
Molten Voltage states the NODE is compatible with all major MIDI controllers, and its product page names a long list1:
- Rocktron MIDI Raider, Midi Xchange and MidiMate
- Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro
- Behringer FCB-1010
- Tech 21 MIDI Mouse and MIDI Moose
- Diezel Columbus Midi Pedalboard
- Mastermind GT
- Fractal MFC-101
- Nobels MF-2
- Keith McMillen SoftStep
- Molten Voltage MASTER CONTROL1
For players building a MIDI-controlled board around the NODE, Molten Voltage also made related MIDI utilities such as the Osmosis MIDI mapper and the TEMPODE; see the site's MIDI pedals page for the wider family.
Power and connections
The owner's manual specifies a separate or isolated 9-volt DC supply into a 2.1mm tip-negative center DC9V jack3. RockBoard's PedalPedia listing for the Node gives 9V DC with a 100mA current draw and describes the circuit type as hybrid2. The manual's call for a separate or isolated supply is worth heeding: a switching unit sharing a daisy chain with audio pedals can introduce ground hum, so a dedicated outlet on an isolated supply is the safe arrangement.
The NODE is discontinued. Molten Voltage's product page carries a DISCONTINUED marking1. For an existing unit, the manual directs questions to questions@MoltenVoltage.com and repairs to Service@MoltenVoltage.com3.
The manual also carries a two-year warranty from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use, conditional on use with an approved power supply and consistent with the instructions; user repair attempts void it, and proof of purchase is required3.
Questions
Is the Molten Voltage NODE discontinued?
Yes. Molten Voltage's own product page for the NODE is marked DISCONTINUED as of the page's most recent update. The company's support addresses from the manual remain the route for questions about an existing unit, with repairs handled through the service contact given in the owner's manual.
Does the NODE use true bypass loops?
Yes. The NODE stores and recalls the bypass status of four isolated effect loops, and the owner's manual describes them as relay bypass, true-bypass loops. Molten Voltage points out that this allows vintage pedals to be used while leaving them all-original, since the switching happens outside the pedals themselves.
Which MIDI controllers work with the NODE?
Molten Voltage lists compatibility with all major MIDI controllers, naming the Rocktron MIDI Raider, Midi Xchange and MidiMate, Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro, Behringer FCB-1010, Tech 21 MIDI Mouse and MIDI Moose, Diezel Columbus, Mastermind GT, Fractal MFC-101, Nobels MF-2, Keith McMillen SoftStep, and the Molten Voltage MASTER CONTROL.
How many programs can the NODE store?
The NODE stores 128 programs. They are recalled using standard MIDI Program Changes, and the manual describes the storage as robust 128 program storage. Programs are written by toggling the program switch down and then up again to save the current loop settings.
What power does the NODE need?
The owner's manual specifies a separate or isolated 9-volt DC supply through a 2.1mm tip-negative DC9V jack. RockBoard's PedalPedia listing gives 9V DC with a 100mA current draw. Because the manual calls for a separate or isolated supply, a shared daisy chain may not be suitable.
Sources (4)
- NODE .:. 4-Loop PedalBoard MIDI Switcher .:. by Molten Voltage .:. Footswitch Controller Stompbox with Presets, Molten Voltage
- Node by Molten Voltage, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- NODE_-_Molten_Voltage_4-Loop_MIDI_Switch_-_Owners_Manual.pdf, Molten Voltage, 2014
- Molten Voltage™ presents Starship Kaom .:. the Modern MIDI PedalBoard, Molten Voltage
