The PedalSync Master Control KIT (MV-58) is a do-it-yourself kit from Molten Voltage that, once assembled, becomes a programmable MIDI pedalboard controller and MIDI Clock generator. Molten Voltage's owner's manual describes the Master Control MV-58 as "a programmable MIDI pedalboard controller that stores the tempo associated with 128 programs," with MIDI Program Change and MIDI Start, Stop, and Clock output1. The company's product page describes it as sending MIDI Program Change, Clock, and Self-Programming commands to MIDI and PedalSync devices, and says the PedalSync Master Control "can synchronize an entire rig of MIDI-enabled rack effects, pedals, modular synths, and amplifiers"2.
Molten Voltage lists the Master Control MV-58 as discontinued on its product page4. The later MASTER CONTROL MV-58B, documented in a 2015 owner's manual, is described by the maker as a "fully functional stand-alone master controller for MIDI-controlled PedalBoards"5, and has its own page on this site.
What the kit does
Assembled, the Master Control gives a player foot control over MIDI gear: program selection, tempo storage and recall, and transport and clock output for time-based effects. Molten Voltage describes the finished unit as sending "standard MIDI Start, Stop, and Clock messages as well as Song Select and Program Change messages on Channel 15"2, and its product page for the MV-58 sums it up as sending "Program Change messages and MIDI Clock data"4. Because it also speaks PedalSync's Self-Programming commands, it can drive Molten Voltage's own PedalSync-equipped devices as well as general MIDI gear2.
Controls and connections
Programs are selected using the Up and Down buttons or by turning the Program Select knob2. The kit's assembly instructions call for a B5K potentiometer for the PROGRAM SELECT control, connected to the holes marked 1, 2, and 3 at the top of the pot mounting area3.
| Control or connection | What it does |
|---|---|
| Program Select knob (B5K pot) | Selects programs by turning32 |
| Up and Down buttons | Select programs stepwise2 |
| START/STOP, DOWN, UP, TAP/SAVE header pins | Accept external SPST momentary normally open switches3 |
| CLOCK and TEMPO LED header pins | Ground plus power through a series 330 ohm resistor3 |
| MIDI Out header pins | Pins 4, 2, and 5 connect to the corresponding pins on a MIDI jack3 |
| Display | Included but not connected before shipping; connects via two 6-pin ribbon cables with standard 0.1" spacing3 |
The MIDI jack comes pre-attached to the enclosure with rivets3.
What is in the kit
The assembly instructions list the following parts3:
- 1x Master Control MV-58 Dev. Board circuit board (pre-programmed)
- 1x pre-drilled enclosure and 1x plastic lens
- 1x MIDI jack, riveted to the enclosure
- 1x 3-segment LED display, 2x LED bezels, 1x red LED, 1x green LED
- 1x B5K 16mm potentiometer and 1x knob
- 1x panel-mount DC jack
- 4x SPST momentary footswitches
- 3x 2-pin 0.1" header connectors with 6" leads
- 2x 3-pin 0.1" header connectors with 6" leads
- 1x 12-pin header strip
- 4x #4 PCB screws and 4x #4 locking nuts
Molten Voltage notes that "a few of the early kits do not include the header connectors and pin strips and must be hand-wired"3.
Power and circuitry
The power jack accepts a 2.1mm tip-negative 6 to 9 volt DC input, and the instructions warn not to exceed 9 volts3. The kit's pre-programmed board is built around a dsPIC33FJ64GP202 chip, for which the instructions reference the manufacturer's datasheet3.
Support
Molten Voltage's assembly instructions give info@PedalSync.com as the contact address for the kit3.
Questions
Is the PedalSync Master Control MV-58 still made?
No. Molten Voltage lists the Master Control MV-58 as discontinued on its product page. The company's PedalSync line included other MIDI controllers and clock devices, and the later MASTER CONTROL MV-58B is documented in its own owner's manual as a fully functional stand-alone master controller for MIDI-controlled pedalboards.
What MIDI messages does the MV-58 send?
The PedalSync Master Control sends standard MIDI Start, Stop, and Clock messages, along with Song Select and Program Change messages on Channel 15. Molten Voltage also describes it as sending Self-Programming commands to MIDI and PedalSync devices, so it can drive MIDI-enabled rack effects, pedals, modular synths, and amplifiers.
Does the MV-58 kit require soldering?
Yes. It is sold as a kit with assembly instructions rather than a finished pedal. The board uses header connectors and pin strips for the display, switches, LEDs, and MIDI jack, and Molten Voltage notes that a few of the early kits left out those connectors and pin strips and had to be hand-wired instead.
What power does the MV-58 kit take?
The power jack accepts a 2.1mm tip-negative 6 to 9 volt DC input, and Molten Voltage's assembly instructions say not to exceed 9 volts. The kit includes a panel-mount DC jack for the supply connection.
What MIDI channel does the MV-58 use for Program Change?
Program Change messages are sent on MIDI Channel 15, according to Molten Voltage's product page for the PedalSync Master Control.
Who do I contact for MV-58 support?
Molten Voltage's assembly instructions for the kit give info@PedalSync.com as the contact address for support.
Sources (5)
- Master_Control_MV-58_-_PedalBoard_MIDI_Controller_and _Clock_-_Owners_Manual_by_Molten_Voltage.pdf, Molten Voltage, 2015
- PedalSync .:. MIDI pedalboard kits .:. by Molten Voltage, Molten Voltage
- PedalSync®, Molten Voltage, 2013
- MASTER CONTROL .:. MIDI PedalBoard Clock and Brain .:. by Molten Voltage .:. Footswitch Controller to Recall Presets, Molten Voltage
- Master_Control_MV-58B_-_PedalBoard_MIDI_Controller_and _Clock_-_Owners_Manual_by_Molten_Voltage.pdf, Molten Voltage (moltenvoltage.com), 2015
