What it does
The One Trick Pony sends one fixed MIDI message per footswitch press. That makes it a single-purpose transmitter: you stomp, it sends its programmed data, and whatever is listening, such as a Whammy, responds. Molten Voltage states that all One Trick Pony Whammy devices send data on MIDI Channel 152, so a module wired for Whammy control is set up for that channel out of the box.
The datasheet lists eight versions of the One Trick Pony device, including the Linus, MIDI Sustain, opiate 450, opiate 550, opiate d50, cycle path and drop kick models, each carrying its own programmed message2.
Power and battery
The module runs from a CR2032 3-volt coin cell, which is not included with the kit and goes in positive side up2. Molten Voltage says the module draws a nominal amount of current when not in use, so that a single coin cell will last for years1.
For daisy chain applications, the datasheet calls for an external, filtered and regulated 3.3 or 5-volt power supply instead of the coin cell2.
Building and wiring the kit
The kit arrives as a parts set you solder together. According to the datasheet, it includes2:
- C1 0.1uF ceramic capacitor
- SPST momentary footswitch
- 3-volt coin cell holder
- 8-pin chip in 8-pin socket
- R1 and R2 220 ohm resistors
- D1 1N4148 small signal diode
For the MIDI connection, header pad M4 connects to Pin 4 of the MIDI jack and header pad M5 connects to Pin 52.
When multiple One Trick Pony units share the same MIDI Out jack, the datasheet says to solder the 220 ohm resistor into R2 instead of R1, and to solder a 1N4148 signal diode, which is not included, into D1, noting its polarity2.
Daisy chaining
Multiple modules can be daisy chained for more complex applications, according to Molten Voltage's product page1. Because each module sends its own discrete message, chaining several of them lets one board send different data from different switches, powered from the shared external supply described above12. Support questions go to info@PedalSync.com2.
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Questions
What MIDI channel do One Trick Pony Whammy devices use?
According to Molten Voltage's datasheet, all One Trick Pony Whammy devices send their data on MIDI Channel 15. If you are wiring a One Trick Pony module to control a DigiTech Whammy, that is the channel the receiving unit expects, so no channel configuration is needed on the module itself.
What battery does the One Trick Pony take?
The One Trick Pony takes a CR2032 3-volt coin cell, which is not included in the kit. Molten Voltage says to insert it with the positive side up. Because the module draws only a nominal amount of current when not in use, the maker states that a single coin cell will last for years in normal service.
Can several One Trick Pony units share one MIDI Out jack?
Yes. Molten Voltage's datasheet says that when multiple units share the same MIDI Out jack, you solder the 220 ohm resistor into R2 instead of R1, and solder a 1N4148 signal diode, which is not included, into D1, noting its polarity. Header pad M4 connects to Pin 4 of the MIDI jack and M5 to Pin 5.
What comes in the One Trick Pony kit?
The kit includes the C1 0.1uF ceramic capacitor, an SPST momentary footswitch, a 3-volt coin cell holder, the 8-pin chip in an 8-pin socket, the R1 and R2 220 ohm resistors, and the D1 1N4148 small signal diode. The CR2032 battery and, for shared-jack wiring, the 1N4148 diode are not included.
Can I daisy chain One Trick Pony modules?
Yes. Molten Voltage says multiple modules can be daisy chained for more complex applications. For daisy chain use, the datasheet calls for an external, filtered and regulated 3.3 or 5-volt power supply rather than relying on each module's coin cell.
Sources (2)
- PedalSync .:. MIDI pedalboard kits .:. by Molten Voltage, Molten Voltage
- PedalSync®, Molten Voltage, 2013
