PaintAudio MIDI Captain

The PaintAudio MIDI Captain is a family of digital MIDI foot controllers aimed at guitarists and keyboardists of all skill levels¹. It is not an effect: your instrument's signal never passes through it. Instead, its programmable footswitches send MIDI messages to other gear, changing presets on a modeler, turning effects on and off on a pedalboard switcher, or controlling software on a computer. PaintAudio describes it as more than a controller, calling it "a comprehensive musical performance assistant"¹.

The range covers several sizes, from a single-switch unit to a six-switch controller, and every current model carries USB-MIDI so it can talk to hardware and software alike²³⁴⁵. It belongs to the wider world of MIDI pedals, where it competes on switch count, power options and price rather than on sound.

What the MIDI Captain does

Each MIDI Captain model is built around programmable footswitches. A switch can send a single MIDI command or several commands each time it is pressed, and button functions are configured over a USB connection to a computer⁴. The controller can mix multiple MIDI channels and different types of commands, including PC, CC and Note commands, in the same setup³. That means one press can, for example, call up a preset on a modeler while also toggling an effect block.

The units are housed in a sturdy metal body with a foot switch design for durability³⁴, and PaintAudio positions them for guitarists and keyboardists alike¹. The maker also notes that the MIDI Captain does not provide a user calibration function for expression pedals; instead it uses internal compensation for dead zones⁸.

MIDI messages and USB

The core message set is the same across the range: the MIDI Captain supports CC, PC and MIDI Note messages²⁹. The STD version supports a mixture of MIDI Program Change, Control Change and MIDI Note commands⁷, and the smaller models follow the same pattern²³.

Every current model is equipped with USB-MIDI, enabling control of DAW software, synthesizers, and effects software on a computer²³⁴⁵. The DUO's product page spells out the full scope: it can control music software, DAWs and effects software on a computer via USB-MIDI, as well as hardware audio devices including guitar effects, synthesizers, speakers and keyboards with MIDI IN ports⁴. The STD version also supports USB deep-setup, connecting to a PC and loading firmware and config files⁷, and with no wireless module it is used over wired MIDI out or standard USB⁷.

Power: 9V DC, 400mA

The MIDI Captain runs on 9V DC center negative with a current draw of 400mA¹, and the NANO 4 carries the same 400mA figure¹⁰. That draw is worth noting before you plug into an existing pedalboard supply.

Most models are flexible about the source: the NANO 4 and MINI 6 can be powered via USB cable, a standard pedal power adapter, or battery power²³; the ONE and DUO can be powered via USB cable or a standard pedal power adapter⁴⁵. The blue foot controller can charge via 9V, USB or battery, or a combination for continuous use⁶, and the STD version likewise has multiple power input options covering 9V, USB and battery⁷.

The MIDI Captain models and firmware

The range is organized by switch count, and within some sizes there are Pro and STD versions that differ in more than color³⁷⁴.

The version differences matter when choosing. On the MINI 6, the blue and gold versions are Pro versions with a built-in wireless module, while the black STD version lacks the wireless module, has a spray-coated surface, and is slightly cheaper³. On the DUO, PaintAudio states that the blue and gold versions differ only in color and are considered the Pro versions, though without specific markings⁴. The STD version does not have a built-in wireless module and cannot be paired with the MIDI Mate for wireless control⁴, while the blue foot controller can be paired with an optional wireless MIDI MATE for fully wireless operation⁶.

Firmware is an active part of the product. RockBoard's PedalPedia says it will continue to optimize functionality and performance and release the latest firmware updates on its product pages¹. One documented example: firmware 1.21 (V3.5) for the ONE adds support for the Kemper Player KPP and solved an issue with USB-MIDI latency⁵. A SuperMode User Guide, version V1.2, is also published for the ONE⁵. The English manual is available as a PDF from the maker's pages¹, and support contact is listed as support@paintaudio.com⁴.

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