The PIRATE MIDI Bridge6 is a MIDI foot controller: a floor unit that sends MIDI messages to control other pedals and rack gear, rather than making any sound of its own. Pirate MIDI built it around 100 banks of presets and support for up to four expression pedals, each able to send 12 or more MIDI messages per bank1. It is no longer in production: the maker's product page lists the Bridge6 as discontinued1.
Controls and switching
Each footswitch on the Bridge6 can act in a range of states, so a single switch can do more than a simple momentary press. Pirate MIDI lists the switch states as press, release, hold, hold release, double press, toggle, sequential and scrolling1. For a player, that means one switch can step through a list of presets, fire a different message on a long hold, or toggle an effect on and off, all within the same bank.
The four expression pedal inputs are the other half of the control scheme. Each connected expression pedal can send 12 or more MIDI messages per bank, so sweeping one pedal can move several parameters at once across the pedals it is controlling1.
Specifications
At 550 g and roughly the footprint of a compact pedal, the Bridge6 was light enough to live on a small board while still offering six switches and the expression inputs1.
Warranty and support
Pirate MIDI covers all of its devices with a 12 month warranty for manufacturing defects and unreasonable wear of parts1. Australian consumers are additionally covered by Australian consumer law, which the maker says gives extended protections for the life of the product according to the relevant legislation1.
Where it sat in the Pirate MIDI range
Pirate MIDI makes a family of MIDI controllers and utilities, several of which remain in production alongside the discontinued Bridge61:
- PIRATE MIDI BRIDGE4, the smaller sibling in the Bridge line
- PIRATE MIDI Polar
- PIRATE MIDI POLAR PLUS
- PIRATE MIDI Aero
- PIRATE MIDI Nexus
- PIRATE MIDI uloop
- PIRATE MIDI Exp Mate
- PIRATE MIDI Scribble
- PIRATE MIDI CLiCK v2
The Bridge6 is discontinued. Pirate MIDI's current controllers, including the Polar line with its version 2 hardware, are the models still in production1.
Videos
Chasingpuddles
JonathanWhitcomb
Mustardt
Questions
Is the Pirate MIDI Bridge6 discontinued?
Yes. Pirate MIDI lists the Bridge6 as discontinued on its product page. The company's other controllers, such as the Polar, remain in the range, so a player looking for a current Pirate MIDI foot controller would look at those models instead of the Bridge6.
How many expression pedals can the Bridge6 connect?
The Bridge6 can connect up to four expression pedals. Each of those pedals can send 12 or more MIDI messages per bank, which lets a player sweep multiple parameters on several pedals or rack units from a single bank of the controller.
How much current does the Bridge6 draw?
Pirate MIDI lists the Bridge6's current draw as 200 mA. That figure matters when choosing a power supply or planning a daisy chain, since a shared supply needs enough spare current to run the controller alongside the pedals on the board.
Where is the Pirate MIDI Bridge6 made?
The Bridge6 is made in Australia. Pirate MIDI describes it on its product page as a great piece of equipment made there, and Australian buyers are additionally covered by Australian consumer law alongside the company's own warranty.
Sources (1)
- BRIDGE6 - Discontinued - PIRATE MIDI, PIRATE MIDI
