Tech 21 MIDI MOUSE - Midi Foot Controller Manual

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

This is probably the world's shortest owner's manual for a MIDI foot controller, and should give you a good idea as to what the MIDI Mouse is all about: it's compact and it's easy to operate. Not everyone wants or needs a huge, elaborate controller that's more complicated to program than the unit(s) they're trying to control.

The MIDI Mouse is in a familiar "stomp-box" format, housed in sturdy, cast aluminum. It features 3 footswitches with smooth, custom actuators. The large, non-glare 3-digit LED display can be read from any angle, in daylight or darkness. The simplicity of its design offers the MIDI masterful and the MIDI-phobic access to 128 patches on any of the 16 selectable MIDI channels. You simply scroll up or down to your desired program locations --without having to do the cha-cha to change banks.

The MIDI Mouse is the only foot controller available that is battery operable, which eliminates stage clutter. It can be turned on approximately 2,000 times with each battery. The MIDI Mouse can also be powered by most standard adaptors, as well as being phantom power operable via MIDI cable.

In addition to freedom from excess wires and cables, the MIDI Mouse also offers freedom to improvise. For instance, if you have a pre-amp and an effects processor, you can control each one independently by using two MIDI Mouses. Its size and affordability lends itself easily to this application, which would otherwise be too cumbersome and impractical with conventional foot controllers.

In the studio, the MIDI Mouse takes up little room on the console.

You can make remote program changes without leaving the board. For stage shows, you can even control the patterns and arrangements of MIDI lighting systems.

At Tech 21, it is our goal to offer useful, versatile, cost-effective products. It is our hope you find the MIDI Mouse a welcome addition to your set-up.

GUIDE TO FOOTSWITCHES

ACTIVE / SEARCH allows you to alternate between two modes:
In ACTIVE mode, MIDI program change information is instantly sent through the MIDIOUT port.
In SEARCH (flashing) mode, only the numerical display changes.
No MIDI information is transmitted.

UP increases the program number sequentially.
DOWN decreases the program number sequentially.

OPERATION WITH POWER SUPPLY

In Active Mode:
The LED numerical display remains lit. Depressing the Up or Down footswitch allows you to step-scroll by increasing or decreasing the program number one at a time. In Active mode, the MIDI program change information is instantly sent through the MIDIOUT port.

In Search Mode:
The LED numerical display flashes. Depressing and holding the Up or Down footswitch allows you to speed-scroll to a desired location -without sending any program change information. Depressing the Active/Search footswitch a second time re-engages the Active mode and instantly sends the new MIDI program number through the MIDIOut port.

OPERATION WITH 9V BATTERY

In Active or Search mode, the LED display will go out after 10 seconds of non-use. This "screen-saver" feature conserves the life of the battery. The MIDI Mouse needs to be on only when you want to change the program information. Your program won't change until you activate the MIDI Mouse and send new instructions.

To engage the MIDI Mouse, you can depress any of the three footswitches. The mode you were last in when the unit shut off and what new instructions you want to send will determine the best way for you to proceed.

In Active Mode:
When the unit shuts off in Active mode, let's say, in Program 10, depressing the Active/Search footswitch brings you back to the same location (Program 10--in Active mode). However, depressing the Up or Down footswitch directly from the "screen saver" mode will engage and increase or decrease the program number by one (to Program 11 or Program 9).The program change information is instantly sent through the MIDI OUT port.

In Search Mode:
When the unit shuts off in Search mode, let's say, in Program 10, depressing the Active/Search footswitch brings you back to the same location: Program 10--in Search mode (no MIDI program change information transmitted).The Search mode is especially useful in setting up a program change in advance. For example:

You're playing in Program 10 and want to go to Program 20 for your solo. Depress the Active/Search footswitch to Search mode (Program 10, flashing). Scroll to Program 20 and leave it there, flashing. After 10 seconds the unit will shut off. You will still be playing in Program 10 because you haven't sent any new information yet.

At this point, you have two options. As you near the solo, depressing the Active/Search footswitch shows you the program number where you left it-- Program 20, flashing. This allows you to doublecheck you're at the right program number. Depressing the Active/ Search footswitch a second time will put you in Active mode and engage the program number that is flashing --Program 20. Or, you can depress either the Up or Down footswitch directly from the "screen saver" mode, and it will instantly transmit the program number that was last flashing (without increasing or decreasing the program number).

NOTE: With a power supply, you can set up for a program change in advance following basically the same procedure. After you scroll to the program number in Search mode (Program 20), the display remains lit and flashing. When you are ready to engage that program number, depress the Active/Search footswitch (only) to return to the Active mode and send the program change information through the MIDIOUT port.

MIDI CHANNELS

A MIDI foot controller transmits information to remotely control anything that accepts MIDI program change information. In order to communicate program change information, the MIDI Mouse and the receiving MIDI unit(s) must be set on the same channel. (If your receiving unit is on OMNI, it will receive MIDI program change information on any and all of the 16 MIDI channels. Therefore, you need not change the channel of the MIDI Mouse.)

The MIDI Mouse is factory set at Channel 1. To change the channel setting to any of the standard 16 selectable MIDI channels:

1. Depress Active/Search footswitch to Search mode (program number flashes).
2. Depress Up and Down footswitches simultaneously.The current MIDI channel number will flash slowly.
3. Depress either the Up or Down footswitch accordingly to desired channel.
4. Depress Active/Search footswitch to "save" the newly selected channel number, and to return to the last program number (in Search mode).

When you have two or more MIDI controlled processors linked together, be sure they and the MIDI Mouse are all on the same channel. If you do not want a particular processor in the chain to accept program change information from the MIDI Mouse, be sure to change that unit's channel.

NOTE: The MIDI Mouse will retain a channel setting as long as there is an internal battery. Otherwise, it will revert back to Channel 1 each time the power is disconnected.

"PHANTOM" POWER OPERATION VIA MIDI CABLE

The MIDI Mouse will accept power via a standard 5 conductor/pin MIDI cable through Pins 1 and 3. Consult the owner's manual of your processor for its phantom power support capabilities and specifications.

NOTE: Power must be between 8 and 15V DC, any polarity.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

• Phantom power operable via MIDI cable. (See section above.)
• Utilizes standard 9V alkaline battery (not included).To install, simply remove back plate. NOTE: When battery nears depletion, "Lo" will appear in the LED display.
  Power consumption of LED display: approx. 15mA.
• USE DC VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY ONLY! Failure to do so may damage the unit and void warranty. DC Power Supply

Specifications:.

• 9V DC regulated or unregulated, 100mA minimum;
• 2.1mm female plug, center negative (-).

Optional factory power supply is available: Tech 21 Model #DC2.

WARNINGS:

• Attempting to repair unit is not recommended and may void warranty.
• Missing or altered serial numbers automatically void warranty. For your own protection, be sure serial number labels on the unit's back plate and exterior box are intact.

FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE & SERVICE:
Contact Tech 21 weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, EST.

Tel: 973-777-6996 / Fax: 973-777-9899 info@tech21nyc.com / www.tech21nyc.com © Tech 21