T Ap T Empo S Etup G Uide; Midi C Lock Etup Uide - Disaster Area Designs micro.clock Gen4 User Manual

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ap eMpo etup uIde
Many devices implement a tempo setting method called "Tap Tempo, " where the user "taps"
on a footswitch in time with the music playing to set the tempo.
The specifics vary from device to device, but generally
the user will tap once on each beat and the device will
set the tempo after two or four taps.
Some devices will average taps to improve accuracy, but
most devices just need two taps to set their tempo. Most
devices accept taps based on a quarter-note division of
the beat.
The micro.clock works by simulating these taps to
your device.
When you tap the footswitch or turn the knob on the
micro.clock, we figure out the spacing of the required
taps and send those to each of the Tempo Output jacks.
This keeps the spacing between taps as accurate as
possible, giving you the most consistent tempo.
This also allows you to send taps to the device at a different speed than your actual taps or
tempo. As an example, if you tap in a tempo of 120 beats per minute, the micro.clock could
send its taps to your device at double / twice the speed (240 bpm.) This might not sound that
useful, but the result is that your device receives eighth-note tempo instead of quarter notes!
NOTE: Not all devices can sync to all tempo ranges! Check your device manual to make
sure you're sending it the correct tempo range.
To set your micro.clock up to send tempo, enter the Setup Menu and configure any of the
Tempo Outputs you'd like to use as either Normally Open (most device use this) or Normally
Closed (Boss devices.) Save and exit the Setup Menu.
Set the DIP switches for the ports you'd like to use as OFF-OFF-OFF (all down,) then connect
a patch cable (mono or TRS) to the port and your device's Tap Tempo input.
Try turning the knob on your micro.clock, or tapping in the tempo with the foot switch. You
should see your device change tempo to match. If it doesn't respond, check the manual for
that device and make sure that you have configured the pedal to accept tap tempo.
Many devices use "multi function" type inputs that can operate as tap tempo,
expression, MIDI, or other functions - make sure that you've configured yours correctly.
To change the subdivisions you'd like to send, tap the knob to edit the divisions for each
output. We've got more details in the Using the micro.clock
The DIP switch labeled "P" enables a "pull-up" resistor for Output A. This connects the tip
of the jack to the ring using a resistor, and is designed to support pedals that do not provide a
voltage to the tip of their tap ports. This is rare and in almost all cases the P switch should be
left OFF.
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MIdI C s G
loCk etup
MIDI Clock works in a similar way to Tap Tempo, but it sends a constant stream of MIDI messages
instead of just one tap per quarter note.
enter the Setup Menu and configure any of the Tempo Outputs to one of the MIDI settings.
Save and exit the Setup Menu.
MIDI Tip: This is commonly used by pedal builders. Tip is active, Ring is held high, Sleeve
is ground. This also matches the MIDI TRS Type-A standard, so you can use it with a TRS to
DIN cable for devices with a 5-pin MIDI input. We recommend the
compatible cable will work.
MIDI Ring: This is used by Chase Bliss. Tip is held high, Ring is active, Sleeve is ground. This also
matches the MIDI TRS Type-B standard, so you can use with a TRS to DIN Type B cable.
Flip the DIP switches to ON-ON-ON for TRS Type A or Type B use, or to OFF-ON-ON for Chase
Bliss use. It's important to turn off the "T" switch for any Chase Bliss devices to prevent interactions
with the left footswitch on those devices.
Once you have configured both the Setup Menu and the ports you are using, connect your
device's MIDI input to the ports on the micro.clock. Try turning the knob or tapping the
footswitch on the micro.clock - your device should follow along and change its tempo.
Many devices use "multi function" type inputs that can operate as tap tempo, expression,
MIDI, or other functions - make sure that you've configured yours correctly.
If your device does not respond to MIDI clock, double-check its configuration menu or settings.
Lots of devices can sync to MIDI clock but not all will sync by default. Look for settings about
clock, sync, or tempo, and make sure that you've set these up correctly.
We've added instructions for the most common MIDI equipped pedals in the next section.
If you're not sure how to get your device to respond to MIDI clock, please drop us a line via the
Contact page on our site and we'll be happy to help. You can also reach out to the maker of
your device for more assistance.
MIDI clock is sent only at the master tempo, and it's up to the receiving device to
subdivide it as needed.
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The device listens for these special MIDI
messages and interprets them as the tempo.
The MIDI standard calls for 24 messages per
quarter-note, so you can imagine this is pretty
fast data!
Devices that receive MIDI clock usually
maintain better timing accuracy than with
Tap Tempo, because the repeating clock
signal allows them to constantly adjust to any
timing changes.
If your devices support MIDI clock, we
recommend you use that instead of Tap
Tempo.
To set your micro.clock up to use MIDI clock,
5P-TRS PRO cable, but any
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