Continuous Control Software - Mesa/Boogie TriAxis Owner's Manual

VERSION 2.0

CONTINUOUS CONTROL SOFTWARE

Your TriAxis now has the Version 2.0 software installed in its' processor. This software incorporates many improvements, both visible
and invisible to the user. Among these, the most exciting is the ability to utilize Midi Continuous Control Messages. For those of
you not familiar with Midi keyboards or more recent Midi effects processors, this gives you the ability to connect a pedal to a conver-
sion device and control any, or all, of the TriAxis parameters simultaneously in real time!
Imagine! You can take a gorgeous, sparkling clean preset...gas the pedal-and suddenly you've got the singing "vintage amp
cranked" solo sound without changing modes or presets. Likewise, you can achieve the opposite. Take your favorite lead sound
and lower the Gain, drop the Mids, increase the PRESENCE and MASTER and now you have a great pushed rhythm sound. The
possibilities are endless, as any or all controls can be programmed to respond in either up or down directions with one pedal.
Since the TriAxis is an all tube audio device, we have done the control change software the only way possible to keep your tone
intact. Instead of the VCA method, we have basically enabled you to "turn your knobs" (keys in this case) and gradually arrive at your
desired setting. Using this method we not only preserve the tube audio in its' purest form, but all the settings along the way can sound
great too! With creative programming each preset you craft can be not one, but many great sounds. Now that you've got the
idea how this can greatly expand your guitar system...Let's get busy.
First you will need an expression pedal. This can be a simple analog volume pedal. Next, you will need to convert this analog audio
volume pedal into a voltage control pedal. This can be achieved by several means. Many midi foot controllers on the market today have
such devices built right in and provide one and even two 1/4" jacks for just such applications. If you already own a foot controller that
does not provide these jacks, don't worry, you aren't the only one. In fact, the MESA/Boogie Abacus does not, as it was designed
before there was control change software developed for Midi gear. There is a simple solution to this minor inconvenience. A company
called Anatek makes the perfect device for us Neanderthal Midiots called the Pocket Pedal
This little 3"x2"x1" box is made of
TM.
plastic and can easily be velcroed to the inside of even the smallest racks. The Pocket Pedal derives its power from any effect unit
via the Midi "Thru" or "Out" Jacks and provides a 1/4" pedal input as well as a 1/4" switch input. It makes using the control change
a breeze and is a relatively inexpensive way to achieve the conversion.
NOTE: Make sure you get the actual Pocket Pedal! Pocket "Merge" , Pocket "Switch" or any of the other Anatek "Pocket Family"
devices will not provide the conversion you need.
Now that we have this taken care of, the next thing is to go over our control change lingo...so that there won't be any misunderstand-
ings as to how to actually write a PRESET that will respond to these messages. Lets begin with an explanation of the terminology
that we will be using:
1. BASE PRESET: This is a memory location in RAM (Random Access Memory) that contains all your custom settings, including the
control change settings. There are 90 such locations in your TriAxis and these are "Home Base" when thinking about using control
change. In other words, you start with your original PRESET and say..."When I accelerate on the pedal I want this and this and that,
etc., to happen." When the pedal is fully backed off or " decelerated " you will be at the "BASE" or original PRESET. This is your "BASE"
PRESET.
2. PARAMETERS: These are your Front Panel controls: GAIN, TREBLE , MIDDLE, BASS, LEAD 1 DRIVE , LEAD 2 DRIVE MAS-
TER, PRESENCE and DYNAMIC VOICE.
3. MODULATION: This is the action that is taking place as you increase or decrease the pedal. You are modulating the parameters
of a particular PRESET.
PAGE 21