Rabid Elephant MIDI Brains - MIDI control for stomp boxes

Started by Elantric, January 07, 2014, 06:10:44 PM

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Elantric

Rabid Elephant MIDI Brains - MIDI control for stomp boxes
http://www.rabidelephant.com/products/midibrains/index.html


what is MidiBrains?!

MidiBrains is a miniature device (smaller than a 9V battery) that installs inside your guitar/bass pedals, amps, or other devices granting them the ability to be controlled with MIDI. the base MidiBrains board allows you to turn these devices on/off using MIDI messages from your MIDI controller or sequencer.

the most common and useful application for MidiBrains is when it is installed in your effects pedals. since it's internal to the pedal itself, no additional audio cabling or bulky 'loop' pedals/racks are required, freeing up considerable board space. using a MIDI controller, you can turn on as many effects as you want, in any combination, with just one footpress. 'patches' of pedal states can also be stored as presets into your controller, greatly increasing the versatility and ease-of-use for your pedal board. you can also use MidiBrains interactively in creative settings as well. gating, stutters, distortion tremolos, reverb builds, etc...

MidiBrains enabled devices operate as they did before - with or without MIDI.

true bypass for any device

MidiBrains uses high-quality audio-grade gold-plated relays for transparent true-bypass operation - ensuring your audio signal is completely unaltered and pure. MidiBrains gives non true-bypass effects full true-bypass operation and for those effects with true-bypass, a superior signal path than crude footswitches.

hooking up MidiBrains

MIDI: MidiBrains adds a MIDI In and MIDI Thru jack (or flying leads, if you don't want holes) to your pedal using 3.5 mm format connectors (like your headphones). This brings the large MIDI connector to a small and compact format, suitable for use on cramped pedal boards. One MIDI DIN to 3.5 mm cable is needed to get to the first device, then standard stereo 3.5 mm cables are used to daisy-chain between other MidiBrains devices. MidiBrains uses a true hardware MIDI Thru meaning it's as fast as it'll get.

AUDIO: your audio hook-ups are the same as without MidiBrains

POWER: MidiBrains is internally powered by the same power source you use to supply your pedal.

talking to MidiBrains

easy! MidiBrains reads MIDI PC (Program Change) messages that correspond to on/off states. you can change the MIDI Channel and PC messages MidiBrains responds to using the extremely intuitive learn mode. you can use lots of MidiBrains enabled devices, all with unique control assignments, from just one MIDI output!

installing MidiBrains

MidiBrains can be installed one of two ways:

1) have us professionally install it. get a quote now. typical cost for most effect pedals is around 100 USD. there is a 10% discount for 5 or more pedals. this includes labour, MidiBrains, cabling, and shipping back to you. this is the preferred method as we can ensure it's properly installed and fully tested.

2) by yourself. check out the documentation at the bottom right and see if it's something you think you can (or want to) do yourself. you can buy MidiBrains as a DIY kit which includes required installation accessories.

MidiBrains was compacted to be the size of a 9V battery, including the mounting clip. Most pedals have a compartment for a battery that MidiBrains will fit very nicely into.

more than just on/off...

MidiBrains is also expandable to allow MIDI control of potentiometers and many other controls of your pedals, amps, synthesizers, etc... this option is somewhat costly; if you're interested, contact rabid elephant.

... and for the ultimate DIYer

MidiBrains can be custom programmed with your own code using the on-board ISP connector and the free AVRStudio IDE and WinAVR tools. you will need a programmer/debugger like the AVR Dragon, AVR ONE!, JTAG ICE mkii, or the JTAG ICE3. The ISP is accessed using a TAG connect cable. go nuts... use MidiBrains for all kinds of quick-n-dirty MIDI controll applications - it's essentally a minature dev-board with MIDI, I2C, ADCs, and other GPIO. let us know if you need the FPC expansion connector installed (access to ADCs, I2C, power, etc...)

specifications

dimensions: 49.5 x 20.6 mm (1.950 x 0.810 in)
with clip: ~ size of 9V battery

power requirements: 8 to 25 VDC
max current draw: 50 mA

IO:
1 - power in
1 - MIDI input
1 - MIDI thru
1 - MIDI out
1 - footswitch input
1 - relay
1 - LED control
3 - aux IO
1 - ISP (TAG Connect)