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How can I control Sunset with MIDI?

***In order to control Sunset with MIDI, it must have firmware version 1.20 or later.  An easy way to check if your Sunset is running version 1.20 or newer firmware is to try setting the MIDI Expression functionality.

  • When Sunset is already powered up, press and hold down the B footswitch until the LEDs begin to blink.
  • Release the footswitch and turn the B side DRIVE knob back and forth.
  • If you are running version 1.0 firmware, the color of the B LED will NOT change when you turn the DRIVE knob.

To update Sunset, please download the Strymon Update software.

MIDI Connections to Sunset

To begin using Sunset with an external MIDI device, connect the MIDI out jack from a pedal, controller, or computer interface to the EXP jack on Sunset. The following devices can be used to send MIDI messages to Sunset:

  • Strymon MIDI EXP cable (link)
  • Strymon Conduit MIDI Hub (link)
  • Compatible 5-pin MIDI to 1⁄4” MIDI Interface:
    • Disaster Area Designs – DPC Gen 3 Series, DMC Gen 3 Series, MIDIBox
    • Empress Effects – MIDIbox2

Configuring Sunset to Use MIDI

Set EXP jack to MIDI Mode

Once you have connected Sunset to a MIDI source, you must set the EXP jack to MIDI mode.

  • Press and hold the A footswitch while connecting the pedal to power.
  • When the LEDs stop blinking, release the footswitch and turn the LEVEL knob on the B side until the B LED turns BLUE.
  • Press either footswitch to store the EXP jack assignment.

Set MIDI Channel

Next, you will need to select a MIDI channel to communicate with Sunset.  Sunset is set to MIDI channel 1 by default.

  • Press and hold the B footswitch while connecting the pedal to power.
  • When the LEDs stop blinking, release the footswitch and turn the LEVEL knob on the A side to set the MIDI channel.  The A LED will change color as the MIDI Channel is changed.
    • GREEN – MIDI Channel 1
    • AMBER – MIDI Channel 2
    • RED – MIDI Channel 3
    • Blue – MIDI Channels 4-16
      • This setting requires a 1/4″ MIDI connection to set.  Once the LED turns BLUE, it will blink until the pedal receives a MIDI Program Change message.  Once a MIDI PC message is received, the pedal will be set to the MIDI channel that the message was sent through and the LED will stop blinking.

Set MIDI Output Mode

The MIDI Output mode must be set to determine what kind of MIDI data is sent out by Sunset.  ***NOTE: If you are only sending MIDI data to Sunset or if you are using the Strymon MIDI EXP cable, the MIDI Output mode must be set to OFF.***

  • Press and hold the A footswitch while connecting the pedal to power.
  • When the LEDs stop blinking, release the footswitch and turn the TONE knob on the A side to select what kind of MIDI data is sent from Sunset to other MIDI devices.  Both LEDs will flash  a color momentarily as the mode is changed.
    • GREEN – ON – Using Sunset’s knobs and switches generates MIDI messages that are sent out of Sunset.
    • AMBER – THROUGH – Incoming MIDI messages are sent out of Sunset without any additional MIDI messages generated by Sunset.
    • RED – OFF (default) – No MIDI messages are sent out of Sunset.

Saving and Recalling Presets on Sunset with MIDI

Saving Presets

When set to MIDI mode, the currently loaded settings can be saved to any of Sunset’s 300 preset locations at any time.

  • To enter SAVE mode, press and hold the A footswitch.  The A LED will start blinking BLUE.
  • Send a MIDI Program Change message from your connected MIDI device to Sunset.  The LED will stop flashing and Sunset will save the settings to that preset location.
    • To save a preset to the currently loaded preset location, simply press the A footswitch once again while the LED is flashing.

Recalling  Presets

  • To recall presets on Sunset, send the pedal a MIDI Program Change message on the same channel the pedal is set to that corresponds to the desired preset you would like to recall.

Sunset contains 300 preset locations, numbered sequentially from 0-299. Because MIDI Program Change messages have a maximum number of 128 (0-127) the presets are grouped into three MIDI patch banks:

  • MIDI BANK 0 = PRESETS 0-127
  • MIDI BANK 1 = PRESETS 128-255
  • MIDI BANK 2 = PRESETS 256-299

Sunset always powers up in MIDI Patch Bank 0, so if you plan to stay within the first 127 presets, simply send a standard MIDI Program Change message to load a preset.

If you will be using MIDI Banks 1 and/or 2, it is advisable to send a standard MIDI Bank Change message (MIDI CC# 0 with a value equal to the MIDI Bank#) before each MIDI Program Change.

Selecting bank 0, patch 127 will put Sunset into Manual mode. In this mode, the pedal will be set to the current knob and switch settings.  No preset data can be stored at this preset location.