How can I control NightSky with MIDI?

MIDI Connections to NightSky

To begin using NightSky with an external MIDI device, connect the MIDI OUT from another pedal, controller, or computer interface to the MIDI IN or EXP jack on NightSky set to MIDI mode. The following devices can be used to send MIDI messages to NightSky:

• Strymon MIDI EXP cable (link)
• USB connection from your computer to NightSky
• Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connection
• Compatible 5-pin MIDI to 1⁄4” MIDI Interface:
  • Empress Effects – MIDIbox2
  • Chase Bliss MIDIbox

 

Configuring NightSky to Use MIDI via the EXP Jack

Set EXP jack to MIDI Mode

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

• Press and hold the INFINITE footswitch while connecting the pedal to power.
• When the LEDs light up, release the footswitch and turn the REVERB knob until the INFINITE LED turns BLUE.
• Press the INFINITE footswitch to store the EXP jack assignment.

Set MIDI Channel

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

• Press and hold the INFINITE footswitch while connecting the pedal to power.
• When the LEDs light up, release the footswitch and turn the SPEED knob to set the MIDI channel.  The ON 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.
• Press the INFINITE footswitch again to store the MIDI channel assignment and begin using NightSky

 

Set MIDI Output Mode for the EXP Jack

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

• Press and hold the INFINITE footswitch while connecting the pedal to power.
• When the LEDs light up, release the footswitch and turn the DECAY knob to select what kind of MIDI data is sent from NightSky to other MIDI devices.  The FAV LED will show the status:
  • GREEN – ON (default)- Using NightSky knobs and switches generates MIDI messages that are sent out of NightSky.
  • AMBER – THROUGH – Incoming MIDI messages are sent out of NightSky without any additional MIDI messages generated by NightSky.
  • RED – OFF – No MIDI messages are sent out of NightSky.

 

Saving and Recalling Presets on NightSky with MIDI

Saving Presets via MIDI

When using MIDI, the currently loaded settings on the pedal can be saved to any of NightSky’s 300 preset locations at any time.

• To initiate the SAVE process, press and hold the FAV footswitch.  The FAV LED will start blinking BLUE.
• Send a MIDI Program Change message from your connected MIDI device to NightSky.  The LED will stop flashing and NightSky will save the settings to the preset location that corresponds with the MIDI Program Change message it received.
  • To save a preset to the currently loaded preset location, simply press the FAV footswitch once again while the LED is flashing.

Recalling  Presets

• To recall presets on NightSky, 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.

NightSky 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

NightSky 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 NightSky 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.