Midi Interface?

[DrCannabass]

So, I inherited this instrument (the bass organ keypedal thing, not the musical saw, the cajon, or the kazoogle), but it came to me with only a power supply chord and midi-to-1/4" cable. Seems homemade as there are no visible manufacturer's marks on it. Obviously, I'm clueless about midi devices as I tried to plug it into my Hartke and got nothing but clicks, tried a search but not sure what I'm looking for.

What do I need to make this thing work?

 

[Bonafide]

Looks like a handmade or repurposed 8 channel midi foot controller with some simple controls. It needs an external midi sound source - all this does is send midi data/information. Might not get to rock any Tom Sawyer Taurus pedal sweeps right away

 

[Patrice B]

W

So, I inherited this instrument (the bass organ keypedal thing, not the musical saw, the cajon, or the kazoogle), but it came to me with only a power supply chord and midi-to-1/4" cable. Seems homemade as there are no visible manufacturer's marks on it. Obviously, I'm clueless about midi devices as I tried to plug it into my Hartke and got nothing but clicks, tried a search but not sure what I'm looking for.

What do I need to make this thing work?

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With a computer, an audio interface with MIDI ins/outs and a bass soft synth, you’ll have a bass pedal rig!

MIDI DIN plug to 1/4, strange idea… MIDI data won’t output audio signal!

 

[Tosh]

I'm not sure that's a standard DIN 5pin MIDI connector. Kinda looks like an organ footpedal for something older than MIDI.

 

[Patrice B]

I'm not sure that's a standard DIN 5pin MIDI connector. Kinda looks like an organ footpedal for something older than MIDI.

Ah, this could explain the DIN to 1/4. I forgot that DIN 5 pins was used for audio or other purposes too, in Europe at least.

**Oops, I see 7 pins…

probably something custom made?

 

[LBS-bass]

You need a sound source. MIDI is just a protocol for sending information to a sound source. It won’t work unless you connect it to something that’s MIDI enabled. Basically you have a controller there.

 

[Basslice]

I've seen online instructions for building these. People find old Hammond pedals and repurpose them for midi. Cool. I wish I had one.

 

[KidAmnesia]

I've seen devices that handle midi through an 1/8 trs plug, Korg Electribe 2 for instance. AFAIK midi cables just use 3 of those 5 pins.

 

[DrCannabass]

So I have a "controller" and need a midi device between it and the amp, that much I understand. But what do I need?

 

[Headless horse]

I don't think it will work as you like anyway, but $hit happens.

 

[andrus108]

First, you need to power it up, next to the DIN socket is what looks like a power socket. I cannot say for certain it is correct, and without a label what you need to power it you CAN damage it. If I had to guess I'd say you can try first with any typical 9v DC wall wart, like for pedals, although it probably should be able to provide at least 500mA of current, treat it like a digital device. As an example, my Voodo Lab Ground Control Pro, a MIDI footswitch, can be run on 9v DC of any polarity, or 9v AC, and it requires ca. 400mA. But again, without a label this is just a way to try if it works, and if that's not the correct adapter, it might get damaged. Your call if you even want to try.

If it does work however, then get a MIDI to USB adapter, Roland makes a very good one, then in DAW you load up a virtual instrument. You'll see if the pedals transmit data, and make a sound through the PC.

 

[DrCannabass]

I've got the power supply so no worries there. Is there a tone generator that I can put between this controller and an amplifier so that I don't need a computer to use it?

 

[jvanoort]

Sure: any synth or synth module that supports midi (and I would think thats about every single one of them) will do!

Cool thing too! Makes me wanna go full on Geddy Lee!

 

[Tosh]

something like this will do it - petty easy to setup, no programming knowledge required
Yamaha MU80 Tone Generator (1994) | Reverb

 

[DrCannabass]

something like this will do it - petty easy to setup, no programming knowledge required
Yamaha MU80 Tone Generator (1994) | Reverb

Thanks, Tosh!