I'm about to venture into midi land for the board and I'm debating between these two units. Without any real world experience with either unit. Which one is better for the entry level user?
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Morningstar MC6 vs Disaster area DMC6
- Thread starter Bass Ape
- Start date
I've had both a DMC-8XL and MC-6 (which I currently still have). The Morningstar controllers are MUCH more customizable and powerful overall, while also requiring a little more work to set up for basic operation as a result (as an example- being able to set up different functions for different button presses, like tap, long-press, release, etc). The DMC stuff on the other hand seems designed mostly for the basic entry-level user and has the basic functions and profiles fixed in the most commonly used modes- the DMC pedals have firmware that is regularly updated with newly released MIDI pedals from all the popular companies so that you can just scroll to the necessary pedal in a list on the DMC pedal itself which will automatically set the pedal up for you to do basic preset scrolling functions without need to attach to a computer editor (with the Morningstar you'll have to use the editor and do more work to set up what functions you want). The downside of the DMC is that its custom mode (which gives you access to more commands than just basic tempo, expression control, and preset scrolling) is much more limited than the Morningstar.
IMO, the Morningstar controllers are very much worth the extra bit of work. Just figure out what exactly you want the controller to do and it probably will be able to do it (something I can't say for the DMC stuff beyond preset access and MIDI clock and some basic CC messages). Plus the screen on the Morningstar stuff is much nicer and more useful (particularly if you go for the more expensive "Pro" version). Morningstar has a whole forum on their page for help and a very responsive development team too.
IMO, the Morningstar controllers are very much worth the extra bit of work. Just figure out what exactly you want the controller to do and it probably will be able to do it (something I can't say for the DMC stuff beyond preset access and MIDI clock and some basic CC messages). Plus the screen on the Morningstar stuff is much nicer and more useful (particularly if you go for the more expensive "Pro" version). Morningstar has a whole forum on their page for help and a very responsive development team too.
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When I took the short stint toe dip into MIDI land, I went for the Mornigstar MC6 to pair with my HX Stomp. I got some positive feedback from @fivestringgecko. He was quite happy with it at the time and said it was pretty simple to set up as well. I got it and was able to learn a few ins and out of MIDI and had it set up pretty quickly with some help from him and some others on here.
Exactly the the type of feedback I was looking for. Thanks
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I have two Morningstars, the MC6 and MC6 Pro. Both are really good. The only thing that has caught my eye as potentially more interesting is the Mortrix, although it's another step up in price.
I'm also interested in the Morningstar loop selector, but no funds.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/mortrix-midi-foot-controller.1578257/
I'm also interested in the Morningstar loop selector, but no funds.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/mortrix-midi-foot-controller.1578257/
So in short, the DMC controllers are the easiest if all you need are basic operations like preset scrolling, MIDI Clock, MIDI expression, etc. as they have all the necessary messages built into the DMC firmware for most of the MIDI-capable FX units around and you can just choose your pedal from a list onboard and it will automatically setup all the basic messages for preset scrolling, etc without a computer or any direct message inputting necessary and its about as easy as can be. The Morningstar is what you want if you want to go deeper with custom programming, but also can do the basic simple stuff that the DMC can, you'll just have to set it up directly (inputting all the relevant MIDI messages) yourself using computer editor software. They do have lists of the MIDI commands for most pedals within the Morningstar software, you just have to search for them and enter yourself which requires knowledge of what is actually happening that the DMC controllers don't require! In my opinion it is worth learning what is actually happening as it means that troubleshooting problems becomes MUCH easier
One cool thing about the DMC Micro Pro is that the 1/4in control port can also sync a CV pedal. I currently have a MIDI Baby 1 and 3, but they just can't do a ton. I use them to send CC's to ZOIA's and those do the real MIDI work. Using just those MIDI controllers I wouldn't be able to do much beyond having a few patches set up.
I have been looking at the MC6 and MC6 Pro for how they integrate with their loop switchers, so that is where I would go, but that is also because I can use the ZOIA's to send, say, a LFO that is modulated by a bunch of sequencers or other LFO's or whatever.
The Mortrix @edwinhurwitz mentioned/linked can do a lot of those things. I missed out on the last pre-sale because my bank thought a 3am purchase to England for a few hundred was suspect, but I think the Mortrix will be the way to go once it is readily available and, especially, when the expansion ports start getting expansions (especially CV out).
My vote would go to Morningstar right now. You can buy them. The YT reviews I've seen look positive and I've owned 2 of their loop switchers and they're great.
I have been looking at the MC6 and MC6 Pro for how they integrate with their loop switchers, so that is where I would go, but that is also because I can use the ZOIA's to send, say, a LFO that is modulated by a bunch of sequencers or other LFO's or whatever.
The Mortrix @edwinhurwitz mentioned/linked can do a lot of those things. I missed out on the last pre-sale because my bank thought a 3am purchase to England for a few hundred was suspect, but I think the Mortrix will be the way to go once it is readily available and, especially, when the expansion ports start getting expansions (especially CV out).
My vote would go to Morningstar right now. You can buy them. The YT reviews I've seen look positive and I've owned 2 of their loop switchers and they're great.
The Morningstar controllers have LFO CC sweep options as well!
I do appreciate the (non-MIDI) tap tempo sync abilities of the DMC units, which is why I still have one of their MIDI clock pedals (though I haven't used it in a long time). Is that what you mean you say "CV sync"?
Oh, ya. Totally what I meant by CV sync. I've only used it with Moogerfoogers, but I now would use the CV out on one of my ZOIA's, so I can change voltage etc, but, yes, I mean that the DMC Micro Pro can send like a gate pulse to non-MIDI pedals and that can all be synced to the same MIDI clock.
Did not know you could do LFO stuff on Morningstar. Using a ML10X now, so going in that direction, but I have used ZOIA's in a DAW environment as well and they just do so much.
One thing is I don't care a lot about a foot expression pedal. That is the only major feature that doesn't change how I rate a controller.
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I'm still a huge proponent of the MC6, for sure. I've thought about upgrading to the MC6 Pro for the fancy colored screen, but it's also bigger and the MC6 continues to prove itself to be the perfect size after several board iterations. I've never used any of the DMC controllers, but they do seem like good controllers. I guess I'd fall into the advanced MIDI user category, which is why I went with a Morningstar. I'm currently controlling my Stomp, Future Impact and C4 with my MC6 on my main board, and the expression pedal routes through the Morningstar to also control any/all of those three as well.
As @sunbeast mentioned, not everyone needs the horsepower of the Morningstars, but they're great controllers even if you don't. And like me, you might figure out that you can do more with an MC* than you thought. I wasn't actually expecting just how much I could do with my MC6, but there are some pretty slick tricks under the hood.
For those that might be Morningstar curious, the Morningstar editor does have a demo mode that will let you tinker under the hood to get an idea of what it can do, and see if you need/want a controller like that.
Some (brief) context of how I use mine:
My main band is an 80's pop/new wave gig with a ton of patch changes that are all automated through our setup (keyboardist's four synths, drummer's sample pad, guitarist's AxeFX II, my board), and normally the only time I have to touch my board is to tune. But the MC6 allows me to do all those patch changes manually/instantly/cleanly (without the pedalboard tap dance) if necessary, including a couple mid-song changes that bounce back and forth between my Future Impact and Stomp and would be impossible otherwise.
5sg.
Dude!! You got the DCX?!?! I've been eying that one for a min. I think seeing one on your board just ignited my GAS dammit!! haha
I did indeed!
I've had it on my main board for a while now, trying it out with my main band. LOVE it. I'm using it as a preamp, in one of the loops of my Stomp at the end of the signal chain before going to house.5sg.
