MIDIPLUS minicontrol Owner's Manual

(1) Preface

Congratulations on your purchase of MIDIPLUS minicontrol. The minicontrol is a petite and powerful MIDI keyboard, portable and functional, representing a cost-effective product. This manual introduces the minicontrol's functions and operation. It features powerful MIDI functions, including a 32-key miniature keyboard, pitch and modulation wheels, a volume clipper potentiometer, an unlimited rotation data regulator, octave buttons (Up & Down), a powerful arpeggiator, chord mode button, set button, Drum PAD, Drum PAD switch button, and a Tick device button. The composite function keys include transpose buttons (Up & Down), reverberation function selection, three velocity curves, arpeggiator mode, arpeggiator/tick time, scales mode select, PAD Mode select, and reset. It also includes a pedal input jack and a USB socket. The minicontrol supports Apple systems and Microsoft Windows XP/7/8 systems, requiring no USB driver installation as the system will directly identify the MIDI USB device.

(2) What's in the Box?

• minicontrol force sensing 32 key keyboard USB MIDI controller.
• A standard manual.
• A standard USB wire.

(3) Panel Overview

3.1 Front Panel Overview

3.2 Rear Panel Overview

(4) Functions Overview

4.1 Pitch and Modulation Wheel

Pitch wheel: Transmits MIDI Pitch Bend information to raise or lower the pitch of a note temporarily.

Modulation wheel: This wheel can be used to transmit continuous controller data (CC #1 or Modulation Depth).

4.2 Volume Clipper Potentiometer

The potentiometer can adjust the MIDI volume; adjusting the volume potentiometer will transmit the MIDI messages.

4.3 Unlimited Rotation Data Regulator (Data)

The unlimited rotation data regulator sends specific controller information. You can use the MIDI Editor software to edit a CC value.

4.4 Drum PAD

Drum PAD: Sends PAD MIDI information. You can use the MIDI Editor software to edit a CC value.

4.5 & 4.6 Octave Buttons (DOWN & UP)

Octave buttons (DOWN & UP) can be used to enlarge the key range from 0-key to 88-key or more. Each press reduces or increases an octave (default value is 4).

1. To reduce an octave (octave value less than 4), the "OCTAVE UP" LED lights.
2. To increase an octave (octave value greater than 4), the "OCTAVE DOWN" LED lights.
3. When Octaves Value is 4, "OCTAVE UP" LED and "OCTAVE DOWN" LED will turn off. At the same time, pressing both "OCTAVE DOWN" & "OCTAVE UP" buttons returns the octave value to the default (4).
4. When the CHORD mode is enabled, these two octave buttons can adjust the chord types.

4.7 TAP Tempo

Edit arpeggio/tick device rhythm tempo. After opening the "ARP/BEAT" mode, the "TAP" LED will flash. The flashing rate is associated with the current tempo. You can repeatedly press this button ("TAP") to adjust the tempo. The repeated press rate is proportional to the tempo; a faster press rate results in a faster tempo rhythm and a faster LED blink rate, sending arpeggio/tick notes more quickly, and vice versa.

4.8 Arpeggiator (ARP)

Arpeggiator switch. Pressing the button opens the arpeggios, and the LED lights up. Pressing the button again closes the arpeggio function, and the LED turns off. When the arpeggiator is ON, it can be used with the keyboard. Arpeggio function: If you press C2 on the keyboard, it will send C2, C3, C2, C3... If you press D3, it will send D3, D4, D3, D4... When arpeggio (ARP) is active, tick (BEAT) stops.

4.9 CHORD

Press the "CHORD" button; Chord is ON, and the LED lights up. Press the button again to close the chord function, and the LED turns off. In chord mode, use the "< OCTAVE" and "OCTAVE >" buttons to change different chords. Chord types include "Major", "Minor", "Minor 6", "Minor 7", "Augmented", "Major 6", "Major 7", "Suspended", and "Diminished".

4.10 SET

Composite keyboard mode switch. When you press the "SET" button and hold it, the composite keyboard mode is ON. Then, pressing any keyboard keys will make them reuse functions. For example, with "SET" ON, pressing the first key (Transpose +) can Transpose +1. Releasing the "SET" button will exit composite keyboard mode.

4.11 Switch A/B (Drum PAD)

• A: 1~8 PAD
• B: 9~16 PAD

4.12 Tick device (BEAT)

When the Tick device is turned on, the LED lights up. The tick sends a "tick, tick" sound, similar to a metronome (TAP). It reuses the "tick TIME" (BEAT TIME) keys to adjust the note speed. After the tick is open, arpeggio (ARP) will stop.

4.13 Transpose+/-

It is possible to transpose up or down by as much as 12 MIDI notes.

4.14 VELOCITY Curve (VEL/NORM/HEAVY/SOFT)

Choose a velocity curve (VEL/NORM/HEAVY/SOFT) according to your personal feel for the velocity of the corresponding curve.

• VEL: Closing velocity sensing, velocity is always 127.

4.15 ARP MODE

When the "ARP" is ON, the LED lights up.

• UP: Up mode, the arpeggiator plays notes in increasing chromatic order. If a Cmaj chord is played, the pattern would be: C, E, G, C, E, G, ...
• DOWN: Down mode, the arpeggiator plays notes in decreasing chromatic order. If a Cmaj chord is played, the pattern would be: G, E, C, G, E, C, ...
• RANDOM: Arpeggiator plays notes randomly, not in the order they were pressed.
• CHRN: Order mode, the arpeggiator plays back notes in the order they were pressed. If the following notes were pressed and held in this order: C, G, E, B. The output of notes would follow that order and playback: C, G, E, B, C, G, E, B, C, G, E, B...
• RANGE+: Arpeggiator octave +1. The default value is 1, with a maximum of 4. When the arpeggiator octave is 1, it sends two notes. Pressing "RANGE+" increases the arpeggiator octave by 1, adds an octave to the notes, and then sends three arpeggio notes simultaneously. For example, if the arpeggiator octave is 1, it sends C2, C3; if the octave is 2, it sends C2, C3, C4; if the octave is 3, it sends C2, C3, C4, C5...
• RANGE-: Arpeggiator octave -1. The minimum is 1. When the arpeggiator octave is 2, it sends three notes. Pressing "RANGE-" decreases the arpeggiator octave by 1, reduces the notes by an octave, and then sends two arpeggio notes simultaneously. For example, if the arpeggiator octave is 1, it sends C2, C3; if the octave is 2, it sends C2, C3, C4; if the octave is 3, it sends C2, C3, C4, C5...
• LOCK: Latches the arpeggio. It latches the current keys' arpeggio effect until new keys are pressed to change.

ARP keys are consistent with the UP keys for the same function.

4.16 Arpeggiator/Tick time (ARP TIME/BEAT TIME)

When "ARP/BEAT" is ON, ARP TIME/BEAT TIME ranges from 1 to 1/32. These settings adjust the fixed time for the arpeggiator/BEAT. Arp time/Beat time determines the frequency of arpeggiator/tick notes. Here, QN is used as a reference for crotchets:

• 1 note = QN * 4
• 1/2 note = QN * 2
• 1/4 note = QN
• 1/8 note = (QN/2)
• 1/16 note = (QN/4)
• 1/32 note = (QN/8)

4.17 Keyboard Scale (SCALE)

Keyboard Scale: A group of 12 key notes in order from C to B.

The NORM is for the common scale. Keys SCALE is consistent with the keys to NORM for the same function.

4.18 PAD Operating Mode (PAD MODE)

• PAD: Beating the Drum PAD sends a Drum note. For example: (99 18 7F, 99 18 00). In this mode, the default send channel is 10 (Drum information channel).
• NOTE: Beating the Drum PAD sends a keyboard note. For example: (90 18 7F, 80 18 00).
• CC: Beating the Drum PAD sends a controller message. For example: (B0 18 7F, B0 18 00). In this mode, beat PAD, the LED lights up; knocking again turns the LED off.
• PC: Beating the Drum PAD sends a tone message. For example: (C0 18, C0 18).

In addition to PAD mode, other modes can be fixed by the MIDI EDITER software to change channels.

4.19 RESET

When parameters change, pressing the multiplexing mode button resets parameters to the default boot state, and the LED turns off.

4.20 Pedal Switch (SUSTAIN)

Connect a pedal to the pedal jack. If a pedal is connected, it can transmit the pedal MIDI value.

4.21 USB 2.0

There is a USB jack on the side of the unit. The unit is class-compliant with both Mac and PC and will mount as a USB-MIDI device. The unit is fully powered by USB.

(5) Restore Factory Parameter Function

Simultaneously press the "TAP", "SET", and "A/B" three keys, as indicated by the red box in the figure below. The panel key lights will flicker, indicating successful restoration to factory parameters. If equipment anomalies or MIDI information issues occur after modification via MIDI Editor software, pressing the "TAP", "SET", "A/B" three keys simultaneously can restore factory parameters.

[Image depicting the TAP, SET, A/B buttons]

5.2 Minimum System Requirements

If you are using your minicontrol with a computer, the following minimum system requirements apply:

(Attention: Windows 98/ME or 2000 are not supported)

MIDIPLUS suggests connecting directly to your computer's built-in USB ports.

(6) minicontrol MIDI Editor Software

Connect the minicontrol to a computer and open the minicontrol MIDI Editor software. Ensure the computer recognizes the minicontrol USB devices. The minicontrol MIDI Editor software will display the connection status and firmware version number (as shown in Picture 1). If the computer does not recognize the minicontrol device or the device is not inserted, the minicontrol MIDI Editor software will display a "Disconnect" state (as shown in Picture 2). Please check your connections.

[Image: Picture 1: Drive connect (display Connect, firmware version number: FW: V0.04)]

[Image: Picture 2: Drive not connected (display: Disconnect)]

MIDI Editor Software Functional Description

Function of the serial number

• (1) Filename
• (2) New construction parameters (NEW)
• (3) Open the construction file (OPEN)
• (4) Reset parameters and synchronize data (RESET)
• (5) Export construction file (EXPORT)
• (6) Save the parameters (SAVE)
• (7) Sync to computer (SYNC TO PC)
• (8) Sync to the device (SYNC TO FW)
• (9) The composite function area
• (10) Pusher potentiometer (SLIDER)
• (11) Encoder (DATA)
• (12) Drum PAD
• (13) Function of the alias
• (14) Modify the alias
• (15) Data byte (VALUE)
• (16) Edit channel (CHANNEL)
• (17) Data type (TYPE)
• (18) Real-time status information (STATUS,DATA1, DATA2,DEC/HEX)

6.1 Filename

Users are in the area of autonomous operation function.

6.2 New construction parameters (NEW)

Click "NEW" to restore default parameters.

6.3 Open the construction file (OPEN)

Click "OPEN" to open a saved construction file, named "***. CUS".

6.4 Reset parameters and synchronize data to the device (RESET)

If the minicontrol is connected, clicking "RESET" restores the software configuration parameters to the factory defaults and synchronizes the data to the minicontrol. If the minicontrol is not connected, clicking "RESET" will display a warning window, reminding users to connect the minicontrol.

6.5 Export construction file (EXPORT)

Click "EXPORT" to save the user parameters as a file for backup.

6.6 Save the parameters (SAVE)

After modifying software configuration parameters, click "SAVE" to save them. The parameters will not be lost when the software is reopened.

6.7 Sync to computer (SYNC TO PC)

Click "SYNC TO PC" to synchronize minicontrol configuration parameters to the computer software (minicontrol MIDI EDITOR).

6.8 Synchronized to the device (SYNC TO FW)

Click "SYNC TO FW" to synchronize the computer software (minicontrol MIDI EDITOR) configuration parameters to the device (minicontrol).

6.9 The composite function area

This area allows editing of the minicontrol's composite function parameters. Users can click on any option to make changes.

• “ARP MODE” choice (UP/DOWN/RANDOM/CHRN)
• “ARP TIME” choice (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32)
• “SCALE” choice (NORM, MAJOR, MINOR, PENTA, BLUES, HINDU)
• “ARP OCTAVE” choice (0~4)
• “VELOCITY” choice (VEL, NORM, HEAVY, SOFT)
• “PAD MODE” choice (PAD, NOTE, CC, PC)
• “BEAT TYPE” choice (1 beat~6 beat): "BEAT TYPE" is a special function choice for the minicontrol MIDI EDITOR, controlling the rhythm of tick note type.
• “KEY CHANNEL” choice (0~16): The keyboard, PAD, PITCH BEND, MODULATION channel value.

6.10 Pusher potentiometer (SLIDER)

Use the mouse to click the Slider icon. The software interface will display a translucent red label, indicating that the user can change the Slider's custom functions, such as status byte: TYPE, data bytes: VALUE, channel: CHANNEL.

6.11 Encoder (DATA)

Use the mouse to click the Encoder icon. The software interface will display a translucent red label, indicating that the user can change the encoder's custom functions, such as status byte: TYPE, data bytes: VALUE, channel: CHANNEL.

6.12 Drum PAD

Use the mouse to click the Drum PAD. The software interface will display a translucent red label, indicating that the user can change the Drum PAD's custom functions, such as status byte: TYPE, data bytes: VALUE. PAD mode by PAD MODE change, CHANNEL and KEY CHANNEL to share.

6.13 Function of the alias

This area displays the function alias, allowing users to easily see the alias of custom functions.

6.14 Modify the alias

Users can input functions in the edit field alias, noting the use of the name for the function.

6.15 Data byte (VALUE)

Click on the "VALUE" square space on the left side to fill in 0 ~ 127. For example, if the currently selected edit encoder's "TYPE" is set to "NOTE" and "VALUE" is filled with 127, the synchronous data to the minicontrol will send a message format for the encoder (state bytes: 0x90, data bytes: 0x7f, velocity bytes: 0 ~ 0x7f).

6.16 Edit channel (CHANNEL)

Click on "CHANNEL" to choose the encoder or Pusher potentiometers' channel (channel value is 0 ~ 15).

6.17 Data type (TYPE)

The "TYPE" drop-down box allows choosing NOTE (0x90), PC (0xc0), PITCH BEND (0xe0), AFTER TOUCH (0xd0), CC (0xb0). In the encoder (Data) mode, use CC (Relative) and CC (Absolute).

• CC(Relative): 0xBx [The encoder returns to normal mode];
• CC(Absolute): 0xBx. Only for the encoder (6.11), velocity bytes will enable the absolute value model. Each turn left, velocity bytes will start decreasing from 0x40; each turn right, velocity bytes will start increasing from 0x40.

6.18 Real-time status information (STATUS,DATA1, DATA2,DEC/HEX)

After connecting the minicontrol, rotate any potentiometer or encoder, or press a button. Information will be uploaded to the software according to the real-time status: STATUS byte (x > 0x80), DATA1: data bytes (x < 0x80), DATA2: byte (x < 0x80). DEC: decimal, HEX: hexadecimal display.

(7) Download MIDI Editor software and firmware update at

http://www.midiplus.com.tw/MIDIPLUS-Download.htm