Introduction

FIRMWARE v2.5.0

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This section explains how the controller works and how pressing individual switches or different switch combinations will interact with the controller.

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Please refer to the Midi Type Reference as well for more information on selecting the correct midi type that you need.

Overview

The MC6 is a fully programmable Midi controller. How it is structured is simple: There are 30 banks. Each bank has 12 presets, 6 of which are accessible from the 6 switches, while the other 6 are hidden but can be activated by other means such as dual switch presses or external controllers. A Page Toggle function is also available to flip between the first 6 presets and the last 6 presets.

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Each preset can be programmed to send out 8 different messages. These messages can range from your standard Midi messages such as CC and PC messages, or advanced functions such as Toggling, Midi Clock and much more.

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The full list of message types can be found in the Midi Type Reference Manual.

Powering the MC6

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Your MC6 can be powered by any one of these methods:

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• 9VDC Centre Negative power supply

  • Connect a 9VDC centre negative power supply to the power input of the MC6.

• Phantom Power (9-12v AC or DC)

  • Connect a 7-pin Midi cable to the MIDI OUT port of the MC6. Phantom power is supplied through pins 6 and 7. Phantom power is chained to pins 6 & 7 on the MIDI IN port as well, allowing you to power other devices.

• USB powered

  • Connect a USB cable to the MC6. The MC6 is capable of being fully powered by USB.

Connections and I/Os

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Midi In/Receive

This is where the MC6 receives MIDI messages from other MIDI devices.

Midi Out/Send/Thru

This is where MIDI data is sent from the MC6 to other devices. You can use a standard 5-pin MIDI cable, or a 7-pin one if you want to power the MC6 with phantom power. The MC6 also has MIDI THRU, which allows incoming MIDI messages to be relayed to other MIDI-capable devices.

USB port

The MC6 can also send and receive MIDI data via USB, allowing you to have control over your DAWs and music software. It is class compliant and compatible with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.

EXP 1 & 2

Connect your expression pedals to these ports. You may also connect aux switches here to add more programmable switches to the MC6.

Global Settings

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To access the Controller Settings Menu, hold down Switches D+F before powering up the MC6. The display will indicate that it is booting into the configuration page, and the menu below will be displayed:

Set Midi Thru (mThru)

Switch on/off the MIDI thru function on the MC6. This function allows the MC to relay MIDI messages from other devices to devices further down the MIDI chain.

Factory Reset (Reset)‌

To do a factory reset, hold down for 2 seconds. The MC6 will show that it is performing a factory reset. All user presets and settings will be reset to factory default when a reset is done.

Set Midi Channel (MidiCh)

Set the MIDI receive channel for the MC6. The MC6 can receive and respond to messages from external midi controllers. The MC6 also communicates with the Editor through its Midi Channel.

Change Input (ChgInp)‌

Change Expression Input Type. The two 1/4 inch inputs on the MC6 can each be used independently for expression pedals or external aux switches.

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IMPORTANT- Please note that if you do not have any expression pedals/external switches connected to the MC6, your Expression Inputs should be set to [Expn Pedal]. Otherwise the MC6 will hang on the main page as it will think that an external switch is being pressed.

Switch Sensitivity (SwSens)

Set switch sensitivity. Choose from 1 (least sensitive)to 5 (most sensitive). By default, this is set to 3 and should be comfortable for most users. Depending on personal taste, you may adjust sensitivity to help you bank up/down (by stepping on 2 switches at once) more accurately. More sensitive means that the lag between the time when a message is sent out and when the switch is pressed it at its minimum.

General Usage

Scrolling through banks

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Step on Switches [A + B] together to bank down and Switches [B + C] to bank up. There are a total of 30 banks on the MC6.

Switch and display names‌

Activating Presets‌

Each switch corresponds to the display name closest to it. Pressing switch [A] activates Preset A, switch [B] activates Preset B and so forth.

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Dual Switch Functions‌

The MC6 makes use of dual switch combination to carry out certain functions.

‌Besides this, you can also use dual switch presses to call the extra presets.

Programming Switches‌

On a new controller, all switches are initially labelled as EMPTY. It is up to you to decide exactly what each one will do.

To program a switch‌

1. Press the switch you wish to program

2. Press Switches [D + F] together. This will take you the the Switch Settings Menu shown below.

Msg‌

Edit the MIDI messages that will be sent by each switch.

‌Use Switches A+B to move between parameters, and Switches F+C to increase and decrease parameter values. At any time, press Switches D+E together to save your current message settings, and press Switches E+F to return to the previous menu without saving.

• M: This is the message number of the MIDI message that you are editing. Each switch on the MC6 can send up to 8 different MIDI messages at once. Press to scroll through the 8 messages to edit each one.

• Type: Choose the type of MIDI message you want to send. You can select from Program Change (PC), Control Change (CC), Toggle messages and many others. Please refer to our MIDI Message Types List on page 15 for the full list of messages available and what each one can do.

• 0:0: The first pair of zeros you see on the screen are Number 1 : Value 1. Each parameter on your other MIDI devices have corresponding MIDI numbers. By changing MIDI Number 1, you can choose which parameter you want to affect on your other devices. By changing you MIDI Value 1, you set the value you want the chosen parameter to be at.

• 0:0: The second pair of zeros you see on the screen are Number 2 : Value 2. These are required only when you use toggle type MIDI messages, allowing you to toggle between Number 1 : Value 1 and Number 2 : Value 2 using the same switch.

• Ch: This determines the MIDI channel (1-16) that your MIDI message will be sent through. Assign different MIDI channels of each of your other devices so that messages for specific devices will not conflict with each other.

Clear

Hold down to clear all settings on current switch.

Copy (To all banks)‌

Press to copy the settings of the current switch.

Press and hold to copy the preset to the same preset in all banks.

Paste‌

Press to paste copied switch settings onto current switch.

Name‌

Name your switches. This will be displayed on the main screen of the MC6.

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• Use Switches [A] and [B] to move between characters, and Switches [F] and [C] to change characters. Pressing Switch [D] allows you to skip characters and scroll through more quickly. At any time, press [D+E] together to save your current settings and exit, or press [E+F] to exit without saving.

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Toggle Name Change‌

If you add a "#" to the first character of your long name, it will be designated for use with toggle messages. You can now switch between 2 short names in your main preset display page. For example, if you have Preset A programmed to be a CC Toggle, short name = "Clean" and long name = "#Crunch", your display for Preset A will switch between "Clean" and "Crunch", depending on the toggle position for that preset.‌

Name Placeholders

You can display the scroll number of your PC scroll arrays directly on the preset short name and/or long name. SImply add a %E0 to your name to display the first number in the array. The numeric value determines which number to show. A %E7 will display the last number in the array.

FullName‌

Choose a longer name for the selected switch. This name will be displayed when the switch is stepped on. If left blank, no full name will be shown when the switch is stepped on.

Bank Settings

ACCESSING BANK EDIT MODE‌

On the home screen, press Switches [B+F] to enter Bank Edit mode shown above.

BankName

‌Name your current bank. Naming banks is done the same way as naming switches.‌

Hiding the Bank Number: If you do not want the bank number to be displayed when switching banks, set the first bank name character to “#”. The MC6 will skip the bank number display when changing banks and immediately display the presets.

Copy‌

Copy current bank settings. All bank and switch settings on the current bank will be copied to clipboard.

Paste‌

Paste copied bank settings to current bank.

Using Expression Pedals‌

Programming Expression Pedals‌

Similar to programming switches, pressing Switch [A + C] will allow you to program your last moved expression pedal.‌

Expression Pedal Settings Menu

Edit‌

Choose what you want your expression pedal to control. Be sure to calibrate your expression pedal first (see below). Use only expression pedals with 10k to 25k potentiometers (10k preferable), with wiper to tip.

Programming expression pedals is very similar to programming switches. The CC number for your expression pedal message is represented by Number 1 and the range of values sent will be from Value 1 to Value 2. Each expression pedal can send up to 8 MIDI messages.‌

Sensitivity (Sens)‌

Adjust the sensitivity level of your expression pedal. The MC6 works best with Expression Pedals using 10k ohm potentiometers, and you can set the sensitivity to the highest. If you’re using a high valued potentiometer, you may encounter the expression read being jittery. If so, simply adjust the sensitivity to a lower setting.

Calibrate‌

Calibrate your expression pedal by setting the Heel Down and Toe Down positions. This allows the MC6 to send the correct values for the full range of your Expression Pedal.

Display‌

When this feature is enabled, your expression pedal’s name (as named by you) and the expression pedal’s position will be displayed when the pedal is being moved. While the name is being displayed, the MC6 will not send out any presets when a switch is pressed. Press Switch C to immediately exit the Expression Display

Using External Controllers

You can connect external Aux or Midi controllers to your MC6 and expand its functionality and capability.

Aux Switch Controllers‌

Connect your aux switches via stereo 1/4” cables to the expression inputs of the MC6. Each expression input can accept up to 3 aux switches. This will give you 6 more fully programmable switches (that’s a total of 12 switches).

The Aux switch should be using momentary switches, with each switch connecting the Tip to Sleeve, Ring to Sleeve, or Tip and Ring to Sleeve to engage the different presets.

Midi Implementation Table

Connect an external Midi controller to the MIDI IN of the MC6. This will allow you to control specific functions on the MC6, such as jumping immediately to specific banks, adding extra switches or banking up and down with your external Midi controller.

The MC6 is able to read incoming MIDI messages. It will read messages sent to the MIDI channel that it is set to. You can set the MC6 MIDI channel from the Global Controller Settings menu.

The functions you can control include:‌

Control Change

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Program Change

MC6 Editor

A software and web editor is available for you to program your MC6 switches more quickly and easily.

Download the MC6 Software Editor from our downloads page at: http://www.morningstarfx.com/downloads​

The Editor is also available on the web, and can be accessed via Google Chrome or Opera browsers here: http://editor.morningstar.io​

Using the MC6 Editor

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1. Connect your MC6 to your computer via the included USB cable.

2. On the home screen of your MC6, press switches [C+D] to enter Editor mode. This enables the MC6 to start sending messages to the Editor.

3. To program a switch, just press on the switch you wish to program. It’s bank number and switch letter will be displayed on the Software Editor’s screen.

4. Name your switch, and input the parameters and values you wish to use.

5. Click on ‘Save’ or hit Enter to save your switch’s name and message settings.

6. When using the MC6 to communicate with your devices make sure to toggle out of Editor Mode so that the MC6 will not send any unnecessary messages.

Updating the Firmware

We regularly work on firmware updates to continually improve your MC6 experience.

Download the MC6 Updater Software and latest Firmware Updates from our downloads page at: http://www.morningstarfx.com/downloads​

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The firmware releases can be found in our online repository: https://github.com/Morningstar-Engineering/MC6-Midi-Controller ​

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Once in the page, click on Releases to view all the latest firmware release. Beta versions are available for you to try out the new features that we are working on, but might be unstable. Stable releases have been tested.

How to update‌

Connect the MC6 to your computer via the included USB cable, and then run the Firmware Updater software. In the software, click on Upload. A file select box should appear. Simply navigate to the folder where you downloaded the firmware, and select the firmware that you downloaded. The software will load the new firmware into the controller and it will be indicated by a progress bar.

Troubleshooting

General‌

I’ve got no idea why I can’t get it to work‌

• Head over to www.midimonitor.com to view the outgoing messages from your MC6. You can verify whether the messages coming out from the MC6 is as what you expected.

• Check that the MC6 Midi Out (closest to the USB port) is connected to your device Midi In.

• Ensure that your MC6 is not in Editor Mode.

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Outgoing Messages‌

MC6 not sending expected messages‌

• Check that your MC6 is OUT of Midi Editor mode when trying to control your Midi devices. If your MC6 is in editor mode, it will be sending a bunch of messages meant for the Editor.

MC6 is sending unexpected messages‌

• See 1a.

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Web/Desktop Editor‌

I can’t get the Editor to connect

There are 3 reasons why the Editor cannot connect to your MC6.‌

1. You need to use a Midi-enabled browser. As of time of writing, only Google Chrome supports ​Web Midi.

2. Your MC6 Midi channel is not aligned with the Editor channel. If your MC6 Midi Channel is set to 1, the Editor Channel drop down box should also be set to 1.

3. Your MC6 is not in Editor mode. For v2.4 firmware, press Switch C+D to toggle in and out of editor mode.

Fractal/AxeFX Specific‌

Please read through theAxeFX MIDI Wiki​

I can’t get phantom power to work‌

• You will need a 7/8 pin Midi cable that connected from your AxeFX Midi Out to your MC6 Midi In. You also need an additional AC power adaptor that connected to the back of your AxeFX phantom power port.

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I can’t get the Tuner to work.

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• You need 2 midi cables connected the MC6 Midi OUT to the AxeFX Midi IN, as well as the AxeFX Midi OUT to the MC6 Midi IN. Disable Midi THRU on the MC6 and the AxeFX. Enable SysEx Messages on the AxeFX.

Using an External Aux Controller‌

Screen hangs when I plug it in‌

• Check that you are using a stereo cable. Also, you need to go into the config menu and set the expression input to [Aux Sw].