The brain of the Kitty Hawk Rack System is indeed the MIDI Looper. This programmable switching system allows guitarists to select any combination of MIDI and non-MIDI effects, control amplifier channel switching, A/B Selection, etc. with the push of a single footswitch button. Six audio Effects loops and two Function switches (A/B switch) allow the guitarists to program any combination of effects and function switch settings (i.e. guitar amp channel switching). Up to 128 Loop and A/B switch combinations can be stored in the Looper’s memory, to be recalled on any programmed preset via a MIDI footswitch or controller.
1. Features of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper
A. Front Panel Descriptions
1. Loop Selector Switches Insert Loops into signal path when the On position is selected.
2. Loop LED Indicators Illuminates when loops are inserted into signal path.
3. Function Switch A Sends footswitch type On/Off signal (to any unit connected to Function Switch Jack A) when depressed.
4. Function Switch A LED Indicator Illuminates when Function Switch A is in the On position.
5. Function Switch B Sends footswitch Type On/Off signal (to any unit connected to Function Switch Jack B) when depressed.
6. Function Switch B LED Indicator Illuminates when Function Switch B is in the On Position.
7. Power On/Off Rocker Switch Turns power to Kitty Hawk Looper On and Off.
B. Rear Panel Descriptions
1. Fuse Holder Uses 200mA 117 volt SLO BLO fuses.
2. AC Power Cord Connects to 117 volt AC power source.
3. MIDI In Jack Receives MIDI program change commands via 5-pin DIN connector.
4. MIDI Thru Jack Sends MIDI data received by MIDI In jack to external MIDI devices.
5. Function Switch Jack A Sends footswitch type On/Off signal selected by Function Switch A to external units, via a 1/4" phone plug connector.
6. Function Switch Jack B Sends footswitch type On/Off signal selected by Function Switch B to external units, via a 1/4" phone plug connector.
7. Main Input Jack Accepts audio input signal to be sent to loops 1-6.
8. Loop Input Jacks Accepts audio signal from effect loops when their corresponding Loop Selector switches are set to the On position.
9. Loop Output Jacks Sends audio signal to the effect loops when their corresponding Loop Selector switches are set to the On position.
10. Main Output Jack Sends audio signal to an external amplifier or processing devices, derived from the Main Input Jack or via any loops which may be set to the On position.
NOTE: The Loops of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper are wired in series. The signal routing is from the lowest to the highest numbered Loop Number when selected (set to the On position). The signal path will bypass loops that are not selected. Signal path will be interrupted if a loop is selected that is not connected to an external device.
2. Basic Operating Instructions
1. Connect AC cable from Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper into AC outlet.
2. Connect audio signal source (i.e. output of guitar pre-amp or effects send from guitar amp) to Main Input Jack.
3. Connect Main Output Jack to input of external amplification system (i.e.power amplifier input, guitar amp input or effects return).
4. Connect Function Switch Jack A, B or both to footswitch inputs of external unit (units) whose functions you wish to control (i.e. guitar amp channel switching,signal processor bypass, etc.).
NOTE: Many guitar amplifiers and pre-amplifiers (like the Kitty Hawk Apache and the stage 2004 Tube Pre-amp) use a double footswitch which is connected with a stereo TRS (Tip, Ring, and Sleeve) phone plug. To control an amplifier or pre-amp which utilizes this type of connector, consult the "Setting up the Kitty Hawk Midi Looper with the Midi Footcontroller", contained in the diagram package.
5. Connect Loop Output Jack 1 to the input of first external device to be inserted in Loop 1.
6. Connect output of external device to Loop 1 Input Jack.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each loop that is to be used in your system.
8. Connect MIDI Out of MIDI footswitch or controller to MIDI In of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper.
3. How to Connect Multiple MIDI Devices to the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper
1. Connect MIDI signal processors to Loop Jacks as described in "Basic Operating Instructions". (See Section 2.)
2. Connect MIDI Thru Jack of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to the MIDI In Jack of the first MIDI signal processor.
3. Connect MIDI Thru Jack the first MIDI signal processor to the MIDI In Jack of second MIDI signal processor.
4. Connect MIDI Thru Jack of second MIDI signal processor to the MIDI In Jack of third MIDI signal processor.
NOTE: When using six or more MIDI signal processors, we recommend using a MIDI Thru Box. A MIDI Thru Box has one MIDI Input Jack and multiple MIDI Thru Jacks. Using a MIDI Thru Box will eliminate the slight delay which can occur when MIDI signals are passed through multiple MIDI devices.
5. When using a MIDI Thru Box connect MIDI Thru of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to MIDI In of the MIDI Thru Box. Connect the MIDI Thru Jacks of the MIDI Thru Box to the MIDI In Jacks of your MIDI signal processors.
4. How to Program the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper
1. Set external MIDI controller (such as the Kitty Hawk MIDI Flight Path) to the desired program number. For this example we’ll use program 05.
2. To access the Program Mode of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper, press function switch Loop 1 and Switch B simultaneous (the two outside switches).
3. Set function switches to an "On" or "Off" state as desired for program 05.
4. Set external MIDI Controller to a different program number.
(Congratulations, you’ve just written your first preset combination of effects and functions.)
5. To check your preset, go back to program 05 on your external MIDI controller. The loops and A/B settings, which you previously selected, will automatically be recalled and reflected by the LED status indicators.
NOTE: Turning the power off, will return the Kitty Hawk Midi Looper to Preset Locked mode.
5. How to Use MIDI Signal Processing Devices with the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper
External MIDI controllable signal processors can be controlled via the MIDI Looper´s MIDI Thru jack. Connected in this fashion, devices will receive the same MIDI program change commands which are controlling the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper. Therefore, when the MIDI Looper receives the command to go to program 05, so will any MIDI devices connected to the MIDI Looper´s Thru Jack.
For example, program 05 might be a Heavy Metal lead guitar sound which requires a repeating echo effect. If your delay unit is MIDI compatible, you would program this unit so that program 05 is a repeating echo effect. MIDI equalizers, reverb etc. can all be programmed in the same way.
Unfortunately there is one variance that makes this process a bit more complicated. Almost every MIDI unit on the market today uses a different way of assigning MIDI program numbers. Your MIDI foot controller may show program 05 while your MIDI delay shows program 06. When you‘ve hooked up all of your MIDI processors to the MIDI Looper´s MIDI Thru Jack, you’ll be able to see what program number every unit switches to, for any given program number on your MIDI controller. You must now program your MIDI signal processors so that the appropriate effects are selected for each program.
NOTE: The Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper is dedicated to running in OMNI MODE.
6. How to Use the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Select Channels on the
Kitty Hawk Stage 2003 and Stage2004 Tube Pre-amp
The Kitty Hawk Stage 2003 and Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amps use a TRS (Tip, Ring, and Sleeve) stereo phone plug to allow selection of three or four different sounds via footswitches. In order to use the MIDI looper´s function switches to select these sounds, you will need a cable that has two 1/4" phone plugs on one end and a stereo TRS phone plug on the other end. These cables can be purchased at your local Kitty Hawk Dealer or self-constructed using the following directions described in the diagrams package.
7. Typical Setups Utilizing the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper
Diagram 1 from the "Diagram Package", shows a typical setup which involves five non-MIDI effects and one MIDI controlled multi effects processor connected to a channel switching guitar amplifier with the MIDI Looper. The following directions describe how a system like this would be constructed:
1. Connect the six effects units to the MIDI Loopers’ loops as described in "Basic Operating Instructions". (Refer to Section 2.)
2. Connect Function Switch Jack A to the amplifiers Reverb Footswitch Jack.
3. Connect Function Switch Jack B to the amplifiers Channel Switching Footswitch Jack.
4. Connect the amplifiers Effects Send Jack to the MIDI Looper´s Main Input Jack.
5. Connect the MIDI Looper´s Main Output Jack to the amplifiers Effects Return Jack.
6. Connect the MIDI Foot Controller to the MIDI Looper´s MIDI In Jack.
7. Connect the MIDI Looper´s MIDI Thru Jack to the MIDI In Jack on the MIDI controlled multi effect processor.
With this setup, the MIDI Foot Controller will be the only pedal on the floor, permitting the guitarist to select any 28 pre-programmed settings with the touch of a button.
Re-programmed settings will include any combination of the six effects as well as selection of Clean or Lead channels, with or without the amplifiers internal reverb. In addition, the MIDI controlled multi effects processor will automatically change to the appropriate effect for each setting.
Diagram 3 from the "Diagram Package", shows the complete Kitty Hawk Rack System combined with six mono effects and a stereo MIDI controlled multi effects processor. This system provides the ultimate in flexibility and sound quality in an easily programmable configuration. Although your system may not be exactly the same as this setup, you should be able to incorporate the concepts outlined here to create a rack system that is tailored to your own musical needs. The following directions describe how a system like this would be assembled:
1. Connect the six effects units to the MIDI Looper´s loops as described In "Basic Operating Instructions". (Refer to Section 2.)
2. Connect Function Switches A and B to the Kitty Hawk Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amp’s Footswitch Input, with the special cable described in Section 6.
3. Connect the Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amp’s Main Output Jack to the Main Input Jack on the MIDI Looper.
4. Connect the MIDI Looper´s Main Output Jack to the Main Input Jack on the effects mixer.
5. Connect the MIDI Foot Controller to the MIDI In Jack on the MIDI Looper
6. Connect the MIDI Thru Jack on the MIDI Looper to the MIDI IN Jack on the MIDI controlled equalizer.
7. Connect the MIDI Thru Jack on the MIDI controlled equalizer to the MIDI IN Jack on the MIDI controlled multi effects processor.
8. Using a Y-cable, connect Effect Send 1 on the effects mixer to the Channel 1 left and right Effect Returns Jacks on the effects mixer.
9. Connect Effect Send 2 on the effects mixer to the Mono Input Jack on the MIDI controlled multi effects processor.
10.Connect the left and right Output Jacks (usually marked "Mix Out" or "Effects Out") on the multi effects processor to the Channel 2 left and right Return Jacks on the effects mixer.
NOTE: Step 8 describes how to set up Channel 1 of the effects mixer as the
"Dry" or unaffected channel. This trick is especially useful when using MIDI controlled effects units which "glitch" or drop out when changing programs.
The dry signal will remain unaffected by these problems and listeners will not notice that the effect signal has momentarily "dropped out" between programs.11.Connect the left and right Output Jacks on the effects mixer to the left and right Input Jacks on the Kitty Hawk Stereo Tube Poweramplifier (or on your own power amplifier).
12.Connect speakers to the left and right Speaker Outputs on the Stereo Tube Power Amplifier.
A programmable setting in this system can consist of a channel selection from the Stage 2004’s Pre-amp (choice of 4 in total), combinations of the six effects loops and any MIDI selectable programs from the equalizer and multi effects processor.
The range of sounds available from this setup is only limited by your imagination. Up to 128 of these sounds can be programmed in advance and then selected instantly using the foot controller, thus allowing guitarists to concentrate on performing instead of the equipment.
8. Using Stereo Effects Units with the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper
Although the MIDI Looper is a mono (single channel) device, it can be combined with stereo effects units.
A. Using Mono In - Stereo Out Effect Units - Diagram 2 (Diagram Package)
1. Connect the MIDI Looper’s 1-3 Loops as described in "Basic Operating Instructions". (Refer to Section 2)
2. Connect Function Switches A and B to the Kitty Hawk Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amp’s Footswitch Input with the special cable described in Section 6.
3. Connect the Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amp´s Main Output Jack to the Main Input Jack on the MIDI Looper.
4. Connect Loop Output Jack 4 of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Input Jack of your external Mono In - Stereo Out effects unit.
5. Connect Loop Input Jack 4 of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Output Jack Left of your external Mono In - Stereo Out effects unit.
6. Connect Loop Input Jack 6 of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to the Output Jack Right of your external Mono In - Stereo Out effects unit.
7. Using a Y- cable, connect Loop Input and Output Jack 5 of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to the Input Jack Left on the Kitty Hawk Stereo Tube Power Amplifier.
8. Connect Main Output Jack of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Input Jack Right on the Kitty Hawk Tube Power Amplifier.
9. Connect speakers to the left and right Speaker Outputs on the Tube Power Amplifier.
NOTE: Output Jack 6 of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper is not used.
To program this system turn on Loop Switches 1-3 as described in "How to Program the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper" (Refer to Section 4).
To get your external Mono In - Stereo Out effects unit into the signal path turn on Loop Switches 4-6. To bypass your Mono In - Stereo Out effects unit turn on Loop Switch 5 and turn off Loop Switch 4 and 6.
NOTE: Loop 5 Switch on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper is always turned on, otherwise your Power Amplifier Left Input will not receive a signal.
B. Using Stereo In - Stereo Out Effects Units - See Diagram Package
1. Connect the Main Output Jack on your Kitty Hawk Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amp to the Input Jack on the external Mono In - Stereo Out effects unit.
2. Connect Function Switches A and B to the Kitty Hawk Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amp’s Footswitch Input with the special cable described in section 6.
3. Connect Main Input Jack on Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Output Jack Left on the Mono In - Stereo Out effects Unit
4. Connect Loop 4 Input Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Output Jack Right on the Mono In - Stereo Out effects unit.
5. Connect Loop 2 Input Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Output Jack Left on the first Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
6. Connect Loop 2 Output Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Input Jack Left on the first Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
7. Connect Loop 3 Input Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Output Jack Left on the second Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
8. Connect Loop 3 Output Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Input Jack Left on the second Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
9. Connect Loop 5 Input Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Output Jack Right on the first Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
10.Connect Loop 5 Output Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Input Jack Right on the first Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
11.Connect Loop 6 Input Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Output Jack Right on the second Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
12.Connect Loop 6 Output Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Input Jack Right on the second Stereo In - Stereo Out effects unit.
13.Connect Loop 4 Output Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Left Input Jack on the Kitty Hawk Tube Power Amplifier.
14.Connect Main Output Jack on your Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper to Right Input Jack on the Kitty Hawk Tube Power Amplifier.
To program a system like this see Diagram 6.
NOTE: An alternative for stereo-in stereo-out would be to use the Stage 2004‘s Main Output jack and the Studio Output jack for a two signal feed to the desired Effects unit. The Effects unit Left and Right output jack would now serve as a true stereo send.
9. Alternate uses for the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper
Musicians have come up with numerous applications for the MIDI Looper besides its obvious use as a loop switching system.
Multi-instrumentalists have made use of this system by plugging each instrument into a different loop input (Loop Outputs not connected).
A typical setup (Popular in Nashville) use of multi-inputs would be:
Loop 1: Electric Guitar
Loop 2: Pedal Steel
Loop 3: Amplified Acoustic Guitar
Loop 4: Dobro
Loop 5: MIDI Equalizer
Loop 6: MIDI Effects Unit
This setup eliminates the need for multi-instrumentalists to constantly plug and unplug input cables or memorize a long list of mixer and effects settings. With one touch of the MIDI footswitch, the correct instrument with the appropriate effects and equalization can be selected.
Major touring acts have implemented multi uses for the MIDI Looper using different guitar amplifiers (run into load boxes) or pre-amps, to produce distinctly different guitar sounds. If these amps were all left in the mix even when they were not needed, they would create a serious noise problem. Instead, the guitar signal is run into a splitter and sent to the input of each amp. Then the line level output of each amp (from the load boxes) is sent to different loop input.
Offstage, the guitar technician would use a MIDI footswitcher to select the correct amp for each section of a song as well as to send program change commands for all the bands effects.
As you can see, the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper is a flexible unit which can be adapted to a number of different setups. If you come up with a new way to use the MIDI Looper please send us a note so we can add it to our list of applications.