Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher Manual
The MIDI Switcher permits control of amplifier switching, A/B switching and "momentary action" switching. This enables the guitarist to select sounds from one or more amplifiers and pre-amplifiers in a rack system.
The combination of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Looper and the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher allows the guitarist to program any combination of amps, pre-amps and effect units and all function switch settings (i.e. amplifiers reverb switching) used for amps and effect units.
1. Features of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher
A. Front Panel Descriptions
1. Function Switch 1-5 Sends footswitch type On/Off signal (to any unit connected to Function switch Jacks 1-5) when depressed.
2. Function Switch LED Indicator Illuminates when Function Switch is in the On position.
3. A/B Function Switch Switches the input signal between output Jack A or B.
4. A/B Function Switch LED Indicator Illuminates when Output Jack B is engaged.
5. Momentary Action Switch 1 and 2 Sends footswitch type Off/On/Off signal (to any unit connected to Momentary Action Switch Jack 1 + 2) when depressed. This type of switch closure is required for some amplifiers and remote and bypass functions, etc. Momentary switches 1 and 2 are a split second contact closure from open to closed circuit state, then returning to an open circuit state, per activation (Off/On/Off).
6. Momentary Action Switch LED Indicator Illuminates when Momentary Action Switch is in the On position.
7. Power On/Off Rocker Switch Turns power to MIDI Switcher On and Off.
B. Rear Panel Descriptions
1. Fuse Holder Uses 200mA 117-Volt Slow Blow fuse.
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 "Parallel" Receives footswitch On/Off signal from external footswitch to control a function without transmitting MIDI data. (This function seems to be necessary when your effects processor mutes for a short time when changing the preset via MIDI program change command.) This function will only work when the Function Switch 1 LED is not lit.
6. Function Switch Jacks 1-5 Sends footswitch type On/Off signal selected by Function Switch 1-5 to external units via 1/4" phone plug connector.
7. A/B Switch Input Jack Accepts audio input signal that is to be sent to Output Jack A, or B.
8. A/B Switch Output Jack B Sends audio signal from A/B Switch Input Jack via 1/4" phone plug connector when Switch B is selected.
9. A/B Switch Output Jack A Sends audio signal from A/B Switch Input Jack via1/4" phone plug connector when Switch A is selected.
NOTE: If necessary the A/B Switch Output Jack A or B can also be used as Function Switch similar to Function switches 1-5.
10.Momentary Action Switch Jack 1 + 2 Sends footswitch type Off/On/Off signal (to devices which require the momentary action switching) from Momentary Action Switch 1 or 2 to external units via 1/4" phone plug connector.
2. Basic Operating Instructions
1. Connect AC cable from Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher into AC outlet.
2. Connect Function Switch Jack 1-5 to footswitch inputs of external units whose functions you wish to control.
NOTE: Many guitar amplifiers and pre-amplifiers use a double footswitch that is connected with a stereo TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) phone plug. The Kitty Hawk Stage 2003 and Stage 2004 Tube Pre-amps use this same configuration to select various channels via footswitch. In order to use the MIDI Switcher´s function switches to select amplifier channels, 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 constructed using the following directions described on page 7.
3. Connect A/B Input Switch Jack to output of pre-amp or signal processor. This will be the source signal to be routed to A or B output switch jacks.
4. Connect Output A and Output B Switch Jacks with external amplification systems that you want to switch between.
5. Connect momentary Action Switch Jacks 1 + 2, to the footswitch inputs of external units which require the use of Momentary Action Switching.
6. Connect MIDI Out of MIDI footswitch or controller to the MIDI In of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher.
7. Connect MIDI Thru of the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher to the MIDI In of external MIDI Signal processor.
3. How to Connect Multiple MIDI Devices to the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher
1. Connect MIDI Thru Jack of MIDI Switcher to the MIDI In Jack of first MIDI signal processor.
2. Connect MIDI Thru Jack of first MIDI signal processor to the MIDI In Jack of second MIDI signal processor.
3. 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 devices.
4. How to program the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher
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 on the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher, press Function Switch 1 and Momentary Action Switch B simultaneously.
3. Set function switches as desired for program 05.
4. Set external MIDI controller to a different program number.
5. To check your preset, go back to program 05 on the external MIDIcontroller. The function switch settings, which you have selected, will automatically be recalled and indicated by the LED´s.
NOTE: After turning the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher off, the unit is locked again.
5. How to Use Signal Processing Devices with the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher
External MIDI controllable signal processors can be controlled via the MIDI Switcher‘s MIDI Thru jack. Connected in this fashion, devices will receive the same MIDI program change commands which are controlling the Kitty Hawk MIDI Switcher. Therefore, when the MIDI Switcher 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 that requires a repeating echo effect. If the delay unit were 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 factor 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 Switcher´s MIDI Thru Jack, you will 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 Switcher is dedicated to running in OMNI MODE.