MIDI EVERYTHING! How I use the Morningstar MC8

Diving into the world of MIDI can be daunting and fraught with strange jargon and high learning curves. Some MIDI controllers place the user on rails, guiding you safely and easily into a world of simple preset recalls. Helpful? Sure. Boundless and rewarding? Not so much. The Morningstar MC8 (and it's smaller, older brother the MC6mkii) shuns that lack of freedom while still offering a clean and straightforward path to implementing just about anything could could think to do with all those smart devices. From recalling presets on individual pedals to MIDI clock across all devices to building an entire Chase Bliss Audio Blooper workstation; the MC8 and the accompanying desktop editor creates one of my favorite UI workflows for crafting my pedalboard into the streamlined spaceship it was always meant to be.

Will this video show you just how I did that? No, actually it won't. But it will show you all the ways I use my MC8, the why's behind it, and hopefully will inspire you to dive into MIDI yourself.

But for real; if you want to know more, hit up Morningstar or throw a question in the comments below and I'll try to answer as best I can.

[ryndanriley]

I didnt expect to find a guitarist on YouTube who plays all the gear I would buy if I had the money.

[Firstinversion]

Amazing! I came for the MC8, but I’m interested in everything. Thx!

[bluetinmusic_]

The idea of a “Home” bank on your MC8 is absolutely ingenious and inspired. I altered my original plans for using my MC6 and decided a Home bank would be so much better for organizing sounds and live context control. I use a 2 button aux switch to toggle bank page and a dedicated home bank button. Thank you so much!

Oh and all your sounds are absolutely killer!

[metroecco]

I’m a beginner and barely know how to connect pedals in order and this looks soo confusing yet so amazing!!

[ryanrowlandson]

I already wanted an MC6.. this video basically showed me I need a MOOD
Cheers!

[Cherroxx]

Been waiting for this one! Been drooling over the MC8 since it came out!

[sunilyapa]

Holy cow. I know your board has changed since this, but what a controller. It seems like engineering mind, but it’s actually creative genius the way you’ve built this.

[Ilyas]

The melody you played around 3:10 to showcase the plate. Check out Traveller by Manuel Gardner Fernandez, the phrasing and note choice are eerie similar, super fun song to play.

[Swaglamp]

I always check out your videos when I’m researching gear so many thanks for the helpful content. Your creative playing is consistently gorgeous. Any early thoughts on the new Morningstar MC6 Pro? Now with post-Covid gigs happening I need to midi manage all the pandemic pedals that were acquired over the last 3 years.

[Rainy]

Ive gotta get one of these! Thanks for showcasing it ❤👌

[countblainer]

Great video and impressive setup. I’ve been looking for a midi pedal to control all my chase bliss pedals and the MC8 seems to do everything I need 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[thirdsmusic]

Nice trick on the MC8 with Blooper and the Repeats knob setting, will have to try that. Definitely get an expression pedal programmed into this setup, yes being able to use it across different presets is so nice. It opens up Blooper (adjusting modifiers) and Mood (clock and modify) to even more creativity while playing. Nice work!

[gurrgurr]

This video is the best! I'm quite new to MIDI and just got the mc8 because I want to be able to control all my Chase Bliss, meris and empress pedals. Your Video helps sooo much. I don't have a clear idea about how to program the mc8 but this really helps. Thanks

[Interdimensions]

Love that video, I've MC6 MKII bought especially for Enzo. Your "whales" arp setting is awsome. Can You share somehow how You set up that setting cause I can't figure out arp :/

[ulftilly]

Thank you for an excellent explanation of how to use it.

[coltonwirgau]

I'm going to get one of these and have every button just do the spatium max setting

[mrthingamabob]

Your video convinced me to go MC8 ! It’s an incredible tool that really unlock the potential of midi pedals. I have the Mood too but I do however find it very tricky to control with the MC8. I would love a detailed walkthrough of how you set it up !

[andrewcarmona]

Hey bro, anyway I could get some of your settings for the Enzo? The swells and bass are great. I was contemplating selling the Enzo, but after watching this I'm reconsidering. Great vid bro!

[vladimirpavlovic]

3-4 different patches of Spatium make the Specular Tempus worth the admission alone :D

[DanielOrtegoUSA]

Very informative video, so thanks for posting.