Below is a guide to aid with the BOSS: IR-200, SY-200, EQ-200, MD-200, DD-200 and OD-200 users in MIDI controlling their BOSS pedals when using a single MIDI Value sending device such as a Morningstar Engineering MC3/6/8.
Equipment Needed:
1) BOSS IR-200, SY-200, OD-200, EQ-200, MD-200 and/or DD-200
2) External MIDI Controller
3) MIDI Cable Options:
MIDI 5-pin male to 3.5 mm TRS male A-Type cable.
https://www.boss.info/global/products/bmidi-5-35/
https://www.boss.info/global/products/bmidi-1-35/
3.5 mm TRS male to 3.5 mm TRS male
https://www.boss.info/global/products/bcc-1-3535/
Control Command in BOSS 200 Series pedals Explained:
BOSS 200-series pedals need to see both a value of 0 and a value of 127 when receiving CC [Control Change] messages. In some single MIDI value devices, you will have to program two values for the same CC#.
This is referred to as a "Momentary MIDI Command."
MIDI CC data will need to be sent from your external device.
This is different from PC (Program Change) which is only used to change Memory location slots/patches in your BOSS 200-Series pedal.
When using MIDI on a pedal board with multiple devices, it is best to have each device set to its own MIDI channel to avoid cross communication between units. Below is an example if multiple BOSS 200-Series pedals are being used.
OD-200 = MIDI CH1
EQ-200 = MIDI CH2
SY-200 = MIDI CH3
IR-200 = MIDI CH4
DD-200 = MIDI CH5
For directions on how to locate MIDI Settings in your BOSS 200-Series pedal, please consult either the Owner's Manual or a Parameter Guide, which can be found here:
BOSS Product Owner's Manuals
PC [Program Change] # Send for Patch Change
In order to change Patches and Banks on any 200-Series pedal, all that is needed is to match the PC# from the transmitting MIDI device with the pedal.
PC#'s are aligned in order from 001-128.
Note: When making patch changes on a 200-Series pedal, the status of the pedal is always ON.
In order to change patches without having the status of pedal be ON, use an additional CC# set to a value of 0 to disengage the effect upon selecting the patch.
PC RX/TX MAPS for all 200-Series Pedals can be found in the system menu.
For additional information on how to access the system menu, please consult the Owner's Manual of the product.
CC# ON/OFF Status Directions
Controlling the On/Off status in the BOSS 200-series pedals requires one action for ON/OFF, but (as mentioned above) your external MIDI Controller needs to send one CC# sending value of "0" and the SAME CC# sending a value of "127."
Below is a video example and instruction for a single MIDI value sending device (Morningstar MC3) and a GT-1000CORE for visual reference of the instructions above.
GT-1000CORE w/ MorningStar