Rocktron Midimate

Got a new Midi Mate (version 2.1) from Musicians Friend Online. Built in China for Rocktron. It seemed easy to program it, once I understood the midi logic. This is my first time using a foot controller to control a Rocktron Prophesy II. I'm using it mainly in Controller Mode which allows me to switch on/off up to five parameters in the processor. I felt the need to have more than five controller switches, but I suppose you can't get it for the price (which I think is very good, considering the features).

Editing patches is really easy. Having the option to write also the titles for presets, was a really good thing.

I am using it with Alesis F2 expression pedal. I noticed that when I'm using a small number (i.e.1 or 2) on PEDL RATE parameter (in miliseconds) the Prophesy have a hard time interpreting the continuous controller messages. I'm using the pedal to control the WAH parameter and the small time rate induces a change in the D-TIME parameter of the delay. Now I'm using a rate of 15 for PEDL RATE and I have no more missinterpretings of messages. A note in the processor's manuals says that lower rates can cause such behaviors.

I felt the need to have separated up/down bank buttons. I would rather designed the unit (this is a suggestion for Rocktron) with a permanent switch for access modes (Bank, Instant, Controller) and used that other button for bank switching.

I would have liked to find everything where they were left when powering the unit. Now, every time the unit starts, I have to change the access to Controller Mode and then scroll to the 120 to 124 bank, where I have the programed patches (also in Prophesy). Of course, I could map the presets in Prophesy so I could use bank 1 to 4, hence avoiding to scroll, but I would still have to push a few times, just to start using the unit.

The midi phantom powering is a great thing! Once you use it you will understand why: No more cables and AC adaptors and power outlets near the Midi Mate!

Heavy rugged chasis suggests that one could depend on it. However, having a trouble right from the begining with it's EEPROM loosing settings after reboot, I suppose depending on it is questionable. But anyways, everything could go wrong once in a while, and since replacing the EEPROM I didn't had any other issue with it. I would not rate lower and I will take it as an accident.

The white rubber buttons are very comfortable, but I don't know if they last longer than metalic ones. For sure they are cheaper. Having the chance to open the unit for replacing the EEPROM I could see the simplicity in design, which is a good thing in my opinion. The rubber buttons are similar to those used in small hand calculators or phones, but heavier. The graphite surface has also a tridimensional area, different from calculator butons, which sugests that they could last longer. In the end, if one would broke, I suppose it's very cheap to replace it with another one, except I never saw such a part anywhere on online shops. We must relly on Rocktron's support. WHICH IS GREAT!

Rocktron has one great man out there: Mr. Jim Chowning. Suportive and friendly. He answered to all my emails, sometimes within hours. When I knew I had a problem with that EEPROM, Jim offered to change the whole unit with a new one. He didn't even ask for a purchase receipt or anything. I chose the option of changing that EEPROM myself, since I live in Romania / Europe, amd the unit could have been replaced only to a US address. And YES, Jim shipped me a new EEPROM in Romania, within one week after he decided that was the problem. At no cost for me! I know that the EEPROM is really not expensive, but the way the support was handled, I would relly on Rocktron forever, or at least as long Mr. Jim Chowning endorse them.

I'm using the Midi Mate in my personal home studio. I am pleased with the unit and I would recommend it. Rocktron Midi Mate is the cheapest foot controller providing these features. Seems solid and reliable.

If it were stolen, I would probably consider a Ground Control Pro, just for the features, but I would think again if GCP would worth the difference.

Overall the Midi Mate is fairly easy to use for a straight out of the box preset switcher but if you want to utilize it fully, that is another story. I read and read and read, looked online but still couldn't figure out how to program the effects to be turned on/off via the Midi Mate. After emailing Rocktron support they sent me a 2 page very easy to understand explanation of how to do this.

I would have NEVER figured this out on my own and have owned Rocktron units for years now. I love this Midi pedal but easy to use, well, with some guidance I suppose. Now that I know how to do that, it's a breeze but that was only with tech support and there are still some things I cannot understand but will figure out later seeing how I got it to do want I need for the present time.

It is the mos sophisticated Midi pedal I have EVER seen so I suppose it should be a little complicated but it is well worth it, just not exactly easy (for me anyway).

It is a Midi pedal. It does not make any sounds.

I haven't owned it very long but it is very well built and I see plenty of really old versions of this pedal on Ebay so I trust it is built as well as it appears and all of the other Rocktron units have never failed me.

I wish I could give these guys a "20" for all of the emails I have sent to them in the past few years with EVERY one of them answered promptly.

This Midi pedal is the best! I have been playing for 32 years, have owned all kinds of equipment. I never wanted to dish out the $$$ just to change presets on my FX units so always bought very simple and inexpensive midi pedals until recently as I needed to turn FX on and off and the price had went down a couple of hundred over the past few years.

I wish I would have bought one of these a LONG time ago and if anything EVER happened to it, I would never settle for anything less to replace it!

Got version 2.1 I think.
This is my FIRST attempt at implementing MIDI into my guitar setup. This is my FIRST attempt at anything to do with MIDI period. I did not expect a plug&play device, but it only took about 4 hours to have everything down. Way shorter than what I expected. The manual is great. I read it several times but that was for my own understanding of the MIDI concept. Editing patches is way easier than I thought it would be.

The 7-pin phantom power thing is pure genius. All my processors and 12v adaptors are in a rack with a power conditioner. One flip of the switch and everything, including the midimate, powers up.

Makes no sound and no hum.

Solid metal chassis and feels heavy. I love it when gear feels thick. Gives me a sense of comfort. Gets a 9 because I don't like the way the DIN is mounted. Needs to be reversed so you can hook it up to the HOSA right-angle 7-pin midi cable. I have a bad feeling some douche is gonna step on my cable and break the connector. Also wish the buttons were metal like the All-Access

Never dealt. Sent an email with questions once. Got a response the next day.

Play rock/metal for about 8 years now. Currently jamming on a Samick guitar into a Carvin V3. I use the midimate to control channels on the V3 and effects on the xpression. Compared this to the behringer midi footcontroller but almost every behringer product I have owned has broken on me. The midibuddy and yamaha had too much plastic in them.

The midimate is well priced, versatile, and rugged.
It has eliminated my need for pedals, patch cables, adaptors, batteries, and floor-space. This is exactly what I was looking for... a way to clean up my guitar rig and make my setup more efficient. Phantom power and text editing are what put this over the top. There are several pedals that can do what this one can. But they all require a power source and don't provide visual feedback. If the buttons were metal, it would be perfect.

How easy is it to get a good sound out of it?
NA

How about editing patches?
Not necessarliy patches but MIDI configurations. I was able to configure the MidiMate to send program changes as well as controller changes with out any problem. To configure a button to control tap tempo required contacting Rocktron. I must say they (Jim Chowning) was extreamly helpful and provided answeres to my questions with in a day via email.

How is the manual for it (if there is one)?
The manual took a couple of readings to fully understand what is required to get the MIDIMate to do what I wanted. You are not just programming the MIDIMate you also have to configurt the receiveing device to respond to the MIDIMate. As mentioned above the tap tempo required emailing Rocktron (Jim Chowning).

Do you know the firmware revision number?
Version 2.1

What setup (i.e. what guitars and amps) are you using this with?
NA

Is it noisy? On what settings?
NA

Are the effects weak or do they always sound great?
NA

What amp are you using it with?
NA

Can you get the sound of your favorite artists? Who are they?
NA

Are certain effects (distortion, chorus, ...) very good? Very bad?
NA

I am also including a review of the Xpression system too. Be sure to read that review.

Can you depend on it?
The unit has a metal case and the buttons seem OK. I haven?t had the unit long enough to make a call.

Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
Yes

If you've dealt with the company, how helpful/friendly were they?
This is what I can?t say enough about. I emailed the black hole of Rocktron asking how to configure the tap tempo featue of the MIDIMate to control the Xpression systems Tempo for the Delays, Choruse? I was not sure what to expect. What I found was one of the best support systems I have encountered in my 30 some odd years. I would espically like to mention the person that responded to my request Jim Chowning jim@rocktron.com. He replyed to both my emails by the next day. He also provided step by step instructions how to accomplish what I wanted to do.
NOTE: be sure to keep reading I will provide the steps given to me to set up the tap tempo.

Ever get an upgrade, or try and get it repaired?
NA

I am currently playing jazz and blues but I have been playing professionally for 30 years. The MIDIMate provides a lot of flexibility so no matter what type of music you play you can get the effect you want with the touch of a button.

My current rig is a Fuchs ODS 30 through an Eminance 15?. I only use a volume pedal, wah wah and a John Landgrath distortion pedal along with the Fuchs provided foot switch.

If stolen I would by it again. I really like the flexability. It would be nice to have more configurable buttons (you only have 5-9 and if you use 9 for tap tempo that leaves 4).

Like I said before Rocktron?s customer support is the best.

Programming isn't difficult at all after you reference the manual a few times.

The construction seems solid. The buttons have a positive feel (not quite as nice as the Mesa Abacus all-metal buttons, but it doesn't feel like they're cheaply-made or skimpy either). The display is clear.

I don't think that I could be happier with it. At first, I was thrown off by the small size (since I was used to using a Mesa Abacus to control my Triaxis). The button arrangement is similar to the Abacus, especially in bank mode.

The reason that I bought it, however, was for the controller mode. I control patch changes on the Triaxis with the lower five buttons while I control my Eventide GTR4000's effects via control changes with the upper five buttons.

The Rocktron MIDI Mate is a great MIDI controller and I'm actually disappointed that I had overlooked it for so long! It handles everything that I need it to. I don't even think that I'd consider stepping up to the All Access. I can control the units that I have now fully with the MIDI Mate.

BTW, if you want an expression pedal, look into the Rocktron HEX pedal. I considered getting one when I got the MIDI Mate, but held back since I don't use expression pedals for anything at the time being.

Easy as pie to use if you're just switching presets. I needed some help from Rocktron tech support to use contoller mode, but ended up going back to switching presets.

Call me bad luck shleprock. I bought a new unit from a Rocktron dealer and it was bad out of the box- wouldn't power up with a 7 pin midi cable. After consulting with Rocktron tech support, I sent it to the company who fixes their stuff. It took almost 6 weeks to get it back and that was only after getting pissed and calling them. God only knows how long it would have taken if I didn't call. The repair place ended up sending it to Rocktron and they replaced it with a new one. That was a few months ago. Today while leaving the studio my midimate accidently fell out of the bag onto the sidewalk. When I tried it at home it starting cutting out and then died completely. I took it apart (I'm an audio electronics tech) and it turns out that one of the plug-in IC's came loose. It was totally my bad to drop it, but I think for a top dollar pro quality unit it should have easily withstood a 3 foot drop. If I didn't work after putting the IC back in, I would have thrown it in the trash and got something else.

Excellent support- I've contacted them by e-mail several times and they almost always reply the next day and are very helpful.

I've been playing about 20 years. I use the midi mate with a Replifex effects unit, Gibson and Fender guitars, Fender/Marshall/Mesa amps. I plan to keep using the midi mate, but I'd get a spare if you are a serious musician. Hopefully with time my opinion will improve.

IT FUCKS AND BEATS I WISH IT WAS A LITLE BIGER FOR ESAY APROAGH.
IT IS EASY IF YOU SERCH ITS MANUAL.
ITS CONFUSES YOU A LITLE.
YES,IT WAS FIRST v1,v2 AND I HAVE THE VERSION 2,1 MYSELF

OF COURSE.
YES .

THEY WERE THE BEST.
NO.

ALL STYLES.
5 YEARS.MARSHALL AMP 8240,USA STRAT PLUS DELUXE,ROCKTRON VOODU VALVE.
I DONT KNOW.
I WISH IT WAS A LITLE LARGER.

I use the unit simply to change presets... I've fiddled with parameter changes, etc. but ultimately, I have my sounds pre-programmed, so I'm not using this thing to it's full capability... The manual is decent, if a little tech-oriented, but there is little need for it -- it's use is very straight forward...

I've had to replace the 7 pin DIN a couple of times, due to carelessness on my part (and others walking around my gear while the cable's plugged in!)... It's been stomped on, thrown around, had umpteen beers spilled into it, and it still works like a charm after 10 years... If only that DIN was as indestructable...

The first time I wrecked the DIN, I had to wait about 3 months to get a new one... Luckily I pulled a 5-pin from an old x86 and rigged it in there so I at least could still do patch changes... The next time I broke the DIN, I ordered 2 so I could have a spare, and it only took a couple of weeks... I haven't needed to use the second one yet... Guess I've learned

Great footswitch, and very reliable... I didn't give it a ten because I could have probably bought a cheaper MIDI footswitch that just did patch changes without the extra features I don't use...

It's very easy to use. You don't really have to read the manual to get started. Just activate a midi send channel and you're in bussiness.
The display where you can name your presets is also very useful when you're using the unit on a dark stage or maybe just like to practice in a very dark room (black metal guitarist or so??). It's also more clear what you're selecting.

Therefore I give it a 10 - very easy to use.

It's a Midi-pedal remote switcher, it's not in the signal path, so no grading possible.

I've had it now for 4 years, never had any problems with it, except for one, but that had more to do with Rocktron than their unit (see customer support).
I do not have a backup.
It's exterior is a strong metal casing. The buttons are made of a thermoplastic polymer possibly even a rubber, preventing easy wear or breaking. They also haven't deteriorated since I've owned the unit (over 4 years).
I also never lost my presets due to powerfailure. The unit uses no batteries or anything to maintain it's memory, so nothing can go wrong there.

So i'd say 10 - very dependable.

This is a tricky thing.
When I first used it, I powered it through a 7 m (20 ft) 7-pin midi cable on phantom power.
After about three hours or so of continual use, it suddenly was lights out for the unit.
What was happening? It appears that the adaptor (9V/2A) was not powerfull enough to overcome the resistance in the cable. The wires inside the midicable were to thin for that use.
I mailed the tech. support at rocktron with that question and my theory. It was dismissed completelly, as the only power consumer according to them would be the pedal.
This is a very dumb answer in a electrotechnical point of view.
See it like this, the thinner the cable, the harder the adaptor has to push to get its electrons through. Compare it to crawling through tubes. The bigger the tube the easier to walk through, try crawling through a 30 cm (1 ft) tube. Somebody really has to push hard to get you through.

Therefore, I exchanged the powerfeed from midicable to thick (3 mm, 0.00125 inch without counting shielding) 7 m (20 ft) shielded copper cable. The adaptor doesn't even get warm anymore, while I know some people who still use a 7-pin midicable and complain about the adaptor getting very very hot.
This is proof of my theory.

BTW I checked with several electrotechnical engineers I know, and they agreed to my theory and also called the rocktron answer pretty dumb.

So the knowledge level and therefore the customer support is not adequate. Maybe the spirit is there but its just lacking basic knowledge of elemetary electronics.

I give it a 3 - meant well, but not useful.

For this price it definately is the best pedal available.
Why?
Well, the ease of use is excellent. The display is very convenient.
But the biggest bonus is this: for every button, you can assing 6 simultaneous Midi commands. So if you're using or plan on using several different Midi switchable equipment (MIDI pre-amp & MIDI FX), and want to switch them differently (i.e. gap in FX switching, as all expensive units do have (the more expensive, the bigger the gap -> bigger algorithms to load combined with hardware limited transport)) this pedal is the only option for 750 Dfl (about $300).
If it were damaged beyond repair, stolen or whatever I'd get a new one the same day.
This is the best pedal for this price!!

Highest rating 10 - Fantastic value

I have version 2 software on this unit. This unit has two rows of five footswitches, and allows you to call up patches in one of two ways. By bank, or by individual bank number. In addition to this the midimate will allow you to toggle individual effects off and on within a preset. I.E. call up a patch with chorus, reverb, and delay, and turn the delay on and off while the other effects stay the same.
Each patch has it's own name, not just one general name for a bank of five or ten patches like many other pedals. It can send info over 6 midi channels, and has a Stereo 1/4" jack on the back for a continuous control pedal.
The manual is pretty clear.
The only thing that bothers me is that A) the pedals are very close together, and B)you can't see the name of the patch you are about to step on until you actually change the patch. In other words... know your patch locations!!!

This unit is only acontroller, so it has no sound of it's own. But I can say that it has allowed me to get new and more sophisticated sounds out of my rack, that were impractical, or impossible to achieve without it.

Solid feel. No problems. The buttons have a very solid feel to them... you know exactly when the effects will switch.

haven't had to use them.

This unit, as I said before, allows me to use my effects in new and more creative ways. once you get used to fading in a delay or reverb patch (instead of just all or nothing), you'll love it. If your music calls for any degree of control over your effects, you'll want to consider this (or a unit like this) unit. In one patch your continuous controller pedal controls tremelo speed, in another it controls a harmony volume or amount (or both simultaneously). No more need for that clumsy whammy pedal. The amount of options is only limited by your effects processor, not this unit.
I also like the fact that you have ten, not five, pedals at your feet. this avoids extra bank changes. I can have a clean, heavy rhythm, and lead patch from my preamp, and seven effects patches, without scrolling! that's the equivalent of 21 patches with some other controllers...
The unit, as I said, has a solid feel. It feels very "definite" when you change patches/banks. (128 patches, in banks of 10).
The only two things that I don't like I already said previously.
I've owned a few other units similar to this one, but this is the one that works the best for me. For extensive racks, you may want to combine this unit with a remote loop rack mount unit.
That's it.
Oh, by the way, don't let the trendy "racks suck" mentality color your judgement. If you really want a rack, get one. Just use effects tastefully, and ignore/pitty the ignorant!!!
Cya