How to MIDI Control ToneX One+ and Access All 20 Presets

ToneX One+ introduces MIDI to the micro stomp format that IK Multimedia made popular with the original ToneX One. Paired with a MIDI foot controller, ToneX One+ transforms from a practice/amp pedal into a complete performance unit. Here's how to access all 20 presets with MIDI.

MC4 PRO and ToneX One+ with the ToneX Control app (only for visual purposes)

Why MIDI Control ToneX One+

The ToneX One+ has 20 preset slots, but without MIDI you can only switch between 2 of them using its single foot switch in A/B mode. Connect a MIDI foot controller and all 20 preset slots open up. You can scroll through them or jump straight to any preset instantly.

Without MIDI, you can only switch between 2 ToneX One+ presets

How to Connect

The ToneX One+ has 3.5mm TRS MIDI ports. Simply connect from your MIDI foot controller's MIDI Out port to the MIDI In port on the the ToneX One+.

3.5mm TRS MIDI Ports on ToneX One+

If your controller has a 3.5mm TRS MIDI Out port (Morningstar PRO controllers do), you can connect directly using a 3.5mm TRS cable. If your controller does not, you can use an adaptor cable to connect from your MIDI out port type to 3.5mm TRS (Type A).

Scroll Through Presets

On a Morningstar MIDI foot controller, you can program two switches to scroll forward and backward through your presets.

Switches to scroll forward and backward through presets

This is achieved by using the Program Change message type and setting it to 'Increase PC Number and Send' on the forward scroll switch and 'Decrease PC Number and Send' on the backward scroll switch. Shown below.

A 'Long Press Scroll' action is added so you can also hold down switches to continuously scroll through presets

Jump to Any Preset

To recall a specific preset instantly, set up a bank where each switch sends the Program Change message for one preset. Pressing a switch recalls that preset and lights it up to show it's active. Adding the switches to a Toggle Reset Group makes only the last-pressed switch stay lit, to show you which preset is active.

Jump to any preset in an instant

Jumping to a preset doesn't break the scrolling sequence in your other bank. The controller tracks your current preset and continues scrolling from there.

Tuner and Tap Tempo

MIDI also handles more than presets. Use a switch to send a CC message to engage and disengage the built-in tuner, and another to control tap tempo on the fly.

All MIDI-controllable functions are listed in the Morningstar MIDI Dictionary, built into the Morningstar Editor. Just select the function you want to control from a dropdown list and you are good to go.

Tuner Control Over MIDI on ToneX One+

Tap Tempo Control Over MIDI on ToneX One+

Free Bank Templates

Both MC4 PRO banks shown in this article — containing preset scrolling, tuner, tap tempo and direct preset recall switches — are available for free on our Patch Share platform. Download the banks and upload them to your Morningstar controller if you'd like to have the same level of control over your ToneX One+.

The Bottom Line

MIDI control makes the ToneX One+ a far more complete package than the original. Access to all 20 presets on demand with the ability to control other functions via CC messages takes it from a practice or single-amp pedal to a complete live rig in a pedal.