MultiTracks.com MIDI Foot Control: Unlock Next-Level Freedom
- Ben
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 14
If you lead with tracks, hands-free control is the ultimate upgrade: loop sections, control pad playback, mute/solo stems, and fix “uh-oh, we’re repeating the bridge” moments, without leaving your instrument.
The Morningstar MC8 PRO MIDI foot controller (and any other Morningstar controller) gives you precise, reliable MIDI control of the MultiTracks.com Playback app on PC, Mac, and iPad. This allows you to stay in the moment and keep the band locked in.
The MC8 PRO bank templates (Song, Transport, Buses) referenced in this article are available for download in the Setting Up section.
What You Can Control (and Why It Matters)
Map footswitches to songs and select which one to begin your set with. After selecting a song, you can instantly jump to the transport controls bank by tapping on the [→TRANSPORT switch.
Map each song to individual footswitches and select one on the fly to cue it. This is great when the worship leader changes the setlist order or decides to skip a song mid-set.
Map footswitches to the Playback transport. This allows you to punch in/out and return to the top instantly.
Arm a single loop of the current section, or trigger Infinite Loop to keep a section going until you disable it. This is perfect for extending worship moments. Morningstar PRO controllers also have matching icons you can use to label footswitches.
Quickly bring instruments and parts in and out of the mix. Press to mute/unmute a track, and long press to solo it.
Press the PAD/CLICK switch to toggle the ambient Pad Player on and off for smooth transitions and spontaneous moments.
Long press the PAD/CLICK switch to bring in or drop out 1/8-note subdivisions for subtler, more relaxed 1/4 note clicks during slower sections.
Morningstar controllers can send different messages depending on what action you perform. Pressing a switch can do one thing, while long pressing or double tapping it can do another.
Setting Up Your MC8 PRO
The MC8 PRO bank templates (Song Selection, Transport Controls, Bus Control) are available for download here. Upload each of them to consecutive empty banks on your MC8 PRO to achieve the same control workflow explained above.
The banks contain switch presets that each send a unique Control Change (CC) message with value 127 when pressed. Some switches also send different MIDI messages when held down, so you can trigger different controls with a single switch.
Important Note for Using Bank Templates
You need to MIDI map the switches to their respective functions on the MultiTracks.com Playback software by clicking on Edit > MIDI Mapping. Map the press actions as well as the long press actions for the switches that control PAD/CLICK and the bus track controls for Mute/Unmute and Solo.
Edit Bank Jump messages to ensure they take you to the correct bank.
Rename song switches to match the song titles in your setlist.
Connecting to the MultiTracks.com Playback App
Wired Connection
Connecting to the Playback software is super simple. A single USB cable from your Morningstar controller to your computer or iPad is all you need. Morningstar controllers are all USB class-compliant, so no drivers are required. Just plug and play.
Wireless Connection
The MC8 PRO has built-in BLE MIDI, allowing you to pair wirelessly with Mac or iPad via Bluetooth (sorry PC users, Windows doesn't make it simple for Bluetooth MIDI).
On Mac, you'll need to launch Audio MIDI Setup and open MIDI Studio view. Then search for the MC8 PRO via Bluetooth. The MC8 PRO will then be available as a MIDI port on the Playback app.
The Playback iPad app does not have native Bluetooth MIDI connection built in, so you'll need to download the midimittr app to connect the MC8 PRO via Bluetooth MIDI. Once that's done, it's a breeze, and the controller works just like it is connected via USB.
Enhancing Your Worship Experience
Using the Morningstar MC8 PRO with the MultiTracks.com Playback app transforms your worship experience. The seamless integration allows for greater flexibility and creativity during performances.
The Power of Hands-Free Control
Hands-free control is not just a convenience; it’s a game-changer. It allows you to focus on your music and the worship experience without the distraction of managing your software directly. This means you can engage more deeply with your audience and the moment.
Customizing Your Setup
Every worship team is unique. Customizing your setup with the MC8 PRO ensures that you can tailor your performance to fit your specific needs. Whether you need to switch songs quickly or manage multiple tracks, the MC8 PRO has you covered.
Building Confidence in Performance
With the right tools, you can build confidence in your performance. The MC8 PRO allows for tight transitions and musical spontaneity. You can map it once, label your switches, and you’re ready with the perfect control workflow.
Final Word
Pairing Morningstar foot control with Playback lets you run a modern worship set with confidence: tight transitions, musical spontaneity, and fewer trips to the computer/iPad. Map it once, label your switch, and you’re ready with the perfect control workflow.
Further reading & references: Playback User Guide (transport, pads, looping, buses, click subdivisions), MIDI Mapping guide, and Morningstar manuals for CC programming and Press/Release actions.
