UAFX 2.0 - MIDI Control Now Available for Universal Audio Pedals

When Universal Audio Pedals were first released, musicians badly wanted to MIDI control them. However, none of the UAFX pedals had MIDI. This was unfortunate because without MIDI, it was hard to effectively control and integrate the pedals into a live performance setup.

What made it especially frustrating was that they sounded amazing and easily ranked among the best sounding pedals, but offered such limited control. Well thankfully with UAFX 2.0, users now have full MIDI control.

Why the Need for MIDI?

With MIDI, users can now recall presets and control effect parameters on UAFX pedals with a MIDI foot controller. This is essential because it is impossible for musicians to tweak effects and stomp on multiple pedals midway through performing a song.

Using MIDI, musicians can also use an expression pedal connected to a MIDI controller for smooth, continuous control over UAFX effect parameters.

MIDI pedalboard with expression pedal control. Credit: Universal Audio

USB MIDI Connection

Make sure your UAFX pedal is updated to the latest firmware and your UAFX Control app is up to date too.

UAFX pedals receive MIDI via their USB device ports. As such, you will need a USB host port to be able to communicate with them. Morningstar PRO controllers have USB host ports that allow you connect directly to and MIDI control UAFX pedals.

To control multiple UAFX pedals, you can connect a USB hub to the MC8 PRO's host port for more connections.

Direct USB-C MIDI connection. Credit: Universal Audio

If your MIDI controller does not have a USB host port, you can purchase and connect a MIDI USB host to your controller, and be able to control UAFX pedals too.

Universal Audio has published an in-depth article that will help you Get Started with UAFX 2.0 USB MIDI.

Two Categories of Pedals

All dual-footswitch Universal Audio pedals (14 in total) have been updated with MIDI capabilities. This includes some of the crowd favorites like the Lion '68, Dream '65, Del-Verb, Ruby and Starlight.

However, not all pedals have preset capability and accept Program Change (PC) messages. Only pedals with preset footswitches have the ability to store presets, and have them recalled with PC messages.

Only pedals with PRESET footswitches can store presets and receive PC messages

Pedals without preset capabilities only accept Control Change (CC) messages to control effect parameters.

What Can Be MIDI Controlled?

Universal Audio has done a great job and delivered comprehensive MIDI implementation for all the updated pedals.

Aside from recalling presets on pedals with preset capabilities, you can control pretty much every effect parameter available on the UAFX pedals and MIDI Clock for time-based effects. Controllable parameters with their corresponding CC numbers can be found in the UAFX Connect app and in the pedal user manuals.

All UAFX pedals and MIDI-controllable functions in the Morningstar MIDI Dictionary

All MIDI-controllable parameters and functions have also been added to the Morningstar MIDI Dictionary for all UAFX pedals. You can simply select your desired model and parameter/function you want to control from the dropdown lists. No need to refer to any manuals or use the UAFX Control app.

What MIDI Control Means for UAFX Pedals

It's great news when a company as large, influential and outstanding as Universal Audio listens, and answers user requests for MIDI control. On top of sounding amazing, UAFX pedals now offer users convenient and comprehensive controls via MIDI. This will definitely make UAFX pedals even more popular amongst the guitar community, who can now meaningfully integrate these beautiful-sounding pedals with MIDI control.