Getting Started
Connections on the MIDIFly
There are three connectors on the MIDIFly:
MIDI IN
MIDI IN
Stereo 1/4” phone jack.
MIDI In (nearest to the 1/4 in. phone jack)
This connector supplies two functions:
1) Allows the user to communicate commands to the unit for upgrading soft-
ware and modifying the user configurable parameters by means of Sysex
messages (more on this later).
2) Allows for MIDI Thru capability to support the use of a breath controller or
similar device. The MIDI Thru capability is limited in that only Channel
Voice messages (hexadecimal 80...EF) are passed from input to output.
Any other messages will not be transmitted.
MIDI Out (farthest from the 1/4 in. phone jack)
The supplied MIDI cable should be connected from the MIDI Out of the
MIDIFly to the junction box at one end with a MIDI connector and stereo
phone jack at the other. The MIDI connector plugs directly into the MIDI Out
on the Guitar. This is a special MIDI cable in that it supplies power to the
MIDIFly electronics from the junction box at the other end. All MIDI com-
mands generated by the MIDIFly and passed from MIDI In are sent out this
connector.
NOTE: Plugging the MIDI cables into the wrong connector will not cause damage to the
MIDIFly, it just will not work.
Stereo Phone Jack
The MIDIFly generates two audio outputs. The output of the Magnetic pick-
ups is on the tip of the stereo phone jack(???)while the output of the Piezo
pickups is on the ring of the stereo phone jack. A special active mixer/preamp
circuit is switched on when a cable is connected. This "Smart Switching" out-
put jack, automatically senses whether the cable is stereo or mono. (More on
this in the Audio Controls section.)
NOTE: Because the MidiAxe™ MIDI conversion circuit receives its signal from the piezo
system, a cable must be plugged into the MIDIFly's output jack to switch on the piezo sys-
tem and for the MIDI circuit to operate.
The MIDIFly can operate as a "normal" guitar by plugging any standard gui-
tar cable into the output jack even if the MIDI power supply is not connected.
Connections on the MIDIFly /MidiAxe Phantom
Power Supply
The MIDI Power Supply/junction box supplied with the MIDIFly has three
connections .....
MIDIFly Out
Synth Out
AC Adapter power in
MIDIFly Out
This connector will accept any MIDI cable and actually supplies power to the
MIDIFly's MidiAxe™ circuit as it receives the MIDIFlys MIDI out signal (then
transmitting it on to a connected MIDI synth).
Synth Out
This connector will accept any MIDI cable to your synth, computer, or other
MIDI receiving device. Unlike the MIDIFly Out connector on the other side of
the PHANTOM POWER SUPPLY there is no power to Synth Out connector.
AC Adapter Power
The "wall-wart" style AC adapter supplied with the MIDIFly is set for the prop-
er voltage. Use of any other AC adapter is not recommended. When the
adapter is plugged into both the phantom power supply and an AC outlet, the
power LED should be on. There is no on\off switch anywhere on the MIDIFly
or the phantom power supply box.
MIDI Controls:
Synth Volume (located below the neck position pickup)
Adjustment of this control causes Channel Volume MIDI commands (con-
troller #7) to be sent out for the MIDI channels currently selected.
Mode Switch (closest to the Synth Volume knob)
This 3-way switch selects one of three modes, Single Channel Mode with
pitch bend off, Single Channel Mode with pitch bend on, and Multi Channel
Mode with pitch bend on.
Mode 1 (Up Position) - In Single Channel Mode with pitch bend off all
strings output to the same channel with no pitch bend output. Default
channel is 1.
Mode 2 (Center Position) - Same as Mode 1 except that pitch bend
messages will be sent as long as only one note is on. If a second note is
turned on pitch bend is set to neutral and Mode 2 functions the same as
Mode 1.
Mode 3 (Down Position) - In this mode, each string outputs to a sepa-
rate channel and pitch bend is always on. The default channels for strings
1 through 6 are MIDI channels 1 through 6 respectively.
Octave Switch (farthest from the Synth Volume knob)
This 3-way switch shifts the notes up or down one octave. The center posi-
tion is the normal, no octave shift, position. With the switch in the up position,
notes are shifted down an octave. In the down position, notes are shifted up
an octave.
P
a
r
k
e
r
®
M
I
D
I
F
l
y
™
2
Getting Started
MIDI Controls
