We all like helpful tips, so we made a list to help you maximize your MC6. From simple stuff to “oh damnnnnn” stuff, there will be something for you. We figured we’d narrow it down to a list of 6, in the 6th month of the year, for the MC6.
1. Adjust switch sensitivity to suit your touch
Starting off we have switch sensitivity, which changes how sensitive the switches are to a press (1 is least sensitive and 5 is most sensitive). While we set it at 3 as the default setting, the middle setting which we found is the optimum for sensitivity for most musicians, some players might have a preference for either a more or less sensitive switch and hence change the MC6 to their preferred setting. If you manage to get your hands on a second hand MC6, don’t take it for granted that the setting is still on 3, the previous owner might’ve set it at 1 or 5 for his/her personal needs. Setting it at the factory standard 3 setting (learn how to do it here [hyperlink to switch sensitivity page in manual]), and then adjusting it up to down to your preference would be the best way to figure out what your optimal setting is. We all have a different touch when playing our instrument and stomping on our beloved stompboxes is no different. Some require a more sensitive switch, others less, we’re all different and the MC6 never discriminates!
2. Use the Web Editor (if you don't already)
While we made the MC6 to be usable without any need for an external editor, we also provide one for all your editing needs which is accessible online via Google Chrome or downloadable. Why? Because we really just want the things to be easy for all of our users, internet connection or not! By simply connecting the MC6 with the provided USB cable to your desktop/laptop, and opening the web editor [hyperlink to web editor], you now have control over all functions in the MC6 with the click of a mouse. (Re)naming presets is now way easier, being able to type any given name you want out (more on that later), as well as keying in CC numbers and other message parameters. Of course, you can do all this on the MC6 without needing an external device, but using the web editor really makes life a whole lot easier.
3. Utilise the space bar for better readability
We just touched on using the web editor to name our presets, but did you notice some preset names are spaced better than others? We feel that adding a space between names really enhances readability by a ton, something especially important when playing live or when lighting conditions aren’t fantastic. Being able to read presets easily without any conjoined words would definitely make your life easier. The way to do this would be to simply add a space before keying in the word. For example, if preset A has too long a name, while utilizing all character spaces, and preset B has no space (like in the image above), the words would be conjoined. By adding a space when typing preset B, the words would then be spaced much more evenly. The same applies to other presets. One way in which the space also helps would be in word alignment. The MC6 on the left is typed without any spaces, which might result in off center alignment, particularly when the word is too short, as is the case of “stop” and “play” in the image above. By adding spaces before the word, the alignment then becomes more pleasing to the eye and much easier to read, which was what we did for the MC6 on the right. The same goes for deleting the space before the word, to get the “fuzz” preset to be aligned with the “ovrdrive” preset. It’s the small things that count!
4. Use the Toggle Page feature to access more presets
Did you know that the MC6 has 12 preset slots in a single bank? Just where are the other 6, you might ask, since the screen only shows 6 presets (A-F). To keep the MC6 nice and compact, it’s not possible to show all 12 presets, but we did allow for toggling of the screen to a second page, to allow access to presets (G-L). This enables you to have 10 different presets at your feet without any trouble or fuss. Why 10 you might ask? Well, the way to get this feature would be to assign a footswitch to be a dedicated toggle switch. By assigning a switch to toggle between the pages, you’re removing 1 switch from the 6, but gain another 6 in the process. That being said, remember you need to assign a switch to be a page toggle for both banks, lest you find yourself on page 2 with no immediate way to head back to page 1. This can be done easily on the MC6 itself, though our Web Editor (as mentioned previously) allows for this as well. Simply select Toggle On and setting it to toggle between the 2 screens (expand in more detail). Last, but not least, remember to do this for both pages of presets, we don’t want you trapped in page 2 with no way back to page 1!
5. Use the MIDI Monitor webpage for troubleshooting
On occasion, we get questions from users asking if the MC6 is sending out the right MIDI message or if their other MIDI devices are receiving them. There really is a quick way to troubleshoot these issues yourself - MIDI Monitor (hyperlink to webpage), an online software which lets you check if your MIDI product is functioning a-ok, pretty nifty huh? Step 1 would be to connect your MIDI device, MC6 in this case, to your desktop/laptop and then open the MIDI monitor page. It’s key that you connect the device prior to opening the page. Failing to do so would likely result in the page being unable to detect the MC6. Step 2 would be to use the MC6 as you would with your pedals, and the commands that the MC6 is sending will appear on screen. This enables you to check if the MC6 is indeed sending out the desired commands, if any CC number was keyed in incorrectly, or if any other values were input incorrectly. That’s all there is to it, 2 simple steps to save yourself all that head scratching!
6. Expand usability by adding aux switches (or even another MC6!)
Lastly, there lies the option of adding an external aux switch to control your existing MC6, or even another MC6 for more presets (or banks when using dual MC6s) without having to toggle pages. By connecting external aux switches to the exp 1 of the MC6, presets G-I are now immediately accessible and programmable. They can also double up as utility switches, all you need is for them to be programmed to serve your desired purpose. This allows the aux switches to serve as a bank up/down or even as a toggle button, depending on how they’re configured, while not sacrificing a screen space and a slot on your MC6. Speaking of the MC6, we’ve met and seen several people who use dual (or even triple) MC6s in their set-up, and while it might seem excessive to some, for those who require ultimate customisation and even more control over their set-up, running dual MC6s is definitely a good idea for those who need the features only 2 MC6s can give. You get all the usability of an MC6, plus the ability to control the other MC6 so you don’t have to repeat your action twice. Of course, if a simple aux switch fulfills your switching needs, we encourage you to get that, saving on both cost and precious pedalboard real estate - things all us musicians lack!
Bonus Tip!
Of course, some of you might already know this, but did you know that pressing 2 foot switches together activates presets G to K. For example, pressing switches [D+E] activates preset G. Tying in with the previous point, this feature means that an aux switch isn’t absolutely necessary, but for those who wish for this to be easier to focus on our instrument or simply for those less dexterous with our feet, we definitely see the value in adding external aux switches to aid us in our pedal switching needs.
We really hope that some of these tips were useful to you. They might have given you a new idea to try out, or simply revealed a new and different way to go about using the MC6. One of our fundamental goals is for you to be able to use your MC6 as intuitively as possible. So we decided to compile this short list of half a dozen tips just for you and your MC6. Let us know if it was helpful and we’d be sure to add more in time to come.