Tech 21 MIDI Mouse

Jul 14, 1995

Click image for closeup

MIDI Mouse is a compact, portable and exceptionally user friendly MIDI footcontroller. While it can be powered by a standard 9V adaptor, it is also operable with a 9V battery as well as "phantom" power operable via MIDI cable.

The simplicity of its design offers the MIDI-masterful and the MIDI-mindless access to 128 patches on any of the 16 selectable MIDI channels.

The MIDI Mouse's stomp-box format features 3 footswitches with smooth-action custom actuators. The Active/Search footswitch alternates between two modes. In Active mode, the 3-digit numerical display remains lit, while the Up and Down footswitches change the patches one at a time to instantly send the information through the MIDI Out port. In Search mode, the numerical display blinks. Using the Up or Down footswitches, you can speed-scroll forward or backward to a desired location without sending any patch change information. Depressing the Active/Search footswitch re-engages the Active mode and instantly sends the new MIDI program number through
the MIDI Out port.

There are a few more details in what is probably the world's smallest owner's manual for a MIDI product, but the main points to consider are:

SMALL- Measures in at just 3-1/2" x 4-1/2". Fits into any gig bag. Needs no special carrying case. Takes up very little space on stage. Easily sits on a console in a studio, so you can make remote program changes from the board with your finger.

BATTERY OPERABLE - It's the only MIDI foot controller available that's battery operable. Needs no extra wires. Takes no time to set up; just plug in and go.

SIMPLE - It's player-friendly in a familiar stomp box format. Most foot controllers are harder to program than the processors they're designed to control.

HEAVY DUTY - Sturdy, cast aluminum box; high quality switches.

NO DANCING - There are no banks to change. You scroll to program locations, either one at a time, or you can "speed-scroll". To go from Program 19 to Program 20, step on the UP footswitch. Once. From Program 20 to Program 19, step on the DOWN footswitch. Once.

IMPROVISATION - Its size and affordability makes it uniquely practical to have two, so you can control two processors independently on the fly.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.tech21nyc.com/.