u/SnappyPies

Hi folks, I’m going deeper into the world of Morningstar and before I make big changes to the way I have my banks set up I’m hoping to get some input. I’m currently using an MC8 (not Pro) but I’m considering either an MC8 Pro or an MC4 Pro as an upgrade in the not too distant future.

I’ve been using an RJM Mastermind PBC/10 for about 6 years so have a pretty good grasp on what sounds I can recall using MIDI and have consolidated the board to now having fewer pedals in total than I had gain and dirt pedals 12 months ago while getting better and more varied sounds, but I’m pretty sure I’m using the Morningstar controller like a caveman.

I’ve had some back and forth with u/800funkyDJ (who has incredible working knowledge of this gear) about this stuff and it was suggested that I put this question out to the hive-mind as well.

The stuff I’m interested in is:

How do you have your start up page set?

As in, where do the buttons take you from the first page you see? I’ve only learned yesterday that the buttons can go to banks which can be setlists and then again into songs

What (if anything) do you have set up with buttons being “global settings” for lack of a better term?

Do you have one button that always goes to tuner / mute?

Which actions do you use for particular functions?

Do you use double tap or long press or release functions for particular tasks? Currently I have nothing beyond Press allocated.

Do you have a bank set up with standard sounds for jamming? Or with each button being allocated to turning on or off an individual pedal?

Have you had any light-bulb moments that have made things easier?

Have you discovered any trip-wires that have made things more difficult that you’ve had to go back and fix?

Do you have a patch naming system that is better than FunkCln1 and FunkCln2, or Doom1, Doom2, and Heavy?

How do you consolidate sounds so in a 15 song set you’re not using 30 of the 128 presets in a delay pedal? Can I use the clock function to save presets (pretty sure yes)?

Do you do any cool stuff with it that make you want to brag about how you’ve set it up?

Do you use the ML5 / ML5X / ML10X loop switchers? Do you have any interesting or unconventional routing methods with them?

As it sits, I’m using “Press” action to send PCs and CCs. I want to have my mind blown with tricks using clock, using Bank Jumps, and shortcuts that will make life easier, and given that I’m going to be redoing everything in mine over the next couple of days, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance folks!

A bit of a while between posts here, I slowed down a bit on the scissor-hinged “do-it-all” board and put this together for a run of rehearsals and gigs, then got sick and ended up needing surgery, which has given me a bit of downtime again to make some improvements.

The first attempt at this smaller board was *okay* but I was getting very annoyed at not being able to easily press the back row of buttons on the MC8 unless I was barefoot. And I’m not in AdP, and I’m not going to paint my feet with polka dots and at the venues I play, shoes are pretty important.

I also picked up a Chase Bliss Condor Hifi, and one of the sounds I think I’ll use the most on it really needs an expression pedal.

So here’s the start of the revision.

I’ve removed:

- Boss EQ-200 (perhaps against my better judgement)

I’ve added:

- the Condor Hifi

- Hotone Wah / Volume / Expression

- Morningstar ML5

So now I’m off to Bunnings to get more velcro, screws and cable ties, then out to the milling machine in the shed to make a pair of the scissor hinges that fit this board, and try out an idea I’ve had for cable tie loops in the top deck.

I’ll report back with how close I go to driving myself insane getting all the patch-leads, 9v power and MIDI cabling to fit.

Wish me luck.