XY MIDIpad mini is a miniature version of XY MIDIpad. Smaller size makes it possible to install it on any guitar! Despite reduced size, it offers the same functionality as its bigger brother. There is a touch screen with full MIDI CC range, hold button to freeze the current message, rotary encoder to change programs and modes, full colour RGB LED and more. Just plug it into any MIDI device and use all of its capabilities!
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Concept
KEY FEATURES |
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XY MIDIpad mini, just like the full-size XY MIDIpad, allows you to control any MIDI parameters with the touch of your finger. You can control distortion level, echo, VST plugins, Korg Kaoss Pad devices, DigiTech Whammy pedals, Cubase, Logic or any DAW and even the stage lighting.
XY MIDIpad mini is also equipped with a hold button and a rotary encoder (with push-button), which greatly increase the controller’s functionality. Hold button allows the user to freeze a specified MIDI message, while the rotary encoder makes it possible to change MIDI programs on the fly. By pressing the rotary encoder push-button, the user can switch between various controller modes.
How does it work?
XY MIDIpad mini sends messages to any device you connect it to. Technically it can be any MIDI hardware or software which is compatible with XY MIDIpad mini message set (see MIDI Messages tab above for more information).
WHAT’S IN THE BOX? |
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XY MIDIpad mini comes in a form of a kit. It consists of:
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XY MIDIpad mini not only sends MIDI CC parameters according to the X and Y values, but also sends Note messages to a synthesizer or a drum machine.
XY MIDIpad mini touch screen can be used with a guitar pick or your finger.
What to use it with?
The main focus has been put on achieving 100% compatibility with Korg’s Kaoss Pad/Kaossilator devices, DigiTech’s Whammy pedals and MIDI instruments (including drums). Please see the full compatibility list in Tech Spec tab above. XY MIDIpad mini will also work with any MIDI hardware or software, as long as it is compatible with XY MIDIpad mini transmitted messages.
You can have your XY MIDIpad mini connected to more than one device. To do so, you will need to split the incoming MIDI signal. This can be achieved using a MIDI thru-box, such as our wonderful MIDI Splitter.
XY MIDIpad or XY MIDIpad mini?
XY MIDIpad mini is basically an XY MIDIpad in a smaller form factor. They both share the exact same features and the only difference between them is size. If you have enough space in your guitar, go with XY MIDIpad. If not – XY MIDIpad mini will satisfy all your needs anyway, so no need to worry!
How to use it?
Once installed, you only need to plug the controller to your favorite MIDI hardware using a MIDI cable and you are ready to go! See the Videos tab above to get an idea of how it all works.
Dimensions
Before you install XY MIDIpad mini, please make sure your guitar has enough space for it. Even though XY MIDIpad mini comes in a very compact form factor, it’s always recommended to measure your guitar before making a purchase. The touch screen with frame takes up 100 x 80 mm area and this is exactly how much space you need to have behind the guitar bridge.
Some users prefer to have their XY MIDIpad mini installed under their guitar pickups, right where some guitarists mount their pickguards, instead of having it behind the bridge.
You also need to make sure that your guitar is at least 23 mm thick. The XY MIDIpad mini controller unit is mounted underneath the touch screen, so it is necessary for your guitar to have enough space for it.
Guitar body top
It is recommended to use a guitar with a flat-top body for XY MIDIpad mini installation. Installing XY MIDIpad mini on a surface that is not perfectly flat is possible, but it will require some additional woodworking to make sure it fits well. The touch screen is made of glass and it is not possible to bend it.
DISCLAIMER |
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XY MIDIpad mini is intended to be installed by professional luthiers and guitar repair/custom shops only. It requires significant woodworking, as well as having appropriate tools and being able to use them in a safe manner.
AmpTone Lab cannot be held responsible for any damages caused by improper installation.It is strongly recommended NOT to make any modifications to your guitar before receiving your XY MIDIpad mini kit. |
XY MIDIpad mini installation
Installation videos and tutorial
Probably the best way to understand the installation process is to watch a video documenting it. Luckily, we have two of these videos for XY MIDIpad. Both of them were recorded by Ben Crowe, Master Luthier at Crimson Guitars. One of the videos was recorded for Crimson Guitars YouTube channel, while the other was made for Premier Guitar magazine (featured in February 2014 issue).
Along with Premier Guitar’s installation video, February 2014 issue of the magazine featured a detailed step-by-step installation tutorial, also written by Ben Crowe. You can read it for free on Premier Guitar’s website – DIY: How to Install a MIDI Pad in Your Guitar.
XY MIDIpad mini is basically the same as XY MIDIpad, only smaller, so their installation procedure is almost exactly the same. The only difference is the fact that XY MIDIpad mini uses a smaller touch screen and a smaller hold button.
XY MIDIpad mini installation
Main cavities
XY MIDIpad mini comes in a form of a kit which needs to be installed inside an electric guitar body. XY MIDIpad mini installation requires you to route out 2 cavities behind your guitar bridge.
The first cavity should measure 84 x 65 mm. It should be very shallow (approx. 1.5 mm). This is where the touch screen will be placed, so you need to make sure it sits firmly inside the cavity.
The second cavity should be made inside the first one, right in the middle of it. Recommended dimensions for this cavity are 73 x 54 mm. It should be 16-19 mm deep (17.5-20.5 mm measuring from the guitar body top) – the deeper the cavity, the more diffused the LED light be. If you don’t know how deep it should be, just make it 17 mm deep (18.5 mm measuring from the guitar body top).
Control cavity
XY MIDIpad mini kit comes with additional components, which need to be connected to the controller unit. These components are hold button, on-off toggle switch, battery clip, rotary encoder and MIDI connector.
The aforementioned components can be installed wherever you feel comfortable with having them. The best place for the on-off toggle, rotary encoder and hold button is probably your control cavity where your volume and tone pots are located. As far as MIDI connector goes, the most convenient place for it is right next to your guitar output jack socket. For the battery clip, you may want to make another cavity with easily removable back plate, just to make changing the battery easy.
After mounting these components, all that is left is to join all cavities containing XY MIDIpad mini kit components together, so they can be connected to the main controller unit.
Additional information
All additional information can be found in XY MIDIpad mini User Manual.
If you have any doubts regarding the installation process, please refer to the installation videos available above. Please feel free to Contact us with any questions you have regarding XY MIDIpad mini.
XY MIDIpad mini specification
Power source | 9V battery (included) |
Battery life | up to 65 hours (economy mode) |
Controls |
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Compatible with |
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Included items |
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XY MIDIpad mini transmitted MIDI messages
Mode | Devices | MIDI channel | X-axis | Y-axis | Touch | Rotary encoder |
1 |
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1 | MIDI CC12 (0-127) |
MIDI CC13 (0-127) |
MIDI CC92 (0; 127) |
Program Change (0-127) |
2 |
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2 | MIDI CC11 (0-127) |
MIDI CC10 (0-127) |
MIDI CC0 (0; 127) |
Program Change (0-127) |
3 |
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3 |
Notes velocity: 100 |
MIDI CC7 (0-127) |
MIDI CC14 (0; 127) |
Program Change (0-127) |
4 |
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10 |
Notes velocity: 100 |
MIDI CC15 (0; 127) |
Program Change (0-127) |
XY MIDIpad mini guitar demonstration
Author: Liuteria Cesarini
XY MIDIpad installation 1
Author: Crimson Guitars
XY MIDIpad installation 2
Author: Premier Guitar
XY MIDIpad mini guitars
XY MIDIpad mini kit
XY MIDIpad mini – Frequently Asked Questions
- XY MIDIpad mini is a miniature version of XY MIDIpad, so it does exactly what XY MIDIpad does. It’s a MIDI controller, so you can hook it up to your favorite MIDI device, such as Korg Kaoss Pad, DigiTech Whammy or MIDI synth and control them directly from the touch screen mounted on your guitar.
- MIDI is a protocol used by professional audio devices – effects processors, snythesizers etc. It is also widely used in music production software. In short – MIDI allows multiple devices and applications to communicate with each other. You can read more about it on Wikipedia – MIDI (Wikipedia – English).
- XY MIDIpad mini is completely independent from your guitar/bass and your amp. XY MIDIpad mini is a MIDI controller and it can be used to control MIDI hardware or software. From technical point of view, it can fully operate even without a guitar. You can, of course, use XY MIDIpad mini to manipulate your guitar sound, but it is not the XY MIDIpad mini that performs that sound modification. XY MIDIpad mini sends MIDI messages to external devices that may be doing something to your guitar sound, but on its own, XY MIDIpad mini is not modifying your sound or generating any sounds directly. So you could install it anywhere, as long as there is enough space – it can even be a piano, since XY MIDIpad mini is not directly connected to the instrument it is mounted in.
- Just two things – a MIDI device that you want to control (check out “Compatible with” data in Tech Spec tab above) and a MIDI cable. XY MIDIpad mini uses the standard MIDI connectors, so you will need a typical 5-pin DIN cable. Just go to the nearest music store and ask the assistant for a MIDI cable and he’ll get you what you need.
- XY MIDIpad requires more space in your guitar. As a rule of a thumb, if you have a Strat-style guitar, go with XY MIDIpad mini; if you have a Tele-style or a LP/SG-style guitar, go with XY MIDIpad. Make sure you measure your guitar before the purchase, though! Functionality-wise, both XY MIDIpad and XY MIDIpad mini are identical. XY MIDIpad has only one additional gimmick, which is an LED ring around the hold button to indicate whether hold mode is active.
- Technically – yes, it will. Installing XY MIDIpad mini requires you to take some wood out of your guitar, so this will inevitably lead to a slight change in your timbre. Will you hear the difference? If you are a tone-freak then you probably will, but whether it sounds better or worse is a matter of opinion. The sound difference is always very minimal.