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Terminology
2.1 MIDI
MIDI is Voodoo? This is wrong! Although, MIDI can do much more, what you need as a guitarist, is very simple.
This is how MIDI works: A device - such as a foot controller – sends a command to another device - e.g. a looper
| switcher - using a MIDI cable. The transmitting device - e.g. the foot controller - notifies the recipient - e.g. the
looper | switcher - what it should do. That’s all.
You can connect your Prostage devices and use the basic functions directly, without having to deal with MIDI. If
you want to use the advanced functionality of the system, you can find more detailed information on MIDI in the
users manual of the System Manager software.
2.2 StageWire
StageWire is a further development of MIDI. The technology has been developed by Prostage specifically for the
use on stage. StageWire is a connection where multiple devices communicate with each other (bidirectional) via a
standard microphone cable.
Using StageWire, you can interconnect up to 14 Prostage foot controllers to control the XDS | XLS | XTMpro.
The foot controllers are joined together in a chain. This means, you simply run a microphone cable from the first
foot controller to the second, another cable from the second to the third foot controller, and so on. The foot
controller(s) are supplied with power by the XDS | XLS | XTMpro.
2.3 Instant Access = Stompbox Mode = On / Off Switches
Instant Access are “direct-access switches.” These on/off switches work like an analog pedal switch, which is
connected directly to the amplifier, for example, to switch between the channels. So at the foot controller, you can
define a switch, which is e.g. firmly assigned to a loop of the XDS | XLS | XTMpro. This switch, then, simply turns
on and off the loop at the looper | switcher.
2.4 Preset | Program Change
Presets are saved settings that can be recalled with a switch on the foot controller ( = Program Change). A preset
contains all settings of the amplifier and effects belonging to a sound (e.g. Clean). You create, for example, the
following presets :
• Preset 1 (Clean) => Channel 1 from the amplifier & chorus switched on
• Preset 2 (Lead) => Channel 2 of the amplifier & delay and booster activated
If you now press button 1 on the foot controller, the amplifier switches to channel 1 and the chorus is turned on.
If you press button 2, the amplifier switches to channel 2. The delay and the booster are turned on. The chorus is
turned off simultaneously.
So you can switch your complete guitar rig with a single button. You no longer need to perform a tap dance on
different switches to adjust your sound.
2.5 Expression Pedal
An expression pedal is a kind of volume pedal that is connected to the MIDI foot controller. However, the expression
pedal does not control a guitar signal, but generates MIDI Continuous Controller, with which for example the
volume, the effects mix or the delay time can be adjusted in an effects device.
