MIDI Rocker Quick Start Guide
Firmware Revision 2.4. Feb 9, 2009
First of all, I want to thank you for purchasing a MIDI Rocker box from Byte Arts. I really appreciate the business and hope that
it helps you get the same enjoyment from Rock Band that my family has. What a great game! And now with the MIDI Rocker,
you can take it to the next level!
This quick start guide is meant to help you get started using the MIDI Rocker. Be sure to check the website
(
for updated documentation, software and firmware. Okay, so let's get started!
First, here's some charts to familiarize yourself with the controls and connections on the MIDI Rocker:
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
Control/Indicator
Function
Home Button
Equivalent to the “PS” button on a Playstation controller. Press this button to access the
XMB menu.
Back Button
Exits the current menu level and backs up a level. (Equivalent to hitting the RED drum).
Also, when in Program 1 or Program 2 mode, pressing this button will erase the MIDI note
mappings for the selected drum button.
Nav Button
Like a little joystick, you can use this button to navigate up/down and left/right in the menus.
Pressing down on this button is equivalent to pressing SELECT on a Playstation controller.
Start Button
Just like the START button on a Playstation controller.
Function Switch
Selects between “drum mode” and “cymbal mode”.
In the DOWN position (Function B), the drum buttons 1-5 on the front of the MIDI Rocker
are equivalent to the drum pads on a Rock Band drum set; Button 5 (orange) is like the
bass pedal.
In the UP position (Function A), drum buttons 2,3 and 4 are equivalent to the Yellow, Blue
and Green cymbals in Rock Band 2 respectively. Buttons 1 and 5 (Red and Orange) are
NOT functional in this mode!
Mode Switch
Selects between normal (Play) mode and one of the two program modes. Program 1 mode
is used to assign a single MIDI note to a button, while Program 2 mode can be used to
assign up to 10 notes to a button (see below for more information).
Adjust Knob
Adjusts the MIDI note velocity threshold. Turn this know all the way counter-clockwise to
set the velocity to 0, all the way clockwise to set the velocity to 127 (the max MIDI note
velocity). Any MIDI notes received which are less than this velocity are ignored.
Drum Buttons and LEDs
The functionality of these buttons depends on the position of the “Function Select” switch.
If the Function Switch is in the DOWN position (“Function B”):
Buttons 1-4 are equivalent to the Red, Yellow, Blue and Green drums respectively. Button 5
is equivalent to the Bass Pedal. Each button has an LED above it which shows when that
input is active.
If the Function Switch is in the UP position (“Function A”):
Buttons 2, 3, and 4 are equivalent to the Yellow, Blue and Green CYMBALS. Buttons 1 and
5 are inactive in this mode.
MIDI LED
Flashes briefly whenever a MIDI note is received on the MIDI input.
USB LED
Illuminates when the MIDI Rocker is connected to an active USB host such as the
Playstation or a PC. It will blink while connected to the Playstation or a PC. If the system
switch on the back of the MIDI Rocker is in the XBOX position, then the USB LED will
remain on continuously and doesn't blink.
Page 1
