Chase Bliss

MIDI connections to most of the small form-factor Chase Bliss pedals are done over the EXP/CV/MIDI port, which needs a 1/4" TRS cable. The MIDI is sent on the Ring, with the Tip left floating (TRS means "Tip - Ring - Sleeve", where the sleeve is grounded and signals are sent over the tip and/or ring).

There are three solutions below. Setup #1 is the simplest and works for most people. Setup #2 is a good solution for testing or if you just have one Chase Bliss pedal. Setup #3 is a great solution if #1 doesn't work for you but you have multiple Chase Bliss pedals.

Setup for Morningstar Controllers #1

In most cases, you can simply connect a TRS cable from a Morningstar controller OMNIPORT and go to Controller Settings -> Configure Omniports. Set that Omniport to Ring Active, restart the controller, and you should be connected.

Setup for Morningstar Controllers #2 (adapting with cables)

Because Chase Bliss pedals expect a disconnected "Tip," some users have reported the above doesn't work. One solution is to use a TRS Y-splitter cable that is TRS on one end and splits the Tip and Ring to two separate cables on the other end. Connect it as follows:
TRS end into the Chase Bliss pedal
Ring end into the Morningstar Omniport
Tip left unconnected to anything

Set the Omniport to Tip Active, save and restart:


You might also look into specialty cables, like this DIN MIDI to Chase Bliss adapter by Disaster Area.

If possible, you can try using a modified TRS cable where the Tip is disconnected, so only the Ring makes a connection to the Chase Bliss pedal.

Setup for Morningstar Controllers #3 (extra hardware adapter required)

If Setup #1 doesn't work and Setup #2 doesn't make sense for you (because you don't want the dangling cable, or because you have more than one Chase Bliss pedal, for example), then you need an adapter box, such as the Morningstar MIDI Box, the MIDI Box by Chase Bliss themselves, or a compatible adapter, like the Disaster Area MIDI Box 4.

Updated on: 05/05/2025