How to control amps with analog relay footswitches for channel switching
Some amps use MIDI, but many amps use analog footswitches to switch between channels (i.e. Clean and Crunch) or to turn reverb on and off.
If your amp uses standard TRS footswitches (either latching or momentary), then they can be controlled directly using the MC6 Pro's relay ports (see: How to use the Relay Port ). For our older products, like the MC3/MC6/MC8, you'll need to purchase a 3rd party MIDI to relay converter that can read the MIDI from our controller and convert that into a relay message for the amp. Some examples include:
Midi Solutions Relay ( https://midisolutions.com/prodrel.htm )
Voodoo Lab Control Switcher ( https://voodoolab.com/product/control-switcher/ )
Pirate Midi CLICK ( https://piratemidi.com/products/click-midi-interface-relay-switcher ) - discontinued, but available
We used to make one as well, but it is not currently in stock ( [https://www.morningstar.io/relay-interface]() ).
NOTE: Some amps use special footswitches and thus can't be controlled this way.
For any amp that uses a special connection, you'll need an adapter of some sort. Since these are all third-party parts, we can't endorse any of them, but we're providing the information for anyone looking for a solution in their setup.
Blackstar HT series amps - These use the Blackstar FS-7 footswitch, with a proprietry 9-pin connection. Champion pedals make an interface that converts it to two standard TRS relays (or 4 TS relays) that can be used with the relays in our MC6 Pro or Relay Interface. They also make a MIDI-based solution that could theoretically work with any of our controllers.
Peavey amps - Many Peavy amps like the 6505+ use a proprietary connection. Best-Tronics makes converters to turn them into TRS connections compatible with normal relay controllers.
If your amp uses standard TRS footswitches (either latching or momentary), then they can be controlled directly using the MC6 Pro's relay ports (see: How to use the Relay Port ). For our older products, like the MC3/MC6/MC8, you'll need to purchase a 3rd party MIDI to relay converter that can read the MIDI from our controller and convert that into a relay message for the amp. Some examples include:
Midi Solutions Relay ( https://midisolutions.com/prodrel.htm )
Voodoo Lab Control Switcher ( https://voodoolab.com/product/control-switcher/ )
Pirate Midi CLICK ( https://piratemidi.com/products/click-midi-interface-relay-switcher ) - discontinued, but available
We used to make one as well, but it is not currently in stock ( [https://www.morningstar.io/relay-interface]() ).
NOTE: Some amps use special footswitches and thus can't be controlled this way.
Solutions for amps with special footswitches
For any amp that uses a special connection, you'll need an adapter of some sort. Since these are all third-party parts, we can't endorse any of them, but we're providing the information for anyone looking for a solution in their setup.
Blackstar HT series amps - These use the Blackstar FS-7 footswitch, with a proprietry 9-pin connection. Champion pedals make an interface that converts it to two standard TRS relays (or 4 TS relays) that can be used with the relays in our MC6 Pro or Relay Interface. They also make a MIDI-based solution that could theoretically work with any of our controllers.
Peavey amps - Many Peavy amps like the 6505+ use a proprietary connection. Best-Tronics makes converters to turn them into TRS connections compatible with normal relay controllers.
Updated on: 02/04/2025
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