Troubleshooting your ML10X connection issues

Are you having trouble getting sound in and out of the ML10X? This troubleshooting guide will help you determine whether you just need to get to know the ML10X and its settings better, or whether you're really dealing with a hardware or software problem.

Firmware and the Editor

As of July 2025, if you're primarily using the "Simple Mode" of the ML10X, then your best bet is to use Firmware v1.1.2 . If you're using some of the more advanced features, especially the ability to engage/bypass loops in advanced mode, you'll need to use the beta firmware, currently at Firmware v.1.2.0 . The beta is pretty stable, but it IS a beta, so use your best judgement.

If you are using the release firmware, then edit at editor.morningstar.io . If you are using the beta firmware, then editor at https://editor-beta.morningstar.io/ . It really does matter!

"Input Split" and "Loop Bypass Persist"

These two options override some standard behaviors of the ML10X, so they're the first thing to look at.

Input Split ignores the second input (the "Ring" input) and splits/duplicates the Tip input to both signal chains.

• Turn ON input split if you're using a mono input and want to send it to stereo effects that don't do mono-in-stereo-out (MISO).
• Turn OFF input split if you have dual mono inputs (e.g. Tip is one guitar and Ring is another guitar) or stereo inputs (e.g. you're going into the ML10X with a stereo effects pedal or two preamps).

Loop Bypass Persist ignores the engage/bypass state defined in your presets and just keeps them the way they are. For example, let's say you have one signal chain like this:

n this chain, A and C or engaged and B is bypassed.

• If "Loop Bypass Persist" is OFF (most users unless you know what you're doing), then when this preset loads, A and C turn on, and B turns off.
• If "Loop Bypass Persist" is ON, then when this preset loads, A, B, and C all stay engaged or bypassed depending on whatever you set the ML10X to before (via the onboard menu or a MIDI command).

Understanding Presets: Signal Chains and Default Bypass State

Each preset on the ML10X does two things:

1. Sets up a signal chain. The ML10X arranges your loops in a certain order based on the preset, including splits and merges if you're in advanced mode.
2. Sets each loop to engaged or bypass. Based on how you set them up in the editor (onboard or online), the ML10X engages and bypasses the loops according to the preset's defined default state. This step is IGNORED if "Loop Bypass Persist = ON" in your device settings.

Device Control

The ML10X can technically be used by itself. You can change between presets in realtime, and you can even use the little buttons to engage/bypass loops in Simple Mode.

However, it's ideally meant to be used with a MIDI controller:

• Simple user: Use a MIDI controller to recall presets. Each preset defines your signal chain and engages/bypasses the needed loops. When using it this way, you can just include only the needed pedals in the signal chain. For example, you could define a "Lead" preset and a "Rhythm" preset, each one including different gain pedals and different wet effects.
• Intermediate user: Use a MIDI controller to recall presets and also control the bypass state of loops live. Think of each preset as a "rig." All the pedals are included in that preset, and when it loads, they are all somewhere in the chain. You might have one switch on your MIDI controller load the preset, but the others might turn the drive, chorus, and delay on and off by engaging/bypassing their ML10X loops.
• Advanced user: Add additional controls on top of the intermediate use case. Use the "advanced mode" signal chains and use MIDI messages to engage/bypass or even cut/restore outputs from certain branches on your signal chain (basically, user-controlled trails).

Testing Connections

Create two simple presets. The first preset should just connect inputs to outputs:

Now make a second preset that adds loop a:

Make sure that loop a is green and has the arrow, meaning that it is engaged by default. Save both presets.

1. First load Preset 1. Hook up your guitar into the input and your amp to the output. Go to the first preset. You should get normal sound as if the ML10X was just a cable.
2. Now Load Preset 2. Plug the amps into SEND of Loop A. Your guitar should remain plugged into the input. You should get normal sound here as well.
3. Finally, you'll probably need an effects pedal with a buffered signal for this last test. Stay on Preset 2. Move the amp to the ML10X output. Plug your guitar output into the RETURN of Loop A on the ML10X. You should get some sound here, but if it's a little quiet, that's okay, because there's likely an impedance mismatch. To fix that mismatch, put a pedal between the guitar output and the Return of Loop A (e.g. a stereo modulation, delay, or reverb).
4. If you're using the ML10X in stereo, use TRS splitters to send everything on the "Rings" of the connections instead of the "Tips."
5. Repeat with Loops B thru E by making appropriate presets and following the steps.

If that passes the test, your ML10X is likely working just fine on both the hardware and software level. In that case, you probably just need to get more acquainted with how to program it.

If it turns out to be a hardware issue, then please contact us at support@morningstar.io .

Updated on: 16/07/2025