Free The Tone MC-3 User manual

Thank you for choosing a Free The Tone product. In order to take full advantage of the features and performance it
provides, please read this owner’s manual thoroughly, and keep it in a safe place for future reference.
• Never connect or disconnect plugs to/from the input/output terminals on the MC-3 when the external device
that drives speakers is powered. Doing so can cause noises and damage the speaker.
• Avoid applying excessive force to the footswitches, tact switches, and DIN connectors on the MC-3.
• If the unit malfunctions or behaves erratically, cease operation at once and contact your local dealer or Free The
Tone directly.
Handling Precautions
Contact the following for support and/or repair service.
e-mail address: [email protected]
Support/Service
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Precautions are identified by the two types of symbols below:
Be sure to read these precautions and the user’s manual before using this product.
Never try to disassemble, or modify the unit.
Stop using the unit if you notice smoke or a strange odor
coming from it and unplug the AC adapter from the outlet.
Never try to repair the unit or replace parts unless so
instructed by the user’s manual. For other repair or parts
replacement contact your local dealer or Free The Tone.
Never unplug the the AC adapter while your hands are wet.
Do not apply too much pressure or tension or place a heavy
object on the power cord. Doing so may damage the power
cord and create a danger of fire or electrical shock.
Turn off the unit and unplug the AC adapter from the outlet
and contact your local dealer or Free The Tone for repair in the
case of any of the following:
The power cord is damaged
Foregin objects (coins, pins, etc.) or liquid enter the unit.
The unit gets wet from rain or other liquid.
The unit is out of order.
Be careful of heat radiation from the unit.
Never cover the AC adapter with cloth or other objects.
Built-up heat can deform the case or cause a fire hazard.
This symbol indicates that a risk of serious personal injury or
material damage may result if precautions are ignored.
This symbol indicates that a risk of death or serious personal
injury may result if precautions are ignored.
Do not use or store the unit in environments where it will be
exposed to:
Extreme temperatures (direct rays of the sun, heat sources
such as radiators or stoves.)
High humidity or moisture.
Excessive dust or sand.
Excessive vibration or shock.
Whenever leaving the unit unattended for long periods, be
sure to unplug the AC adapter from the power source to
avoid creating a fire hazard.
Take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject it to
excessive pressure or weight.
Do not press the switches on the unit with a bare foot, or
unexpected injury may result.
Do not use solvents (such as benzine, paint thinner) on the
unit, since these may dull the finish or damage the surface.
WarningCaution
WarningCaution
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• A MIDI function to be sent can be assigned to
each footswitch.
• MIDI program change numbers and control change
numbers can be sent.
• MIDI channels and operation types can be set
separately when sending control change numbers.
• Can be powered by a battery.
• A unique battery holder that enables one-touch
battery replacement.
Main Features of MC-3 1. Front Panel Section
2. Rear Panel Section
3. Battery Holder Section
4. Character Indications on 7-Segment LED
5. Operation Types in Control Change Number Sending
6. Battery Powered Operation
7. How to Use MC-3
7-1. Operation Modes
7-2. How to Configure Presets
7-3. Edit Mode
8. Application Examples
8-1. Turning ARC-3’s LOOP1 On/Off from MC-3’s SW1
8-2. Turning ARC-53M’s MUTE Switch On/Off from MC-3’s SW2
8-3. Performing FLIGHT TIME’s Tap Tempo Entry from MC-3’s SW3
9. Specifications
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Table of Contents
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FRONT PANEL Display section
When sending a program change number, this
display shows that number. When sending a
control change number, that number is
displayed. In Edit mode, the display shows the
content of each setup item.
MIDI SIG: This dot LED blinks once when
sending a MIDI signal.
BATT.LOW: This dot LED blinks when the
unit is powered by a battery and the voltage of
the battery becomes low.
CC: This dot LED illuminates when a control
change number is sent.
EDIT button
Used to put the MC-3 in Edit mode. Pressing
and holding this button for about three seconds
puts the MC-3 in Edit mode in which you can set
detailed configurations such as operation mode
and MIDI send channel. The LED above the EDIT
button illuminates in Edit mode. Press this button
again to exit from Edit mode.
MODE indicator
Shows the current operation mode.
When the MODE-1 LED illuminates, then the unit
is in Mode-1 (Program Change Number Send
mode).
When the MODE-2 LED illuminates, then the unit
is in Mode-2 (Preset mode).
SW1/DEC switch
In Mode-1, used to decrement the program
change number to be sent.
In Mode-2, used to send the MIDI data that has
been set to SW1.
SW2/INC switch
In Mode-1, used to increment the program
change number to be sent.
In Mode-2, used to send the MIDI data that has
been set to SW2.
SW3/ENTER/STORE switch
In Mode-1, this switch is used to confirm and
send the program change number.
In Mode-2, used to send the MIDI data that has
been set to SW3.
If this switch is pressed and held down to
configure the preset directly, then it is used to
store your changes.
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REAR PANEL

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REAR PANEL
MIDI OUT
Output terminal for MIDI signal. Connect this
terminal to the MIDI IN terminal on an external
device.
POWER switch
Turns on/off the power to the MC-3. Be sure to
turn off this switch to prevent battery depletion if
the unit is powered from an AC adapter.
DC9V IN
When the unit is powered from an AC adapter,
connect the adapter to this terminal. Use an AC
adapter with a regulated 9 VDC output and
current capacity higher than 25 mA with a
negative center pin in the output plug (such as
the Free The Tone “FA-9” AC adapter).
A standard 5.5 x ø2.1 mm plug can be used.
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BATTERY HOLDER
Holder that houses a 006P (6F22) type
battery. To open the cover, slide it downward
and then pull it up. When inserting a new
battery, be sure to confirm its orientation (±).
The battery polarity is shown on the sheet
attached inside the holder. The cover will not
close correctly if the battery polarity is wrong.
Do not apply excessive force to the cover in
such a case. Doing so can damage the cover.
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CHARACTER INDICATIONS ON 7-SEGMENT LED 6 BATTERY POWERED OPERATION
In several modes such as Edit mode, the MC-3 uses the following three special characters on the
7-segment LED:
The MC-3 has three types of switch operations in control change number sending: LATCH,
MOMENTARY, and ON SEND. The table below lists the MIDI data to be sent.
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OPERATION TYPES IN CONTROL CHANGE NUMBER SENDING
MIDI data sent when a switch is pressed and LED status
NOTE: 7f is a hexadecimal expression of the maximum MIDI value 127.
Switch is pressed (LED status) Switch is pressed again (LED status)
LATCH 7f (LED: illuminates when on) 00 (LED: goes out when off)
MOMENTARY 7f wait 00 (LED: blinks) 7f wait 00 (LED: blinks)
ON SEND 7f (LED: blinks) 7f (LED: blinks)
M ➔mW ➔w
This unit can be driven by a 9-V (006P/6F22) type battery. The actual battery life is as follows though it
depends on the battery type and/or LED activity during operation:
Manganese battery: about 10 hours
Alkali battery: about 35 hours
When the battery voltage becomes low and the battery low dot (BATT.LOW) flashes, exchange the
battery with a new one quickly. Note that the unit will be inoperative after 30 min. to 1 hour after the
BATT.LOW dot starts flashing.
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HOW TO USE
7-1. Operation Modes
The MC-3 has the following two operation modes.
1) MODE-1: Program Change Number Send Mode
Press the INC or DEC switch and recall the desired program change number. The display flashes
during selection. When the desired program change number is shown, press the ENTER switch to send
the MIDI signal. If the display is flashing, then the MIDI signal is not sent, but it will be sent when the
ENTER switch is pressed.
2) MODE-2: Preset Mode
For each of SW1–SW3, you can preset a program change number or control change number. Note that
you cannot send both a program change number and a control change number at the same time. At
the moment you press one of the switches, the MIDI signal configured for that switch is sent.
Available parameters are as follows.
• When sending a program change number:
Program change number 001–128
NOTE: The MIDI channel to be used will be the send channel set in the Edit menu.
• When sending a control change number:
Control change numbers off, 000–120, MIDI channels CH1–CH16,
Switch operation type: LATCH, MOMENTARY, ON SEND
7-2. How to Configure Presets
The MC-3 provides the following two ways to configure presets:
1) Edit presets in Edit mode (refer to 7-3. Edit mode on p.14)
2) Configure presets directly without entering Edit mode
Now let’s look at how to configure a preset directly.
Press the desired footswitch (SW1, SW2, SW3) for about 3 seconds.
The display flashes [ pgm ].
If you want to set a program change number, press the ENTER switch and set the number to be sent
(proceed to step ).
If you want to set a control change number, press the INC switch to show [ ctl], press the ENTER
switch, and set the number to be sent (proceed to step ).
• To set a program change number
A program change number can be set in the range of 001–128. Use the INC and DEC switches to
select the desired number and press the STORE switch. When the configuration completes
successfully, the display shows [ --- ].
• To set a control change number
Use the INC and DEC switch to select the desired number and press the ENTER switch. Then set the
MIDI channel.
A MIDI channel can be set from CH1 to CH16. Use the INC and DEC switches to select the desired
channel and press the ENTER switch. Then set the operation type of the switch.
Set from the operation type from the following three types: [ ltc] (LATCH), [ mom ] (MOMENTARY),
and [ ons ] (ON SEND).
Use the INC and DEC switches to select the desired type and press the STORE switch. When the
configuration completes successfully, the display shows [ --- ].
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By combining the MC-3 with a Free The Tone product, the convenience of the whole system is
increased and you can use them in various practical ways.
8-1. Turning ARC-3’s LOOP1 On/Off from MC-3’s SW1
Let’s assume that the control change number is 001 and the MIDI channel is 1.
1) In the MIDI setup menu’s Item 1 “MIDI Rx MIDI receive channel setting” on the ARC-3 in Edit mode,
set the MIDI channel to 1.
2) In the MIDI setup menu’s Item 6 “control change number setting” on the ARC-3 in Edit mode, set the
LOOP1 [ l1 ]’s control change number to 001.
3) With the Item 1 “mode setting” of the MC-3 in Edit mode, select Mode-2.
4) With the Item 3 “footswitch setting” of the MC-3 in Edit mode, set SW1 to control change number:
001, MIDI channel: CH1, operation type: LATCH.
This completes the setup. Connect a MIDI cable between the MC-3’s MIDI OUT and the ARC-3’s MIDI
IN.
By pressing SW1 on the MC-3, the MIDI signal is sent and the ARC-3’s LOOP1 is turned on/off. When
the LED above SW1 is illuminated, LOOP1 is turned on and when the LED is off, LOOP1 is turned off.
8-2. Turning ARC-53M’s MUTE Switch On/Off from MC-3’s SW2
Let’s assume that the control change number is 002 and the MIDI channel is 1.
1) In the MIDI setup menu’s Item 1 “MIDI Rx MIDI receive channel setting” on the ARC-53M in Edit mode,
set the MIDI channel to 1.
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EXAMPLES 2) In the MIDI setup menu’s Item 4 “control change number setting” on the ARC-53M in Edit mode, set
the MUTE [ mt]’s control change number to 002.
3) With the Item 1 “mode setting” of the MC-3 in Edit mode, select Mode-2.
4) With the Item 3 “footswitch setting” of the MC-3 in Edit mode, set SW2 to control change number:
002, MIDI channel: CH1, operation type: LATCH.
This completes the setup. Connect a MIDI cable between the MC-3’s MIDI OUT and the ARC-53M’s
MIDI IN.
By pressing SW2 on the MC-3, the MIDI signal is sent and the MUTE on the ARC-53M is turned on/off.
When the LED above SW2 is illuminated, the MUTE is turned on and when the LED is off, the MUTE is
turned off.
8-3. Performing FLIGHT TIME’s Tap Tempo Entry from MC-3’s SW3
Let’s assume that the control change number is 62 and the MIDI channel is 1.
The control change number 62 is used for the FLIGHT TIME’s TAP tempo entry.
1) Set the FLIGHT TIME’s MIDI receive channel to channel 1.
2) With the Item 1 “mode setting” of the MC-3 in Edit mode, select Mode-2.
3) With the Item 3 “footswitch setting” of the MC-3 in Edit mode, set SW3 to control change number:
062, MIDI channel: CH1, operation type: MOMENTARY.
This completes the setup. Connect a MIDI cable from the MC-3’s MIDI OUT to the FLIGHT TIME. When
you enter the tempo by stomping on the MC-3’s SW3, the FLIGHT TIME’s BPM or delay time will be
changed according to the tap-entered tempo.

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• Terminal: MIDI OUT (5-pin DIN connector)
• Power supply: 9 V battery (006P), AC adapter
• Consumption current: max. 25 mA /9 VDC
• Dimensions (W x D x H, incl. protuberances such as footswitches):120 x 95.7 x 54.1 mm (4.72 x 3.77 x 2.13”)
• Weight (excl. battery): approx. 315 g (0.69 lbs)
• Supplied items: Owner’s manual, 9 V battery
Specifications and appearance subject to change without notice.
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SPECIFICATIONS
120
37(15.5) (1.6)
(0.7)
95