Rivera Headmaster User manual

Headmaster 1.0 p 1
OWNERS MANUAL
Version 1.1
December, 2001

Headmaster 1.0 p 2
Introduction
The Head Master is a programmable, foot operated MIDI Controller. It contains 30
Stored Programs.
Each Stored Program contains 16 MIDI Program Change Commands, one for each of
the 16 MIDI channels. (The Head Master only sends MIDI Program Change commands,
not MIDI Control or System Exclusive commands)
Each Stored Program also contains a special non-MIDI Command to control the internal
relays.
Each Command contained in a Stored Program can be turned ON or OFF individually.
When a Command is turned ON, it is referred to as Active.
Stored Programs are activated by the 6 Program Select Buttons. When a button is
pressed, ALL Active Commands in the Program will be sent to the MIDI devices and the
relays.
Bank Select Buttons can be used to select one of 5 sets of 6 Stored Programs
controlled by the Program Select Buttons.
Stored Programs can be created or changed using the onboard Programming Buttons.
The Stored Programs are saved in Non-Volatile memory. The term "non-volatile" means
that the Programs are retained when the power is turned off.
Programs, Programs And More Programs
The word "Program" will be used quite a bit in this manual. It is used to describe:
• The Stored Programs contained in the Head Master memory.
• MIDI Program Change Commands - sent by the Head Master to MIDI devices.
• The Program Select Buttons - the 6 buttons on the front of the Head Master.
• The Programming Buttons - the array of seven membrane switch buttons to the right
of the LED display, that are used to create and change the Stored Programs.
I know this may seem a little bit confusing, but it's hard to avoid using that word.

Headmaster 1.0 p 3
The Top Panel
PROGRAMMING BUTTONS

Use these buttons to create
or change stored programs
PROGRAM SELECT BUTTONS

Press one of these buttons to
send a stored program to
the MIDI devices

A stored program can contain
up to 16 MIDI Program Change
commands and a special
Relay Command
BANK SELECT BUTTONS

The Head Master contains 30 Stored Programs

The Bank Select Buttons are used to select
which set of 6 Stored Programs is controlled 
by the 6 Program Select Buttons

When you press one of these buttons, the 
Bank is changed but NO MIDI commands 
are sent


LED DISPLAY

In Normal Mode, shows the
current Bank and last Button

In Programming Mode, shows
the MIDI channel or
Program Change

Headmaster 1.0 p 4
The Back Panel
AUX POWER OUT

Supplies a limited amount
of DC power for other gear
such as stomp boxes
RELAYS

Three single pole double throw
(SPDT) relays for controlling
non-MIDI amps
MIDI OUT

Standard MIDI Output

Use this to control any
MIDI device.
RIVERA AMP

Special combination
MIDI Output and DC Power
Input

Only works with Rivera Amps
that provide power

NEVER connect this to a
regular MIDI device
AUX POWER IN

Supplies power to the 
Head Master when it is used
WITHOUT a Rivera Amp that
provides power

NEVER use the RIVERA AMP 
POWER IN and AUX POWER IN
at the same time

Headmaster 1.0 p 5
Banks And Buttons
When designing a foot-operated controller there is always the question:
How Many Buttons?
Fewer buttons make the unit smaller, lighter, easier to pack and easier to fit on a
crowded stage.
More buttons give the player a larger number of choices. But if the buttons must be
operated with a foot, they can't be placed too close together. This means that a foot-
operated controller with lots of buttons gets really big.
To achieve a compromise between size and flexibility, the Head Master is organized as
a set of 5 banks of 6 buttons each. This results in a unit having 30 available Stored
Programs, but only 8 buttons - 2 to select the Bank and the other 6 to select the
Program.
As shown on the next page, Bank Switching allows 6 buttons to control 30 Stored
Programs. Think of the Bank Selector as a control that tells the Buttons WHICH set of 6
Stored Programs to control.
Bank + And Bank –
The Bank Select Buttons are labeled Bank + and Bank -.
When you press Bank +, the bank is incremented by one.
If Bank 5 is selected, and Bank + is pressed, the Bank rolls over to 1.
When you press Bank -, the Bank is decremented.
If Bank 1 is selected, and Bank – is pressed, the Bank rolls over to 5.
NO MIDI COMMANDS ARE SENT when the Bank Select buttons are pressed.
The LED display shows the CURRENT Bank, and the LAST Button pressed.
Example:
If Bank 1 is selected, and Button 2 is pressed, the display shows
Bank 1 Button 2
If Bank + is then pressed, the display shows
Bank 2 Button 2
But, since no MIDI Commands have been sent, you are still playing the Program
Bank 1 Button 2

Headmaster 1.0 p 6
Banks and Buttons
1
1
BUTTONS STORED PROGRAMS
WHEN BANK 1 IS SELECTED
Bank 1 Button 1 controls Stored Program 1,
Bank 1 Button 2 controls Stored Program 2,
Bank 1 Button 3 controls Stored Program 3,
Bank 1 Button 4 controls Stored Program 4,
Bank 1 Button 5 controls Stored Program 5,
Bank 1 Button 6 controls Stored Program 6.

2
23
34
45
56
67
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

1
BUTTONS STORED PROGRAMS
WHEN BANK 2 IS SELECTED
2
3
4
5
6
7
18
29
310
411
512
613
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

Bank 2 Button 1 controls Stored Program 7,
Bank 2 Button 2 controls Stored Program 8,
and the pattern repeats for all remaining
Banks and Buttons until finally,
Bank 5 Button 6 controls Stored Program 30


Headmaster 1.0 p 7
Inside A Stored Program
1
MEMORY SLOTS CONTAINING
MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE
COMMANDS
STORED PROGRAM
MIDI CHANNELS
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 MIDI Channel 17 is NOT a real MIDI channel.
It is the special Relay Channel.
MIDI Channel 17 CANNOT be used
to control MIDI devices.
It can ONLY be used to control the relays.
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
1-128
A Stored Program is controlled by a Bank-Button pair
Each Stored Program contains 16 MIDI Program Change Commands,
one for each of the 16 MIDI Channels
It also contains a special, non-MIDI code to control the Relays
Each Bank-Button-MIDI Channel combination represents one slot in the memory
Each slot can be turned ON or OFF

Headmaster 1.0 p 8
Stored Program Example
1
STORED PROGRAM
MIDI CHANNELS
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
64
25
99
16
32
MEMORY SLOTS CONTAINING
MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE
COMMANDS
CONTROLED BY
BANK 3 BUTTON 4

Here is an example of a Stored Program
In this example, the slots for MIDI Channels 4, 5, 9 and 16 contain Program Change
commands
All other slots have been turned OFF
Imagine that you are currently using Bank 2
Press Bank + to change to Bank 3
(No MIDI Commands are sent by changing Bank)
Now, press Button 4
The Head Master will examine ALL of the slots of the Stored Program
Slots that have been turned OFF will be ignored
All MIDI Commands in active slots will be sent

Headmaster 1.0 p 9
So, Pressing Button 4 while in Bank 3 will command the Head Master to send:
Program Change 64 on MIDI Channel 4
Program Change 25 on MIDI Channel 5
Program Change 99 on MIDI Channel 9
Program Change 16 on MIDI Channel 16
AND
Special Relay Command 32 to the Relays
Programming The Head Master
During programming, the Bank, Button, MIDI Channel and Program Change values
must be displayed, and edited. Since we decided to make the unit small, there was not
room for individual displays for all of these values.
So, we have to share the display, by the use of Programming Modes.
The three modes are:
Normal Mode
The display shows the CURRENT Bank and LAST Button
MIDI Channel Mode
The display shows the MIDI Channel
Program Change Mode
The display shows the MIDI Program Change
It is always possible to know what mode the Head Master is in by looking at the display.
The illustration on the next page shows how the digits are grouped to make mode
identification easy.

Headmaster 1.0 p 10
Modes Diagram
The left digit is the Bank
The right digit is the Button
The center digit is blank
The left digit is blank
The right two digits show the MIDI Channel
Two digits are always used,
so MIDI Channel 1 is displayed as 01
The programming modes are used to
examine, change or create stored programs
All three digits show the MIDI Program Change
Three digits are always used,
so Program Change 48 is displayed as 048
If all of the digits are blank, the Program Change for
this combination of Bank-Button and MIDI Channel
has been turned OFF
It is always possible to determine
the mode by looking at the display
MIDI CHANNEL SELECT MODE
PROGRAMMING MODES
NORMAL MODE
PROGRAM CHANGE SELECT MODE
PROGRAM CHANGE SELECT MODE

Headmaster 1.0 p 11
The Programming Buttons
The 7 Programming Buttons are used to program the Head Master
Programming Buttons are associated with modes as follows:
MIDI CHANNEL +
MIDI CHANNEL –
Are used in MIDI Channel Mode
PROG CHANGE +
PROG CHANGE -
ON
OFF
SAVE
Are used in Program Change Mode
Each button actually performs two functions
Changing the Mode
Editing the Value
When a Programming Button is pressed, the Head Master first checks to see if it is in
the mode associated with the button.
If the Mode does NOT match the button, the mode is changed, but the value is not
If the mode matches the button, the value is changed.
To put it another way, the FIRST press changes the mode WITHOUT changing the
value. The SECOND and all following presses, change the value.
If you press a button and release it quickly, the value is changed by 1. If you hold down
a button for a few seconds, the value will change continuously. If the value gets to the
end of its range, it will roll over to the beginning.

Headmaster 1.0 p 12
Tutorial:
(For the purpose of this tutorial, assume that Program Change 97 has been stored in
the memory slot selected by Bank 1 Button 1 MIDI Channel 1)
Select Bank 1 and Press Button 1
The Head Master is in Normal Mode
The display reads 1 1
Press MIDI CHANNEL + or MIDI CHANNEL –
The Mode changes to MIDI Channel Mode
The display now reads 01
This indicated that MIDI Channel 1 is selected
Press MIDI CHANNEL +
Since the Head Master is already in MIDI Channel Mode
the mode does not need to be changed
The MIDI Channel value is changed to 2
The display now reads 02
Press PROG CHANGE + or PROG CHANGE -
The Mode changes to Program Change Mode
The display now reads 097
This indicates that the Program Change 97 is associated with
Bank 1, Button 1, MIDI Channel 1
Press PROG CHANGE +
Since the Head Master is already in Program Change Mode
the mode does not need to be changed
The Program Change value is changed to 98
It is NOT saved to the memory yet,
it is placed in a temporary editing area
The display now reads 098
Press OFF
Since the Head Master is already in Program Change Mode
the mode does not need to be changed
The Program Change is turned off
The temporary editing area is NOT erased
The display is now blank
Press ON
Since the Head Master is already in Program Change Mode
the mode does not need to be changed
The Program Change is turned back on
The display now reads 098

Headmaster 1.0 p 13
Switching modes like this can be confusing, sometimes you may forget where you were
I forgot which MIDI channel I was programming
Press MIDI CHANNEL + or MIDI CHANNEL –
The Mode changes to MIDI Channel Mode
The MIDI Channel is NOT changed
The display now reads 02
I forgot which BANK and Button I was programming
Press BANK + or BANK – or Buttons 1-6
The Mode changes to Normal
MIDI commands are NOT sent, the Bank or Button
is NOT changed, ONLY the Mode is changed
The display now reads 1 1
I forgot which Program Change I was programming
Press PROG CHANGE + or PROG CHANGE -
The Mode changes to Program Change Mode
The Program Change value is NOT changed
The display now reads 098
You now have two choices, SAVE or not
If you press SAVE
The Program Change is saved in the memory slot selected by the
Bank-Button-MIDI Channel combination
If you do NOT press SAVE
Press Button 1 or any of the other Buttons or Bank Selectors
The Mode changes to Normal
The display now reads 1 1
MIDI commands are NOT sent, the Bank or Button
is NOT changed, ONLY the Mode is changed
Press Button 1 again
Since the Head Master is already in Normal Mode
the mode does not need to be changed
The OLD Program Change values stored in memory are
sent to the MIDI devices and Relays
The NEW Program Change value that you were editing
and did not save is lost

Headmaster 1.0 p 14
Is The MIDI Channel Saved?
The MIDI Channel is NOT saved in memory. The MIDI Channel is used, along with the
Bank and Button, to select a slot in memory. Only the Program Change is saved.
The MIDI Channel WILL, however, remain at the LAST value selected until you change
it. So, if you are programming a lot of buttons at MIDI Channel 13, you won't have to
start at 1 for each button.
What does it mean to turn a program slot OFF?
When you turn a program slot OFF, it is NOT erased, it is simply marked OFF.
When you turn it back on again, it STILL HAS the same value.
This can be useful during programming.
You might want to try different versions of setups, without having to start from scratch
each time
Why turn OFF unused program slots?
It is always a good idea to turn unused program slots OFF.
MIDI commands take time to send, and the less of them that have to be sent, the faster
they will go.
This is also a good way to avoid surprises. If you are sending lots of unused commands
on unused channels and you hook up a new piece of gear, it might respond to those
commands in very unexpected ways.

Headmaster 1.0 p 15
Programming Worksheets
If you add up all of the possible combinations of Bank, Button and MIDI Channel, the
total comes to 510.
That's a lot of stuff to work out in your head.
We have provided some worksheets to try and help.
You don't have to use them, but you might find them useful.
Make copies
We have only provided one set in this manual, so use them as Masters and make lots of
copies
Use a pencil
You will probably change your mind as you go...and an eraser can come in handy
Give the Programs names
"Metal Crunch" or "Jazz Solo" are easier to remember than Bank 3 Button 4
Organize them
Try to minimize Bank switching by grouping related programs together
For each MIDI channel
decide if you need to send a command
Most players will not need to send commands
on ALL MIDI Channels
Be sure to turn all unused memory slots OFF
If you are using pre-programmed
effects or sounds, consult the manual
to find the correct Program Change
Write the name of the button and all
necessary Program Change values
on the worksheet
Remember, MIDI channel 17 is
NOT really a MIDI channel
It is the special Relay Channel
1
BANK
1
BUTTON
NAME 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Headmaster 1.0 p 16
1
BANK
1
BUTTON
NAME
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
5
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
6
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
BANK
2
BUTTON
NAME
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
5
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
6
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Headmaster 1.0 p 17
1
BANK
3
BUTTON
NAME
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
5
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
6
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
BANK
4
BUTTON
NAME
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
5
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
6
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Headmaster 1.0 p 18
1
BANK
5
BUTTON
NAME
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
5
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
6
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Headmaster 1.0 p 19
Naming The Programs
Here's an idea.
Cut a piece of cardboard to fit in front of the Head Master
Draw a grid, 6 spaces wide and 5 spaces tall
Write the names of the programs in the spaces

Headmaster 1.0 p 20
Special Combination Midi Out And Dc Power In
Even though the MIDI connector has 5 pins, only 3 of them are used. The other two are
undefined by the MIDI specification and unused by most MIDI gear. The RIVERA AMP
connector uses those two undefined pins as a DC Power Input. The Rivera
Knucklehead Amp, and all future Rivera MIDI enabled amps, provide DC power on
these pins.
This allows the Head Master to operate without a "wall-wart" style power supply.
Warning!
This connector should ONLY be used to connect the Head Master to a Rivera Amp.
There is no agreement among manufacturers on the use of these two pins. Some
manufacturers also use them to provide power, but it may be a different voltage or
polarity. If you plug a cable from the special RIVERA AMP connector into another
device, and that device ALSO uses these pins , BOTH devices may be damaged!
Midi Cables For The Rivera Amp Connector
Even though the MIDI specification only defines three pins, most manufacturers of MIDI
cables provide all five wires. This means that most normal MIDI cables will work
correctly in the special connector. However, if you find a MIDI cable that only has 3
wires, it will not work.
A Few Thoughts On Non-Standard Connectors
When we designed the Head Master, we faced a difficult decision. We wanted to supply
power to the pedal from the amplifier using one cable for both power and MIDI. We then
had two choices - Use a standard MIDI connector in a non-standard way, or use a non-
MIDI connector.
If we had used a non-MIDI connector, the unit would have been more foolproof. The
special combo MIDI and Power connector could ONLY be connected using the special
cable. There would be no way to hook it up incorrectly.
But then we thought about the poor guy on the road, far from a well-stocked music
store. If his special cable failed, he would be out of luck. We decided to use a standard
MIDI connector and cable in a non-standard way because it is very easy to find a
replacement.