What kind of power supply do I need?
We now supply switching (working from 100 to 240V) PSU’s with 4 different plugs (EU-type, US-type, UK-type and AU-type), that should be compatible with many (if not all) countries all over the world.
However, if you have a PSU with the following ratings, it should be good too: 9V, 200mA minimum, center positive polarity, barrel plug, 5.5mm/2.1mm outer/inner dimensions.
What’s the use of the USB connector?
For firmwares pre v1.1.0, it is only used for firmware updates.
Firmwares post v1.1.0, it is used for firmware updates and USB MIDI
Can I connect a USB keyboard directly to the USB port?
No, the MicroMonsta is not (and will never be) a USB host.
If you want to connect a USB-only MIDI keyboard to MicroMonsta, you need a USB host, such as a computer with a MIDI routing application (any DAW, Midi Ox on PC, Midi Router on Mac OS), or a hardware device that will sorta make your USB keyboard a regular MIDI keyboard by converting the USB MIDI signal to hardware MIDI signal:
- Kenton USB Host
- HobbyTronics USB to MIDI converter
Please check with the above manufacturers that it will recognize your USB keyboard before pulling the trigger on one of them.
The (most expensive) Kenton host seems to be the most compatible one.
There are other (more complex) alternatives for more complex setups (some of the iConnectivity stuff for example)
Do you recommend a specific MPE controller?
It has been tested with Roli Seaboard Block and works well with it.
As of Oct. 2017, the Seaboard Rise controller lacks some customization parameters on the slide axis that can make the experience slightly irritating depending on the sound.
We didn’t test the Linnstrument, but according to its documentation, it should work well if well setup.
How many presets does it come with?
MicroMonsta has 384 available presets, with a bit more than 200 that are already programmed – and that can be overwritten of course.
Does it use pots or encoders?
Non-detended encoders with acceleration user setting.
Does it have MIDI Thru?
While it does not have a hardware MIDI Thru port, the MIDI out port can be configured in different ways, one of them being “MIDI Thru”
Can the MicroMonsta send / receive MIDI CC’s?
The whole sound engine can respond to MIDI messages (CC’s or NRPN’s), and the MicroMonsta is capable of sending these messages when you turn the knobs (System Menu, set MIDI Out mode to CC).
What is the differences between poly1 and poly2 modes?
To simplify, poly1 would be “analog” behavior and poly2 “digital”.
More precisely, in poly1 mode, when a new note is received, it will be allocated to the oldest voice, except if one voice is already allocated to the same note number, whereas poly2 will always allocate a new voice (the oldest one).
To feel the difference, play the same note repeatedly and look at the voice allocation (in HOME mode, each led correspond to 1 voice), and switch modes.
Can I polychain more than 1 unit?
Yes, 2 MicroMonsta’s can be polychained for 16-voice polyphony.
The master unit will take control of the slave unit, sending SYSEX and CC messages thru the MIDI Out port.
Can I send my own wavetables to the MicroMonsta?
Yes, there are 30 available wavetable slots.
Each wavetable has 33 slices, slice length is 128 samples.
These 30 wavetables are stored in Flash memory (they are saved permanently).
Please read our wavetable tutorial
What are the Micromonsta physical dimensions?
18,7 x 11,5 x 6,5cm (L x l x h, inc feet + knobs)
Do you have a question not listed here?
Send us an email and we’ll get it covered 🙂
