PedalBot : PB-M5-TB7

PROGRAMMABLE TRUE BYPASS SWITCHER/MIDI CONTROLLER

Designed/Made by Tom Carlo Tan in the Philippines

I. DEVICE LAYOUT

TRUE BYPASS LOOPS:

Top Jacks: FX RETURN EXTERNAL MIDI
TRIGGER Bottom Jacks: FX SEND FOOTSWITCH OUT 9V DC
OUT
SOCKET
(Center
Negative,
250mA)

GUITAR GUITAR
OUTPUT INPUT

SELECT
KNOB

II. DEVICE DESCRIPTION

- The PB-M5-TB7 is a programmable guitar effects switcher with 7 loops connected in series from
right to left. Each loop is bypassed using TAKAMISAWA Signal Relays, ensuring clean and
unaltered bypass tone.
- The device has a switchable buffer placed after the input before the 1 st loop. Use if you are using
long cables to bring back some liveliness to the guitar tone. The buffer is also true bypassed with
the same relay as the other loops to ensure clean bypass tone.
- The device also features a muting circuit that helps minimize pops when switching between loops.
Since the device uses true mechanical relays to bypass the loops, it is natural to hear audible clicks
when the metal terminals make contact with each other. To avoid such noise, the device shorts
the signal to ground briefly just before switching the loops. This feature can be disabled if the user
so desires.
- The device features a trigger output for controlling various amp features such as preamp channel
changes, and on board effects toggle.
- The device also features MIDI (USB-MIDI Optional) functionality for controlling various MIDI-
capable effects. The device can control 3 MIDI (or 2 MIDI and 1 USB-MIDI) device, with the ability
to send 3 distinct MIDI Program Changes simultaneously or send a set of MIDI Control Change on
a single device.
 - For easier device navigation or an additional feature, an external switch input is provided which
can function either as an external tap to send 3 distinct MIDI CC message or as external navigation
switches to change between banks and modes.
- Setting up the device is made easy by the provided rotary SELECT KNOB. This is a handy feature
for dialing in the correct MIDI messages specific for the various devices available in the market.
- The device is powered through a standard 9v Center Negative supply typically used for guitar
effects pedals. Minimum current draw of 250 mA.

III. DEVICE MODES/OPERATION

A. PRESET MODE
1. Each footswitch is assigned to a SWITCH PRESET which calls a saved combination of activated
loops, a trigger state, and a set of MIDI PC Messages called MIDI PRESET. There are 100 (0 to
99) MIDI PRESETs which consists of 3 MIDI PC messages sent to MIDI Channel 1, 2, and 3.This
mode is indicated by a b followed by the current bank number. (ex. b 01 or b 12)
2. There are 20 banks available in this mode, with all 5 switches assigned to a particular
combination of parameters as described above. (100 presets in total.)
3. Furthermore, a BYPASS PRESET can be called by pressing an activated switch once more. This
BYPASS PRESET is also a combination of parameters as described above.
4. To edit a preset assigned to a switch, press and hold any of the footswitch for about a second
until the display shows Edit. More details about editing on part IV of the manual.
5. To edit the bypass preset, press and hold the SELECT KNOB for about a second until the display
shows Edit. More details about editing on part IV of the manual.
6. To change between banks: press S1 + S2 simultaneously to move up a bank, press S2 + S3 to
move down a bank.

B. SCENE MODE
1. In this mode, the footswitches are assigned a specific function; either to toggle a combination
of loops, toggle the trigger, send a MIDI messages, or any combination of these 3 activities. All
this functions can happen on top of each other, hence, differentiating it from the PRESET
MODE. SCENE MODE is identified by Sc followed by the scene number. (ex. Sc 1, Sc 2)
2. The user can assign a default state for all of the loops, the trigger, and MIDI Preset when
switching to this mode or between the 8 different scenes available. This default state is called
the DEFAULT SCENE PRESET which has the same parameters as a SWICTH PRESET. The device
can also be set to not call the DEFAULT SCENE PRESET; useful for MIDI-only applications.
3. This mode can be set up to act like a normal stomp-box based board with each switch assigned
to a loop, or as a MIDI Controller by assigning each switch to send MIDI CC or PC Messages.
4. There are a total of 8 scenes and navigation between the scenes are the same as the bank
change routines in the PRESET MODE. (S1+S2 for one scene up, and S2 + S3 for scene down).
5. To change between the modes, press S4 + S5 simultaneously.
6. To edit the function/s assigned to a switch, press any of the footswitches for 1 second. More
details about editing on part IV of the manual.
7. To edit the DEFAULT SCENE PRESET or to toggle this setting for each scene, press and hold the
SELECT KNOB for 1 second. More details about editing on part IV of the manual.
C. MIDI PRESET MODE
1. MIDI Preset Mode is similar to the PRESET MODE except that switches are assigned to call a
particular MIDI PRESET only. This mode is useful if you want to isolate MIDI changes from
changing which loops are activated. This mode is indicated by Mb followed by the bank
number. (Ex. Mb 1, Mb 7)
2. This mode has 8 banks, where each switch is assigned to call any of the 100 available MIDI
Presets.
3. This mode also has a BYPASS preset similar to the PRESET MODE, which can be accessed by
pressing the activated switch once more. The BYPASS Preset is also a MIDI Preset.
4. Editing and moving through banks is similar to the PRESET MODE. More details about editing on
part IV of the manual.

D. SCROLL MODE
1. This mode gives you easy access to all 100 MIDI Presets saved in the device and a means to
manipulate loop/trigger states at the same time. This mode is indicated by the MIDI PRESET
number followed by the function of the 3 switches followed by the bank number. (Ex. 01:P1,
23:t7)
2. In this mode, S4 an S5 allows you to scroll through all 100 MIDI Presets up and down,
respectively. Switches 1 to 3, on the other hand, can be set either to call a preconfigured
combination of activated loops and trigger state (similar to the PRESET MODE) or to toggle a
combination of loops and/or the trigger (similar to the SCENE MODE).
3. In this mode, the user can use 8 banks, where the 3 switches can be set per bank either to call a
preset or to toggle a combination of loops/trigger. S4 and S5 will function as a MIDI Preset
scroll throughout the 8 banks.
4. To edit the preset/toggle group assigned to the switch, press and hold any of switches S1 to S3
for 1 second. More details about editing on part IV of the manual.
5. Users can also edit the function of the 3 switches and the selected MIDI Preset by pressing and
holding the SELECT KNOB for 1 second. More details about editing on part IV of the manual.

E. CHANGING BETWEEN MODES

- Changing between modes is done by pressing switches S4 and S5 simultaneously. Alternately, if
the device is set to EXTERNAL NAVIGATION, and the optional external switch with 2 buttons are
attached, the user can change banks by pressing both external switches (EXT1 and EXT2)
simultaneously.

F. CHANGING BANKS/SCENES
- To change the bank/scene of a current mode, press S1 and S2 simultaneously to move one bank
up, or S2 and S3 to move one bank down. If an external switch with 2 buttons are attached, and
the device is set to EXTERNAL NAVIGATION, the user can press EXT1 (right switch/tip) to move
one bank up, and EXT2(left switch/ring) to move one bank down.
 G. ACTIVATING MUTE
- With the inclusion of a soft muting circuit, it is possible to mute the guitar signal using the device.
This done by pressing switches S3 and S4 simultaneously. If an external switch 2 buttons is
attached, and the device is set to EXTERNAL NAVIGATION, the user can activate the mute by
pressing either EXT1 or EXT2 (one switch only) and holding it for 1 second. The display will
indicate MUTE when the mute is active. To deactivate the muting feature, press any other switch
once.

H. DEVICE SETUP MODE

- To change device settings and features, press S1 and S5 simultaneously when in normal operation
(i.e. not in any of the edit modes). The user can also access the same setup menu by pressing the
SELECT KNOB while the device is booting up.

IV. DEVICE SETUP/EDIT MODES

A. EDITING PROCEEDURES
1. When in any of the editing menus or the device setup menu, rotate the SELECT KNOB to select
any of the settings/parameters available.
2. When the desired feature/parameter is displayed, press the SELECT KNOB to see the various
available options for that parameter.
3. Rotate the SELECT KNOB to select any of the available values/option. When in the preset/group
edit menus, the display will blink indicating that the value is being edited. *Not applicable for
LooP edit menu, see step 5.
4. When the desired value is displayed, press the SELECT KNOB to confirm the selection.
5. When in LooP edit menu item, rotating the SELECT KNOB will display the available loops and
trigger followed by their current state. For example L1:ON which means the effects loop 1 is
active, or L3:OF which means loop 3 is bypassed. tr:ON means the trigger is activated.
bF:OF indicates that the buffer is bypassed.
6. To toggle the state of any of the loops or the trigger, press the SELECT KNOB once.
7. To go back to the previous menu, rotate the SELECT KNOB until the word PrEu is displayed,
then press the SELECT KNOB once.
8. To SAVE the changes made in any of the menus, the user can either press the blinking
footswitch, or press and hold the SELECT KNOB for 1 second. The display will blink SAuE
confirming the action.
9. To CANCEL the changes, press and hold any of the unlit footswitches for 1 second. The display
will show CncL confirming this action.
 B. EDIT/SETUP MENUS AND VALUES

B1. SETUP MENU

This table enumerates settings that modify device functionality. Press S1 & S5 simultaneously to access.

SETTINGS VALUES REMARKS

Mod1 oFF/On This setting enables or disables the PRESET mode.
Mod2 oFF/On This setting enables or disables the SCENE mode.
Mod3 oFF/On This setting enables or disables the MIDI PRESET ONLY mode.
Mod4 oFF/On This setting enables or disables the SCROLL mode.
If set to On, buffer will always be activated and will not be selectable
bUFF oFF/On per preset. If set to Off, buffer state will be assignable per preset.
If set to On, the muting circuit will be activate when changing loop
dPop oFF/On states. This help eliminate pop/clicking noises but will introduce a
quick cut in the sound (20ms).
If set to On, changing banks while in PRESET mode or in MIDI PRESET
psEl oFF/On mode will pre-arm the next bank before calling a new preset. If set to
Off, S1 will be activated instantly when changing between banks.
Sets how to device responds upon a footswitch press. If set to ON P,
the device responds instantly upon pressing. This is useful if you are
using the device to control a PHRASE LOOPER. However, this will
rESp AFtr/ON P affect switching between banks and modes since they require a
combination of switch-presses. This is setting is only advisable when
EXTERNAL NAVIGATION is activated.
If set to PO, the tip and sleeve terminals of the trigger jack will be
shorted when TRIGGER is activated, and vice versa. If set to NE, the
tPol NE/PO terminals will be disconnected when the TRIGGER is activated, and
vice versa.
This sets the response of the SELECT KNOB. If set to CCPO, values
rotd CCNE/CCPO increment when the SELECT KNOB is turned counter clock wise. If set
to CCNE, values decrease when turned counter clock wise.
This setting sets the behavior of the display. If set to ON, the display
will stay active all the time. If set to OFF, the display will turn off a
diSP oFF/On few milliseconds after any press on any footswitch. Turning off the
display is useful when really high-gain effects are picking up the
minute RF interference the multiplexed display is emitting.
This setting enables or disables MIDI functionality for the entire
M1d1 oFF/On device. All MIDI related menus will be hidden for convenience.
This setting selects the function of the external switches. If set to
Md:TP, pressing the switch on the left (ring to ground) will change
the mode of operation. Pressing and holding the switch will engage
Md:TP
soft mute. If set to bA:TP, pressing the said switch will move 1
ESFU bA:TP bank/scene up. Pressing and holding will move 1 bank/scene down.
ENAu On both options, the switch on the right will send the MIDI Tap
message as stated on the succeeding parameters. If set to ENAu,
the switch on the left will cycle 1 bank/scene down the switch on the
 right will move 1 bank/scene up. Pressing holding any of the switch
will call the mute function, and pressing both simultaneously will
change the mode.
MdCh 3 2 1 This setting selects which channel will receive a MIDI TAP message.
This and the ff. 5 parameters are the MIDI messages sent by the TAP
tPA1 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Number to be sent to MIDI Channel 1.
tpA2 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Value to be sent to MIDI Channel 1.
tPb1 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Number to be sent to MIDI Channel 2.
tpb2 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Value to be sent to MIDI Channel 2.
tpC1 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Number to be sent to MIDI Channel 3.
tPC2 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Value to be sent to MIDI Channel 3.
This and the following 5 parameters are the MIDI messages sent
AUA1 0 - 127 when the auxiliary MIDI message is activated per MIDI Preset.
MIDI Control Change Number to be sent to MIDI Channel 1.
AUA2 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Value to be sent to MIDI Channel 1.
AUb1 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Number to be sent to MIDI Channel 2.
AUb2 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Value to be sent to MIDI Channel 2.
AUC1 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Number to be sent to MIDI Channel 3.
AUC2 0 - 127 MIDI Control Change Value to be sent to MIDI Channel 3.
This setting enables or disables USB-MIDI features of the device.
USbH oFF/On When enabled, all MIDI messages for channel 3 will be sent via USB.
rESt - Restores all settings and memory to their default values.
sAuE - Save all changes made to device settings.

B2. PRESET/MIDI PRESET EDIT MENU

This table enumerates parameters for SWITCH PRESET settings. Some parameters are only available for
certain presets, such as DEFAULT SCENE presets. *Note that when in PRESET MODE, editing a SWITCH
PREST will also save the changes made to the MIDI PRESET. Other switches that are set to the same MIDI
PRESET will be affected since they point to the same MIDI Preset.

PARAMETERS VALUES REMARKS

bF:On/bf:oF Sets which loops/trigger is enabled or disable per preset. To
l1:On/l1:oF toggle a loop/trigger, press the SELECT KNOB once. To go back to
Loop previous menu, turn SELECT KNOB to PrEu then press SELECT
tr:On/tr:oF KNOB once. *If MIDI Functionality is turned off, the copy function
PrEu/COPY is accessible in this menu. Refer below for information re. COPY
Selects which MIDI Preset is called when a footswitch is pressed.
Pr:-- Pr:-- to 99
Set to --' if no MIDI Preset is required.
Sets which MIDI Program Change number is sent to Channel 1.
A--- A--- to 127
Set to ---' to deactivate message for this channel.
b--- b--- to 127 Sets which MIDI Program Change number is sent to Channel 2.
C--- C--- to 127 Sets which MIDI Program Change number is sent to Channel 3.
Toggles an auxiliary MIDI CC message on Channel 1 (as provided
AU A oFF/On
in the SETUP MENU). This is sent after the PC Message above.
 AU b oFF/On Same as above, but sends to Channel 2.
AU C oFF/On Same as above, but sends to Channel 3.
*Available in scene mode, when editing DEFAULT SCENE preset,
dSCn oFF/On this parameters sets whether the DEFAULT SCENE is called when
entering SCENE MODE or changing to the particular scene.
*When in PRESET MODE, copies loop/trigger states, and the
MIDI preset number to another switch. The bank number
followed by the switch number is displayed. For example, 02:4
indicates that the current parameters will be copied to Bank 2,
01:1 to 20:5
Switch 4. Parameters can also be copied to the bypass (byPS)
COPy byPS
preset, or to any of the 8 DEFAULT SCENE presets (dsc18).
dsc1 to 8
*When in MIDI PRESET/SCROLL EDIT MODE, this option copies
the three MIDI PC messages and auxiliary message states
assigned to the current MIDI preset to a different MIDI preset
number. The MIDI Preset number is displayed, from 00 to 99.

B3. SCENE MODE/GROUP EDIT MENU

This table enumerates parameters when editing a switch function in SCENE MODE. *By toggle, I mean
flipping the state from ON to OFF or vice versa.

PARAMETERS VALUES REMARKS

Sets which of the loops or if the trigger will be toggled when a
bF:On/bf:oF
foot switch is pressed. *Note that when a loop is simultaneously
l1:On/l1:oF
assigned to a different switch, that loop will either be enabled or
Loop
disabled depending on the sequence of switch press. To go back
tr:On/tr:oF
to previous menu, turn SELECT KNOB to PrEu then press
PrEu
SELECT KNOB once.
Selects the type of MIDI Message sent by the footswitch. Set to
Md:-- --, PC, CC
-- if MIDI messages is not required.
Sets which MIDI channel/s will receive the following MIDI
messages. Rotate KNOB to see various combinations. *Note that
MdCh 3 2 1
only 1 pair (2 Bytes for ON Message, 2 Bytes for OFF Message) of
messages will be sent to all selected channels.
1st Byte of the MIDI Message when the switch is turned on. This
ON 1 000 to 127
can either be the CC Number or the PC Number.
ON 2 000 to 127 2nd Byte of the MIDI CC Message when the switch is turned on.
1st Byte of the MIDI Message when the switch is turned off. This
OFF1 000 to 127
can either be the CC Number or the PC Number.
OFF2 000 to 127 2nd Byte of the MIDI CC Message when the switch is turned off.
Copies all parameters to a different switch. The display will show
the scene number followed by the switch. For example, 3:2
COPy 1:1 to 8:5
means that all current parameters will be copied to scene 3,
switch 2.
*Note: when a switch in a scene is set to send only MIDI messages (no changes in loops/trigger), and if
its set to send only 1 MIDI message (ON and OFF messages are the same) the switch LED will stay lit
indicating that the switch functions as single state switch. This is useful when controlling Phrase Looper
gadgets or other MIDI capable devices.

B4. SCROLL EDIT MENU

This table enumerates the various settings for operating in SCROLL MODE. To access SCROLL MODE
functions and MIDI Preset editing, press and hold SELECT KNOB for 1 second. *To edit which loops to
enable or toggle, press and hold any of the switches from S1 to S3 for one second. Menu list will be
similar to that of LOOP edit in PRESET MODE/SCENE MODE.

PARAMETERS VALUES REMARKS

Sets the function of switch S1 to S3. Set to PrSt for calling a
combination of activated loops and trigger state. Set to toGL
FUnC PrSt/toGL
for toggling certain loops similar to SCENE MODE. This setting
only applies to the current bank in SCROLL MODE.
bF:On/bf:oF This menu is similar to that of PRESET MODE/SCENE MODE.
l1:On/l1:oF *Note that if a current bank is set to PrSt, editing loops will
Loop take effect on the BYPASS preset. If the bank is set to toGL,
tr:On/tr:oF editing loops will affect the DEFAULT loops assignable to each
PrEu bank. There are also 8 assignable DEFAULT loops.
This menu item lets you edit the current MIDI preset selected by
M1d1 - switches S4 or S5. Menu will be similar to that of PRESET edit
menu.

*Note that unlike SCENE MODE, when a bank is set to toGL, each bank will load a default scene
automatically. Make sure to set the DEFAULT scene per bank according to use.

V. APPENDIX
A. More about MIDI Messages
- MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) messages are divided into 3 bytes of serial data; 1 byte
for status and 2 bytes for data. The status byte contains information of the type of message
and the channel number. The 1st data byte contains either the Program Change (PC) number or
the Control Change (CC) number. The 2nd data byte will contain the value for the particular CC
number.
- This device prepares the 1st byte depending on the mode of operation and parameters. Note that
the device can only send to channels 1, 2, and 3.
- The user only needs to indicate the PC number or CC number and CC value per preset.
- Consult your devices manual for more information on how to set the appropriate channel per
device and the various controllable feature and their MIDI mappings.

B. Wiring External Switches

- External switches function by shorting the plug terminals to ground momentarily. Use Normally
Open Non-Latching switches only. Connect a STEREO cable to the EXTERNAL SWITCH jack. The
switches should connect the TIP or the RING to the SLEEVE (ground).
- Optional external switches are also available upon order. Something similar to the BOSS FS-6 will
also work, if properly set up.

C. Wiring up the TRIGGER output

- The TRIGGER output jack works by shorting(make/break) the TIP terminal of the jack to the
SLEEVE. For proper operation, consult your amplifiers user manual on which feature is switchable
via the TIP of a guitar cable. Since this device only has 1 TRIGGER output, the user will be required
to make a custom cable to interface with amplifiers with more than 1 switchable feature.