MFC-101 MIDI foot controller (legacy)

MFC-101 product information

• MFC-101 product information

MFC-101 manual and guides

• MFC-101 documentation

MFC-101 Mark I, Mark II and Mark III

• Changes in Mark II:
  • Cliff: "The only change is the CAT-5 connector is now an Ethercon jack. An Ethercon jack will work with either a CAT-5 cable or an Ethercon cable." Source
• Changes in Mark III:
  • Solid-State switch technology. No moving parts except a spring "actuator". Switching is fully electronic and silent with no switches to wear out. Mechanical lifespan 1 million actuations.
  • "FASLINK" jack: a new, proprietary communications link that features bi-directional MIDI and power over a standard XLR microphone cable. Cable runs of hundreds of feet are possible. You need a FASLINK adapter (XA-1) to convert XLR to Ethernet/Ethercon on the Axe-Fx side, or use the Axe-Fx II XL with built-in FASLINK connection. If you want to use a XLR cable with MFC-101 Mark I/II models, you also need a FASLINK adapter (XA-2) at the MFC side.
  • Requires separate firmware.

Connecting and powering the MFC-101

• Ways to connect and power the MFC-101:

1. You can use the supplied 9VAC adapter to power the MFC. This is also the recommended power method when upgrading the firmware. Do NOT connect the adapter to the MFC simultaneously with the use of an Ethernet, Ethercon or XLR cable, or when using MIDI phantom power, or damage can occur!
2. MIDI can be used for just communications or for communications and power (phantom power). A good MIDI cable is required! To receive tuner and tempo data all pins of a 5-pin MIDI cable must be connected. Many low-cost MIDI cables just have 3 pins connected and are not properly shielded, resulting in audible data transfers. To use phantom power via MIDI a 7-pin MIDI cable is required and all pins must be wired (pins 6 and 7 carry power), and connect the 9VAC adapter to the phantom power input at the rear of the Axe-Fx. The Axe-Fx doesn't provide power itself, it needs the power supply.
3. You can use a CAT5 Ethernet cable for communications and power. It provides power to the MFC-101 without the need to connect the adapter to the Axe-Fx II, transmits MIDI data and tuner and tempo information, and switches off the MFC-101 when the Axe-Fx II is switched off. The MFC-101 Mark II and III models also support Ethercon connections (sturdier than Ethernet). When using Ethernet/Ethercon, the MFC's MIDI OUT port won't pass data anymore, you can't use both ports simultaneously. Source
4. On the Mark III model you can also a XLR cable to power the MFC and transfer data. You need a FASlink adapter (XA-1) to convert XLR to Ethernet/Ethercon at the Axe-Fx side, or use the Axe-Fx II XL with integrated FASLINK. If you want to use a XLR cable with Mark I/II models, a FASlink adapter (XA-2) is required at the MFC side.

• Use Edit > MIDI to set the MFC-101 to the correct cable connection.
• A propietary communication protocol is used for bidirectional communication and phantom power. The internal PSU for the MFC-101 will also support an expansion module for the MFC-101. Source1 Source2 Source3
• More information about connecting and powering the MFC-101 in the Owner's Manual.
• Do not power up the Axe-Fx after the MFC. Otherwise none of the switches will work (until a preset is switched). Cliff: "This happens when the Axe-Fx II is not powered on first. Selecting any preset on the MFC will reset the state machine." Source
• Cliff: "Do NOT attempt to extract power from the MFC connector. It is only rated for 1A and if you burn out the port we won't cover that under warranty." Source
• Forum member Chrisallen8888 made videos explaining how to set up the Axe-Fx II and the MFC-101 for basic use as well as how to configure expression pedals:
  • http://blog.katsukurimedia.com/2012/07/axe-fx-ii-mfc-101-initial-setup
  • http://blog.katsukurimedia.com/2012/07/mfc-101-axe-fx-ii-setting-up-expression-pedals

Updating the MFC-101 firmware

• Go to Edit > Setup to see the currently loaded firmware version.
• Fractal Audio Support Download the latest firmware, launch Fractal-Bot and follow the instructions.
• An upgrade may require you to reset the MFC-101 to its factory settings. If so, it will be stated in the release notes. To reset the MFC-101, power on while holding switch #11. Note: this erase all configured settings! You can save these on forehand and restore these afterwards.
• If you're experiencing problems, open the Utility > Preset page on the Axe-Fx II. This makes sure that the Axe-Fx II is not sending out stuff which could interfere with the update process.
• The firmware file includes a handy Firmware Update Guide.
• All firmware release notes can be found Firmware release notes MFC-101 here.

Accessories for MFC-101

• Go to Hardware accessories to find sources for cables, labels etc.

MFC-101 pedalboard pictures

• This thread shows pictures of pedalboards of MFC-101 owners.