Tap Tempo & MIDI Sync

What Is Tap Tempo?

Tap tempo lets you set a time-based effect's timing by tapping a button in rhythm with the music. Instead of guessing atmillisecond settings, you simply tap along to the beat, and the pedal calculates the correct time.

Why it matters:

• Songs change tempo mid-set
• Different songs have different BPMs
• You're playing with a band—everything must sync
• Manual adjustment is slow and unreliable

How it works:

1. Tap the tap tempo button 2-4 times in rhythm
2. The pedal calculates the average interval between taps
3. Sets the delay time (or other effect parameter) to match
4. Keeps repeating at that interval until you retap

Pro tip: Most players tap 4 times for accuracy. The first tap sets the starting point, and the next 3 establish the rhythm.

Subdivisions: The Hidden Superpower

Once you've got tap tempo, subdivisions are the next level. These divide your delay repeat into rhythmic fragments.

Common subdivisions:

• Quarter notes (1/4): One repeat per beat
• Eighth notes (1/8): Two repeats per beat
• Dotted eighth (1/8D): Classic U2 "Sunday Bloody Sunday" sound. The repeat falls on the & after the beat.
• Triplet (1/8T): Three equal repeats per beat. Creates a rolling, continuous feel.

The magic of dotted eighth: This is the most popular delay setting in rock and alternative. Your playing is on the beat, but the echoes come on the &, creating that classic "call and response" feel where your guitar seems to be having a conversation with itself.

MIDI Sync: The Pro Solution

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a digital communication protocol that lets pedals "talk" to each other.

When you need MIDI:

• Multiple time-based pedals that must sync
• Want to change all effect tempos simultaneously
• Using a loop switcher with MIDI
• Building a complex, programmable rig

MIDI Clock: A specific type of MIDI message that sends a constant pulse (like a metronome). When one pedal is the "clock master," all other MIDI-equipped pedals follow its tempo.

Benefits:

• Change entire rig tempo with one tap
• Lock multiple pedals together perfectly
• Save and recall presets with different tempos
• Integrate with software like Ableton or Quantumbrain

Setting Up MIDI

Basic MIDI chain:

1. Connect MIDI OUT from your controller/primary pedal
2. Connect MIDI IN of the next pedal
3. Continue daisy-chaining until all pedals are connected
4. Set each pedal to receive MIDI clock
5. Designate one pedal as the tempo source

Common MIDI issues:

• Cable not fully seated
• Pedal not set to receive external clock
• Mixing MIDI DIN with USB MIDI (usually need separate cables)
• Wrong MIDI channel (all must match or be set to OMNI)

Choosing the Right Setup

For simple rigs (1-2 time pedals):

• Use tap tempo built into your delay/reverb
• No MIDI needed
• Example: Flashback 2 → tap tempo

For medium rigs (3-5 time pedals):

• One pedal as tap tempo master
• MIDI chain to sync others
• Example: Timeline → MIDI → Nemesis → DIG

For complex rigs (6+ pedals):

• Dedicated MIDI controller (Disaster Area G3X)
• Loop switcher with MIDI
• All time effects MIDI-synced
• Programmable presets for each song

The Bottom Line

Tap tempo is essential for any live player with delay. MIDI sync takes it to the next level for complex rigs. Start with tap tempo on your delay pedal—you'll wonder how you ever played without it.