Pilot Wave | MIDI Effect Sequencer
Pilot Wave™ by Step Audio multiplies the sonic potential of every MIDI-enabled effect. Pilot Wave sequences effect parameters, unleashing hidden pedal power.
Pilot Wave™ explained
This patented technology turns any MIDI-enabled pedal into a dynamic, rhythmic musical instrument.
Parameters on audio effect pedals normally don't change until you manually adjust them. Some pedals allow expression controllers to "sweep" knobs up and down.
Pilot Wave takes MIDI-enabled pedals to the next level by accessing every available parameter on hundreds of pedals, then dynamically modifying those parameters in sequences of up to 16 steps. You cycle through sequences using one of Pilot Wave's 10 Modes of Operation.
Pilot Wave is even powerful enough to be the Master MIDI Controller for your rig!
* PIlot Wave comes with three cables to connect most any effect *
Our Quick Start page lets you load Pilot Wave with 16 killer presets for many popular pedals:
many more to come!
Eventide H9 and "Factor" Pedal Demo
Chase Bliss Condor | 16 Preset Sampler
Chase Bliss Wombtone | 16 Preset Sampler
Meris Enzo | 16 Preset Sampler
Meris Hedra | 16 Preset Sampler
Strymon Riverside | 16 Preset Sampler
Strymon TimeLine | 16 Preset Sampler
But that's just the beginning .:. the real action is in making your own presets. Pilot Wave lets you modify the stock presets and even store over 100 more!
Pilot Wave's Owner's Manual explains everything.
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• Switching presets on-the-fly is simple.
• Pilot Wave can control up to ten pedals at the same time!
• Pilot Wave works all by itself, but can also be controlled with MIDI Clock, Program Changes, and Control Changes
• You don't need to know anything about MIDI to use Pilot Wave .:. just connect a single cable to your MIDI effect and Rock! On!
In 2-Step™ and 1-Step modes, sequences are manually advanced using the Step Button.
In Tap Tempo, One-Shot, and MIDI Clock modes, Pilot Wave automatically cycles through sequences.
In Rebound, Rebound | Saw Up, and Rebound | Saw Down modes, Pilot Wave advances toward the end of the sequence when you press the Step Button, and retreats back to step one when you release.
Split™ mode allows unprecedented control over sequence playback with a single button.
In MIDI Control Change mode, an external MIDI controller is used to control Pilot Wave.
Playback Mode Demo
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In 2-Step™ mode, you step through sequences using the STEP Button, but instead of advancing once each time the button is pressed, Pilot Wave moves one step when you press down, and another when you release. When the end of the sequence is reached, it starts over at the beginning.
This is Pilot Wave's biggest innovation, and a much more natural and intuitive way to play along with a live band and shifting tempo. You control the speed of the sequence rather than it controlling you.
Stop being a slave to Tap Tempo!
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In 1-Step mode, you step through the sequence using the Step Button. Pilot Wave advances one step each time you press. When the end of the sequence is reached, it starts over at the beginning.
1-Step is particularly useful for changing virtual presets during a song.
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Tap in a tempo and hear looping sequences of shifting parameters. While one loop is playing, you can cue up another for perfectly smooth transitions.
Play against the looping layer of shifting parameters to hear sounds you never thought possible!
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Trigger a single pass through your sequence at your chosen tempo, or "stack" one-shots by pressing multiple times to repeat. Keep the sequence looping by holding down the Step button.
Great for "laser" effects too! Add color to your songs by triggering slower One-Shot sequences at regular intervals.
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MIDI Clock is a powerful tool to remotely control timing and synchronize Pilot Wave's sequences with over 100 other guitar effects, as well as drum machines, synthesizer sequencers, DAW's, recording software, lighting rigs, and more!
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Pressing the Step Button advances toward the end of the sequence at your chosen tempo. When the sequence hits the end, it stops and waits. Releasing the button retreats back toward step one.
Press and release midway through the sequence for funky vibrato vibes!
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Pressing the Step Button advances toward the end of the sequence at your chosen tempo. When the sequence hits the end, it stops and waits. Releasing the button jumps back to step one.
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Pressing the Step Button jumps to the end of the sequence where Pilot Wave waits for you to release. Releasing the button retreats toward step one at your chosen tempo.
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Split mode allows unprecendented control over sequence playback with a single button:
Initially pressing the button advances toward the halfway point. Until it gets there, releasing the button retreats toward step one. Once the halfway point is reached, releasing the button advances toward the end of the sequence. If the button is pressed during the second half, the sequence retreats toward the halfway point and stops if it reaches that point. When the sequence gets to the last step, it proceeds to step one and stops.
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Use any device that sends MIDI Control Change [CC] messages to slide through your 1-Step sequences.
Create custom expression control curves by selecting non-linear sequence intervals
The joys of sequencing are no longer a synth-geek secret. Pilot Wave gives guitar players access to bleeding-edge sounds, and allows discovery of unexplored audio frontiers.
Pilot Wave also produces a wide variety of out-of-this-world sound effects including laser pitch sweeps, bombdrops, and musical sparkles to sweeten your mix.
Does Pilot Wave work with my Effect?
Pilot Wave works with any MIDI-enabled effect, including Meris Enzo Synth, Meris Hedra, Meris Mercury 7 Reverb, Meris Ottobit Jr., Meris Polymoon Delay, Chase Bliss Blooper, Chase Bliss Brothers, Chase Bliss Condor, Chase Bliss Dark World, Chase Bliss Gravitas, Chase Bliss Mood, Chase Bliss Spectre, Chase Bliss Thermae, Chase Bliss Tonal Recall, Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl, Chase Bliss Wombtone, Strymon TimeLine, Strymon Mobius, Strymon BigSky, Strymon Sunset, Strymon Riverside, Strymon Iridium, Strymon Volante, Eventide H9, Eventide PitchFactor, Eventide TimeFactor, Eventide ModFactor, Eventide Space, Eventide Rose, Empress Echosystem, Empress Phaser, Empress Reverb, Empress Tremolo2, Hologram Dream Sequence, WMD Geiger Counter Pro, Bondi Art Van Delay, GFI Systems Specular Tempus, Dr. Scientist Atmosphere, Ramble FX Kismet, Line 6 Helix Floor, Line 6 Helix Control, Line 6 Helix Rack, Line 6 Helix LT, Line 6 HX Effects, Line 6 HX Stomp, Line 6 M13 StompBox Modeler, Line 6 M5 StompBox Modeler, Line 6 M9 StompBox Modeler, Line 6 POD HD500X/HD PRO X, Kemper Profiler, EHX Hog2, Moog MF-105M MIDI MuRF, Moog MF-104M Analog Delay, Moog MF-108M Cluster Flux, to name only a few!**
Why are you stepping on Pilot Wave so much?
Because in 2-Step™ mode, you advance through the sequence with the button. It moves one step when you press down, then another when you release, which is a way more natural way to groove along with the music. The key is to hold down the button longer to hear the even-numbered steps!
There are other modes where the sequence loops automatically (Tap and MIDI Clock), and One-Shot mode where you press once and trigger a single pass through the sequence. Rebound and Split™ modes offer even more ways to dynamically control playback with a single button.
Can Pilot Wave be controlled with MIDI?
Yes, Pilot Wave can be controlled by any MIDI controller. Pilot Wave stores 128 presets that can be recalled with standard MIDI Program Changes. Pilot Wave can also sync to MIDI Clock. There's lots of built in MIDI functionality, but Pilot Wave can also control pedals directly with a single cable.
Pilot Wave is powered by standard "BOSS" type 9-volt DC, 2.1mm, 200mA min., tip negative power supply (sold separately). Current draw ~ 150mA.
*** Always use a separate or isolated power source ***
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4.8" (122mm) Wide x 2.9" (74mm) Deep x 2" (51mm) Tall
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Road-ready MIDI Machinery™, built in Oregon, USA by Step Audio.
Pilot Wave Owner's Manual**All other pedal names and brands are trademarks of their respective companies which are unrelated to Step Audio.
© 2020, Step Audio. Patented. Additonal Patents Pending. All Rights Reserved.