TS8-MS is the only MIDI-enabled Analog Overdrive & MIDI Guitar Amp Channel Switcher in a classic and tiny guitar effect pedal!

TS8-MS is an analog overdrive pedal with a classic 808 tubescreamer feel and with added quirks. Alongside being a tubescreamer effect, it combines MIDI functionalities and switching capabilities. It can be used as a MIDI amp channel switcher, making it a reliable, one-of-a-kind tool for guitarists.

We call it the Swiss Army Knife of Tone.

TS8-MS responds to MIDI Program Change (PC) and MIDI Control Change (CC) messages for all of its switching capabilities: bypass and external switching.

It can even be used as a very simple MIDI Controller! On footswitch action, TS8-MS transmits three MIDI Program Change numbers, one for each pedal state: Bypass, Overdrive, and Extended (long push on the footswitch).

A 16-position Multi-Function Switch inside pedal assigns a switching pattern for the two independent Switching Relays, in relation to pedal’s state (Bypass, Overdrive, or Extended). This pattern is applied to footswitch action alone and is independent of the MIDI-controlled switching capabilities. With this function, for example, this single pedal can control the amplifier’s channel and an external multi-effects unit, on top of being an overdrive effect.

The TS8-MS does not store presets. A programmable MIDI Controller (i.e. Rocktron Midimate, etc.) must be configured with the appropriate MIDI messaging to which the TS8-MS will respond. Please read the manual and the quick setup guide for a better understanding of how it works.

From smooth overdriven tone to rawer distortion voicing

TS8-MS MIDI Overdrive has classic analog controls: Gain, Tone, Output, plus an additional 3-toggle switch for selecting clipping mode, which expands the Gain control for three different voicings:

• Classic – symmetric clipping with Silicon diodes, used for classic tubescreamer feel & sound, where more saturated compression is needed.
• Asymmetric – also using Silicon diodes, provides a bit of air into the clipping and adds a little more gain; it really helps with higher gain amplifiers.
• Custom – it comes with our selection of LEDs. This mode is better for an almost clean sound or as a boost in the lower gain settings. In the higher gain setting, it provides a wilder distortion.

In any voicing, the playing dynamic is gracefully complemented by dynamic, tube-like, musical distortion with gentle recovery. When using TS8-MS, the instrument’s volume control suddenly becomes your new best friend!

Higher gain settings reveal more clipping, compression, and singing sustain, especially with Classic and Asymmetric modes, while LED’s make the pedal behave more like a distortion effect.

A highly versatile pedal: MIDI-enabled analog overdrive, MIDI amp channel switcher, MIDI controller

With the TS8-MS pedal, you not only add a quality analog overdrive in front of a guitar amplifier and switch it remotely with a programmable MIDI controller, but you can also switch the amplifier’s channels with MIDI commands.

This means you are adding MIDI RELAY SWITCHING to almost any guitar amplifier that supports external switching.

You can also use TS8-MS’s MIDI switching capabilities to control other pedals that support external switching.

Note: An external power supply is not included with the product. Our pedals have recessed DC Power Connectors which require a 12mm long barrel plug.

For those not requiring the MIDI switching sophistication, we released a mini version of this circuit – the Ziffer Overdrive. Backed up by Jordan Ziff (guitarist at Hot Crazy, Ratt, and Marty Friedman band) and offering the same core tonal characteristics as the TS8-MS, the Ziffer also features a Deep switch to enhance Lows in the clipping stage, plus two additional trimmers: a Mix control to blend Clean Dry over the Overdriven Wet and a Dry EQ control to inject either Flat Clean or enhanced Highs/Lows.

This adds more options for fine-tuning the screamer on single coils or bass instruments.

More info

 Manual
 Quick Setup
 MIDI Controller Programming
 Demo Video