Pilot Wave turns your pedalboard into a MIDI Sequencer
Stompbox sequencing
5,0 / 5,0 | 
Step Audio makes some really interesting control boxes. Its latest effort is called Pilot Wave, a pedal-sized stomp sequencer that allows you to control parameters and sequence patterns easily using MIDI. Given what we know so far, this thing might open up some fascinating creative possibilities for musicians…
Stomp Sequencing
The concept is simple enough. Put a simple sequencer into a pedal format to open up the creative process of making music. The Pilot Wave sequences the effect parameters for MIDI-enabled stompboxes. You can now take, for example, your favourite Strymon, Digitech or Chase Bliss Audio pedal and sequence parameters in real time with your foot.
Step Audio Pilot Wave stomp box sequencer · Source: Step Audio
16 steps
Its simple 16-step sequencer lets the Pilot Wave modulate and filter, overdrive and distort – or perhaps pitch shift and pan – their guitar signal in patterns. You can then dynamically modify up to 10 parameters at a time. I can see this opening up new ways of using your exiting effect pedals to create new pieces of music.
The Pilot Wave supports Tap Tempo and MIDI Clock sync, so it should be easy to get all your gear working in sync.
Presets
16 factory presets are included to let you get started with pedals like the Chase Bliss Condor, Meris’ Enzo and Hedra, plus Strymon’s Riverside and TimeLine. More are in the pipeline. The presets include 10 unique playback modes, including 7 manual control modes so users can make their own.
Pilot Wave MIDI stomp sequencing made easy · Source: Step Audio
Edit Sequences
By using the Online Programmer via Google Chrome, you can muck about with Pilot Wave sequences by creating, editing or even sharing them. The box ships with a USB-MIDI cable, plus three different Step Audio MIDI cables.
Pilot Wave
Check out the Pilot Wave in action in the official video below, or head on over to the website via the link at the bottom to get the full specifications. There is a comprehensive list of supported pedals on the page and also demo videos for many of them as well. Because it relies on MIDI, the system is open and can integrate well with other external MIDI-enabled devices. That may make it inspiring in lots of applications.
I think it offers a lot for a very reasonable price point. This could be perfect for stomp box addicts stuck in a rut that need some more creative tools to help make music.
RRP – USD 199.99
More Information
Video
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