MC8 pro power requirement

Morningstar Gear MC Pro Series MIDI Controller
1

Hello folks,
I’m thinking of replacing my MC8 with the MC8-Pro and I have a few questions. According to the manual, the “power requirement” is minimum 500mA with 70% screen brightness and a surplus of minimum 100mA is required to use the relay ports. I have a Fender Engine Room LVL12 power supply that provides 9V at 500mA and 2 USB-A and USB-C ports (not all 9v 500mA outputs are at full capacity and some are unused). My intention is to use the relay ports and the 4 omniports with my “Ladder aux switches” and the USB Host (the pedals using the USB Host will be powered by 9v), so, close to all the options of the MC8-Pro.

Questions :

  1. Does the reaction time when you press the footswitches seem shorter for the MC8-Pro than for the MC8?
  2. How do you power your MC8-Pro to obtain adequate current? Do you use a dual power supply, 9v+USB for example?
  3. Does the MC8-Pro come with a power supply in the box?
  4. Are you having success with your 9v 500mA power supplies, even when using relay ports?
  5. Do you have problems with noise when using the USB Host with 9v-powered pedals?
2

Pretty sure that the device will only use one of 9v or USB to power it at a time.

The USB on the device is limited to 500mA IIRC.

The only way to provide full power is with 9v with a PSU that has enough capacity.

3

Thank you for your advice. I see that the USB-A port on my power supply provides 5v 1.5A. Probably the same for the USB-C too. This may be sufficient. I bought this power supply 4 months ago :grimacing:. It’s the best I’ve had. I’ve only found 2 power supplies with outputs above 500mA, and I’m not too keen on changing.

I’ll see, thanks.

4

You can always reduce the screen brightness.

USB power is a bit complicated with varying specs that can provide or use more power. IIRC The spec for the port on the MC8 is 500mA max power draw.

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