Control Your UAFX Pedals Over MIDI - UAFX 2.0 is Here!

Unlock USB-MIDI Control for Your UAFX Pedals 

At Gsus4, we’re all about enabling musicians with next-level tools and seamless workflows. Today, we’re excited to bring you the key insights from the folks at Universal Audio, who’ve rolled out a powerful update to their UAFX pedal line.

Here’s a breakdown of what this means — and how you can take full advantage of it.

What’s USB-MIDI all about?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) debuted in 1983 to help keyboards, drum machines and computers talk to each other. It records not just the notes you play, but how you play them — dynamics, controller movements, timing. Today, it’s central to both studio production and live setups. 

For guitarists, MIDI has evolved from a studio tool to a live rig essential. Imagine standing on stage and changing your amp channel, kicking in a delay, switching pedals, all with one foot-press. That’s the promise. 

What’s new with UAFX 2.0?

Here’s the exciting part: UAFX pedals now support USB-MIDI natively. You no longer need to rely solely on 5-pin DIN MIDI setups — the USB-C port handles the MIDI messages. 

In concrete terms:

• Connect your pedal as a USB device to a USB-MIDI host (computer, dedicated controller, USB hub). 

• Multiple pedals can be chained via USB hub so you control several at once. 

• For traditional 5-pin MIDI controllers, you can use a USB host adapter (DIN-to-USB) to bring that signal into the USB-MIDI world. 

What can you do with it?

Because your pedal is now “MIDI aware” over USB, the amount of control opens up significantly:

• Recall any saved preset instantly (Program Change 0-127). 

• Change multiple pedals with one command: e.g., lead preset on your amp pedal + dotted-eighth delay on your echo unit + shimmering plate reverb on your reverb unit. 

• Turn effects on/off mid-song with MIDI commands — no manual stomp needed. 

• Use expression control via MIDI CC to adjust parameters in real time (gain, feedback, mix levels). 

• Sync delays/modulations to your session tempo via MIDI Beat Clock. 

Why does this matter for you?

If you’re building a modern pedalboard or live rig, USB-MIDI means:

• Less cabling mess (USB over DIN simplifies things)

• Tighter integration across your gear (pedals, amp modeller, DAW, backing tracks)

• Faster transitions, more reliable preset switching, fewer hiccups on stage

• Expandability: start with one pedal and scale up to several, centrally controlled

What you’ll need to get started

To harness USB-MIDI control, here’s the gear you’ll want:

• A MIDI controller (or pedalboard controller) compatible with USB MIDI or DIN MIDI + USB host adapter. -> Morningstar MC8 Pro

• A USB hub (if controlling multiple pedals) and USB-C/A to USB-C cables. 

• Your UAFX pedal updated to the latest firmware, and the companion control app updated. 

Final thoughts

At Gsus4, we believe that gear should serve your creative flow — not hinder it. With USB-MIDI control built into your UAFX pedals, you’re stepping into a streamlined, powerful control setup. Whether in the studio or on stage, you’re free to focus on playing, not stomping.

Need help wiring it all up? Swing by Gsus4 or give us a call — we’re happy to walk you through the setup or help pick compatible gear.

Find out more on this topic at UA's website - https://www.uaudio.com/blogs/ua/unlock-uafx-with-usb-midi-control