Disaster Area Designs Micro.CLOCK

The Disaster Area micro.clock is an intelligent tap tempo and clock source for your pedalboard. Synchronize two tap-tempo compatible pedals plus control one additional device with tap tempo, MIDI, or control voltage.

The micro.clock leverages our advanced SMARTClock technology in a tiny package – just 3.6″ x 1.5″ x 1.6″ (93 x 38 x 42mm.)

Tap the footswitch to set the master clock tempo. The micro.clock will then send taps to your devices to lock them in to your music.

Selectable subdivisions let you tap in quarter-notes and set your devices to dotted-eighths, eight-notes, or triplets!

Tap the knob to view or change the subdivisions or output settings for each output, then hold the knob to save the current settings to a preset.

Hold the footswitch down to advance to the next preset. You can even set the number of accessible presets so that you only use what you need.

Each tempo preset allows you to specify a tempo in BPM or milliseconds, as well as subdivisions or toggle settings for each of the three outputs. You can also set the micro.clock to send a MIDI Program Change to an external MIDI device.

Have a pedal that needs an odd or unusual configuration for tempo control? The micro.clock works with devices that accept a normally-open or normally-closed footswitch, and can even send 0-3.3V control voltage that works with pedals with expression control of delay / tempo. Check with your pedal builder for details on their expression options!

Should you buy the micro.clock instead of the SMARTClock Gen3 or the DMC series?

It depends on your desired use for the controller. The short version goes like this: If you have 1-3 non-MIDI tap tempo pedals the micro.clock is perfect. If you need more MIDI functionality and you already have a MIDI controller, then look at the SMARTClock Gen3. If you need to send taps to mostly MIDI devices and control their programs as well, we recommend the DMC Gen3 series.

Think of the micro.clock as a smarter version of your average tap tempo switch, one that can send different subdivisions from your initial taps. It can send MIDI but in a limited way, and requires adaptor cables to connect to MIDI gear with 5-pin ports.

The SMARTClock Gen3 is a bit larger and more expensive but a lot more capable. It can send taps to up to 4 devices at once, and send MIDI to three different destinations. If you have MIDI gear with 1/4″ inputs such as Chase Bliss, Meris, Empress, or Alexander it can send MIDI to them directly. The SMARTClock Gen3 can also receive and merge MIDI data with its own clock signal, so it integrates into your larger rig easily.

The DMC Gen3 series have a more limited clock and tap functionality but are far more powerful in terms of controlling your MIDI devices. You can send MIDI clock to all of your devices as well as send taps to a single device using any of the DMC Gen3 series. The DMC-6 and DMC-8 Gen3 have two additional tap outputs for a total of three. In addition, you can control the program, bypass, expression, and more on your MIDI pedals using one of the DMC series.

Features
Blue LED display shows tempo in Beats Per Minute or milliseconds.
Two (2) isolated optical relay powered Tempo Outputs or Function Switch Outputs.
One MultiJack connectors can function as Tempo Outputs, Function Switch Outputs, Control Voltage Output (0-3.3V,) Footswitch Inputs, or MIDI Outputs.
MIDI Clock output synchronizes a connected MIDI device
Multi-Jack functions as tap tempo input, Control Voltage Output, third Tempo Output, or additional MIDI output (requires adaptor cables.)
Internal DIP switches to customize each output.
Tap Tempo mode with selectable tap subdivisions for each output.
Up to 99 user-accessible presets.
Receives external MIDI clock from a computer or other device, Tempo Outputs sync to incoming clock.
Sends tap signals and clock from 30-240 beats per minute.
Available subdivisions include Quarter, Dotted Eighth, Quarter Triplet, and Eighth Notes
Runs on standard 9V power, 60mA minimum.
Compatibility – Tap Outputs
The micro.clock Gen3 is compatible with virtually every pedal or effects unit equipped with a remote tap tempo input jack. In toggle mode, the micro.clock outputs can work as a “fixed expression” control with many devices. Please note that some devices may require the use of a TRS / stereo cable or to have the micro.clock pull-up resistors enabled for certain functions.

Alexander – Tap: History Lesson, Super Radical, Oblivion, Radical Delay ][+, Chesapeake, Equilibrium DLX, Quadrant, Colour Theory, Wavelength

Alexander – *Favorite: Super Radical, Oblivion, Radical Delay ][+, History Lesson, All Neo Series pedals

BOSS – Tap DD-500, RV-500, MD-500, SY-300, DD-5, DD-7, DD-20, PH-3, AW-3 (requires connected output set to normally closed.)

Catalinbread – Semaphore, Belle Epoch Deluxe (uses Control Voltage mode)

Chase Bliss – Tap All pedals except Brothers

Chase Bliss – Favorite All pedals

Cusack – Tap-A-Whirl, Tap-A-Delay, Tap-A-Phase, Tap-A-Scream, more. (requires 1/4″ to RCA cable)

Disaster Area – Gen2 (DMC-3XL, DMC-4, DMC-6D, DMC-8D, DMC-7, DMC-6L, DPC-5) and Gen3 (DMC-3XL, DMC-4, DMC-6, DMC-8, DPC-5, NNB)

Electro-Harmonix – Tap: Deluxe Memory Man with Tap 1100 / 550, Super Pulsar

Electro-Harmonix – Expression: HOG2, Pitch Fork, Cock Fight, more

Eventide – H9, Timefactor, Modfactor, Pitchfactor, Space

JHS – Panther, Panther Cub, Emperor, Unicorn, Pink Panther

Line 6 – *Favorite / Expression: AM-4, DL-4, DM-4, MM-4, M5, M9, M13. Not compatible for tap tempo with Line 6.

Matthews Effects – Conductor

MXR – Echoplex Delay, Carbon Copy Deluxe

Strymon – Tap: Timeline, Mobius, BigSky, Flint*, Deco*, Dig*

Strymon – *Favorite: Brigadier, Deco, DIG, El Capistan, Flint, Lex, Riverside, Sunset

Walrus Audio – Tap: Bellwether, ARP-87

Walrus Audio – *Favorite: Vanguard, Descent (use expression pedal input)

*Most pedals require TRS cable and pull-up resistor enabled for favorite or expression control. Some Strymon products require TRS cable and pull-up resistor for tap tempo.



Compatibility – MIDI Clock
Please note that the micro.clock requires the use of an adaptor cable for MIDI input and output.

MJ-5P MultiJack to 5-pin MIDI cable



Alexander – Oblivion, Super Radical, Quadrant, Colour Theory, Wavelength

Boss – DD-500, SL-20 Slicer

Chase Bliss – All pedals except Brothers and Condor

Empress – Echosystem, Reverb, Tremolo2, Phaser

Eventide – H9, Timefactor, Modfactor, Pitchfactor, Space

Electro-Harmonix – 8-Step Program

Line 6 – M5, M9, M13, more

Meris – OttoBit Jr., Polymoon

Moog – MF-104M Delay, MF-104MSD Super Delay, MF-105M MIDI MurF, MF-108M Cluster Flux

Pigtronix – Echolution 2 (including Deluxe and Filter / Filter Pro,) Infinity

Source Audio – Orbital, Manta, Stingray, Gemini, Lunar, Mercury (All require use of Soundblox or Neuro Hub,) Nemesis Delay, Reflex

Strymon – Timeline, Mobius, BigSky

TC Electronic – Flashback X4, Alter Ego X4, Flashback Triple Delay, Ditto X4,

Z-Vex – Super Seek-Trem, Super Ringtone, Super Seek-Wah



Many more pedals are supported! – please contact our support department if you have questions before purchasing.

Manufacturers and Safety Information

You can also find the economic operator responsible for the product on the respective product, its packaging, or in a document accompanying the product.

Specific safety instructions applicable to the product can be found in the user guide.