Tempest MidiGear
- Hudson, FL, United States
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Welcome to Tempest MidiGear — born out of sheer dislike for the plastic boxes that flood today’s MIDI controller market. Lifeless, soulless hunks of mass‑produced mediocrity with no personality. I looked at those uninspiring boxes and finally said, “Enough.” Tempest MidiGear was built on one furious idea: to create desktop MIDI controllers that are tactile, rugged, and dripping with style — without sacrificing a damn thing when it comes to performance.
Every unit is designed, developed, and hand‑built in Hudson, Florida — far from the cold, automated hellscapes that churn out the plastic cluttering your desk. We’re talking fully MIDI‑mappable potentiometers for precise, tactile control, metal buttons ready to map (I suggest transport controls for play, stop, and record), a detented rotary encoder with press function for scrolling and selecting on all models, and an A/B toggle switch that instantly doubles the pots and buttons so you can control two VST's at a time. All of it housed in a solid black aluminum enclosure with real weight in your hands, framed with handmade walnut side panels, and topped with timeless solid aluminum knobs. No cheap plastic. No rubber pads pretending to be buttons. No cookie‑cutter knobs or flimsy switches. This is gear that looks lethal, feels alive, and begs to be pushed. Every control is wide‑open MIDI territory — just plug, map, and play until the walls rattle.
The VS‑1 is my debut masterpiece — born from an obsession with boutique quality, and the layout of Valhalla Supermassive, powered by a high‑performance microchip, precision‑engineered PCBs, and top‑quality components chosen for reliability and feel. It’s crafted to work seamlessly with Valhalla Supermassive — or any VST/DAW you throw at it. It’s USB Class‑Compliant MIDI, so there are no drivers, no installs, and no hoops to jump through. This isn’t some flimsy, off‑the‑shelf controller — it’s a finely tuned instrument for musicians who demand both performance and personality. Whether you’re shaping vast, cinematic soundscapes or bending sounds in your VST synth, the VS‑1 delivers the kind of visceral, hands‑on control those soulless plastic bricks could never dream of. And because I believe in what I build, I stand behind every unit with a full one-year warranty, so you know you’re investing in quality.
Tempest MidiGear isn’t just a brand; it’s a rebellion against the disposable, the uninspired, the ordinary. I’m here to bring back the era when instruments were built to last, to inspire, and to be a joy to use — not just another piece of pawn shop inventory waiting to happen.
“WELCOME TO YOUR MACHINE.”
— Daniel Tempest
Shipping Policy
I will ship with tracking to the listed regions. To negotiate shipping rates to other locations, please send me a message.
Return Policy
New Items
Returnable within 14 days of delivery.
Used & Vintage Items
Returnable within 7 days of delivery.
General Terms
Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs unless the item was not received as described.
Tax Policies
| Region | Rate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Alaska, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Arizona, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Arkansas, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| California, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Colorado, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Connecticut, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| District of Columbia, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Florida, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Georgia, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Hawaii, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Idaho, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Illinois, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Indiana, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Iowa, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Kansas, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Kentucky, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Louisiana, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Maine, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Maryland, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Massachusetts, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Michigan, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Minnesota, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Mississippi, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Missouri, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Nebraska, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Nevada, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| New Jersey, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| New Mexico, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| New York, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| North Carolina, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| North Dakota, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Ohio, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Oklahoma, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Pennsylvania, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Puerto Rico, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Rhode Island, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| South Carolina, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| South Dakota, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Tennessee, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Texas, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Utah, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Vermont, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Virginia, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Washington, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| West Virginia, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Wisconsin, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
| Wyoming, US* | Calculated at checkout | ||||
Manufacturers and Safety Information
Tempest VS‑1 Quick Start Guide
Tempest MidiGear — Hand‑Built in Hudson, Florida
What’s in the Box
1 × Tempest VS‑1 MIDI Controller
1 × USB Cable (Micro‑B to USB‑A)
1 × Quick Start Guide (this sheet)
System Requirements
Works with any Mac, PC, or iOS device
Compatible with all major DAWs and VST plugins
No drivers required (USB Class‑Compliant MIDI)
Setup
Connect the VS‑1 to your computer using the included USB cable.
Your computer will recognize it automatically as “Tempest VS‑1”.
Open your DAW (Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, Reaper, etc.).
Select Tempest VS‑1 as a MIDI input device in your DAW settings.
Controls
10 Potentiometers (Knobs): Send MIDI CC 0–9 (Bank A) or CC 10–19 (Bank B).
A/B Toggle Switch:
Down = Bank A (CC 0–9)
Up = Bank B (CC 10–19)
Rotary Encoder: Sends CC #20 (smooth scrolling / menu navigation).
Encoder Button: Sends CC #21 (press to select / toggle).
Preset Button: CC #22
Mode Button: CC #23
Clear Button: CC #24
Bank Switch: CC #25 (0 = Bank A, 127 = Bank B)
Mapping in Your DAW
Enter MIDI Learn mode in your DAW or plugin.
Click the parameter you want to control.
Twist a knob or press a button on the VS‑1.
The assignment will save instantly. Repeat for all desired controls.
Tips
The A/B toggle doubles your control surface without taking more space — 20 knobs in a 10‑knob footprint.
The encoder is ideal for browsing presets, scrolling menus, or fine‑tuning values.
No extra software needed — just plug, map, and create.
1-Year Limited Warranty
Boutique Quality
I build the Tempest VS‑1 with absolute confidence — using only the best components: solid aluminum knobs on metal‑shaft potentiometers, heavy‑duty metal switches and buttons, a rugged black aluminum enclosure, handmade solid walnut side panels, and a high‑powered microprocessor at its core. Every unit is engineered to deliver years of reliable performance, but for peace of mind, your controller is backed by a 1‑Year Limited Warranty.
What’s Covered
For one year from the date of purchase, I will repair or replace your VS‑1 at no charge if it stops working due to defects in materials or workmanship.
What’s Not Covered
Physical damage from drops, spills, or misuse
Normal wear and tear
Damage from unauthorized repairs or modifications
Units that have been opened or tampered with
How To Get Service
If you run into an issue, contact me directly with your proof of purchase. I’ll walk you through the next steps to get your unit back in working order quickly.
My Promise
I stand behind every VS‑1 I build. If something goes wrong under normal use, I’ll make it right.
Support
Visit tempestmidigear.com for updates, tips, and future firmware downloads.
For questions, contact [email protected].