FAQ
Organelle
Will the Organelle's power supply work in my country?
The Organelle's power supply is rated for an input of 100-240 Volts AC at 50/60 Hz so it will work with most power formats. We don't have separate power supplies for different countries. You may have to get a plug adapter like this one (but for your outlet style): Example UK Plug Adapter
What is that rattling sound?
It is probably the wooden keys bumping up against the metal enclosure. If you 'mute' the keys with your hand, the rattle should go away. 🐍
Pocket Piano & Pocket Piano MIDI
How can I tell if my Pocket Piano has the 'hold' function?
Pocket Pianos now sold on our site have the hold function and seven modes.
If you have a Pocket Piano already and are curious if it has the hold function, the sticker on the bottom of the Pocket Piano will have instructions for the hold function. If the sticker lacks this information, your Pocket Piano does not have the hold function.
Is the firmware upgrade still available?
We are no longer offering the service to upgrade Pocket Pianos built prior to summer 2014 with the 'hold' function and seventh mode.
My Pocket Piano stopped working properly! What do I do?
If you were using a battery to power it when it began acting funny, it is most likely caused by a low battery. Pocket Pianos can be sensitive to low batteries. A low battery can cause strange behavior like resetting, switching modes (back to red mode), glitchy or distorted sounds, strange LED colors and/or dimming, going silent, etc. This is especially true when using the onboard speaker which requires more power for its amplifier. Please try a fresh, high quality battery.
If you believe the problem is more serious than a low battery, please contact us here.
My Pocket Piano won't turn on when I try to power it with an external power supply. It is broken, right?
Please double check the power supply's specifications. An external power supply must have the following output specifications: 9VDC, a minimum of 300mA (0.3Amperes) and a 2.1mm barrel connector with center-positive polarity. The center-positive polarity diagram looks like this:
Many guitar pedals use power supplies that are very similar to these specifications. However, they often have a tip with center-negative polarity. These will not work unless you get a reverse-polarity adapter for it. One-Spot, Boss and Roland supplies are typically center-negative.
You may use a power supply that outputs more than 300mA, but not less. Only 9VDC should be provided to the instrument. Voltages above or below 9VDC will cause damage to the instrument.
When you connect a power supply to the instrument, it will disconnect the battery from the circuit.
Why don't my headphones work with my Pocket Piano or Pocket Piano MIDI?
The 1/4” output jack on your synthesizer is monophonic and line level. It will not generate enough voltage to use directly with headphones! (If you try it, the signal will be low in volume and only heard in one channel.)
What is that rattling sound?
It is probably the wooden keys bumping up against the metal enclosure.
Can I control a Pocket Piano MIDI's knobs with MIDI CC messages?
No. Their knobs are not controllable via MIDI CC messages, nor do they send CC messages out.
Why do notes stay on in the Green, Two-Octave Arpeggiator mode?
In the Two-Octave Arpeggiator mode, if Knob 2 is turned all the way to the left, a note may ring indefinitely (regardless of if the 'Hold' is set). This is because the Envelope is set to '0', which the PP can interpret as 'never turn it off.' To avoid/cancel this behavior, please set Knob 2 to a position other than maximum left.
Can I upgrade / modify / hack my non-MIDI Pocket Piano into a Pocket Piano MIDI?
No. An upgrade is not possible.
Bolsa Bass
My Bolsa Bass doesn't turn on when powered by a 9V battery!
The Bolsa Bass is sensitive to a low battery. A low battery can cause the Bolsa Bass to turn off abruptly, cycle on and off, or other similar behaviors. Please try a fresh, high quality battery.
My Bolsa Bass won't turn on when I try to power it with an external power supply. It is broken, right?
Please double check the power supply's specifications. An external power supply must have the following output specifications: 9VDC, a minimum of 300mA (0.3Amperes) and a 2.1mm barrel connector with center-positive polarity. The center-positive polarity diagram looks like this:
Many guitar pedals use power supplies that are very similar to these specifications. However, they often have a tip with center-negative polarity. These will not work unless you get a reverse-polarity adapter for it. One-Spot, Boss and Roland supplies are typically center-negative.
You may use a power supply that outputs more than 300mA, but not less. Only 9VDC should be provided to the instrument. Voltages above or below 9VDC will cause damage to the instrument.
When you connect a power supply to the instrument, it will disconnect the battery from the circuit.
Why don't my headphones work with my Bolsa Bass?
The 1/4” output jack on the Bolsa Bass is monophonic and line level. It will not generate enough voltage to use directly with headphones! (If you try it, the signal will be low in volume and only heard in one channel.)
What is that rattling sound?
It is probably the wooden keys bumping up against the metal enclosure.
Can I control the Bolsa Bass's knobs with MIDI CC messages?
No. Their knobs are not controllable via MIDI CC messages, nor do they send CC messages out.
Someone told me there was a secret mode on the Bolsa Bass. Is that true?
Video Scope, Rhythm Scope and Black & White Video Scope
Do the Video Scope / Rhythm Scope / B&W Video Scope work with European televisions or projectors?
Our video synthesizers only generate a NTSC-formatted signal. However, most newer TVs and projectors can auto-detect and sync to NTSC or PAL signals. So you may not need a NTSC/PAL converter. Please check the input specifications of what you use to display the image.
Will a Video Scope / Rhythm Scope / B&W Video Scope work with a television or projector that only has an HDMI input?
You will need a composite-to-HDMI converter between your video synth and the display unit.
My Video Scope (or Rhythm Scope) is showing up in black & white (no color). What gives?
Some projectors have "3-D" setting that needs to be turned off.
What is the best way to connect my Video Scope / Rhythm Scope / B&W Video Scope to my audio setup?
One way to connect an instrument to the video synthesizer is to first connect it to a mixer and then run the signals you wanted separately to the Video Scope. This allows for maximum level control across all devices.
Depending on your amp's set up you could also try connecting your instrument to your amp first and then running a line from the amp's aux-out jack (effects, headphones, etc.) to a Video Scope.
Septavox
Why don't my headphones work with my Septavox?
The 1/4” output jack on the Septavox is monophonic and line level. It will not generate enough voltage to use directly with headphones! (If you try it, the signal will be low in volume and only heard in one channel.)
Can I control my Septavox's knobs with MIDI CC messages?
No. Their knobs are not controllable via MIDI CC messages, nor do they send CC messages out.
What is that rattling sound?
It is probably the wooden keys bumping up against the metal enclosure.
Does the Septavox have a 'hold' function?
No, it does not.
Do the Video Scope / Rhythm Scope / B&W Video Scope work with European televisions or projectors?
Our video synthesizers only generate a NTSC-formatted signal. However, most newer TVs and projectors can auto-detect and sync to NTSC or PAL signals. So you may not need a NTSC/PAL converter. Please check the input specifications of what you use to display the image.
Will a Video Scope / Rhythm Scope / B&W Video Scope work with a television or projector that only has an HDMI input?
You will need a composite-to-HDMI converter between your video synth and the display unit.
My Video Scope (or Rhythm Scope) is showing up in black & white (no color). What gives?
Some projectors have "3-D" setting that needs to be turned off.
What is the best way to connect my Video Scope / Rhythm Scope / B&W Video Scope to my audio setup?
One way to connect an instrument to the video synthesizer is to first connect it to a mixer and then run the signals you wanted separately to the Video Scope. This allows for maximum level control across all devices.
Depending on your amp's set up you could also try connecting your instrument to your amp first and then running a line from the amp's aux-out jack (effects, headphones, etc.) to a Video Scope.
Kaleidoloop
Can I add tracks to my Kaleidoloop's SD card from my computer so the Kaleidoloop can play them?
No. The Kaleidoloop makes some assumptions about where files are located on the SD card. If you remove tracks or add them to an SD card from a computer, the Kaleidoloop will not be able to locate them correctly. The only way to add sounds (.wav files) to an SD card is to record them with the Kaleidoloop. The only way to delete files on the SD card is to format it (see manual).
What are the specs needed for a new SD Card?
The maximum card size is 2GB. It should be formatted to FAT 16. After formatting, it should be 'erased' by the Kaleidoloop (holding down the Skip Backward, Record, and Skip Forward buttons during power up until the LED flashes two sets of three flashes).
Can I use a Kaleidoloop Microphone with other instruments?
No. It is a powered mic and cannot be used as a mic for instruments other than a Kaleidoloop.
Other Questions
Does Critter & Guitari endorse/sponsor musicians?
At this time we are not doing artist deals and instead aim to keep our instruments as affordable as possible.
Will you make me a customized instrument?
We would love to, but unfortunately scheduling and costs do not permit customization of existing instruments or made-to-order instruments.
If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please visit our contact page.