MIDI footcontroller comparison

Started by Elantric, February 08, 2008, 01:30:06 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Elantric

Here's a good MIDI footcontroller comparison table

http://g-force.info/midiboard_comparison.htm
https://www.web.archive.org/web/20150815132417/http://g-force.info/midiboard_comparison.htm



In the old days (1995) the Digitech PMC-10 MIDI footcontroller was king - as each of its 10 pedals  could be programmed to send multiple user created MIDI strings of any type to 16 different MIDI channels.
http://www.loopers-delight.com/tools/PMC10/PMC10.html
There is an Editor for it too

http://www.creepingfog.com/sean/pmc/

Today, the  FCB-1010 with third party "UNO" software is a very attractive alternative

http://www.mtnsys.com/faq-fcb/UnO%20Firmware.htm
A couple Win PC Editors support the UNO equipped FCB-1010:
http://www.mtnsys.com/faq-fcb/PCEditorBeta.htm
http://www.ripwerx.com/GettingStarted.html

The same developer of the free UNO firmware for FCB-1010 has developed his own line of MIDI foot controllers: (but they are costly)
http://www.gordius.be/


And the FCB-1010 lacks the expansion abilities to support multiple external Expression pedals. - this is what Vance demands.


The Yamaha MFC-10 is attractive:

http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/uk/10_musical_instruments/30_guitars_basses_amps/80_amplifier_and_effects/30_midi_foot_controller/10_no_series/MFC10/index.html

Supports  one internal and Four external assignable SW/Exp Pedals.

And is a favorite with Ableton Live users.

and the Nobels MF2 is interesting.
http://godlyke.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=130&thiscat=39&frompage=Online_Store&page_num=1&=SID

There was the Rolls MidiWizzard - but it was poorly built and tended to self destruct.

and  the Rolls MIDIBuddy can not send MIDI CC# event type data - which is specifically what we need to toggle FX on /  off  with the GR-55 / VG-99.

truth57

Hi there, despite being relatively expensive, I have been reading some positive things about the Rocktron All Access Limited Edition and the Voodoo Labs Ground Control Pro, both of which look similar. Then there is also the Rolls Midiwizard and Yamaha MFC-10, but these lack the alpha-numeric LCD display I would like.

The Rocktron All Access LE if it were an affordable option certainly would seem attractive to me with its built-in expression pedal and so many programmable switches. One can clearly see the Bradshaw design that probably influenced Rocktron.

There seem to be many choices out there, but all expensive and bulky, and with the disadvantage of also taking up valuable floor space. Do any of you guys have experience with any of these alternatives to the FC300 and FCB1010?

There seems to me to be a niche in the market for something more compact and lightweight, but still with an expression pedal and options for several more, but with a large enough screen to be able to see the names of the VG-99 patches clearly and with more direct access to patch changes than the VG-99 itself offers.

This is an area in which IMO Line 6 excels.....some of their pedalboards such as the FBV Shortboard really would be perfect for the VG-99, and they are well built too. Unfortunately they do not have standard midi connections and are incompatible with the VG-99 and other non Line 6 products, which is why I sold mine at the same time as my Pod XT.

David

Elantric

#2
Although had you kept both - you could have mapped MIDI CC# messages sent from the FBV/POD to the VG-99.

I occasionally use my Vetta and Large FBV to control the VG-99 - feed the VG-99 in the Vetta FX Loop return. Use a Variax with GK-3 - talk about too many options!

truth57

I was playing with that idea too, and I can see the benefits aside from the Pod XT, but I cannot afford to keep my Variax 500 as well as the VG-99, I really need the money precisely for such things as a midi foot controller. Had the guitar itself been better than my Strat I might have been tempted to hang on to it, but that is far from being the case as it has a neck like a cricket bat  ;D.

But I don't regret selling the Pod XT or the FBV Shortboard despite the versatility of that setup, because I was not all that impressed with the sound, especially the digital effects, which is one reason for my choice of the VG-99. I also disagree that the Variax acoustic sounds are better than those the VG-99 is capable of producing, despite the obvious poor programming of the factory presets which we all know have to be tweaked in order to get the best from them.

David

Elantric

>but that is far from being the case as it has a neck like a cricket bat

I'm old and play mostly vintage 50's early 60's guitars - and I prefer those horse leg necks - like Jeff  Beck and Danny Gatton = better tone for me.

spindly thin JEM neck profiles give me hand cramps after 30 minutes of playing


Elantric

A few are using the GT-10 as a Footcontroller - nice big display.

truth57

Quote from:  sustainiac on April 29, 2008, 02:17:24 PM
A few are using the GT-10 as a Footcontroller - nice big display.

Thank you, but for the second hand price, I am sure that there are better options out there. Does anyone here use the Rocktron Midi Mate with the VG-99? I have seen several for sale here in Spain second hand at reasonable prices, and the Harmony Central reviews would seem to indicate that they have a lot to offer, despite only having a single expression out.
But given that the VG-99 itself has an expression out and I would only need wah control if I were to use a second expression pedal I don't see that as such a great limitation.
What I really like is the ability to directly access up to 10 patches on the VG-99 without having to change banks, and there is not much else with a large display in the same price range that offers the same amount of control as the Midi Mate.
So does anyone have any hands on experience with the Midi Mate combined with the VG-99? Are there any known incompatibility issues?

Thanks,

David

Elantric

#7
In the USA - used FCB-1010 are similar price to the the MIDI Mate - has far more to offer.
I picked up mine for $75

The pick of the litter in the Rolls catalog is the  MIDI Wizard - 6 expression pedal inputs!
http://g-force.info/midiboard_comparison.htm
Nobels MF2 is cool. Easier to locate one in Europe.

The Digitech PMC-10 is undeniably the most programmable unit - capable of sending any type of MIDI stream.



Another seldom mentioned controller is the Zoom 8050. It has a small footprint, and 2 expression pedal inputs, and is highly programable. I have the pdf manual  - a rare thing to have these days. I'll upload it soon. 

vanceg

Actually, the MIDI Wizard has 8 footpedal inputs.  I've got one, but my FC-300 fell on it, and severely dented the MIDI Wizard.  Yikes.  It really isn't very well built.  The biggest issue with the MidiWizard (which I loved because of those 8 inputs) was that the buttons sent NOTHING but Program Change messages. There was/is no way to program them to send CC or Note messages....so without a laptop to do some sort of MIDI message massaging, there was/is no way to get it to control a lot of the commands on the VG-99 (which require MIDI CC messages).

Vance


Quote from:  sustainiac on May 02, 2008, 06:51:45 AM
In the USA - used FCB-1010 are similar price to the the MIDI Mate - has far more to offer.
I picked up mine for $75

The pick of the litter in the Rolls catalog is the  MIDI Wizard - 6 expression pedal inputs!
http://g-force.info/midiboard_comparison.htm
Nobels MF2 is cool. Easier to locate one in Europe.

The Digitech PMC-10 is undeniably the most programmable unit - capable of sending any type of MIDI stream.



Another seldom mentioned controller is the Zoom 8050. It has a small footprint, and 2 expression pedal inputs, and is highly programable. I have the pdf manual  - a rare thing to have these days. I'll upload it soon. 


Microdesignum

Quote from: Elantric on November 15, 2015, 07:56:48 PM
http://www.microdesignum.cz/EN/Products/MIDI-Controllers/MIDI-Grande

According to the table I add the details to MIDI Grande controllers:
Phantom Power: Yes
Display shows: 4 digits
Expression pedals: 2 external
Amp channel switching: possible as a custom adjustment

Elantric

#11

Magiamusical

Those Microdesignum controller looks very good for my GR-55, will research a little more and might order one. Thanks Elantric for the info
Godin LGXT, Les Paul Studio w/GK3, JTV89F w/GK3, GR-55

carlb

#13
I really like the MC-6 foot controller from Morningstar. Small box with six back-lit LCD-labeled stomp switches, inputs for expression pedals, gang-able for more switches.

What's really great is: connect it to your laptop, point the laptop to Morningstar's editor webpage, and configure the pedal (for #CCs #PCs, LCD labels, etc.) via a simple webpage editor.

USB and MIDI connectors. Can draw power from its USB connector, so I just run the one USB control cable to it. Simple, portable, configurable.
ES Les Paul, internal Roland GK
Boss SY-1000, Valeton Coral Amp pedal
Morningstar MC8 & MC6
QSC CP8 powered speaker

admin

#14
Gumtown wrote>

I have seen a 2 button midi pedal which specifically sends midi PC up/down (relative to it's own patch number), but I can't remember the brand, but it does exist.

Patch inc/dec is the job of the midi foot pedal controller, the GR-55 only changes patch to where the controller pedal tells it.


Something like this
http://www.disasterareaamps.com/shop/dmc-2


or this
http://www.disasterareaamps.com/shop/dmc-4-g2



QuoteI have seen a 2 button midi pedal which specifically sends midi PC up/down (relative to it's own patch number), but I can't remember the brand, but it does exist.

RockTron MIDI X-Change pedal does that






Its the "sleeper" MIDI foot controller - I find it powerful, although the Expression pedal MIDI CC# transmission  is fixed and not reconfigurable 

RTM
http://www.rocktron.com/uploads/2/2/2/5/22258814/midi_xchange.pdf


also

Tech-021 MIDI Mouse
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MIDIMouse/





MotorBongo

#15
Hi,

Too bad indeed the RockTron MIDI X-Change has that limitation. Had almost bought one, but then saw the fixed settings.


Let's add this one, it's from plastic but sturdy enough:

TC Electronic  G-Minor  (pic attached)

The Versatile MIDI Footswitch
The G-Minor is a multi purpose MIDI Foot Controller that sends and receives MIDI information. The G-Minor will control any MIDI device using MIDI Control and Program Changes and when used with the TC Electronic G-Major and G-Force* Guitar Processors; certain specific features are available.

When used with the G-Major or the G-Force* you can:
    •    Tap Global Tempo
    •    Switch Effect blocks on and off via MIDI Control Changes
    •    Select presets via Program Changes
    •    Mute the Outputs for silent tuning
    •    Switch channels on your combo or preamp via the G-Major Relay Switch function
    •    Use the Preset level function on the G-Major e.g. for instant change of level for solos etc.
    •    Any other functions that are controlled via a MIDI CC or a Program Change command

*Furthermore several G-Minors can be "daisy-chained" giving you more "on the fly" options.

Bye



admin

The 1st post is stale


check this area for other newer MIDI footcontrollers

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=7.0