Need suggestions for foot controllers / interface that would allow me to use Logic Pro Mainstage live both sides of stick lead and bass or Ableton Live + Guitar Rig live
Thanks- boyerk

I've been working on setting up my Behringer FCB1010 through an M-Audio FastTrack Ultra. Out of the box, the 1010 works as you would expect, but there is plenty of room for tweaking (setting up CC commands, etc.). I really haven't devoted enough time to it yet. If you go this route, spring another $15.00 for iFCB by WabbitRanch - this gives you a visual interface for programming the pedalboard - a BIG timesaver.

Another item that caught my attention is the GiO by Apogee. Really nice sounding audio interface built into a foot pedalboard. Designed to work exclusively with Mac OS-based applications - primarily Logic/Mainstage, GarageBand, Ableton Live. The big drawback for us Stickists - mono input. I met with Apogee's product specialist a couple of weeks ago and asked about the possibility of making a dual-input device, he told me it wasn't in the cards - GiO was designed for guitarists. One could use the GiO in conjunction with a second audio interface to give you multiple inputs. I took a GiO home recently and used it like this on my own system - it was pretty seamless. I just can't justify investing in this board - I already have gear that covers these bases. Depending on your current situation, it might be a good choice.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your results!


Take care,

Paul

The iFCB looks like a good tool, but it appears to be Mac only...and Windows version? I recently acquired a FCB1010 but haven't had a chance to put it through the ringer yet...

Cheers
John

Hi John,

I'm not a Windows user, so I have no personal knowledge about any editors for that platform. There is a user's forum on Yahoo that you can join for more information;

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/fcb1010/


Take care,

Paul

I use a midi pedal board from Yamaha - MFC-10. Absolutely love it! Easy to program and versatile. They cost more then the FCB101 but I feel it's a better controller - at least for what I need. Heck, you can connect 4 additional pedals to it (footswitch or expression) for a total of 5 pedals if you wanted to! Midi note on/off, CC #s, etc..

Thanks - the Yahoo group was very helpful. In addition the Yahoo group FAQ pointed me directly to a Windows based Sysex editor - here:

https://secure.mtnsys.com/faq-fcb/PCEditorBeta.htm

Thanks again

John

Hi there,

As some of the gentlemen above, I also use (and really abuse) a Behringer FBC1010 to command MainStage, and it works great, it is very reliable. I have never tried the UnO version, but some people use it to send MIDI CC commands to switch effects within a patch as this configuration allows some of the switches to act as stomp boxes. If you use MainStage, my recommendation would be to switch patches with specific effect combinations, and you will be super fine with the FBC1010.

There are two software versions to configure this baby (the manual configuration is for people that dig both quantum mechanics and pre-Aztec neurosurgery), one for Windows for free you get by subscribing to the yahoo group mentioned in this thread, and a mac version. I migrated to a Mac setup not long algo, and I have used both. I had some activex conflict problems with the Windows version, but it worked fine when I tried the software in another computer. The Mac version works great.

Regarding using the FBC to setup “both sides” of the instrument, if you use MainStage you work with patches (section of your song that uses a specific combination of sounds), and each patch contains Channel Strips. You just need to configure a channel strip for the melody side and another for the bass side with whatever combination of effects, save the patch, assign to the patch a program change number (the number you will send from your foot controller), and you are ready to go. In my case, my most complicated setup is when I use my Artist Warr Guitar, which has both analog outputs and two MIDI outputs (one for the melody side, and the other for the bass side). With the FBC1010 I switch between patches with very different setups without any kind of problems, in real time. Both MainStage and the FBC1010, highly recommended.

Hope this helps,

Gustavo

I'm not sure what type of controller you mean but if you are talking about a MIDI controller I have some experience with that to share. If you don't mind schlepping heavy gear the Behringer FCB1010 is okay. But not much better than "okay". I've been wearing out three of them during the last nine years; they typically last for exactly three years and there are no spare parts sold to replace whatever is failing. All my three FCBs have had an issue with spitting out random MIDI CC# data that you have not programmed it to send. There is no way to control what data is being leaked and you might be badly fried if a Roland GM type CC# leaks out; that's stuff like CC# 7 (volume), CC#10 (pan) etc.

When my third FCB1010 died recently I realized it was becoming a bit expensive to buy a new each third year so I bought the more expensive Gordius Little Giant 2
http://www.gordius.be/midi-footcontroller-lg.php
to save money in the long run, since this pedalboard is way more sturdy built and uses standard components that can be replaced easily if needed. The LG2 is much smaller en less heavy than the FCB1010 which I like because I sometimes fly with my gear and a light weigh rig means less expensive tickets.

I actually had planned to get the very cool SoftStep
http://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/softstep/
but this new product's shipping date got delayed and I went with the Gordius because I had gigs booked and it was instantly available. I might get a SoftStep later on anyway because of its extensive X-Y vector control options (think "KAOSS Pad").

I had my FCB for a couple of years - had installed the Uno firmware and then went back to factory ( I have an eprom burner so it was relatively easy to keep up with the updates). It was ok but once I started messing around wth the MFC-10 the FCB sat in a corner for well over a year and I finally sold it off. I remember some posts on the Yahoo group about the Gordius Little Giant - that does look like a neat controller.

Dave

Jim Dalrymple posted an article that the SoftStep has begun shipping on Wednesday (perhaps this is only in the U.S. for the moment?).

I believe Zoë Keating (looping cellist extraordinaire) has already implemented the SoftStep into her Mac-based performance rig (thus, replacing her old FCB-1010 pedal rig).


Take care,

Paul