Footcontroller alternative

Waterham · Mar 4th 2014

I know that some of us are still waiting for the Kemper footcontroller. I'm sure it will be available someday. I'm also sure that this will cost us a lot of money (again). In the meantime I see a lot of you using the Behringer/Uno option. I'm sure this is a good and cheap alternative. For me the Behringer is too large to carry around and it could be even cheaper...

I recently finished my DIY project which is building my own MIDI footcontroller. Based on an old Boss FC-50 and an Arduino board (which is a programmable microcontroller). I have dedicated a website to this project. You will find the details here: http://www.pekenverenmediaproducties.nl/projects.
My controller is small and cheap, but can do more than some of the commercial products. Maybe a bit too complex if you don't have programming/electronics skills. But too my opinion this project was not too complex.

I hope this will inspire you!

[Blocked Image: http://www.pekenverenmediaproducties.nl/projects/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/smallFC50Mod.jpg]

Ingolf · Mar 4th 2014

Welcome and wow!

viabcroce · Mar 5th 2014

Ciao Waterham, welcome here

Very cute piece of DIY indeed! Should you feel inclined, you might start selling them!

Waterham · Mar 5th 2014

I'm perfectly happy with my current work. Music is a hobby and to keep it a hobby, I won't be selling these footcontrollers.
But if anyone feels this is an opportunity, go for it!
It's really not complicated and given the "normal" prices of commercial available footcontrollers, you could make a nice profit!

Rescator · Mar 5th 2014

I have T Rex, Made in Denmark - Bigg foot midi controller and T rex Max 1 switcher.
Old, vintage product from 1996 , but still fucking expensive .

(http://www.synergyguitars.com/…/T-Rex-Pedals-Effects.htm -scroll to the middle of the page , or :http://www.t-rex-effects.com/hall-of-fame/ )
You cannot destroyed it with a small hammer, you need a really biiig hammer to do some small damage to Tyrannosaurus Rex thing
Didn't measure it , but must be close to 10 or so kg in weight.
And it works like a breeze .
Btw, my Kemper is very happy with it , I can also nicely control 6 effects from KPA pre and post effect chain (with 6 toggle switches) , since my Wah Wah and vibrato are locked, the rest of 6 position is under control .
Performance mode allows even more control, and I do not use any more normal programs changes (except when assessing profiles)
The pure pleasure is when you press on and off the buttons - you can feel and hear very loudly the heavy metal from which this thing has been built .
Max 1 -analog/midi switcher allows me to control KPA it self , two valve amps and my standard pedal board - no shit

All in all , I am not pretty interested in hardly waiting to come KPA FB - if it comes in plastic dressing and if its not built from heavy metal and bullet proof, I will stick to my Tyrannosaurus Rex for a next millennium or so
Simply because I think FB must be heavy built and must be big for using with foot . All the rest of performances may come up like a bonus.
Cheers,
Zoran

Waterham · Mar 5th 2014

Wow, massive footcontroller! 10 patches direct accessible and all those controllers. I can imagine you are happy with it.
But the price... with two of those you can buy a brand new KPA.

Rescator · Mar 5th 2014

Actually , I didn't bought it, + $2.000 is insane for 15 kg of heavy metal.
I swooped my previous "headache maker" amp for KPA and 2 Trex units, everybody happy

ur2funky · Mar 5th 2014

I recently modded my Moose

[Blocked Image: http://ur2funky.smugmug.com/Music/Thomsley-Guitar/i-hXzcZXx/0/L/DSC_0633-L.jpg]

Waterham · Mar 5th 2014

Looks like I'm not the only one who wants a small controller on the floor.
Nice job. I saw your mod earlier when I was working on mine. Same problem, different solution!

Pixelman · Mar 6th 2014

Wow, it's really great, I'd like to transform my old line 6 floorboard
[Blocked Image: http://www.musiciansbuy.com/mmMBCOM/Images/Line6_floorboard.jpg] For the moment i use it with the pod linked with midi cable to the kemper, not ideal and there's a lot of things i can't do with it.

Waterham · Mar 6th 2014

Quote from Pixelman

Wow, it's really great, I'd like to transform my old line 6 floorboard
[Blocked Image: http://www.musiciansbuy.com/mmMBCOM/Images/Line6_floorboard.jpg] For the moment i use it with the pod linked with midi cable to the kemper, not ideal and there's a lot of things i can't do with it.

Yes you can! This board has even the same number of switches and pedals as in my design. I'd say go for it!
If you need any help/advice, don't hesitate to contact me.

Pixelman · Mar 6th 2014

Quote from Waterham

Yes you can! This board has even the same number of switches and pedals as in my design. I'd say go for it!
If you need any help/advice, don't hesitate to contact me.

Oh thank you for that, I really want to accept your help but i think i will bother you too much cause i don't know anything about doing this !!

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