Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[d_steinschneider]

I want to control Jamstix with a midi foot controller.

The options I've seen so far:
1. Find an obsolete pedal like the Digitech RP1
2. Buy something like the Tech21 Midi Mongoose
3. DIY - I've found some plans using Teensy (arduino board) plus momentary switches, leds and possibly a small lcd display.
4. Strip a PC keyboard and glue larger buttons onto a few of the keys spaced out and then use some software like Bome Midi Translator to send the Midi note commands (I have already sort of done this - I stripped a keyboard leaving just the space bar which I tap with my foot to stop and start Youtube when I'm figuring out how to play something on the bass)

I'm looking at this open source project as a way to translate the pc keyboard presses to midi notes: http://vmpk.sourceforge.net/

I use Reaper - found that it has PC Keyboard to midi note translation ability built in. Here's an example of someone hacking a USB joystick into a foot controller: https://damacleod.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/setting-up-reaper-to-work-with-my-usb-footswitch/

Has anyone here set up a foot controller for Jamstix? I would also use it for live looping with another VST I have.

[Azimuth]

I used a Behringer FCB-1010 back in my live playing days to control my vst guitar set up. It would have worked very well with Jamstix if I had needed it to but that doesn't really fall under the DIY category I suppose.

[d_steinschneider]

I saw the Behringer FCB-1010 during my researching and noticed it has many good features at the lowest possible price point like many other Behringer products that I think are a good value such as the Xenyx 502 mixer.

Probably if I'm smart I'll just get the FCB-1010, it will be useful for some other bass related projects.

[Azimuth]

If you do go the FCB-1010 route make sure to get the 3rd party programming software at https://mountainutilities.eu/fcb1010 if you want to keep your sanity. Programming the 1010 through the pedalboard is the one place where Behringer really came up short. The unit is stellar otherwise.

P.S. Make sure the unit you get has firmware 2.5+ if you are getting a used one. Earlier firmware had some issues.

[Grem_Songs]

How can you tell what firmware it's got in it? Would the seller know?

[Azimuth]

Unfortunately short of an honest seller or having physical access to the unit so you could either open it up and check the sticker on the eeprom or query the unit with the 3rd party programming software, there is none. At the price point that a new unit sells for, I personally wouldn't risk it.

[d_steinschneider]

I've been watching ebay sales of FCB1010 foot pedals and concluded you should just pay the $149 for a new one. They sell usually for about $100 but most sellers are charging $25 shipping or more