Hey all,
I am trying to coerce my guitarist to switch over to GP from his Fractal Axe-III.
Has anyone had experience with the Behringer FCB1010, and if it can be treated as any other MIDI controller through GP? Will it transmit MIDI data that is “learnable” in GP through standard widget assigning?
I have seen EEPROM replacement chips for this unit, but don’t know if that would be applicable for use with GP.
Thanks!
Joe
I haven’t used that interface myself but I do know that lots of GP users do absolutely use it.
This was an accidental repost from one a few weeks ago, David…please feel free to delete.
Joe
By default, the buttons send PC messages. So unless you only want to use it for rackspace/song changes, you’ll need to reprogram it. It has no editor, and the on-unit programming is challenging. That’s why the custom chips get used. They make it a lot easier to reprogram and add a lot more flexibility.
Good luck with that! We had one that only had a guitar processor, and the new one we start playing with in September has effects pedals and a guitar amp that we have to mic. And he’s the youngest in the band!
@rank13, regarding the Behringer FCB1010, do we need anything else with GP than a pedalboard sending CC messages? 
Bidirectional syncing of button LEDs is a nice plus!
So, that’s the point, thank you.
I also use a FCB1010 and some chip (cost about 10 euro or something, forgot the name).
Not only for FCB but in general, the benefit of GP is that whatever input some MIDI device gives, you always can convert it with scripting to anything you want. Although CC messages are the easiest to use.
I use the FCB1010 but it’s misleading(?probably?) to actually call it that. There is a piece of gear - a Tinybox - that is a MIDI touch controller, setlist manager/lyrics display, sheet music app, MIDI filter/router, MIDI USB interface, and a FCB1010 “booster” - all contained in a small box that measures 75mm x 100mm x 45mm high, and it includes a wireless router which also provides a display (and control surface) on an iPad, tablet, in addition to your computer. The company that makes it used to make the Gordius Little Giant if anyone is familiar with that. It works whether the FCB1010 is connected or not, but what it does with the FCB1010 is makes it a slave for what the Tinybox can do. You have the best of both (several?) worlds - a foot controller and hand/touch display control surface as well as the computer interface. I have included a few screenshots below.
I have numerous other MIDI controllers but this one, IMO, is the one I use the most, at least for me, and the programming and control possibilities seem to be endless. Total cost, including buying a FCB1010 to act as the foot controller hardware, is about $500, but it does require a very uncomplicated swap of the factory FCB1010 EEPROM and installing a power supply board which can use wirenuts or buttsplices, so the FCB1010 is powered by phantom power through the cable to the Tinybox. The system can also be expanded up to 4 additional switches with an optional jackbox.
The virtual, display and foot control hardware can be programmed on the fly as you play, the interface is that good - almost as good like GP 
You can even program the Tinybox to use your computer keyboard keys, your actual keyboard keys, or other midi enabled control surface buttons or keys to control the Tinybox (as I understand their documentation). Many possibilities. Tinybox also has a great support community. You can probably tell I am a fan
Hi @CruiseCycle thanks for the information on the Tinybox. A couple of guys and I are putting together a little group (guitar, banjo, and mandolin) to play some music at assisted care places in the area. We haven’t found a bass player and I was thinking of getting the Behringer foot controller to switch between rackspaces in GP and also be able to play some very simple bass parts. Do you think I need the Tinybox upgrade for this or will the stock Behringer do the job? Thanks.
Out-of-the-box the FCB1010 will send PC messages, which is perfect for selecting rackspaces.
Thanks for that. I have never used a foot controller and I was pretty sure it would send PC messages to change rackspaces. Here is what I’m not sure of. If I have a midi keyboard connected to (for example) Scaler, and I have Scaler set up to play a little arp when I press a key on the controller, as long as I hold the key down on the keyboard, the arp will continue to play. The keyboard is sending a note to Scaler. Now let’s say I replace the keyboard with the Behringer foot controller. If I press and hold one of the switches on the foot controller will the arp continue to play? And when I take my foot off of the switch on the foot controller will the arp stop? Thanks again.
In that case you would need reprogram one of the buttons in the FCB1010 to send a note message or a momentary CC message.
This can be programmed on the unit directly, but the reason the uno chips exist is because it’s not that straight forward to do. However, I’ve done it multiple times, so you can change the message without needing to buy anything further.
As @rank13 has said, you can certainly use the standard FCB1010 to send PC messages or note messages to achieve what you want without modification. But unless you already have the FCB1010 it’s like using a canon for what you want to do, or alternately a nuclear missile to use a TinyBox for that. The FCB1010 is a monster heavyweight to haul around, weighing in at 4.5 kilos and .75 meters in length. There are so many alternate choices that are a fraction of the size, weight, cost, easier/more flexible to program, etc., if you don’t already own a FCB1010.
Most of all, potential users don’t really understand the relationship between the FCB1010 and Tinybox. First and foremost, the Tinybox is essentially a self contained, user defined and programmed, midi controller in a small form factor 75mm x 65mm x 35mm box. The creator co-opted the FCB1010 by replacing the EEPROM as it’s hardware interface, but you don’t actually need the hardware (FCB1010) as it has a computer display of a virtual FCB1010 that can be used as the interface on your computer display, or anything on the local network - like an iPad - that can display a virtual FCB1010 interface via a webserver. There are also other alternatives to lugging the FCB1010 around - on occasion I use a Boss FS-6 foot switch and one or two MOOG expression pedals as the hardware interface using another TinyBox accessory called the Jackbox instead of lugging the FCB1010 around, or I just program the Tinybox to use input directly from my computer keyboard.
I’m not trying to disparage the FCB1010/Tinybox setup, but it’s overkill for many people, and unnecessary for something like your case unless you already happen to have an old FCB1010 laying around and nothing else that’s suitable.
Hey and thanks for the input. I don’t own the Behringer controller yet and I was worried about the size and weight. The $150 price tag did get my attention. I saw one called a SoftStep but it was more than twice as much. Are there others that you recommend? I also came across the Nektar Pacer. Thanks again.
The SoftStep is a great controller, super lightweight and portable, and very capable. From your description, it sounds like this too would be far more controller than you need.
You might be able to use something like the Blackstar FS-14, or others in that category which are near or even considerably below the price point of an FCB1010 (and easier to use) in some cases. You really need to define exactly what you require and any future proofing if necessary, then find the device that fits that requirement and within the tolerability you have to make it work.
To put this in perspective and as an example, the Tinybox has no program whatsoever when you buy it. To use it, you have to decide what you want and need for your midi controller, then write the program to make it work (including the slaved FCB1010). The programming language is very easy and the manual superb, but what you get to start with is a blank slate and the tools to fashion the controller of your dreams. If that isn’t your cup of tea, the TinyBox - as capable as it is - is a nonstarter for you.
If what you really want and need can be done with 3, 4, 5 or ?? buttons out of the box with an easy to program interface, devices like the Blackstar would be best. If you look this model up on Amazon, Amazon will also show you a huge number of other similar devices under the “You might also like…” section. Do your research and choose something suitable. You could even come back at that point to ask the Community if anyone is using it and what their experience is.
