Anybody have any hands-free variations switching solutions for live playing they’d care to share? I have Behringer FCB1010 that’s I’m thinking of pressing into service but it’s pretty big and doesn’t really fit under my Deltex type keyboard stand. I just need simple increment/decrement control really as I’m still doing the rackspace switching between songs from my touchscreen GP console.
Thanks in advance;
Dave R
What component allows hands-free switching of variations in the setup you described?
How would that help? He’d still have to trigger Ableton or a DAW? I don’t think he is talking about automation, at least I don’t think he is - and if he was, there are plenty of ways to do that inside GP.
@Dave What exactly do you want to be able to do if you don’t want to use your hands?
Just a simple increment/ decrement footswitch. I have an FCB1010 that can probably be programmded to do it but it’s big and doesn’t really fit under my keyboard stand. Just wondering if there’s a more compact solution
/dave
Just do a quick google search for “midi foot peal”. You will find something small that does exactly what you need.
I just ran the search and found a few options…
Don’t underestimate the power of the Googles.
Be careful with bluetooth — stick to MIDI.
I share one sustain pedal between two controller keyboards, this frees up the sustain pedal on the second controller for other use. So I just use a simple foot switch plugged into the sustain, and use this to step to next song part. No other foot switches are used as songs in my rig only go forward. If I do double tap I need to press a back button on the controller.
I have a couple of the M-Vave Chocolate controllers, they are sturdy, have flexable programming, and also have USB midi in addtion to Bluetooth (which I also don’t use)
The biggest issue many will have is the Android app that programs it is not in the Play Store, so must be installed manually which is very sketchy but seems to not be malicious.
I would definitely go with the HOTONE pedal.
It seems the most versatile (configureable to any midi messages you need - use CCs!), it’s obviously built sturdily, you can use it wired (which i would absolutely prefer on stage!) and you could additionally connect two other external pedals (Sustain, Volume…). The price seems to be very reasonable as well.
I use a couple audiofront midi expression devices to expand my pedal access on my pedalboard (photo attached - still have to clean up the wiring a little).
I have several Boss FS-5U pedals hooked up to midi expression Quattro devices, that control variation increment/decrement, as well as triggers and things.
The Quattros have a USB connection that plugs into my USB hub, which goes to my computer.
Works really well.
I use this with a Mac and it’s wonderful. I program it for next/prev rackspace and next/prev variation for convenience. Doesn’t eat batteries badly at all if you remember to power it off. One less cable. IK Multimedia - iRig BlueBoard
I use two Boss FS-1-WL. One to switch through the songs/variants, one for Leslie. The 1010 was too large for me.
