MIDI Question

[Blooby]

I'm a neophyte when it comes to MIDI, so please forgive my ignorance.

I have successfully MIDI'd a keyboardless sound module (from its MIDI in) to a keyboard (from its MIDI out). I'm curious if there is some way to switch programs on the sound module by footswicth.  I figure since I'm already using the MIDI in, I'm pretty much out of luck, but then that's why I"m asking.

Any thoughts?

Blooby

[cuthbert]

I'm barely above the neophyte stage myself, but if in your controller you can assign the footswitch to send a Program Change message on instead of a Sustain message, then I think you could do this. Or depending on your controller, it may be as simple as plugging the pedal into another controller jack?

[Blooby]

Thanks for the reply.

No additional jacks to speak of either on the module or controller.

And the keyboard itself it pretty simplistic.  There's no deep editing and whatnot.

This isn't a real biggie, but I am curious if it can be done.

Blooby

[64Guitars]

The best way to switch programs on a midi device is with a midi foot controller, although the cost may be more than you were planning to spend ($142.99 at Musician's Friend).

http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-FCB1010-MIDI-Footcontroller-?sku=182469

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FCB1010.aspx



Controllers like these are fully programmable. So you can tell it which program to assign to each of the footswitches and which parameters the pedals should alter.


There may be cheaper ways to achieve program switching. For example, if your keyboard has a footswitch jack, you might be able to program the keyboard to send the appropriate midi program change command to the sound module. But, obviously, a single footswitch is not going to be as versatile as a proper midi foot controller with multiple switches and pedals.

[Blooby]

But don't you plug those into the MIDI in (which in my case is already being used)?

Is there such a thing as a MIDI splitter?

Blooby

[64Guitars]

The foot controller has Midi In and Out/Thru connectors. I believe you'd connect your keyboard to the foot controller's Midi In and connect the foot controller's Midi Out to the sound module's Midi In.

And, yes, there are boxes available that will allow you to connect multiple midi devices together. I'll try to find some links for you.

[64Guitars]

Here you go...

http://www.midisolutions.com/products.htm

I noticed they also have a Dual Footswitch Controller which allows you to connect two simple footswitches and program their function.

http://www.midisolutions.com/proddfs.htm#

Not sure what the price is but I have a feeling you'd be better off getting the Behringer FCB-1010 foot controller. It's much more versatile and probaly doesn't cost a lot more than the midisolutions footswitch controller.

[64Guitars]

Yikes!  I just noticed that the midisolutions Dual Footswitch Controller is $200!!!  You'd be much better off with the Behringer FCB-1010 for $142.99.

[Blooby]

I really appreciate the information, but I think I'm destined to stick with what I have for now.

I was thinking of something like this Tech 21 MIDI Mouse, but even this is twice what I would expect it to be.

Blooby

[64Guitars]

What's the make and model of your keyboard and sound module?