Foot Pedal Advice: OT as Looper+

miketheman · 2014-03-12T14:21:32.000Z

Two advance options:

http://www.gordius.be/index.php

http://www.famcmusic.com/store/

Many unique features in both of these brands products, that you´ll not find anywhere else.

GovernorSilver · 2014-03-13T17:04:51.000Z

I’ve used my Roland FC-300 (got it in a bundle wiht a with reasonable success - just the basic functions of track select (two directions), combo record, and loop play/stop.

Any foot controller that can send MIDI Note Number or MIDI CC #59 (with the correct note-on number) should work. Roland’s documentation is kinda awful, so it took me some effort and lots of aggravation to get the FC-300 properly set up. The MIDI Note Number route was a no-go because you’re left on your own to figure out how to construct a proper Note Number message and the manual describes this poorly. The MIDI CC #59 + note-on number route is what I use, although the FC-300’s CC Mode is only a bit less poorly explained in the manual.

I’ve had my eye on the Liquid Foot stuff for a while, because I don’t use my VG-99 when I play shows with just acoustic viola into OT and would like a smaller foot controller for those gigs. Also, when I get the Nord Modular G2 and its elastic audio patches back into the mix, I might like an easier-to-program footpedal. I like the color-coded LCD displays. I see the store has just about all the models marked “on sale” but I doubt I can really order, say, the Liquid Foot+ Jr+ for $0 (discounted from $599).

miketheman · 2014-03-13T17:12:48.000Z

Yeah, I think the Liquid Foot “$0” pricing are due to the reason that you´ll most probably end up on an waiting list. My guess is that it´s a quite long wait there…

Just came to remember another option, but I haven´t taken an look into its spec thoroughly. But it looks interesting:
[url=“http://www.glab.com.pl/gsc-5_en”]

http://www.glab.com.pl/gsc-5_en

miketheman · 2014-03-13T17:38:28.000Z

And don´t forget that you might get the features you need even if you just have an footcontroller (PC#s/CC#s and/or NN#s) with limited options, by using Midi Solutions Event Processor Plus. That little gadget can cover a lot!

I´m gonna use mine to “split” the PC#s range into different midi channels, sort of. So I´ll be able to use PC#s 0-99 as normal messages, but PC# 100 - 127 will be used as a structure selector in my midi router/patchbay (MidiTemp MP88W). Re-directing channels, PC#s, turning any kind of MIDI filter ON/OFF etc for all my units.

I e:

By utilizing PC# 0 - 99 as the global presets in all of my units (i e three units).

PC# 100: global PC to all (three) units at once.
PC# 101: global PC to all units, except one, at once.
PC# 102: global PC to just one of the units.
PC# 103: global PC to just (another) one of the units.
and so on…

I´ll be able to use presets with the same PC number in all units, that for example have been made with a specific song/sound in mind in the first place. But I´ll also be able to use the abovementioned method to temporarily de-select any of these units from any further PC messages, thus de-construct the combinations in realtime.

GovernorSilver · 2014-03-13T19:14:58.000Z

The G-lab looks cool, especially for those who have a fair number of analog pedals already and would like to integrate them with an OT.

I’m vacillating between two Keith McMilllen pedals - the Softstep 2 and the 12 Step.

Softstep 2: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep2
12 Step: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/12step/tour

miketheman · 2014-03-13T20:25:41.000Z

""GovernorSilver"":

The G-lab looks cool, especially for those who have a fair number of analog pedals already and would like to integrate them with an OT.

I’m vacillating between two Keith McMilllen pedals - the Softstep 2 and the 12 Step.

Softstep 2: SoftStep 2 USB MIDI Foot Switch & Expression Pedal Controller | Keith McMillen Instruments
12 Step: 12 Step USB MIDI Bass Pedal Foot Controller | Keith McMillen Instruments

Good call.

I think they´re really cool in their features. However, I´m not sure whether those rubber pads/switches would suit me that well. But I guess that´s something you just learn to live with…

Accent · 2014-03-13T20:46:17.000Z

You may want to check out this thread: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/869189-octatrack-foot-switch-compatibility.html

joshuagoran · 2014-03-14T02:01:42.000Z

""miketheman"":

[quote=“GovernorSilver”]The G-lab looks cool, especially for those who have a fair number of analog pedals already and would like to integrate them with an OT.

I’m vacillating between two Keith McMilllen pedals - the Softstep 2 and the 12 Step.

Softstep 2: SoftStep 2 USB MIDI Foot Switch & Expression Pedal Controller | Keith McMillen Instruments
12 Step: 12 Step USB MIDI Bass Pedal Foot Controller | Keith McMillen Instruments

Good call.

I think they´re really cool in their features. However, I´m not sure whether those rubber pads/switches would suit me that well. But I guess that´s something you just learn to live with…[/quote]
I don’t have an OT, but I did recently get the original SoftStep to use with Live and I am not going to be keeping it. The pads just don’t feel right to how I have been trying to use them. Not that I couldn’t get used to them, but I just can’t imagine wanting to rely on being able to use them as anything besides toggles and even then they’re not as sensitive as I would prefer.
That said, the SoftStep 2 and 12 Step both would probably be an improvement as the shapes of the pads seem to lend themselves to directional movement much better.

JES · 2014-03-14T03:42:28.000Z

I just got a disaster controller and really like it. He already has a pickup machine script and I asked for a couple custom additions (arm track, arm all, next and last pattern) which he’s working on.

http://www.disasterareaamps.com

miketheman · 2014-03-14T09:26:54.000Z

@joshuagoran: thanks for sharing your experience. I suspect that I´d pretty much end up to the same conclusions as you, if I bought one.

@JES: congrats on that pedal. Disaster seems to be a very cool company that really helps out in getting customers the gear/control they need. Please share your thoughts/experience and tips later on when you´re accustomed to it with your OT!

@All: regarding that list at gearslut, many of those pedals are limited. But, just FYI, pretty much all of them can become “expanded” with a Midi Solutions Event Processor Plus as I mentioned earlier.

I e:

I´m owning an Lexicon R1 myself, which for example have no possibilities to either send any CC#s with a specific value or NN#s. But one nice thing with it, is that you can toggle the footswitches from transmitting PC# into transmitting CC# instead, choosed via the special footswitch (FX).

And you can set the R1 to allow direct recall of any PC# via the digit footswitches (i e 1, 2 and 8 = 128). Pretty standard in some, but not all, other controller options out there. However, you are also able to define how many banks the R1 controller will access (up to 99) and the size of the banks = how many presets there are in each bank, max 10 (0 - 9).

Hmmm, so what does this mean?
Well, it means that I can i e recall PC# 627 via direct control (pressing: 6, 2 and 7), and it takes care of transmitting Bank Change messages. While many controllers gives you just the ability to transmit the standard range of PC# (0 - 127). So if you´ve got any other gear like synths or the OT that have got more memory slots (=patterns in the OT) than 127 that you can recall via PC#, then you may have problem in accessing them.

With the Event Processor Plus then: I will be able to re-direct the CC#s that my R1 are transmitting, into converting them to the NN#s needed (for example the OT). But the really fine thing is that I can have the Event Processor Plus assigned to select different variations of what NN#s and/or CC#s that will be sent further on, when it has received any specific PC#.

So those PC#/CC# footswitches can possibly have totally different functions, within whatever song (or even songsection) that I am in…

GovernorSilver · 2014-03-14T18:11:13.000Z

""Accent"":

You may want to check out this thread: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/869189-octatrack-foot-switch-compatibility.html

Poor guy, feeling so neglected there. I never had a Gearslutz account and just don’t go there because MW, Elektronauts, and Ohhpeewon.com pretty much cover everything I need.

RubixGroove · 2014-03-14T19:27:20.000Z

Wow! This thread ended up being a wealth of information for me. I really appreciate it all, fellas!

AtaRaxis · 2014-03-16T03:26:58.000Z

I just came across a used FCB 1010 the other day at guitar center used for cheap and picked it up. Great piece! Easy to use, seems to be built to stomp all over. Perhaps a bit overkill for looping alone with the expression pedals and all, but I assigned one to Active Track Level and that’s pretty cool to do swells and stuff.
Anyway, which ever you choose, I say choose one! The foot control has reinvigorated my OT love in a big way. Initiating recording with both hands free, whether looping or sampling is a huge deal. (even if you’re not a guitarist) Most times my golden sounds come at me mid tweak

miketheman · 2014-03-16T18:30:13.000Z

[quote="“AtaRaxis” date=“2014-03-16 03:26:58"”]
I just came across a used FCB 1010 the other day at guitar center used for cheap and picked it up. Great piece! Easy to use, seems to be built to stomp all over. Perhaps a bit overkill for looping alone with the expression pedals and all, but I assigned one to Active Track Level and that’s pretty cool to do swells and stuff.
Anyway, which ever you choose, I say choose one! The foot control has reinvigorated my OT love in a big way. Initiating recording with both hands free, whether looping or sampling is a huge deal. (even if you’re not a guitarist) Most times my golden sounds come at me mid tweak
[/quote]

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An cheap Gordius…

Slaughtrhaus · 2014-03-18T20:19:35.000Z

[quote=“” GovernorSilver""]

[quote=“Accent”]You may want to check out this thread: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/869189-octatrack-foot-switch-compatibility.html
[/quote]

Poor guy, feeling so neglected there. I never had a Gearslutz account and just don’t go there because MW, Elektronauts, and Ohhpeewon.com pretty much cover everything I need.

[/quote]
Actually, I’ve found Gearslutz to be quite beneficial myself. There’s tons of stuff people have already figured out and posted, along with some pretty cool music to find in member’s soundclouds, etc.
It took a while for anyone to respond over there because not that many people are using pickup machines in general. I ran the same thread here and got half the replies and info, in spite of it being Elektron-specific. Gearslutz is huge by comparison.
It can be a little acidic at times, but there is always an element of that present in largely anonymous online communities.
Anyway, my foot-controlled sampling rig is fully functional and awesome thanks to Disaster Area Music. I highly recommend their products. Great build quality and second to-none customer service.

GovernorSilver · 2014-03-19T19:19:23.000Z

Ah, fair enough (re: Gearslutz)

Glad to hear you got your pedal situation sorted. The Disaster Area stuff looks cool!

pbmember · 2016-02-25T23:57:52.000Z

Hi Jes,

I saw you posted about the disaster designs controller awhile back.
Are you still using it with the Octatrack?
I purchased a disaster designs DMC-8D with Octatrack firmware preloaded last year.
I haven’t been able to communicate with my Octatrack yet.
I’ve contacted disaster designs a couple of times, but they haven’t any help.

Do you have a DMC-8D?
Does it still work well with the Octatrack pickup machines?
How is your midi sync and/or channels setup?

Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

mokomo · 2016-02-26T06:17:58.000Z

or if you have even very basic soldering skills buy an arduino/teensy, as many guitar pedal buttons as you need for the OT, a midi socket, some wires … and create a very easy script. Plus a little bit of carpentry to build your box however you’d like it.

I’ve done this and it works very well.

novacz · 2016-07-05T00:06:57.212Z

Hi,

I’m a newbie in this forum, therefore I don’t know that this question was on the forum before.

I like to use my OT as a 8-track looper/sequencer on stage with EWI and Wavedrum. So I haven’t got any hands to control the OT looper buttons.

Anybody can offer me a good midi foot controller with switches (MIDI note on/off function possibility for OT)?
Except the Behringer FCB1010 controller!

The Moog Multipedal MP-201 would be excellent, but unfortunately it hadn’t been made anymore.

Any idea?

clunky · 2015-11-05T15:22:04.000Z

I’ve got a Roland PK 5 and a Korg Mpk 130, the roland has the most features.

You’d need to llok into the specs to see if it can do what you want.