Behringer FCB1010

the architech · Joined: Oct 29, 2010 Posts: 55 Location: Philadelphia

So I just got the Behringer FCB1010 Midi Footcontroller for Christmas, but I have no clue how to use it, lol. I know it's a pretty popular device, but most how-to sites seem to assume you know something about midi, which I don't really. I know there was a previous issue with faulty EPROMs, which I determined mine is already up-to-date. I run off a Mac, and I saw there was some downloadable program for it for an additional $20, but I'm wondering if I can control this with Logic or Reaktor (which I already have).

To get an idea of what I can do, I can assign things like various effects and looping to the stomps and expressions, right? How do I run my guitar through it? The 1/4" jacks on the back are marked Switch 1 & 2, not in & out. Do I have to run my guitar into an audio interface or something (I have the PreSonus FireStudio Project) and plug the FCB into that? Can I program the FCB and then use it autonomously from the computer, or does it have to be running through some program at all times?

I was hoping to get more into Midi in the new year, but hadn't gotten a chance to properly research it. I hadn't really anticipated my parents getting me this, lol. I was looking into getting something like the Behringer BCR2000 & BCF2000 tabletop controllers first. They seemed more manageable, but maybe not. Maybe someone could give me, or point me in the direction of, a crash course in midi and how to get this stuff to communicate properly?

So confused

I hate to have such a pretty new toy and no clue how to use it Crying or Very sad

BobTheDog · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 8:42 am Post subject:

You can edit from the device, look at the manual.

Or there are free editors available, here are a couple:

http://ripwerxcom.ipage.com/SsPage.html

https://secure.mtnsys.com/faq-fcb/pceditorbeta.htm

There is loads of info on the net, this is a very popular device.

For midi start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_Instrument_Digital_Interface

You cannot attach a guitar to it as it is just a midi foot controller you need to attach the guitar to your audio interface.

Also if you attach the FCB1010 to the PreSonus then you can get midi into the computer to control plugins etc.

Good Luck Smile

Andy

the architech · Joined: Oct 29, 2010 Posts: 55 Location: Philadelphia

Ok, so if I understand it correctly, Midi "Controllers", like the FCB, do nothing on their own and are simply an alternate interface to programs or other Midi devices?

And if I want to use the FCB to affect my guitar (plugged into my PreSonus) it too must be plugged into the PreSonus. I'm guessing with the FCB plugged into the PreSonus, it's really wiring into my computer and controlling some program on there (like one of those free editors), because the PreSonus doesn't do anything on it's own other than interface multiple channels into my computer. How would it work then, do I assign the program to the channel my guitar is coming through on? Or would it affect anything coming in through the PreSonus?

Is this how the BCR2000 and others work too? They can only operate as effects processors or loopers while running through some program on a computer that is attached at all times?

BobTheDog · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:47 pm Post subject:

Hi,

You are basically there.

A midi controller sends midi messages to something in order to control something.

The Presonus gets audio and midi in and out of your computer.

So as an example lets say I am running a Guitar Amp Simulator (like Amplitube) on my computer.

I would connect the FCB1010 midi out to the Presonus midi in.

I would connect my guitar to the Presonus audio in.

I would connect my speakers to the Presonus audio outs.

Now in Amplitube I would tell it what audio device to use (The presonus), and also where to get midi from (also the presonus).

Now in Amplitube I can set things up so that the left pedal on the FCB1010 affects for instance the wah and the right pedal the volume.

I could also set the switches to change patches etc.

The editors are used to set the FCB1010 to send different types of midi messages. The FCB1010 will by default be set up with a preset, my advise to begin with is not to program it at all, just leave it as it is.

Why don't you download the free trial of Amplitube http://www.ikmultimedia.com/amplitube/download/ it works for 10 days and see if you can set it up.

All this stuff can be a bit confusing when you start off but you will pick it up soon enough and there is help here.

Cheers

Andy

the architech · Joined: Oct 29, 2010 Posts: 55 Location: Philadelphia

Ok, I think I got it then. Might take me a bit to understand the different button configurations, but I'll get it.

Now, does Midi Thru work like you'd be able to daisy chain midi controllers and all have them come in separately on the computer? Because, I would like to eventually get the BCR and BCF, but there's only one midi in on the PreSonus. So, if I wanted the FCB to control the guitar and the BCR to control the mic I would have the guitar and mic go into the PreSonus, and then the BCR go into the FCB which goes into the PreSonus (or vice versa), and then assign the FCB to the guitar channel and the BCR to the mic channel on the computer? Lol, complicated, but I think that's how I understand it...

Thanks a lot for the help!