Probably more of a "Hardware" forum question but I know some of you fellows would know what's up.
 
I'm starting to get a little annoyed at my lack of foot control for my sim sounds. Currently my only option really is to play my parts then write in things like sound changes and wah type effects afterward with one of my controllers (keyboard and pad controllers). Not very convenient or cool.
 
So I'm just wondering what controllers I should be keeping an eye out for. Most of the ones I see are behemoths that are total overkill. All I really need is...
 
1-2 mappable on/off pedals that are sturdy and preferably have the feel of Boss type pedals (not MXR button style or those cheesy light touch ones found on most large pedalboards... I want to be able to/have to wail on it and be able to do it without shoes/boots on).
 
1 mappable rocker pedal (something that isn't going to wear out, break or seize up and has the full range of movement/feel of something like a Crybaby would).
 
USB connection (and preferably with MIDI DIN connector as well).
 
In fact if there are single pedal type units that can be used in conjunction like real stompboxes (like a single stomp controller and single rocker controller purchased/hooked up separately or daisy chained somehow) I'd be into that as well.
 
Just not sure what's out there and ya'll would know. I don't like those huge Line6 type pedal boards. I want to feel like I'm mangling my old Boss pedals and a Dunlop rocker. You guit hounds will know what I mean.
 
If such things do NOT exist... seems like a good series of products for Gibson/Tascam to produce now that they're carving into the DAW world. Gibson pedal design does kind of blow (IMO) though... so yanno, ripoff Roland's design, lol. Those buggers just feel good and take a heckuva beating.
 
No urgency. Just want to start scoping what's out there and instead of wasting time chasing wild waterfowl I figured I'd ask you guys.
 
Thanks.
 
Hope everyone is well.

I have NOT purchased one YET ... This is the best I've been able to find in my searches
http://www.guitarcenter.c...oller-1275776902479.gc

Hi, Bob. That's decent looking board but not really what I'm after. If I were going for full on pedalboard action (with onboard effects) I'd be going down the Boss GT series (and I do still want one eventually but maybe the new Line6 one if money tweren't no thang).
 
I just need MIDI foot control to mangle the sims inside the DAW (GR5, TH2, etc). I'd also use it to get some extra expression control over softsynths too since my key and pad controllers are pretty basic in that regard.
 
Think the "RigKontrol" units except scaled down and with more of a traditional feel.
 
Thanks for pointing that board out though. Always like guitar candy to pine over.
 
Cheers.
 
Edit: and that's a "full" pedalboard. I really just want one or two stomps and a single rocker pedal. That way I can do my simple distortion on/off stuff, wah and have MAYBE an extra stomper to engage things like chorus or phase (or switch amps... sh*t like that).
 
I generally don't get too stupid with my my effects as I play so I don't need a half dozen presets at the ready and since I'm mostly in "DAW-la" land these days (not live) I can just do the real finicky crap in post prod.
 
If that makes any sense.

That is just a MIDI controller ...
 
Value-wise, it may have more buttons than you want, but good luck finding another pure MIDI controller for less!!
And if you do please post back here - I'm interested :)
 
 
 

BTW, I really enjoy my GT-001, the desktop model.  The GT series has some really great amp & effect sims.  The only reason I don't have an FCB1010 is because I hate stuff around my feet.  I got rid of an RP1000 to get the GT-desktop.  I can't bring myself to turn around and add a foot control board ... THAT would be borderline nutz - LOL!
 
I have the 2-button doodad from BOSS, but no expression pedal

BobF
BTW, I really enjoy my GT-001, the desktop model.  The GT series has some really great amp & effect sims.  The only reason I don't have an FCB1010 is because I hate stuff around my feet.  I got rid of an RP1000 to get the GT-desktop.  I can't bring myself to turn around and add a foot control board ... THAT would be borderline nutz - LOL!
 
I have the 2-button doodad from BOSS, but no expression pedal

What's the Boss 2 buttoner? I'd be curious about that.
 
And you hit right on the head with the floor clutter. I really don't like some monstrosity with a bajillion buttons at my feet.
 
1) I'm usually in my wheelchair and if I weren't it would be a rolling office chair so less crap on the floor the better
 
2) I generally play my pedals like my guitar... by feel with my eyes mostly closed so a buttload of pedals just adds extra chaos
 
3) I'm generally in small rooms now (my current room is TINY) and am actually used to only one or two pedals from my live days. Some big old thing I gotta yank out, set up and maneuver around is just a PITA. Simplicity is actually much more preferred.
 
I kind of really only have two settings anyway. Clean/bright and face meltingly distorted. The rocker can deal with any dynamics stuff. More than two sound options is just unnecessary to me. I get why some players want that but it ain't my thing.
 
I expect this thread will garner a few options. Otherwise I'll go chasing some geese and report back what I find.
 
Cheers.

Not sure how applicable this is to various units, but the all-in-one processing units typically use MIDI internally for the effects switches and pedal. Most of these also have MIDI out, so can run the board without audio output just for the controller aspect. This would need a little research, but older boards are often rugged and inexpensive but may give you the functionality/look you are after.

Hi, mettelus.
 
Last time I really scouted around (a few years back) it looked like the boards with onboard effects that could communicate with a computer were starting to turn into more of an interface setup as opposed to MIDI controller action. Like you could use the boards as an interface to record the guitar input/guitar effects into a DAW but not control a sim. Then there were the RigKontrol units that had no onboard effects (and IIRC didn't have interface/soundcard functions but I know that has changed) but acted as "dumb" MIDI controllers.
 
I remember getting all excited at the Boss GT-100 because it had the USB connector but it turned out to be more interface with no MIDI control (same as some other units out at the time). I could have been totally misinterpreting the specs (I was still learning the whole DAW spiel back then).
 
I guess I was hoping this need had been filled beyond the massive pedalboards that do MIDI control but maybe not. Perhaps the type of "1-2 button/single rocker" setup for pure MIDI control I'm talking about hasn't passed market research standards to make it viable for production yet.
 
Us guit players with our "BIGGER! MOAR BUTTONZ!!!" crap seems to have overidden the old "couple of stomps and a crybaby through a good amp" setup of yore.
 
lulz... guess I'm just a simple beeps with simple needs...
 
I used to look at the crazy pedalboards dudes in other bands would bring to shows and shake my head. Guess I'm more string/fretcentric than effect/sound spazzy.
 
I usually just had my MT-2 and my TU-2 (tuner) and that was that... or alternatively a Blues Driver instead of the MT-2. I did have to use a Boss Chorus for some very specific cover work but that was for one band only and I was using the amp distortion from a 5150 (and its crappy channel switch pedal) and really disliked that setup.
 
Anyhoo... I'm a funny dood I guess. Just thought maybe someone had put out some more moderate controllers by now. I'll take a look around... or wait a few more years.
 
Cheers.

I hear ya. The point for "interface" is valid, so something with a USB out only would not be good. I have 2 older boards with D-pin MIDI outs on them, and that is what I would look for... a D-pin can only send MIDI, so checking the spec on what maps to that connector would be a next step. There are a few older boxes with just a pedal and a few buttons on them.

I definitely agree with the "bigger/more complex" getting ugly. When I brought my old amp back online, I looked at the handful of knobs and sliders and simply thought "FREEDOM!"
 
Edit: I just did a quick search on things and another thing to beware of is some pedals only have MIDI in (not out). Using google to search sucks because of all of the advertisements, so only points to new gear. The older Digitech units have MIDI out (RP's, GNX's) but some are big. The RP model uses a fruity (i.e. dumb) pedal design that require calibration often, but has nicer switches to stomp. I have not used either of these as a controller, however, but they both have MIDI in/out DIN pairs on them. Most newer pedals do not even have a DIN on them.

I definitely dig the idea of some of those simple "guitar only" interfaces (like the Line 6 Pod thingies and the boards that have direct connect) where you just plug in and go but since I have a full on interface (Scarlett 18i6) it would just be redundant and I'm not going portable.
 
For now I'll keep looking but the current plan I guess will be to record a "dummy" guit track, program in the automation (effects on/off and use dials/faders for wah/volume style effects). Then after I think I've got the effects changes how I want record again playing into/off of the effects. Kind of like having a soundguy/guitar tech controlling it all offstage.
 
It just ain't the same though but will work.
 
Of course playing the part then just tweedling with dials and buttons afterward is the faster route but it ruins the whole "playing INTO the effects" dynamics.
 
I'va also been trying to figure out a way to use my hardware effects (I have a rocker on my Korg AXFX and of course a bunch of stomp boxes) on a track then somehow turn that into automation I can map to plugins. Like frequency tracking/writing but I honestly don't think that could ever work in any useable way.
 
Fun to twist my brain on though. lulz...
 
Cheers, bud.