Building a midi footswitch

DrGonzo

Hi guys,

Any resources you may have for me about building a midi foostwitch.

I basically want to build a 3 or 4 switch custom midi footswitch - super basic , all i want it to do is change patches on my Line 6 M5.

Basically exactly like this: http://www.disasterareaamps.com/shop/dmc-3

but i dont feel like paying R2000 for a footswitch to simply change patches on an exisiting pedal of mine!

AlanRatcliffe

Here's one:
http://www.ucapps.de/floorboard.html

You can also get a board like the MIDI CPU and tak it from there:
http://store.highlyliquid.com/collections/midi-controllers/products/midi-cpu

kayDUB

Checkout the Pedalsync modules, might have something...

Heath

I prototyped one on beardboard a few years back , made with a pic 16f628 and a hand full of componets , althought i never boxed it up it work really well and fairly easy to make if you know the basics of the pic chips

Gearhead

Or get an FCB100, they go for 1000-1200 second hand and truly are the best value (never mind money) of anything from Behringer. Not worth doing anything DIY for, imho

AlanRatcliffe

Good point. And there are a number of custom Eproms out there for them too.

DrGonzo

Gearhead wrote: Or get an FCB100, they go for 1000-1200 second hand and truly are the best value (never mind money) of anything from Behringer. Not worth doing anything DIY for, imho

The whole motivation for this is that I want something compact enough to fit on my (already quite small) pedalboard. 3 or 4 switches housed in a tiny case with basic midi to change patches on my m5. Isnt the FCB100 like a whole big thing?

I have seen a few really cool options but its gonna cost. So i was wondeirng if I can do it myself for cheaper - Its not something I consider essential, just more of a -would be nice' but nor willing to pay over R1000, R1500 max for.!

So im I right in assuming then, that its quite a mission to build?

peterleroux

If you use a PIC chip or an arduino board, the electronics are manageable. The tricky bit is always the enclosure and switches. Making something mechanically robust and good looking is a fair bit of work

guitarboy2828

peterleroux wrote: If you use a PIC chip or an arduino board, the electronics are manageable. The tricky bit is always the enclosure and switches. Making something mechanically robust and good looking is a fair bit of work

Best bet is to buy an already made amp switch or something (can usually get half decent one's for cheap) and then just rewire the inside. Especially if you just want 3-4 buttons. Here's one for R245: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-musical-instruments/durbanville/vox-footswitch-perfect-condition/1001056704830910027861409

I'm pretty sure you could add another 2 switches in there and there looks to be plenty room to add a small circuit board. That's what I'd do if I was going your route, because like Peter said, enclosures are expensive and a mission to get right!

Psean

Paul E wrote:
peterleroux wrote: If you use a PIC chip or an arduino board, the electronics are manageable. The tricky bit is always the enclosure and switches. Making something mechanically robust and good looking is a fair bit of work
Best bet is to buy an already made amp switch or something (can usually get half decent one's for cheap) and then just rewire the inside. Especially if you just want 3-4 buttons. Here's one for R245: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-musical-instruments/durbanville/vox-footswitch-perfect-condition/1001056704830910027861409

I'm pretty sure you could add another 2 switches in there and there looks to be plenty room to add a small circuit board. That's what I'd do if I was going your route, because like Peter said, enclosures are expensive and a mission to get right!

You can get die-cast aluminium enclosuresl like this http://za.rs-online.com/web/p/general-purpose-enclosures/5173327/ from RS components for cheap. The ones slight;y bigger than a 1590B are R35. It's the footswitches that are pricey.

peterleroux

+1 on RS' enclosures, I've been pretty happy with them. Finish is a bit rough but nothing a few minutes with a file and sandpaper can't fix.

DrGonzo

Paul E wrote:
peterleroux wrote: If you use a PIC chip or an arduino board, the electronics are manageable. The tricky bit is always the enclosure and switches. Making something mechanically robust and good looking is a fair bit of work
Best bet is to buy an already made amp switch or something (can usually get half decent one's for cheap) and then just rewire the inside. Especially if you just want 3-4 buttons. Here's one for R245: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-musical-instruments/durbanville/vox-footswitch-perfect-condition/1001056704830910027861409

I'm pretty sure you could add another 2 switches in there and there looks to be plenty room to add a small circuit board. That's what I'd do if I was going your route, because like Peter said, enclosures are expensive and a mission to get right!

Golden suggestion thanks.

Do u have any idea or potential resources on what I may need to do to the guts.?

Dont Some footswtiches actually use a 5 Pin Din that connects to an amp> I guess that would be ideal as it will already have a midi out.

guitarboy2828

DrGonzo wrote:
Paul E wrote:
peterleroux wrote: If you use a PIC chip or an arduino board, the electronics are manageable. The tricky bit is always the enclosure and switches. Making something mechanically robust and good looking is a fair bit of work
Best bet is to buy an already made amp switch or something (can usually get half decent one's for cheap) and then just rewire the inside. Especially if you just want 3-4 buttons. Here's one for R245: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-musical-instruments/durbanville/vox-footswitch-perfect-condition/1001056704830910027861409

I'm pretty sure you could add another 2 switches in there and there looks to be plenty room to add a small circuit board. That's what I'd do if I was going your route, because like Peter said, enclosures are expensive and a mission to get right!
Golden suggestion thanks.

Do u have any idea or potential resources on what I may need to do to the guts.?

Dont Some footswtiches actually use a 5 Pin Din that connects to an amp> I guess that would be ideal as it will already have a midi out.

Hmm, unfortunately I can't comment on this as I really don't know, perhaps Alan would know? I would imagine some would have, the cost of them is probably pretty high though.

As for the RS enclosures, I have bought several, still have quite a few. They're great and well priced. But, it's the sanding, painting, finishing that is a mission and isn't as good as the factory done one's. Also, Most amp footswitches are exactly what you'd need for a midi controller, so, just use those and add an extra one!

G-Man

I am just just finishing my megadrum build which uses midi over usb so I am starting to understand the basics of midi. So my idea is this: why not find out what the midi notes are for the particular patches or effects that your unit expects from the foot switch. Then maybe find a cheap second hand midi keyboard and then solder wires onto the keys of the notes on the keyboard to the switches on your enclosure. Then trim out the keys you dont need and hopefully the controller board is small enough to fit in your pedal enclosure.

That's essentially how I converted a Yamaha DD 11 drum unit into a midi drumset.

Gearhead

G-Man wrote:why not find out what the midi notes are for the particular patches or effects that your unit expects from the foot switch

Program change messages are not like note on messages. Won't work.

G-Man

Gearhead wrote:
G-Man wrote:why not find out what the midi notes are for the particular patches or effects that your unit expects from the foot switch
Program change messages are not like note on messages. Won't work.

Oh I see. I have a lot to learn. ?

DrGonzo

I know someone here in cape town who is pretty rock solid with arduino, so im gonna ask her what my options are//// maybe an arduino board and one of those RC enclosures miught be the best option.
I dont really care much for looks to be honest, just want something to stomp my dirty foot on ?