FCB1010 Ultra-Flexible MIDI Foot Controller with 2 Expression Pedals and MIDI Merge Function

Running iFCB with Mainstage. At first I found it a really clunky to program, but then I did some googling and got the iFCB software, which made programming 1000x better/quicker/easier. That said, it still takes some effort to program and isn't going to be plug and play with almost anything. I don't like that it sends MIDI program changes (instead of control changes) by default, which is why many MIDI noobs will hate it, and another reason I got iFCB. It takes work to program it the way you like it, just like any other midi controller, and it works great as a guitar effects controller without the stompbox chip mods (unless you really want the lights to toggle). Once I got it programmed in iFCB to control parameters that make sense and dont conflict with my other devices, it went into a Mainstage show, it has been super stable and consistent. The overall build quality is much better than I expected from a Behringer product. I feel like the expression pedals are pretty flimsy feeling and I don't like that I have to hit a switch to activate effects, instead of there being a click switch on the top like a wah pedal. All-in-all, this thing is a great bargain and I would recommend it.

I tried to save a few dollars by purchasing a used fcb1010 and regretted it. Something was obviously broken inside the case of the unit (could hear something that sounded like a tic tac rolling around inside it) and there was a missing screw on the back panel. Indicators that someone had opened it up and messed around with the hardware. Needless to say, the controller didn't work at all. Not sure how something like this was sold to me, but GearNuts made it right! The refund/return process was quick and easy, and I decided to take another chance by ordering a new (non-used) fcb1010. I'm so glad I did! This midi controller works flawlessly! I'm very happy with the new unit!

works, changed to UnO firmware and it does just what it says. Well built

This thing is a beast—flexible, durable, and capable of controlling more gear than I probably need. But as I said, I’m knocking off a full star because the learning curve is steep. Like… “pack a lunch” steep. Once you figure out the programming, it’s fantastic. But getting there feels like deciphering ancient runes. Still worth it, but prepare to watch a lot of YouTube tutorials.

OK here is yet another example of why I buy from Amazon. I knew I wanted this pedal board for my Axe FX II Mark 2. I also already knew that this pedal board had a known defect in the ability to calibrate the Expression Pedals. I got a lemon, I tried everything and they (the Expression Pedals) were so inconsistant, I again gave up and went to return this product. Again I was greeted with the exchange policy, sure, I wanted this to work. In 2 days I got a whole new unit that immediately calibrated with a pre paid (no cost to me) filled out UPS label. Walk to the head of the line at UPS, set it down, they thank you for having a pre paid label and smile at you. I then followed it online and within 2 days you can see in your Amazon account that they received your return and all is good to move forward without wondering that you might get charged twice. Plus they beat all others with the price and shipping cost let alone the also beat everyone with delivery time. Another sale saved buy Amazon. If you own an AxeFXII Mark 2 this pedal accesses all 8 scenes in each pre set…food for thought. It works for me and it also works with the Eleven Rack from Digi Design or Pro Tools which I also use this with. It also works with the Kemper Profiling Amp and many more, you just have to understand MIDI CC's and you are set. This is competition for the Fractal Footswitch, just the money makes it a good option, then add the learning part it's a good way to outgrow the pedal and learn slowly what you can not get done with this pedal and then find a used Fractal Footswitch on eBay people are giving up on those pedals. I have seen them as low as 560.00. I got this with the new Eureka Sound E-PROM-enabled FCB1010 Chip that will make using this pedal so much easier than how they are delivered to you from Behringer. Maximum Respect LW Link here: http://www.eurekasound.com/eurekaprom/fa

Haven’t had time to set it up, not exactly easy to program from YouTube tutorials. In all honesty just haven’t had time to work with it. Well packaged, on time delivery, great value for the money, need more time but with time I’m sure I’ll get it running. Great product based off reviews and light weight (+) but sturdy (+++) Hooked up to a usb hub so haven’t heard sound connection qualities. It’ll take some time to program patches but overall. It functions fine.

I had read the reviews and knew what I was getting in to when I purchased this controller: it was going to be a crash course in MIDI programming and difficult for a beginner. Also, that this board is inexpensive, comparably, for all of the features you get. What I didn't know is that the stock firmware works just fine for my application, which is Ableton Live 9 and multiple guitar VST's. I ordered this board here, on 8-31-2015, I received the new model with stock FCB1010 Firmware version 2.5.1e, as confirmed by the free PC utility, FCBEditor. I spent a lot of time looking at the UnO and Eureka eproms. I may still get one of those at some point but, for now I've been able to get Guitar Rig 5 and Overloud TH2 working perfectly, with stock FCB firmware, Ableton Live 9 and with a Scarlett Focusrite 6i6 controller. Here is a must have utility for PC users: this free utility will allow you to program your FCB1010 without all of the pedal pushing on the board itself: http://host.mtnsys.com:81/faq-fcb/PCEditorBeta.htm - If that link is not working, search for - PC Editor FCB1010. It is pointless to try and program the FCB1010 from the pedals, when this utility gets it done much easier and faster. I use this with Windows 7 x64 and can't speak for other OS's. It's good to have two MIDI cables, in/out, for programming. Buy two if you have none, as the FCB1010 doesn't come with any. If you can't get the FCB1010 working with your VST's in Ableton: 1. Insert a blank MIDI track 2. Set the input of the MIDI track to the MIDI receiver for your FCB1010 - in my case Scarlett Focusrite 6i6 3. Set the output of the MIDI track to the separate audio track that contains the guitar VST you want to pass MIDI control to - in my case Guitar Rig 5 4. Set the MIDI track to IN - not Auto or OFF 5. Make sure the track that contains your VST audio track is armed/record lit up on track - Guitar Rig 5 track, record button lit 6. Tap dance your way through 100 amps - 10 banks*10 presets There are multiple youtube videos that will help you figure out assigning the expression pedals.CC# 7 for volume and CC#11 for wah is pretty standard. I'm not going to say this was an easy task, it took me 15+ hours to get things right, mostly because of old and outdated info and software out there on the web, but this was a very rewarding experience. I learned a lot that can be applied in many different ways. There are also a lot of useful mods out there, like powering the FCB1010 over the same MIDI cable, so you can have just one cable running to this board. And some more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m0v3Rr6f4U If you like a challenge and the satisfaction of being able to control any part of your VST's or DAW with your feet, you need the FCB1010.

This is not plug-n-play. If you are hooking this up to ableton or similar midi driven daw, you will need to reprogram the unit to send the proper global signals. This is super easy with freeware tools such as 'fcb1010 pc editor'. Also make sure you install the fcb1010 python scripts for use in ableton. Let me re-iterate. This is NOT plug-n-play. Unless you have midi supported hardware that this device was designed to pair with, you will need to hack at it to get it right. It will take a long time, and you may get angry at it. But once you do, oh man oh man! You have one amazing controller with a crazy amount of options. 5 stars for the tinkering musician/producer/performer 0 stars if you want plug-n-play PS - I suggest you buy the UNO eprom chip to expand its functionality even further.