MIDI Foot Switches

I'm going to start this discussion with MIDI foot switches, because that is an area that I've been interested in recently. There's a lot going on, much more than I expected and there was a lot of trial and error and mistakes. I wish I could have known more before I purchased a controller to save me some headaches. So, with that I hope to provide some insight here for you to avoid the same.

Using an amp modeler, I had 9-10 functions that I wanted to control after the 3 available buttons on the stomp box. I first looked for an 8-10 button controller. In most cases, this isn't really necessary because of banks, unless you like having a lot of buttons in front of you. Most MIDI foot switches have the buttons fairly close, so if you are clumsy with your feet, its hard to not hit other buttons when in the moment of feeling a feel in a song. So, one thing to consider is the size and form factor of the controller. Many come with 4, 6 and 10 foot switches, though you can find any number between 1 and 12.

There are two types of foot switches: latching and momentary. This was a little confusing at first, and there's more to it that is important to know. A latching switch is your basic clicking switch that has an on/off state. In other words, it's only programmable for one action: press. Most likely, you will not find a latching switch on a MIDI controller, but you could find a latching switch on a TRS foot switch, which can be used as an extension on a MIDI controller with a TRS/Expression input. I don't necessarily recommend a latching switch, though. Momentary switches are the click-less kind, and they are more often found on MIDI foot switches, because they can be programmed for several types of actions: short and long presses, depresses and holds. (Also be aware of relay switches: they are only really used for things like turning reverb on in your amp.)

Actions

Toggle is pretty strait forward: click once for the first signal execution, and again for the second signal execution. I hesitate to say on/off, because it depends on your programming. Generally though, a simple configuration program would set the first CC value as 127 for "on" and the second as 0 for "off". However, this is where things can be tricky with MIDI foot switch controllers, because not every controller is programmed the same. For example, the default is often to have the MIDI signal execute on the depress of the foot switch, not the press. Depress toggle feels very counterintuitive if you are used to latching switches on your average guitar pedal and despite this oddity, it seems to be the standard. Only the options in the software that comes with the controller will reveal the how the foot switch operates and can be a real dealbreaker/disappointment if your only option is depress.

Momentary is another type of toggle: as you press the foot switch, the first signal is executed, and as you depress the second signal is executed. Again, I hesitate to say on/off, because it depends.

Short press is usually less than 2 seconds, though on some controllers you can adjust the time.

Long press occurs after holding a button down for 2 seconds or more. Some controllers will execute both short and long press commands, whereas others will short circuit the short press. It's hard to tell, these details are usually missing in the manuals.

Hold seems to be a rare one to see, but it works on an interval, where the signal will be executed every interval, usually in milliseconds. This can be useful for note signals.

Expansions

A TRS foot switch usually is a momentary switch, though you can find latching, but this would provide less versatility. They are extensions for MIDI controllers and will only work with a TRS cable.

Expression pedals can be versatile, but be somewhat careful on them. Depending on the MIDI controller, the expression pedal may or may not play nice with it. Sometimes there's calibration issues and not all controllers have calibration options, and there are two different wirings for TRS that would need to be considered in some cases.

Use-Cases

Most MIDI controllers allow you to program more than one signal for each action, more than one action per foot switch and more than one MIDI channel to target. There's a pretty wide variety of things you can do, depending on your needs. One foot switch could control more than one MIDI unit with a single action, and could provide multiple functions depending on press lengths.

MIDI Controllers

This is not an exhaustive list, just a list of ones I have had experience with or spent a lot of time researching. I list them here as an example of how not every foot switch is the same, and to be aware of what to look for, because it's not really strait forward and no two controllers are the same.

Morningstar MC6 & MC6 Pro

The difference between the MC6 and MC6 Pro are the screens and I/O options, but the configs appears to be the same. The Pro has color indicators and more options for screen customization and extra I/O options if you need them. The other models are the same as the non-pro, with less buttons, but these two have a total of 6. Provides 100 banks for presets. The software is web-based and requires the controller to be connected to a computer via USB.

Pros: Very comprehensive options, including execution on press and depress for toggles. The non-pro only has MIDI DIN 5 pin connectors. The pro has MIDI DIN, TRS, USB and mini TRS, plus every possible wired way of connecting I/O.

Cons: The app is maybe overly comprehensive and can be intimidating if you are not technically inclined. The buttons are fairly close together on both rows, so not good for clumsy feet. Expensive, especially for the pro version.

Paint Audio MIDI Captain

There are lots MIDI Captain form factors: 1, 2, 4, 6, and 10 foot switch configurations. There's an onboard screen that allows you to manage MIDI without software. The larger models have a directional wheel that allows you to configure on the fly when in certain modes. There are three modes: preset mode, which is just a preconfigured setting for some popular amp modelers, geek mode which is configurable on the fly with the onboard screen, and then super mode, which is extremely powerful, but requires text editing. Provides 100 banks for presets, and even though there are 10 buttons on the largest model, only 8 are usable as programmable foot switches if not in super mode (they are used only for page up and down for banks).

Pros: Very comprehensive options, probably the most out of all MIDI controllers I've come across. Toggles on press or depress, or both! Provides a lot of form factor options to suite your needs. Has an internal clock. There are so many configs you can edit to tailor the controller to your specific needs, with LED lights that come in sets of 3 encircling each switch, that can each be colored independently and based on which state your foot switch is in. Built in WIDI (2.4ghz wireless MIDI). Can work on 2 AA batteries or 9v connection. If using rechargeable batteries, connecting to a 9v charger will charge the batteries, and this option can be toggled on or off. Configurations are almost endless and exhaustive. For example, you can change the long-press timing to shorten or lengthen it. Relatively inexpensive considering what it offers. POLYPHONIC!

Cons: The more comprehensive editing with the super mode requires text editing, which isn't super easy. Typos and bad formatting can corrupt the system when restarting (though, it doesn't ever brick the unit, you can always re-install the software or config file). There is no companion software and deleting/saving files on the unit takes a painful amount of time (~1 min to transfer a small text file, for example). This makes it very time-consuming to experiment with configurations. I also discovered that the pedal won't mount on the desktop if a MIDI cable is connected. Although it has 2 expression pedal inputs, they can only be used for expression pedals (not TRS switches) and they seem to only work well with Paint Audio expression pedals. My expression pedal "worked", but it was mostly unusable.

Hotone Control

A simple 4 button controller that can use MIDI over DIN, USB and Bluetooth. Provides 100 banks that are selectable by pressing either foot switches 1 and 2 for page down and foot switches 3 and 4 for page up. Has a really simple screen for showing bank number and last command used. It has 2 connection ports for TRS/Expression pedals. Configuration is done via iOS/Android App that can easily connect to the unit when holding down foot switches 2 and 3 together on a short press. Can be powered via USB.

Pros: Really versatile despite it's simplicity. All 4 buttons are in one row. One of the few controllers that offers a hold option, with an additional millisecond field. Also offers single press, which unfortunately is only on depress (see below). Very small footprint, yet not too compact between foot switches.

Cons: All toggling is done on depress, which really it's biggest flaw. I would think this is just an issue with firmware and I would hope that a future update would allow for the choice of press type. For clumsy feet, sometimes you might press two foot switches at the same time and switch banks on yourself. I would love to see an option for changing the bank on a long press of both buttons instead of a short press. It's a total disaster when you accidentally change banks on yourself in the middle of a song. Not a USB host.

XSonic Airstep Smart Multicontoller

A 5 button controller, which is pretty rare. All 5 buttons are in one row. Can connect via Bluetooth (there's even an antenna provided), MIDI DIN or USB. It has 1 MIDI DIN in, but 2 MIDI DIN outs and I believe it can be a USB host. It seems to be targeted for wireless control, but don't let that fool you. This is as versatile and nearly as compact as the Hotone Control, but better in a few ways. There's also a Lite version that is considerably less expensive, but doesn't have the same IO, only bluetooth. It's main purpose is to be an extension of the bigger brother, as they can pair together, but if you only require Bluetooth connections and no expansion, it's a great choice. It has 2 expression pedal inputs AND 2 TRS foot switch expansion inputs. The software is iOS/Android based and can connect via Bluetooth to configure. There's also a multi-function button the back, which can be used to switch banks. The App is super easy to use and the best part is, you can choose if your switch executes on a press, depress, or long press, which makes this probably the most intuitive controller to program and most versatile to use. It's also battery powered with an internal battery that can recharge with a 9v connection, and the battery life is supposed to be phenomenal, with one reviewer saying he uses it extensively and hadn't needed to charge it since unboxing 3 months prior.

Pros: Multiple ways to connect, foot switches can be programmed for press or depress toggle executions, and it's easy to expand. Each foot switch is highly programmable, and even though it doesn't state this in the description, and despite there's no default for bank switching by holding down a combo of foot switches, there is an option for each foot switch for "device," which allows you to program bank switching however you'd like so your clumsy feet will never let you down by mistake. POLYPHONIC! Simple LEDs over each switch for feedback. The LEDs change color based on the current bank.

Cons: Only has 5 preset banks. There are multiple versions of the controller at different price points. The cheaper ones are preconfigured for one type of MIDI device, hence the steep price cut. So, you really need to be aware of which one you are purchasing, or else you will be very disappointed. No onboard screen to show which signal was sent, if that matters.

Ah this is a massive help, thank you! I have been churning over the options (including old gear, like the discontinued Yamaha foot controller with a built-in exp pedal) for some time as I try to figure out a setup for solo performance.