Mainstage 2 Stompbox Control with FCB1010 - Part 1 of 3

[tuttobono]

Hi, I just purchased the fcb1010 used, and was considering getting the IFCB you have in your video. I noticed on their WebSite that Uno is not supported. How can I know if the formware I have is Uno's or ?Behringer's?  Thanks!

[JasTheMusicman]

@tuttobono Sure, the best way is to flip the unit over and remove the screws from the back plate and take a look at the chip. If it says Behringer it's factory, which is the most likely scenario and it will say UnO if not the factory chip. Google "uno chip" images and you'll see what it looks like.

[lavusrcu]

how did you connect it with your computer? do you use midi to usb adapter and then plug in both IN and OUT or what? thx

[JasTheMusicman]

@lavusrcu I used an audio interface which also has a MIDI connection (M-Audio Fastrack Pro) and the Fastrack Pro connects via USB to my Mac.

Complet connections are:

FCB1010 MIDI Out ---> M-Audio MIDi In

M-Audio MIDI Out -----> FCB1010 MIDI In

M-Audio Fastrack Pro USB----> Mac USB

This sends MIDI signals from the FCB1010 into the FasTrack Pro then those MIDI messages get sent to the Mac from the FasTrack Pro into my Mac.

Hope that helps!

[lavusrcu]

@JasTheMusicman helps a lot, thanks!

by the way, do you have an output on your m-audio for amp?

im trying to find a way to make my computer act like a guitar effect, so im looking for a hardware which can recieve signal from my guitar, then sends and process it in programs like amplitube or guitar rig than sends back to an amp... thank you once again!

[Berthosss]

Sorry, too much lip smacking noise for me to listen to more than a minute of this.

[JasTheMusicman]

Thanks for your comment, yes, there is - I totally agree. This was one of my earlier videos and had the mic too close. I've left it up because people seem to still benefit and want it regardless.

I'll use this comment as a survey:

VIEWERS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THE NOISE IS TOO ANNOYING AND THINK I SHOULD TAKE THIS VIDEO DOWN OR IF YOU THINK IT'S STILL HELPFUL AND I SHOULD LEAVE IT UP. THANKS.

[fimblefomble]

@JasTheMusicman Very helpful, thanks for taking the time to do this, the mouth noise isn't a big problem - better quality than allot of other videos out there.

[JasTheMusicman]

@fimblefomble Ok thanks man!  btw, r u from Glasgow?

[fimblefomble]

@JasTheMusicman No im from Manchester :-)

[JasTheMusicman]

@fimblefomble Oh ok cool - I saw you had a bunch of posts from Glasgow gigs on your channel :)  I'm originally from Scotland, now in Canada hence the odd combined accent in my vids ;)

[ecazmusic]

hey thanks for the video. How do make the reference as mainstage. I have mainstage

[JasTheMusicman]

Good question...the video shows an older version of iFCB where you could create your own text file and associate it wit iFCB. It was only used for reference (no functionality) and so was removed.

[ecazmusic]

@JasTheMusicman so i dont need to do it?

[JasTheMusicman]

That's right, you don't need it.

[bradtwo]

MainStage should take care of a lot of this configuration. All you need to do is make sure your buttons are on different CC channels. That was kind of the point of mainstage in the first part. You don't have to go through massive setup with reprogramming the controller to work with the software.

[JasTheMusicman]

Thanks for your comment Brad...some (many in fact) FCB's are bought used and haven't been configured properly, are wiped clean, or some others just don't want to use the factory settings. So while Mainstage will Learn any CC (if it's there already), the point of the video series was to show viewers the full cycle.

[000Fenderbender]

hey Jas!

how did you get your version of iFCB to have "Mainstage" as a reference?

[JasTheMusicman]

Ah, good question! The old version of iFCB used to have a way that you could create a text file and associate it with iFCB for reference but that function has been replaced with a Comments section for each switch...it works much better and is a great enhancement. So just ignore that Mainstage Reference :)

[000Fenderbender]

@JasTheMusicman Ahh I see. Now my next question is this: Have you had your FCB upgraded using a different EPROM chip? I've seen some forums that say you should do this. One specific one called the UnO upgrade caught my attention...

[JasTheMusicman]

I installed the UnO chip but then uninstalled it because I really didn't need the functionality. The main thing it does is make manual programming easier and also enables the switches to correctly reflect stompbox state. But, for me with iFCB, manual programming is no longer an issue and as for stompbox states, I look at the Mainstage screen for that info, not the FCB1010. Hope that helps.

[000Fenderbender]

@JasTheMusicman exactly what I wanted to hear, Thanks!

[glassprison01]

my controller isn't being recognized inside the program, i have both midi cables connected like the manual says

[JasTheMusicman]

Hey Patrick, what MIDI interface are you using and exactly how are they connected i.e. what to what?

[Pacifiesta]

Can you create scenes with this? I.E. a stompbox scene, and then a patch selection scene controlled you one of the buttons?

[JasTheMusicman]

Hi Pacifiesta, could you describe a little more on what you mean by a "scene"?

Thanks.

[Pacifiesta]

@JasTheMusicman I apologize, I realized that the FCB is unfortunately not USB or bus powered, which are deal breakers for me so the point is moot. Too bad, because there doesn't seem to be anything quite like it in the market besides the line 6 FBV shortboard Mk II, which only has one expression pedal.

[JasTheMusicman]

No problem. But there is a solution to what you need, for a few more bucks that is :)

What I do is connect up the FCB1010 to a MOTO MIDI Express 128 which IS usb bus powered and the MIDI from the FCB comes right into your computer via the usb connection. Works great!

[Pacifiesta]

@JasTheMusicman But wouldn't the FCB still need to be powered by the AC?

[JasTheMusicman]

Yes, that's right - my apologies, I had it in my head we were talking about MIDI. I probably had answered a question about MIDI just before your question and the previous answer was still in my head ;)

[Pacifiesta]

@JasTheMusicman Hah. No problem. Thanks for helping :). I emailed their support, hopefully theyre planning on releasing something like it soon! The only midi-over-USB, bus powered floor controller that I know of so far is the Line 6 FBV Shortboard MkII, but it only has one expression pedal and a few other shortcomings that make it less appealing than the FCB 1010. Its always unfortunate when theres a demand for something that doesn't exist on the market.

[JasTheMusicman]

Just remembered....check out the Gordius Little Giant just google gordius and you'll find it. You get what you pay for ;)

[bobbykayuk]

eh bit thick how do i take a screen shot

[JasTheMusicman]

You're not thick in the least!

Whole screen Shift-Command-3

Partial screen Shift-Comman-4 then drag the upper and lower corner of the crosshair to select.

Pls, pls, tell me why we're not Skype'ing! The curiosity is killing me :)

[bobbykayuk]

oh no here we go again ?

you wont believe this my fcb1010 works i can change effects fuzz ect by pressing pedals BUT i cant find the pedal board in the edit mode to be honest it works but the only thing i see is 2 options buses eh just gone ?

[JasTheMusicman]

I don't think it's a difficult thing to solve, but just so I understand it correctly could you please email me a screenshot? I think you already have my email address...and remind me why we're not using Skype? ;) We'd get this solved in a jiffy :)

[ecazmusic]

@JasTheMusicman hey man if you were willing to skype to help configure my current situation, it would be awesome and much appreciated.

[bobbykayuk]

brought one mate hope this works lol or i will be broke soon lol

[JasTheMusicman]

ha-ha, no kidding!

It'll work - it's what I use.

[bobbykayuk]

@JasTheMusicman

Yipeeeeeeee works fine but trying to get the mic inputs working now lol

I have another question . you /SUPER GUY YOU......

i have two keyboards and wish to use both using main stage samples exs and stuff .do i have to set up different midi channels for each keyboard, i guess i need that to be able to use both through main stage?

by the way Thank you so much would have been stumped without your videos

cant thank you enough..

[JasTheMusicman]

Great job sticking with it, congrats!!

Yes, you could assign different MIDI channels just to be safe and ensure separation but you can also define the keyboard for MIDI input by instrument channel. If you click the instrument channel strip which has say your EXS24, you will see a MIDI Input tab in the Screen Control Inspector at the bottom of the screen so you can define the specific keyboard imput for that instrument channel strip.

I'm really glad the videos helped you!!

[bobbykayuk]

ok problem i have is i am in Guernsey ci and no shops that do that sort of thing ?

can you recomend a midi interface that works ?

[JasTheMusicman]

Ah ok, understood..for soe reason I thought you were in the US. Yeah, a good interface that works well and is reasonably priced is the M-Audio Fastrack Pro, you should be able to get a good used on on eBay...that's the one I use but there are other good solutions in the marketplace.

[JasTheMusicman]

Also on the 88 thing...it's a memory error, and MIDI interface error. When you power up the FCB1010 and get the flashing 88’s it means his interface is supplying data to the FCB1010 MIDI IN.

You have to disconnect the whole MIDI interface from the FCB1010, power it up, THEN connect the MIDI interface IN and OUT. Then try to run iFCB. Any other order won’t work.

Try that and let me know.

[bobbykayuk]

any idea why my midi monitor say reset every time i check it and how the hell did you manage to program your fcb1010 to recieve sys ex messages?

[bobbykayuk]

in your video you mention you had set up the fcb1010 earlier so that the ifcb works

I brought the ifcb1010 like you have but i cant get it to recieve the sysex messages

and when i turn it on a get 88 in on the fscb1010. it does tell you how to put it into recieve sysex but wont work keeps telling me the same thing to out the fcb1010 into sys recieve mode i am going arounf in cycles here lol

Can you help my friend

[JasTheMusicman]

Rob, another thing to try is disconnecting the MIDI Out cable, then try sending the Sysex.

[bobbykayuk]

@JasTheMusicman

hi mate not getting any joy here ?

followed your steps to the dot but cant get fcb1010 to go into recieve mode .

i downloaded midi manager like you use and the only message shown is reset when i press the fcb1010 pedals

[JasTheMusicman]

Ah, now I know what it is! Some (very few) MIDI interfaces don't work very well with iFCB e.g. M-Audio UNO and if you get that "reset" message then it's a sign of incompatibility. I suggest you switch your MIDI interface....I doubt you'll have the same problem then. It might be a good idea to borrow one if you can just to test.

[JasTheMusicman]

Also on the 88 thing...it's a memory error, and MIDI interface error. When you power up the FCB1010 and get the flashing 88’s it means his interface is supplying data to the FCB1010 MIDI IN.

You have to disconnect the whole MIDI interface from the FCB1010, power it up, THEN connect the MIDI interface IN and OUT. Then try to run iFCB. Any other order won’t work.

Try that and let me know.

[bobbykayuk]

fcb1010 wont go into sys mode everything you show works but simply wont do it ?

[bobbykayuk]

oh also to use say, the exs, then switch to real strat (soft synth) i guess they will need to be on different midi channels how do i set the fcb1010 to change the midi channels or to select a different soft synth . or do you put it in banks thanks

[JasTheMusicman]

They don't have to be on different MIDI channels, you can either just have separate Mainstage patches and use a Program Change to switch them (from a FCB swtich) or have them both in one patch using separate channel strips and MIDI control the fader or the out level for each one as you like...or even a Send value.

Hope that helps, there are different options depending on what suits you best...feel free to message me for more info if you like.

[sinverb]

Can the Behringer FCB1010 be used to summon Logic 9 drum samples? can mainstage 2 relevant?

[JasTheMusicman]

Yes, you can load the samples into the EXS24, insert the EXS24 into a channel strip in Mainstage, then map the instrument functions to the FCB1010 (or other MIDI Controller).

[elbradamontes]

oops, i meant logic 9 not final cut 9

[JasTheMusicman]

Yeah, no problem, I figured you meant Logic :)

That Alesis is a nice bit of gear of you have there :)

Anyway, sorry for the dumb question first - I'm assuming you're using an instrument input on the Alesis for the guitar and not line level?

[elbradamontes]

not a dumb question at all. That's part of the problem, if not the whole problem. The alessis does not have any instrument inputs. It's all line level. Four channels have a pre-amp. 8 do not. Anyhow, I've got an io14 on the way. That does have an instrument input. I'm hoping that solves the problem. By the way, hows the latency working with mainstage? I'm hoping to replace my pod xt live with the new logic and an fcb. So far...keeping the pod.

[JasTheMusicman]

Ah, that explains it :)

Ok, yeah the io will work nicely! I'm sure it'll solve the problem and going by the specs it looks like you'll have a nice signal as well.

As for latency, you won't be able to beat you xt live as you know but through lots of CPU at it and you should be good...it's way better than I thought it would be but also depends on plug-in's. I'm hitting the ceiling occasionally when I use Amplitube but the native modeller's and stompboxes are lighter and sound real good anyway.

[elbradamontes]

i've been messing with the new modeling and effects for guitar in fce 09 and i can't seem to get anything but fuzz at decent gain levels. I'm plugging in to my imac through an alesis multimix 12 firewire. Any suggestions?