Midi foot controllers

[Coma]

I want to start recording some of my own stuff, but I've noticed what a royal PITA it is to keep having to take my hands off the guitar to press keyboard buttons. So my questions is, since my external sound card has midi in/out ports, can I use a midi footswitch to start and stop the recording in my DAW? I'm going to be using either Adobe Audition or Reaper.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Yes, providing your DAW can accept midi messages (usually it would be Control Change messages). Then, you have to find a midi pedal capable of sending the messages you DAW can 'hear'. So, you will have to do a bit of research on the DAW.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Your want to use this for your transport controls?

 

[Coma]

Re: Midi foot controllers

For start, stop, keep and delete take

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Midi foot controllers

As said above, this will work provided your DAW is set up to accept CC changes. I use a Roland FC-200, but Behringer makes one as well, I think. Most of these protocols are standard, and if you put your MIDI controller into CC mode, it may just work straight out of the box.

Alternatively, if you are punching in, you can also set up a preroll so you have time to get into the groove before recording starts.

 

[Coma]

Re: Midi foot controllers

As said above, this will work provided your DAW is set up to accept CC changes. I use a Roland FC-200, but Behringer makes one as well, I think. Most of these protocols are standard, and if you put your MIDI controller into CC mode, it may just work straight out of the box.

Alternatively, if you are punching in, you can also set up a preroll so you have time to get into the groove before recording starts.

What is CC?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Midi foot controllers

What is CC?

CC = control change. Typically transport control via MIDI.
PC = program change. Switches banks/presets via MIDI.
SYSEX = sytem exclusive. Specialty control which varies between manufacturers.
NOTE = note input. Converts MIDI to pitch.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Midi foot controllers

I use this:

They're discontinued, but not all that expensive or hard to find. Wireless with a USB receiver, and works with most major DAWs out there.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Haven't tried using a midi controller with Audition myself, but you can record overdubs to a new track just fine. Typically I'll have the base tracks (drums and either rhythm or bass) and then everything else goes on separate tracks.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Midi foot controllers

I also noticed OP said he 'wants to begin recording his own stuff' ... I would say maybe try with keyboard for the first bit and see. I know my hotkeys so damn well now I abandoned my search for transport controls.

Now if I had a full on DAW controller...

 

[Coma]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Well, I've already recorded some basic stuff for soundtracks I've made and such. And I already use a macro pad for my work. But as I said, taking my hands off the instrument is what I want to get rid off.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Ok, so I just checked Audition 3's MIDI control and Shortcuts options. Ctrl+Space is your default Record Start/Stop keyboard shortcut (easy enough to hit with your pinky and middle finger while holding the pick), and it also does take MIDI Note commands and Continuous Controller values on assignable channels (or all) for the same function. You could get a small MIDI controller or even a simple expression pedal that sends MIDI Note data.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Well, any mini (music) keyboard sends note on data. But if you want to use your feet, you specifically have to look for something that either sends Control Change data and/or note on data. Not all do. The Behringer is big, and works well, and is cheap. Many smaller ones only send Program Change data. But I went for years (still do) using my computer keyboard. It isn't that difficult. You can set up your DAW to record several takes in a row.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Midi foot controllers

The BOSS expression pedal sends CC data and has a MIDI port on it, unlike the Line6 pedal which uses a 1/4" cable.

[edit]
I spoke too soon: the BOSS and Roland both use 1/4".

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Interesting solutions discussed here:

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=14679.0

 

[ChungCB123]

Re: Midi foot controllers

What is CC?

CC = control change. Typically transport control via MIDI

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Midi foot controllers

My soundcard uses an IO bay that has MIDI in/out.. Ever so often I hook up an old X-15 ultrafoot and my VST host see's it and works fine.. footswitch has a date of like '94 but as i said.. works fine

edit>> I dont use mine to work with a DAW to record but to switch Guitar Rig patches.. I use VST host and GR4 vst + several others but thats the main one

 

[Mincer]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Yeah, the Ultrafoot can send program change messages (on 1 channel), but I think it was limited to CC messages only coming from the 2 volume-type pedals. You can see if your DAW can use program change messages for transport control, and if it can, there are smaller midi pedals available today that can do it. You can also email the company that made the DAW and see what they recommend.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Midi foot controllers

Behringer makes a quite roboust MIDI foot controller and it is really cheap, as far as I can remember sub-$100. It is pretty functional. If you need a couple of simple commands only, there is no point of burning more $$$ on that.

Apart from that, a little more practice with keyboard shortcuts and you'll never need anything else for recording. If you wish multiple takes just set a loop and you don't even need to push buttons plus yoou can select the best takes later. There are always sleepers that you wish to flush right after recording, still they prove to be the right take some time later.