Pairing MIDI Foot Controllers with Rack Guitar Effects and Stompboxes

MIDI foot controllers are typically a keyboard thing. But what many guitar players don't realize is that they are extremely handy when paired with a rackmount processor, or even software, in a guitar rig.

Nearly all rackmount effects processors come with a MIDI input and output for this reason.

It allows you to control the processor like you would any other guitar pedal, but from a distance.

The processor sits in a rack somewhere, and the MIDI controller sits conveniently on the floor in front of you.

I'll refer you to this article, written by Hugo from Strymon, that details how to connect a MIDI foot controller to your pedals or effects processor(s), if you're looking for more information on that process.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with the best MIDI foot controllers.

Our resulting specs list should include:

1. At least a basic up/down MIDI channel or patch selector
   
2. Banking control system that function via a MIDI connection

MIDI foot controllers are not necessarily the same thing as switches or pedal loopers.

In some cases, they can come housed in the same product, but switches and pedal loopers simply allow you to patch your pedals out, via TRS cables, and then select them from one spot.

Take the following diagram, for example:

The dark red, light blue, dark blue and green pedals are all looped into the 6LE Extension unit.

You'll often see these kinds of systems with MIDI functionality as well and are typically used by pros to control pedalboards and stompboxes from a remote location on a stage or in a recording studio.

For our purposes, we're not looking for a loop system.

Instead we're focusing on just the MIDI-related tasks, and will avoid any foot controllers that incorporate pedal looping. Though the two units are usually sold as separate products.

Here's what we will cover.

Any stompbox or processor that is MIDI compatible will have MIDI ports (in and out) clearly visible, usually on the back of the device. Those ports look like this:

In a mounted effects processor, you'll have a similar-looking interface.

When you're looking at rackmounted effects processors, like the ones pictured above, a MIDI connection is usually assumed, meaning you might not even see it in the specs sheet if you were to look it up on Amazon.

It will almost never be touted as a highlight feature. For the most part, it's just expected to be there.

On the same page, if we look at some of the other photos provided for this particularly unit, we can easily spot the MIDI ports on the back panel.

On the other hand, when you're looking for MIDI-compatible pedals or stompboxes, the connections will typically be highlighted, even in a stripped-down specs sheet. This is because most pedals do not have a MIDI connection.

Our master list of guitar pedals with MIDI ports shows you where to find them.

Every MIDI foot controller I'll highlight here can control any effects processor or stompbox that supports a MIDI connection. Just make sure you know how to spot that connection when you're shopping for pedals and processors.

Let's look at some pedals and rack effects units that have MIDI ports.

While it has a bit of a learning curve, the Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro is the single most complete and effective MIDI foot controller I know to recommend.

Here's just a quick, broad-stroke list of what it can handle.

• Control MIDI (or non-MIDI) rack effects
• Control stompboxes
• Switch between amps
• Switch between channels
  

The Ground Control Pro is one of the most complete and highly-functioning MIDI foot controller pedals on the market.

The drawback here is that you have to set all of this up and figure out the gory details of how to get your Ground Control Pro to talk with the device(s) you're trying to couple it with. Learning how to take advantage of all the functionality will take some time.

If you want some insight into the setup process, this video is a good place to start.

Setup is simple only if you take the time to get familiar with the interface. I'd advise watching this video and consulting the manual, if you're not totally sure about the initial process.

The Ground Control Pro is definitely intended for rigs that are well-established with a lot of different moving pieces needing to be controlled from one location.

Personally, I don't like the Ground Control Pro for smaller rigs that only need to patch a few different channels or effects through a MIDI connection. Moreover, the price of the Ground Control (usually around $400) moves it outside the scope of smaller, lower-functioning setups.

If you're in a situation where you need more functionality and control, perhaps switching between multiple amps, pedals and rackmounted effects, the Ground Control Pro is an ideal fit.

This is particularly true if you're a live performer with the need for centralized control of all your gear.

However, if you only need to control a couple pedals or a single processor, you're likely overpaying for what you need (see Simon Rowe's guitar rig near the end of this piece).

In that scenario, the Ground Control Pro is overkill.

Check some of the other options instead.

The Behringer FCB1010 has a few distinct advantages over the Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro, particularly for those who might have felt the Ground Control was too much pedal for what they were trying to do.

For prospective buyers, the FCB1010's most attractive feature will initially be its price.

Sitting around $150 retail, it's one of the single most affordable MIDI foot controllers for guitar on the market.

Moreover, it includes two expression pedals, which can be assigned the same way you would assign an external expression pedal in the Ground Control.

It's also far simpler to use and program.

Unfortunately, there are a litany of ways to make this connection happen and a best-practices scenario isn't entirely clear.

At least not for free.

If you don't mind investing a little more into the job, the simplest and most straightforward method is the Behringer iStudio iS202 pictured below. This will allow you to connect your MIDI foot controller (in this case the FCB1010) to your iPad, thus allowing you to assign functionality for apps like GarageBand, Amplitube or Ampkit. 

You can get the iS202 for under $100 in most markets, which means your total investment (if you include the FCB1010) is still only around $250.

Not bad for turning your iPad into a fully-functional MIDI-controlled guitar rig.

The FCB1010 doesn't feel quite as durable as the Ground Control, yet I have no real reason to doubt its strength and durability, other than the fact that it's much thinner. And while there are still complexities (depending on what you're hooking it up to) there's a simplicity to it that's conducive to smaller rigs and more basic setups.

I like the FCB1010 for most amateur to mid-level players who want a reliable MIDI foot controller for just one or a few devices. I'd also give the FCB1010 the nod for things like an iPad, PC or Mac connection.

3. Rocktron MIDI Xchange

The MIDI Xchange from Rocktron is the younger cousin of the Rocktron MIDI Raider, which we'll get to next.

I like the Xchange because it's simple and easy to setup. You've got an UP and DOWN buttons for cycling through MIDI patches, as well as a "RECALL" button to memorize or "bank" particular sounds.

For smaller rigs, and especially those who just want to control a single MIDI pedal or stompbox, that's about all you need.

So far, the Xchange is also the most affordable option we've seen, settling at around $110 retail in most markets.

When I was browsing the Xchange's user manual, I noticed that some of their diagrams provide a nice reference for setting up a MIDI foot controller of any kind, so I've included them here just to give a clear picture of what our final product might look like.

In the image below, you're going from the guitar to the Rocktron effects processor - which is controlled by the MIDI Xchange - and then back into an amplifier.

If you're setting up a more complex rig with everything in a rack, your diagram might look something like the picture below.

Note that the Rocktron MIDI Xchange can control multiple devices via the in and out MIDI connections.

The only thing you'll have to add is a MIDI cable that gives you enough length to work with. Otherwise, setting up something like the Rocktron is just about as basic as you can get.

It can run off batteries and (depending on how you have it hooked up) phantom power. But I'd be lying if I said this didn't bother me, especially when all the other units we've looked at come with their own power source.

I should add, however, that I have seen unboxing photos of this unit with a Rocktron-branded power adapter.

My assumption is that it's going to depend on who and where you buy from. For example, when I bought my Line 6 DL4 delay off Amazon, it came with a power adapter and a converter, because the original jack was too small.

That was just me benefiting from the seller's good graces and not a formal perk from Line 6.

It's certainly not a deal-breaker, but worth keeping in mind.

Rocktron's MIDI Raider is one of the most expensive MIDI foot controller pedals available, and one of the largest, spanning a total of 18 different buttons and a 19 x 13 inch floor footprint.

All that real estate sits on 11 pounds of metal.

The RAIDER allows you to work in three different "modes" that include the following:

1. Bank Mode
2. Song Mode
3. Remote Mode
   

The Bank Mode has 120 total presets, which can be setup as something like 24 banks of five presets with 10 'instant' switches. Or, if you want things to be a little more straightforward, all 15 access switches can be used as 'Instant' switches. Usually, 15 different sounds is plenty, but that all depends on your playing style and what gear you're running.

Speaking of how much gear you might be using:

Like Voodoo Lab's Ground Control, the MIDI Raider from Rocktron is designed to handle multiple MIDI-controllable devices.

Thus, you can have a rack unit with several devices, that can all have their own MIDI channel.

In the above photo, the DigiTech, TC Electronic, Nova Drive and EHX pedals all have their own MIDI channel.

Then, with a pedal like the Nova Drive, you can cycle through presets from within just that pedal.

Evidently, there is a notable learning curve for this controller.

The user manual is a staggering (though not unexpected) 80 pages.

Let's take a quick look at the specs, then go through some of the most crucial information covered in the manual.

What the user manual calls a "typical" setup is worth a look, just so you can get a feel for what kind of (and how many) cables you'll need.

As you can see, your cabling needs will depend on how many expression pedals you want to use, whether either (or both) of them are actually volume pedals and how many MIDI-controllable devices you want to include.

Unfortunately, the physical setup would have to be considered the "easy" part.

Particularly if you're programming your MIDI Raider to control several different devices, and presets within those devices, you'll want to make sure to browse the next graphic.

As much as I'm sure you don't want to, I would absolutely advise you to read the entire setup section of the manual.

It spans 18 total pages, with pictures, but 18 pages nonetheless.

Your best bet is to read all of it. And I don't mean skim or just glance for a few minutes - actually sit down and read through it intently. Once you do that, the Raider interface will seem a lot more "human" and easier to navigate.

• 120 available presets
• Use all 15 access buttons as 'Instant' switches
• Setup MIDI channels with individual presets for each pedal or processor

MIDI Guitar Setups in Professional Rigs

Since most professional guitar players have robust live setups, they often take advantage of MIDI foot controllers, setup on stage, to make adjustments in rackmounted processors or pedals that are stored off-stage.

Often combined with patch or loop systems for individual pedals, professional guitarists (or their techs) can control an entire array of effects from one centralized location.

You might say they're wired in.

Since this diagram was built, Stephen Carpenter's rig has changed quite a bit, as he's removed almost all his pedals in favor of a larger MIDI foot controller that houses all of his effects digitally.

If you look at the full diagram from 2011, you can see why he made the change.

It was just a lot of stuff.

The part I'm most interested in is the MIDI board seen here.

That red dotted line you see is the output from the MIDI board, which then runs into a Marshall preamp.

Another MIDI cable then runs from the "out" of the preamp to the "in" of the Rocktron processor.

Remember the Strymon diagram?

This is the same idea, in that it allows Carpenter to link up multiple devices to be controlled by one MIDI floor pedal.

Let's look at a simpler example.

For most of us, this is a great example of what we're likely to start with when we get into MIDI-controlled effects.

Simon Rowe uses one processor, an amp head and few pedals.

It's all wonderfully simple.

His MIDI foot controller is also quite simple, as he's using an old Boss design that cycles through preset patches on the Quadraverb.

If it were me, I'd be happy with something like this.

It's simple, easy to setup, easy to use and has a minimal learning curve. Besides, it's sometimes nice to know that even some of the high-profile guys use simpler rigs.

When do I really need one?

When applied to a guitar rig, MIDI controllers (especially the larger ones) are designed to centralize control.

However, we've also seen that this doesn't necessarily mean that your rig must be complex or large.

There are two scenarios in which I'd recommend a MIDI foot controller:

1. If you want to centralize a large amount of effects, stompboxes or processors
2. If you have any rackmounted processor

If you have anything in rack form, pair it with a MIDI controller.

If you ever find yourself using or buying a rackmounted effects processor like the G-Major or the Behringer Virtualizer, you should pair that unit with a MIDI controller right away.

Even if you're only using the one processor, there are usually a ton of different effects to cycle through and you don't want to do that by hand.

So, don't assume that just because your rig is small or you're only wanting to control one processor that you should wait on a MIDI foot controller. If you have anything in rack form, pair it with a MIDI controller.

At that point, you need to answer a question of scope, specifically, "How much do I plan to expand my rig in the future, and how much of it do I want to be controlled by a MIDI pedal?"

The answer to this question will determine whether you buy something larger and more complex like the Ground Control, or whether you setup your rig more like Simon Rowe's with a simple MIDI foot controller and just a few effects.

In other words, plan ahead.

Deciding when and if you need the MIDI controller should depend on the answers to these questions.

And to finish on a logical note, those who play live will likely have an expanded use for this type of setup.

Comments, Questions and Setup Ideas

Have questions about the products I listed here?

Have a MIDI guitar setup you'd like to share?

Leave it in the comments section below. Technical questions about the gear should be specified in the comments section of this page so others, who might have similar questions can benefit as well.

Thanks for reading.