I am in search of a new midi controller. FCB1010 is cheap and sturdy enough, but the sentiment on the (few) comments on this forum is tiepid…
For those who are unsing one, couuld you please elaborate on your experience?
Thanks in advance
z
The FCB is indeed very sturdy (and hence heavy). While I cannot provide feedback for its use with the Dwarf or MOD units (because of its size and weight I keep it in a cupboard and don’t currently use it actively), it’s widely used in general and there are also some modding options with different ROMs for additional features or replacing the built-in power supply and DIN MIDI connectors with a USB MIDI and power option. So it’s well worth investigating.
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It‘s a tank.
programming could be a pain, but it works well if you use those mods like uno.
I own one but switched to nektar pacer as it‘s way more flexible
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I have one, and it’s great. Replacing the ROM with the one from UnO is highly recommended. I’ve also made some of the modifications suggested in this video
namely the phantom power and switch replacement.
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I had that FCB1010 and hated how non-flexible it was from the programming perspective.
I had to create an abomination of a virtual pedalboard to workaround that. Post is here
Maybe with that UNO chip it is better, but in its original, non modded state it was hard to use with MDX for me.
And it is really heavy, same way as a full old effects processor, like GT-100 or like that, which is a lot for a thing that just sends some midi signals. It might be a huge downside if you have to carry this thing around.
From a bright side, you probably can use it as a self-defence weapon.
And UNO chip is something you have to buy separately, if your device is vanilla.
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The FBC1010 isn’t that bad in a fairness. Had one for quite a while so here’s so points.
Yeah it’s big but it doesn’t feel like it will break.
The expression pedals are very cheap feeling and do need calibrating a lot. They also ‘clack’ against the metal board when using them
They can vibrate a bit if they are old. It’s a power supply thing and very annoying - if you do the dc power bypass it solves it.
Uno is good but it puts the price up if you have to buy it. A lot of ones for sale do have it built in. It gives access to stomp box mode on the top row. Although I think it has stomp b loopox mode in the later firmware so make sure it’s not an early one as you can’t upgrade the firmware without replacing the IC
Its a pain to edit but there are a couple of editors out there for both pc and Mac. I’m sure Mountain do one but maybe Google.
It’s footswiches look cheap but never had one fail so not all bad. Just not as solid at the Boss GT style ones.
It’s Midi do only so bear that in mind if you are connecting to dwarf etc
The relays are pretty handy if you have amps or pedals that can remote switch.
Again it’s about budget. If you fancy one go for it they tend to hd there price if you get a 2nd one so you won’t loose too much. I’m not even sure you can buy them new anymore
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total aggree with @Austin73
if you get one. give it a try.
but if you could get a fancy one, take this instead
So, I have found a cheap second hand unit with a UnO chip and bought a license of the original Control SW, which luckily enough worked on my linux laptop with wine and my USB-Midi interface.
I like the “Stompbox” mode. It seems to fill (more or less) the gap between a control chain device and anormal midi controller which cannot show the plugin status
What it sucks:
- (but is more a MOD limit) is that if you assign one of the pedals to the volume you will end up having volume spikes changing snapshot. It would be great (has already been asked more than once) to be able to have “global” controls not impacted by snapshots. Until then an analog volume pedal will fit better…
- you cannot define a default setting after power up…
- other will come
Anyway, with some programming, 3d printing a support for the dwarf, after some cable management (more will come) and some velcro this is my setup. I am quite happy with it.
Sooner or later i will mod it to use the same 5V USB power source I use for the DWARF and possibly buy a “UnO2” chip which is far more flexible, or i will put an esp32 with the PedalinoMini FW.
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