Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: terryc on July 08, 2006, 12:48:49 AM

Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: terryc on July 08, 2006, 12:48:49 AM
Okay question for you all and hopefully an answer.  
I am in a four piece function band playing my trusty 1993 MK standard. We could advertise for a keyboard player but we want all the dosh for ourselves!!.  
Now is there a single octave foot controller(as in a pedalboard on an organ) to give keyboard sounds. example..we play 'Steamy Windows'(clich'ed I know) and we want the big chord after the singer says the title.  
So is there a 'foot keyboard' I can use to trigger a midi device or similar.  
Trawling the web is a nightmare.  
Lastly..I am from the UK so UK sources would be better but I am open to suggestions.
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: mpisanek on July 08, 2006, 12:55:31 AM
Roland used to make a pedal called something like a PK 5.  It was a one octave pedalboard like that on an organ.  I don't know if they are still available, but they would work well for what you want.  They also made a programmable foot controller that would work called an FC 200.  failing that there is a behringer unit that might work called an fc10.  I've not used the behringer, but if it is programmable, it should do the business.  All of these units were available in the UK and Ireland.
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: dnburgess on July 08, 2006, 02:04:03 AM
One word: Moog Taurus
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: terryc on July 08, 2006, 04:03:46 AM
thank you for replies and I will look into all the suggestions
Oops forgot about the late Robert Moog's fine pedal board
Again many thanks
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: bigredbass on July 08, 2006, 06:21:03 PM
Well, 'Steamy Windows' is one of my FAVORITE cliches!  I'll take all the Tony Joe White cliches I can.
 
J o e y
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: 811952 on July 10, 2006, 10:46:56 AM
I've got a set of Fatar bass pedals and trigger a Vintage Keys module and/or a DX-7 with them.  It is awesome, and lots more flexible IMHO than the Taurus pedals (I've got a set of those as well).
 
John
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: 2400wattman on July 10, 2006, 07:31:37 PM
Yes, the Fatar (a.k.a. Studio Logic) are great pedals, light in weight, although limited in they're midi operating functions compared to the Roland PK-5's but are cheaper by about $150.00-$200.00 and should suit your needs fine. Try this link www.zzzounds.com (http://www.zzzounds.com) as they carry both brands. you should find them under keyboard/midi controllers. Cheers!!
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: kenbass4 on July 11, 2006, 12:19:29 PM
One more for the Studiologic Pedal...I have mine tied into either my Korg TR or my SL 2001, giving me a HUGE number of sound options.
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: rogertvr on July 13, 2006, 02:25:41 AM
I've got a set of Moog Taurus II interaced to a Moog Source.  During the mid-80's when I first bought them both, the set-up was great!  It's rather limited now by today's standards, but the Moog bass sounds are still to die for.
 
I also have a set of Roland PK-5 pedals MIDI-ed to a Roland D-110 rack module.  That's much more in keeping with todays sounds but the D-110 isn't the best synth either.  I set it all up on the cheap about three years ago, as an experiment to see if it was worth progressing.  Lack of cash has prevented that path from happening. But the PK-5 are very versatile from the point of view of adjusting settings for a few parameters with your feet as you play. I'd recommend them - just think very carefully about the synth you interface them with.
 
Of course, there are still the original Moog Taurus pedals but they're not MIDI either, they'll cost you a fortune to buy (if you can find a set in decent condition) and they're all getting a little old and fragile now. Not something I would drag around to gigs these days, for their own welll-being!
Title: Foot controller for keyboard sounds
Post by: 811952 on July 15, 2006, 11:22:51 AM
If you're not offended by Indiana clay dirt, I took some pics of the setup I used last night for your viewing pleasure..  John  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/29969.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/29970.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/29971.jpg)