Behringer FCB1010 Midi Foot Controller

The Behringer FSB1010 is a Midi Floorboard that can fulfill anyone's midi footswitch needs. With 10 banks of 10 customizable presets each, two expression pedals will customizable midi channel, control, and range, two programmable external relay switches, midi in, midi out, and midi through, this footswitch is very midi powerful!

For each preset, you can program 5 different program changes (on 5 different channels), 2 control changes, 2 expressions, and a direct midi note output. You can also set the two external switches on and off; these are perfect for controlling amp channels, such as on Mesa Boogie guitar amplifiers. The hardest part is going through the manual to figure out how to program the unit; it can get very confusing, very fast! Behringer always makes budget, affordable items, and this item is no different. Functionally, it is great, but it is obvious that the ease of programming the unit suffers from cheap development. You have to know your midi very well, which is usually the case anyways with most midi applications. There are lights on each of the pedals, which helps decipher how the preset is programmed (while in the edit more), so that can be helpful.

Depending on what version the software is on the FB1010, some of the system features are different. For example, the newer software has an easier, faster way to recalibrate the expression pedals. On the older software, you have to run though an entire diagnostics test, which includes checking the function of all the pedals.

I've used this pedal for multiple bands, multiple applications, and although I haven't used it in years, I keep it around, because one day I'm sure I'll need it again. Whether you simply need to change channels, or it you want to use the expressions, or just play some midi notes, you can't go wrong with this midi floorboard. Just don't expect it to be easy to program.

The Bhringer FCB 1010 is definitely worth your money. Not that it cost a lot either! it’s a mdid foot controller that has 10 bank presets and you can edit each one. There are also two expression pedals that can be assigned to a midi channel. The FCB1010 is a really good investment. This is the first kind of midi foot controller I have every used. Since then I have used a few but must say that this one is probably best when it comes to money spent and quality.

Its very easy to set up , it can pretty much be set up in any program with a global or generic midi option. But once you do that you will be able to save and create your own presets so that each time you turn it on all of your favorite stuff is saved so you wont have to go through setting it up each time you want to use it. Which comes in handy because doing that every time would give you quite a headache.

The Behringer FCB 1010 has a built in power supply and it is built to last. Although I wouldn’t be stopping on this thing to much just because I wouldn’t want to take the chance in damaging something internally. But that doesn’t mean you have to step on it like its an egg. You can put some weight and pressure on it. Just don’t be jumping up and down on it!

I have to say I am impressed with the FCB 1010. It actually made me check out some other foot controllers out of curiosity just to see how good this one actually is. Like I saw before its better than a lot of other models that I have tried. Its German made so you know it will last a long time! Give it a shot, you wont be disappointed with your purchase.

Ah yes. The FCB 1010. Brings back memories from high school...when rack systems were new and fresh! Okay, enough nostalgia. This is a midi controller of course. In fact my first ever midi controller was an FCB. Since then I've used about 6 or 7 different ones. This one, obviously was by far the least expensive. As I recall my rack consisted of a mesa studio preamp, a Digitech GSP unit, and a Mesa power amp of some sort. It was quite heavy.

Anyway, let's get to the review.

What are the features? Well the FCB has bank switches for something like 128 presets. There are 10 presets to a bank. You can use CC or PC commands. If you are familiar with midi this is straightforward stuff. It has a whopping 2 expression pedals which I don't think I've seen on any other unit. Now I know some people complain about the feel of these, but honestly considering the price and the fact that they are functional, I think it's fine. I used one for volume and one for wah. Never failed and never felt that cheap. The switches inevitably get criticized too. But I will say they feel great and never broke on me. It's true you get a more tactile response with the metal "switchcraft" style buttons you see on higher end units but hey, if you stomp on it who needs a tactile response? One function that is very cool is the relay switches. I used these with my Mesa Studio to switch channels and effects loops on and off. I was a bit surprised to see a function like this one a unit this cheap because a lot of the nicer midi controller I own don't even do that. Impressive.

What I really loved about the FCB is its reliability. I abused mine badly and it never gave me any trouble. Furthermore, the unit FEELS very strong which is surprising given the brand. People I know bash Behringer all the time, but I have used a handful of their products and find I'm usually surprised by what they can do for the price. The FCB though is far and away an impressive piece of work. Feature wise, it spanks units at 3 times the cost. If you want better buttons and expression pedals, prepare to pay.