

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.ĭeciding when and if you need the MIDI controller should depend on the answers to these questions.Īnd to finish on a logical note, those who play live will likely have an expanded use for this type of setup. If you have anything in rack form, pair it with a MIDI controller.Īt 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?" 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 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.Įven 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. With all the preliminary information out of our way, lets look at some actual MIDI foot controllers, starting with a popular offering from Voodoo Lab. These are just a handful among many, meant to serve as examples of what you're going to use a MIDI controller to manipulate. Here are a few that I've noticed and would recommend based on the reputation of their manufacturer. Stompboxes with MIDI ports are more rare and thus harder to spot. Avid Eleven Rack Multi Effects Processor.TC-Electronic M350 Reverb & Effects Processor.We'll start with rack processors since they're more commonly paired with a MIDI foot controller. I'll break up the examples into two different categories, focusing on both stompboxes/pedal s and rack effects processors with MIDI ports
