FC-200 or FCB1010!!!??? Please help me decide!!

[punkemogeekrock]

I'm new the forum and I have a serious issue.
I have the GT-Pro already and I am expecting the FCB1010 to be shipped on the July 26th!!!
After checking this forum my question is this, which should I go with?
I'm new to midi and need the easiest one to start to work with.
I have a Mesa Triple Rectifier Head and I just want to use the main distortion of that and then the effects of the GT-Pro to the sounds I already have.
Which one is more user friendly and which would I have a better chance of getting results sooner!
Any help on the advantages/disadvantages on either would would help me tremendously!!!
Please... Hurry... Before it's too ... la.....t....e.......

Desperately waiting,
Brooke

[ned78]

Hi Brooke,

Seeing as no one else has dived in, I will. I have an FCB-1010, and I'm generally impressed by it. It's not the easiest to program, but no MIDI pedal will ever be. You will have to make the effort and learn about different MIDI events and what they mean. Some of the advantages of the FCB include two expression pedals, the ability to change channels on an amp for you (The FC200 could do this, I'm ignorant of it's abilities), and the ability to be modified to run on Phantom Power.

There are also third party applications that connect to the FCB-1010 and allow you to program it using a graphical interface.

Hope this helps rather than bewilders!

Owen.

[aerial7]

The FC200 could do this

I own an FC-200, and I don't think it can change channels on an amp, at least not directly. Either the amp has to support MIDI, and you can somehow get the bank switching to correlate (rcknrllmn may know more about this), or you'll have to rely on the FC-200's ability to control the GT-x and let the GT-x do the amp switching. I think there are merits to this last approach, since you can save the state of the external amp's channel switch as part of the GT-x patch.

But I'm also ignorant here -- I don't have experience with any of this.

[ned78]

I'd forgotten about the GT-Pros ability to switch amp channels itself! That's probably the best approach, having the leads coming from the rack, rather than from a footboard, and snaking across the stage.

[ElGringo]

I also have the FCB1010. It can be a bit of a pain to program, but like ned78 stated, there are programs avaialable to make this a bit easier. A good resours is the FCB1010 Yahoo User Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fcb1010/).

But for ease, it seems like the FC-200 may be the way to go if you can stomache the $$$ for it. It seems like the setup for this is bulit-in to the GT-Pro to make working with it simple. Others can testify to this.

I am not sure of the FC-200's abilities, but I like my FCB1010. It seems to be able to do everything I want (with the addition of a couple Boss FS-5U pedals for CTL functions). Look elsewhere on here for my other posts in concern to the FCB1010 for more info on how I set mine up.

[ASHJN]

If you were going to spend the $350 on the FC-200, are there any other MIDI footcontrollers that are similar in the same price range that might be better? I have heard good things about the Ground Control Pro, and I think its priced around there too...

[rcknrllmn]

I can only comment on the FC-200 as I have no experience with the FCB1010 at all.

Basically you can use the FC-200 out of the box & it is instantly compatable with the PRO. You do have to make some settings within the PRO for them to communicate properly. It is very easy & quick to do. You'll see in the manual.

The main drawback for the FC-200 is the price. The main & only reason I have it is because of the compatability with the GX-700 & now the PRO. I do not think it is as flexable as say the ground control which I also have. The ground control that I have is the older one that is no longer made.

I would venture to say that I think the FCB1010 could do everything the FC-200 can do and quite possibly more. The FC-200 only has one expression pedal but if you wanted it has 6 control jacks on the back that you can hook up any combination of 6 expression/latch on/off pedals. The FCB1010 has the 2 expression pedals built in. Also I am not aware of any graphical interface to program the FC-200 like the FCB1010 has, but if you are only going to be using it with the PRO you probably would not need one. I am not aware of any function for amp channel switching on the FC-200. I don't think it has that capability but as aeriel7 & ned78 stated it can be done within a patch on the PRO itself. That would be the better way to do it.

I own or have owned the following midi control pedals - ADA MPC-1, Rockman, FC-200, & Ground Control. If I had to pick my favorite overall for controlling my guitar rig, it would be the ground control because of the flexability it has. It is great for controlling multiple midi devices. If it were not for the fact that the FC-200 can do so much with the PRO I more than likely would always use the ground control. I would assume Digital Music Corp only expanded on the capabilities of the Ground Control on the progression to the Ground Control Pro.

I hope I didn't make it more confusing for you.

[ASHJN]

With the ground control, do you think you can do everything you can do with the FC-200, it just takes a lot more programming? Also how would you compare the 2 on durability?

[rcknrllmn]

I'd say both the FC-200 & The ground control are pretty durable.

The FC-200 is built typically like other BOSS products which I always liked the way most BOSS pedals are constructed. I feel they are durable & sturdy.

I had a problem with a pedal sticking on the ground control once but was easily fixed when taken apart & cleaned. I think some beer was spilled on it.

As far as using with the GT-Pro the FC-200 wins hands down. Roland integrated control of the GT-PRO's functions specifically for ease of use with the FC-200. If you use manual mode (which I plan to use *it rules!) as you can bring in & out just about any effect you want within a single patch. This allows you more efficient use of patches so you don't have to have a whole other patch for a single effect change between patches & etc.

The GT-PRO is so flexable & comprehensive that chances are you are not going to want or need to use alot of other multi FX devices or units with it.
If you have a big rack of different gear that you are using together that is where the Ground Control shines. IMO

[rcknrllmn]

The only reason I think the FCB1010 could compare to the FC-200 is it seems to me Behringer seems to mfg their products very closely resembling & functioning like their competitors like products. I don't know much about the FCB1010 but it appears to be very similar in construction & possibly functionality to the FC-200 for less than 1/2 the price. It's definitely worth checking out.

[ASHJN]

I've heard better things about the FC-200 as far as reliability. The only thing I really like better about the GCP is that you can name your patches, and on the FC-200 they just show up as #'s

[rcknrllmn]

ASHJN, I think your right there, & agree I would like the ability to name patches like the GC.

I'm considering making an older FX unit of mine (possibly the GX-700) part of my pedal board. The only thing I would pass thru it would be midi & assign a patch name to correspond to patch on rack. I could also use the cool tuner on the GX-700 from the pedal board with a/b switch or split the signal. It seems like a silly thing to do but it would serve my purpose.

[punkemogeekrock]

Just wanted to tell everyone thanks so much for their input!
I've decided for ease purposes I'm going to get the FC-200.
Hopefully it'll be easier to work with being it was made specifically for the GT-Pro. :)
So has anyone figured out whether I can change the 3 channels I have on the Mesa Via this unit or not??!!
Let me know if you have any ideas.
Thanks again!!

Brooke

[ASHJN]

You should be able to just hook the Mesa's extrenal switching jacks to the GT Pro's amp control jacks....

[rcknrllmn]

I'm not familiar with your amp & I myself do not currently use this function of the PRO.

Anyhow there are 2 Amp control Jack's in the back of the PRO that can be used to control amp channel switching on a patch by patch basis. As far as it being compatable with your particular amp I am not sure.

I have in the past used a Rockman Midi Octopus for this function with a Mesa Quad Preamp. It is an option if you find the PRO's switching capabilites not suitable for your amp. Sometimes you can find one on ebay.

[ASHJN]

Is there anything you can do with the FC-200 that you CAN"T do with the FCB1010? Besides the fact that the Fc-200 is alot easier to program, once the FCB1010 is programmed, is there anything you could be missing?

[Mincer]

I use the FCB- it is better for controlling a rack system, including things like note-on messages, which are great for playing bass sounds with your feet. With 2 exp pedals, and a computer editor, and costing 1/2 as much as the Roland, it is a much much better deal. If you are already programming the GT-Pro, the FCB will be super easy. Just don't forget to join the Yahoo list to get the free editor and free support.

[Myedvyed]

Indeed, I've hooked up the FCB to my GR-20 synth and programmed a useful scale into the FCB, and now I can play MIDI stuff with my feet :D

[rcknrllmn]

Is there anything you can do with the FC-200 that you CAN"T do with the FCB1010? Besides the fact that the Fc-200 is alot easier to program, once the FCB1010 is programmed, is there anything you could be missing?

Besides the fact that you don't have to do any programming on the FC-200?
No, I don't think so.