Although the Behringer FC-1010 seems to be a simpler match-up for getting foot-pedal control, with expression input, to Ableton Live, the Boss (Roland) FC-50 is a solid choice in a more robust and compact format. Given that I was able to pick one up on Craigslist for about $100, I figured this would be the way to go.
The real challenge with the FC-50 is that it sends MIDI PC (Program Change) data, not CC (Controller Change) data. Since the FC-50 was designed to control patch switching for external synths and guitar effects racks, PC data was the right call. Unfortunately for those of us in the DAW generation, especially Ableton Live users, PC messages are not as useful or versatile as CC data. Ableton Live, specifically, at least as of version 8, converts all PC MIDI data into Pitch Bend (PB) data, and all on the same PB #, so although you COULD use the PB data to trigger, for example, a global clip start, you couldn’t take advantage of the fact that the FC-50 has 5 footswitches. If I wanted just 1 footswitch, there are a lot easier ways to go about hooking one up to Ableton.
Well, getting the FC-50 working exactly as I wanted it proved to be a little challenging for me, given my hardware and software configuration, but for what it’s worth, I”m posting my experience here, in case it may be of use to others. I am by no means a MIDI wizard, but with about 5 hours of research, installation and experimentation, I was able to create a configuration that for now appears to meet my needs, which are:
- leverage all 5 foot-pedals to be able to MIDI- or Key-map to any toggle-based Live control input, such as track start, overdub on/off, move up/down scene etc.
- leverage the Expression pedal input capabilities and map Expression to any continuous controller in Live (not just volume)
- spend no additional money to do all this