A Way To Reduce Foot Switch Pressing

[brianv4]

I am loving this thing more and more. After using the AM4 for a little over a month there's just 2 things I'd like to see.

I'm still fumbling around with the footswitches on stage and missing cues. So I was thinking, have FS 1 toggle scenes for rhythm/lead and the remaining 3 switches for FX on/off. This would eliminate the need to change modes and streamline switching. Possible? Boy I hope so! Your thoughts?

And when I play acoustic solo gigs I really like using a looper. Don't know if it's possible but a global looper would make this a true all in one for me to do gigs where I don't need the AxeIII.

As always, thanks for listening. Awesome little box!

 

[guitarplayer1969]

I am loving this thing more and more. After using the AM4 for a little over a month there's just 2 things I'd like to see.

I'm still fumbling around with the footswitches on stage and missing cues. So I was thinking, have FS 1 toggle scenes for rhythm/lead and the remaining 3 switches for FX on/off. This would eliminate the need to change modes and streamline switching. Possible? Boy I hope so! Your thoughts?

And when I play acoustic solo gigs I really like using a looper. Don't know if it's possible but a global looper would make this a true all in one for me to do gigs where I don't need the AxeIII.

As always, thanks for listening. Awesome little box!

This can be done with Midi and a foot controller(I have a midi controller that does scene 1 on press, and scene 4 on hold) , but I am not seeing that they would add the feature to mix/match stomp mode with scenes on the main unit switches - That is a feature that is availalbe in the FM units, but adds quite a bit more complexity (Layouts), to be able to accomodate everyone's specific customization. I have an FM9 and spent th first 2 weeks just getting familiar with setting up custom layouts, and it's one of the reasons the FM units are not as user friendly compared to the AM4/VP4 UI. I hope they do, but they also have made it clear that if you want more advanced functionality, a FM3 is probably your best bet.

 

[Matt007]

I'm still fumbling around with the footswitches on stage and missing cues. So I was thinking, have FS 1 toggle scenes for rhythm/lead and the remaining 3 switches for FX on/off. This would eliminate the need to change modes and streamline switching.

This is my biggest wish as well, without having to use any additional hardware.

While the AM4 was certainly designed for simplicity, there is a lot still buried under the hood within the expert edit menu! Hoping this could be incorporated as well. Thanks.

 

[rick_j_collins]

Yes please. This would be amazing.

 

[brianv4]

This can be done with Midi and a foot controller(I have a midi controller that does scene 1 on press, and scene 4 on hold) , but I am not seeing that they would add the feature to mix/match stomp mode with scenes on the main unit switches - That is a feature that is availalbe in the FM units, but adds quite a bit more complexity (Layouts), to be able to accomodate everyone's specific customization. I have an FM9 and spent th first 2 weeks just getting familiar with setting up custom layouts, and it's one of the reasons the FM units are not as user friendly compared to the AM4/VP4 UI. I hope they do, but they also have made it clear that if you want more advanced functionality, a FM3 is probably your best bet.

I still have an AxeIII and an FM9 and per-preset switches or a new layout would be an eloquent way to accomplish this, if it's possible.

 

[brianv4]

This is my biggest wish as well, without having to use any additional hardware.

While the AM4 was certainly designed for simplicity, there is a lot still buried under the hood within the expert edit menu! Hoping this could be incorporated as well. Thanks.

That's my point of getting and using an AM4, I don't want to have to add more hardware. Keep it simple. I think my suggestion does just that.

 

[guitarplayer1969]

I still have an AxeIII and an FM9 and per-preset switches or a new layout would be an eloquent way to accomplish this, if it's possible.

Yeah we can hope. With the success of the AM4 for new Fractal users, hoping they build it out, knowing those users will upgrade once they are hooked.

 

[ibanman555]

The beautiful thing about midi is that you can expand, you could have 100 foot switches working with the AM4 if you really wanted. I think it's great that we have that option, you can make it as compact or expansive as you need!

 

[brianv4]

The beautiful thing about midi is that you can expand, you could have 100 foot switches working with the AM4 if you really wanted. I think it's great that we have that option, you can make it as compact or expansive as you need!

Options are a good thing and Fractal's the best at it. Build out those pedalboards! I have options when it comes to my AxeIII and FM9. With the AM4 I'm looking for simplicity, grab & go baby!

 

[brianv4]

BTW, if you're looking for a great acoustic guitar preset, try Coopers Acoustic. Perfect comp setting and really balanced and smooth sounding EQ.

 

[guitarplayer1969]

BTW, if you're looking for a great acoustic guitar preset, try Coopers Acoustic. Perfect comp setting and really balanced and smooth sounding EQ.

I posted it in the AM4 presets thread a few weeks back

 

[guitarplayer1969]

The beautiful thing about midi is that you can expand, you could have 100 foot switches working with the AM4 if you really wanted. I think it's great that we have that option, you can make it as compact or expansive as you need!

I had 8 extra footswitches running via Midi, all with press and hold functions, and I realized it was getting a bit riduculous, as the Midi options are still quite limited in what we can do, such as we can't use a CC# to change to a mode, etc. Now I am getting to the point where less is more and trying to get by with just the built-in switches as much as possible. I feel it is wait and see what firmware 2.0 will offer, since FAS has said they intend to provide some expanded footswitch options. Personally I would not go out and buy any extra foorwitches or expensive midi controllers at this point until we see what they offer.

 

[GenoBluzGtr]

I have 3 different midi controllers... I'm trying them all out to see which is the best route for me to do just this (reduce footswitch presses)...

First up I have a Pirate midi aero. By far the smallest footprint, saves pedal board spare, but only gives me 3 additional switches. When I ordered this, my thought was, use the AM4 in Amp Mode (so I can select individual amp channels and use the amp boost), and use the Aero to select up to 3 individual effects (without needing to switch over to Effects mode). Or I could do Scenes and still use the Aero to select individual effects blocks. This means I would still need to navigate from Amp mode to Preset mode if changing presets. No biggie, I rarely switch presets mid-song.

Next I have an Sonic Airstep multi. A bit larger but gives me 5 midi switches. Same as above, although I think I would reverse the scenario and use the Airstep to select amp channels, and keep the AM4 in Effects mode to select individual effects blocks. This would also give me one additional Midi button to use for tuner, or amp boost, or something else. Still would need to do multi / double presses to switch presets.

Finally, I found a great deal on Reverb and picked up a Paint Audio Midi Captain controller with 10 switches. It's the largest of all of them, but not vastly bigger than the Airstep. However it gives me the kitchen sink, I believe. With this one, I would use the AM4 in Effects mode for selecting effects. The top row of the first 4 switches could be Preset selection - it would allow me single-press access to one of 4 presets within a bank. I tend to only use 2 or 3 presets (for various different effects), this would be perfect for me. I should never need to get out of a single bank during a show. The lower 4 buttons would be my Amp channels. The two buttons on the far right (one top row and one bottom row) I could use as and Amp Boost and/or a Tuner. I could even do both in one button (press/release for amp boost and long-hold for Tuner. Or I could also do Tap Temp and tuner, or some arrangement like that.

I also plan to run my Delay / Reverb using two mini pedals (Prussian Blue 'verb and Carbon Copy mini delay) in the insert loop, as well as a mini-drive pedal in front of the AM4. So I would never need to have blocks dedicated to Drive/Verb/Delay. This opens up the other 3 blocks around the Amp block to other effects for specific songs, i.e. tremolo, chorus, flanger, etc. I tend to "set / forget" my verb and delay, so these could be tucked away under a top row, as well for more compact pedalboard footprint.

The "tryout" will take a while for me to determine which of the above works best for me, but for now I'm intrigued by having 10 midi buttons along with the 4 on-board footswitches, so I'm leaning toward the Midi Captain.

Here's the mock-up of the pedalboard with each.... The Wampler dB+ is for controlling the level of my Right-Output to my monitor, and the Hotone Wong Press is my Volume and Wah (running in front of the Drive Pedal and AM4), although I am considering swapping that with my Boss EV30 into the two expression jacks, and using it for a 70% (rhythm) minimum level at heel down and full volume for solos at toe down. This would eliminate the need for using the Amp Boost function. The Boss has 2 separate expression functions, so I could use Exp 1 for volume at the amp output, and then use Exp 2 to control a Wah block. The advantage of the Hotone, is that I get both Volume AND Wah without the need for a block in the signal chain for either.

Rockboard 3.0 (17.4" X 9.3") Power Supply is underneath, all others are on top (single level):

7 Footswitches for controlling AM4 functions



Nux Bumblebee (17.5" X 12.6")with a riser - Verb and Delay are under the riser. A good bit less "Crowded" with this board... just noticeably "deeper" footprint, but very close to the same width. Room for 2 drive pedals here, as we'll (or a mini-comp and a drive?), the verb and delay are under the riser along with the Cioks DC7 w/ Crux


9 Footswitches for controlling AM4 functions




14 Footswitches for controlling AM4 functions

 

[brianv4]

I feel it is wait and see what firmware 2.0 will offer, since FAS has said they intend to provide some expanded footswitch options. Personally I would not go out and buy any extra foorwitches or expensive midi controllers at this point until we see what they offer.

Exactly this^^^

 

[GenoBluzGtr]

Exactly this^^^

I don't disagree, however, those of us gigging with the AM4 are a bit impatient to wait for "possible" footswitching improvements that may or may not come along and who knows when... and we need to solve some of the shortcomings now, if we're going to be serious about using it live. Besides, with 4 physical switches, I don't see how they'll be able to do any significant improvements that don't involve the already nearly-unuseable multi, double, etc presses needed to get from mode to mode, and still give us the ability to switch amp channels and turn effects on/off in a customizable way. I think that an external switch setup of some kind is just going to be a fact of life with the AM4 if you want to use it live and try to stick with single-press options as much as possible.

if you're just going to play around with it for a bit, or use it at home or in the studio, you can afford to wait, but if you're using it on stage, waiting may be counterproductive.

That said, most of us already have several of these lying around, or being used on other rigs, so experimenting with them is relatively low cost for now.

 

[IbanezARM]

I have 3 different midi controllers... I'm trying them all out to see which is the best route for me to do just this (reduce footswitch presses)...

First up I have a Pirate midi aero. By far the smallest footprint, saves pedal board spare, but only gives me 3 additional switches. When I ordered this, my thought was, use the AM4 in Amp Mode (so I can select individual amp channels and use the amp boost), and use the Aero to select up to 3 individual effects (without needing to switch over to Effects mode). Or I could do Scenes and still use the Aero to select individual effects blocks. This means I would still need to navigate from Amp mode to Preset mode if changing presets. No biggie, I rarely switch presets mid-song.

Next I have an Sonic Airstep multi. A bit larger but gives me 5 midi switches. Same as above, although I think I would reverse the scenario and use the Airstep to select amp channels, and keep the AM4 in Effects mode to select individual effects blocks. This would also give me one additional Midi button to use for tuner, or amp boost, or something else. Still would need to do multi / double presses to switch presets.

Finally, I found a great deal on Reverb and picked up a Paint Audio Midi Captain controller with 10 switches. It's the largest of all of them, but not vastly bigger than the Airstep. However it gives me the kitchen sink, I believe. With this one, I would use the AM4 in Effects mode for selecting effects. The top row of the first 4 switches could be Preset selection - it would allow me single-press access to one of 4 presets within a bank. I tend to only use 2 or 3 presets (for various different effects), this would be perfect for me. I should never need to get out of a single bank during a show. The lower 4 buttons would be my Amp channels. The two buttons on the far right (one top row and one bottom row) I could use as and Amp Boost and/or a Tuner. I could even do both in one button (press/release for amp boost and long-hold for Tuner. Or I could also do Tap Temp and tuner, or some arrangement like that.

I also plan to run my Delay / Reverb using two mini pedals (Prussian Blue 'verb and Carbon Copy mini delay) in the insert loop, as well as a mini-drive pedal in front of the AM4. So I would never need to have blocks dedicated to Drive/Verb/Delay. This opens up the other 3 blocks around the Amp block to other effects for specific songs, i.e. tremolo, chorus, flanger, etc. I tend to "set / forget" my verb and delay, so these could be tucked away under a top row, as well for more compact pedalboard footprint.

The "tryout" will take a while for me to determine which of the above works best for me, but for now I'm intrigued by having 10 midi buttons along with the 4 on-board footswitches, so I'm leaning toward the Midi Captain.

Here's the mock-up of the pedalboard with each.... The Wampler dB+ is for controlling the level of my Right-Output to my monitor, and the Hotone Wong Press is my Volume and Wah (running in front of the Drive Pedal and AM4), although I am considering swapping that with my Boss EV30 into the two expression jacks, and using it for a 70% (rhythm) minimum level at heel down and full volume for solos at toe down. This would eliminate the need for using the Amp Boost function. The Boss has 2 separate expression functions, so I could use Exp 1 for volume at the amp output, and then use Exp 2 to control a Wah block. The advantage of the Hotone, is that I get both Volume AND Wah without the need for a block in the signal chain for either.

Rockboard 3.0 (17.4" X 9.3") Power Supply is underneath, all others are on top (single level):

7 Footswitches for controlling AM4 functions
View attachment 166666


Nux Bumblebee (17.5" X 12.6")with a riser - Verb and Delay are under the riser. A good bit less "Crowded" with this board... just noticeably "deeper" footprint, but very close to the same width. Room for 2 drive pedals here, as we'll (or a mini-comp and a drive?), the verb and delay are under the riser along with the Cioks DC7 w/ Crux


9 Footswitches for controlling AM4 functions
View attachment 166665



14 Footswitches for controlling AM4 functions
View attachment 166664

I use melo midi commander, cheap basil, but it's a pity that the update is not possible anymore. But I'm happy. I use 4 upper rows for 4 scenes and the bottom 4 row buttons for Tap tempo and the 2 rightmost buttons for changing the presets up and down. On the AM4, I turn on the load stomp.

 

[Jrusto]

I also have a midi Captain 10. I keep the AM4 in effects mode, the top row on the Midi Captain is for presets, the bottom row is for scenes, the top button on the right is for tuner, the bottom button on the left is for tap tempo. Additionally, I have configured the top row on the midi captn with a long throw that will pull up 4 more presets (more than I need for sure) The left button on the bottom row long press goes preset up, the right button preset down. I also have a 2 button Ampero switch that I use for modifiers. It works great for me.

 

[brianv4]

I don't disagree, however, those of us gigging with the AM4 are a bit impatient to wait for "possible" footswitching improvements that may or may not come along and who knows when... and we need to solve some of the shortcomings now, if we're going to be serious about using it live. Besides, with 4 physical switches, I don't see how they'll be able to do any significant improvements that don't involve the already nearly-unuseable multi, double, etc presses needed to get from mode to mode, and still give us the ability to switch amp channels and turn effects on/off in a customizable way. I think that an external switch setup of some kind is just going to be a fact of life with the AM4 if you want to use it live and try to stick with single-press options as much as possible.

if you're just going to play around with it for a bit, or use it at home or in the studio, you can afford to wait, but if you're using it on stage, waiting may be counterproductive.

That said, most of us already have several of these lying around, or being used on other rigs, so experimenting with them is relatively low cost for now.

Read the first post in this thread. If only using the AM4, I've suggested a great way to use 4 foot switches in a live scenario. If you're impatient and can't wait for the product to develop perhaps you should've have considered an FM3 or 9. And if you have midi controllers laying around, then use them.

 

[GenoBluzGtr]

Read the first post in this thread. If only using the AM4, I've suggested a great way to use 4 foot switches in a live scenario. If you're impatient and can't wait for the product to develop perhaps you should've have considered an FM3 or 9. And if you have midi controllers laying around, then use them.

Ha ha ha... didn't think it was such a nerve that I hit... but to each his own, I guess. If you see my other thread, I am using midi-controllers. Jeez. Check out post # 13 above... I'm showing how I plan to use THREE different midi controllers to over come these limitations. Two that I had "lying around" (actually on other modeling rigs), and one that I got for almost 1/2 price on Reverb last week.

4 footswitches might be enough for some, if not using a lot of different effects that have to be engaged and disengaged mid-song. If we only need an Amp, some 'verb, maybe a little delay and perhaps a drive every now and then, it's fine. But the majority of the stuff our band covers requires a lot of different sounds within each song. Larger units solve the issue. Larger units are also... well, "large" and "expensive'.

FM3 is not easier for me. 3 footswitches instead of 4? I Definitely DID consider it for a long time, but knowing that I would need additional switching and it's pretty darn big and unwieldy for what it is. If I wanted 3 footswitches, I would have stuck with the tiny but mighty HX Stomp and an external switch. FM9 would solve most of my issues, yes. But it, again, is bigger than I want for a footprint on stage or loading in/out. I've gigged with Helix for almost a decade... if I wanted something that big, I have two Helix LTs already and no desire to drop $2K. Same reason I don't want to pick up a VP4... if I"m gonna go that big, I would just get an FM9 or go back to my Helix.

I'm seeking the best gigging solution with the smallest footprint and best sound quality. HX stomp and a Midi Switcher is pretty good. I have used that quite a bit, as well. FAR better FS set up for live performing, but the sound quality is no match for Fractal. So I've settled on the Am4, and I'm happy so far, just want to smooth out those footswitch dancing rituals so I can concentrate on my playing. That's all.

Sorry If I offended your sense of sensibility and simplicity asking for something that I don't believe they'll be able to provide, given the physical / mechanical limitations on this smaller unit. I knew that going in. Waiting for improvements isn't gonna get me through this weekend's gigs with less tap dancing, so I'm finding work arounds. I hope that's okay with you.

 

[brianv4]

Ha ha ha... didn't think it was such a nerve that I hit... but to each his own, I guess. If you see my other thread, I am using midi-controllers. Jeez. Check out post # 13 above... I'm showing how I plan to use THREE different midi controllers to over come these limitations. Two that I had "lying around" (actually on other modeling rigs), and one that I got for almost 1/2 price on Reverb last week.

4 footswitches might be enough for some, if not using a lot of different effects that have to be engaged and disengaged mid-song. If we only need an Amp, some 'verb, maybe a little delay and perhaps a drive every now and then, it's fine. But the majority of the stuff our band covers requires a lot of different sounds within each song. Larger units solve the issue. Larger units are also... well, "large" and "expensive'.

FM3 is not easier for me. 3 footswitches instead of 4? I Definitely DID consider it for a long time, but knowing that I would need additional switching and it's pretty darn big and unwieldy for what it is. If I wanted 3 footswitches, I would have stuck with the tiny but mighty HX Stomp and an external switch. FM9 would solve most of my issues, yes. But it, again, is bigger than I want for a footprint on stage or loading in/out. I've gigged with Helix for almost a decade... if I wanted something that big, I have two Helix LTs already and no desire to drop $2K. Same reason I don't want to pick up a VP4... if I"m gonna go that big, I would just get an FM9 or go back to my Helix.

I'm seeking the best gigging solution with the smallest footprint and best sound quality. HX stomp and a Midi Switcher is pretty good. I have used that quite a bit, as well. FAR better FS set up for live performing, but the sound quality is no match for Fractal. So I've settled on the Am4, and I'm happy so far, just want to smooth out those footswitch dancing rituals so I can concentrate on my playing. That's all.

Sorry If I offended your sense of sensibility and simplicity asking for something that I don't believe they'll be able to provide, given the physical / mechanical limitations on this smaller unit. I knew that going in. Waiting for improvements isn't gonna get me through this weekend's gigs with less tap dancing, so I'm finding work arounds. I hope that's okay with you.

Apologies @GenoBluzGtr my response was unnecessary