Behringer FCB1010 Manual De Propietario

MIDI FOOT CONTROLLER FCB1010 User Manual

The effects processor is controlled via MIDI, while the SWITCH function toggles 

the amp. Thus, you’ll need no additional footswitch when you switch between 

the channels; instead, your entire setup is centrally controlled from the FCB1010.

Please use commercial-grade cables with phone plugs to connect the SWITCH 

outputs of your FCB1010 to your amplifier. Since these outputs are normalized, 

you can send both switching pulses from one SWITCH output, by using a stereo 

cable, which is useful in combination with amplifiers that have a stereo phone 

jack to select several functions (e.g. channel select and effect on/off). In this case, 

please use only one of the two SWITCH outputs with one stereo cable connected.

In the early 80’s several leading manufacturers of electronic musical instruments 

developed a common standard, which was soon to revolutionize the entire MI 

industry—both from a technical and musical point of view. The MIDI standard 

(short for: Musical Instruments Digital Interface) was invented to allow musical 

instruments of different makes to communicate with each other. What is 

surprising in view of the rapidly developing MI industry is the fact that this 

standard has basically not changed ever since, because it was designed with 

future upgrades in mind. So, the MIDI interface’s range of applications could 

be expanded over the years: from the simple connection of several keyboard 

instruments to one master keyboard to connecting whole studios and live set-ups 

within a single MIDI network—MIDI has become an infinite source of ideas and 

innovation. Numerous musicians recognized the versatility of this standard and 

created new and exciting worlds of sounds by combining different instruments 

to one homogeneous whole. It is important to know that the MIDI interface 

transmits no audio signals but only control data (e.g. key, program change or 

volume numbers)! MIDI is just an interface for the control and networking of 

devices and instruments.
At the heart of this network you could use your FCB1010 to control all of your 

amplifiers, effects and peripheral devices. Live on stage and in the studio you 

could control your entire equipment in real time. MIDI control data can be 

stored and edited on a computer, so that you can also use your FCB1010 to enter 

controller and program change information into your computer.

The MIDI connectors on the rear of the unit are on internationally standardized 

5-pin DIN jacks. To connect your FCB1010 to other MIDI devices you need 

a dedicated MIDI cable. Usually, commercially available cables are used. 

However, you can also use a two-conductor shielded cable (e.g. microphone 

cable) and two (rugged) 180° DIN plugs to make your own MIDI cable: pin 2 

(center) = shield, pins 4 and 5 (right and left of pin 2) = internal conductor, 

pins 1 und 3 (the two outer pins) are not used. MIDI cables should not be longer 

than 15 meters.
MIDI IN: serves to receive recorded system-exclusive data or to merge any MIDI 

signals with FCB1010-generated data.

MIDI OUT: The MIDI OUT allows you to transmit data to any MIDI-compatible 

device/instrument.

Although the FCB1010 is very easy to operate, it does make sense to know a few 

things about the format of MIDI data. Each MIDI command or message consists 

of up to three bytes (1 byte = 8 bits). There’s a difference between status bytes 

and data bytes: status bytes define the type of a specific MIDI message, i.e. the 

actual instruction to be sent to a device, while data bytes contain the information 

or parameters defined by the corresponding status byte. One status byte can be 

followed by up to two data bytes.
There are various types of MIDI messages. Since the FCB1010 does not understand 

or transmit all of them, we will only deal with those that are of importance to you 

in this context.

4.2.1  NOTE ON and NOTE OFF messages
NOTE ON and NOTE OFF messages are essential MIDI messages for any keyboard 

virtuoso, as they allow to control remote instruments from one master keyboard 

or computer. The FCB1010, too, can send NOTE ON messages, however, in a 

different context: many effects devices allow for “tapping” delay times, etc., 

by measuring the time interval between two NOTE ON messages. With the 

FCB1010 you can “tap” delay times or song tempos by selecting a “NOTE” 

PRESET twice.
NOTE ON and NOTE OFF messages feature the following data format:

Note Off

&8n (n = Kanalnr.)

Notennr.

Velocity

Note On

&9n (n = Kanalnr.)

Notennr.

Velocity

Tab. 4.1: Data format of NOTE ON and NOTE OFF messages
The channel number range is 1 through 16, the data byte range is 0 through 127. 

It should be noted though that NOTE OFF messages are not so common today 

(for reasons of data reduction, cf. running status). Usually, NOTE ON messages 

with zero velocity are transmitted instead. The FCB1010 follows this convention. 

By the way: when you program the NOTE function on your FCB1010 you only need 

to enter the note number, because notes are always transmitted with a velocity 

of 64.

4.2.2  CONTROL CHANGE messages
CONTROL CHANGE messages are the most powerful MIDI messages, as they allow 

you to select and automate plenty of parameters and functions. On your FCB1010 

you can define and transmit CONTROL CHANGE messages, e.g. to change specific 

effects parameters in real time. The most important CONTROL CHANGE messages 

are volume control (Controller 07), Balance (08), Panorama (09) and reverb 

intensity (91). 

4.2.3  PROGRAM CHANGE messages
PROGRAM CHANGE messages are used to change presets or sounds in connected 

devices/instruments. The parameter range is 0 through 127. 
The values 0 to 127 of the 128 presets are available. Equipment with more than 

128 presets has these presets broken down into several banks for MIDI control.
With your FCB1010, it is possible to send MIDI bank and program change 

commands by using just one keystroke. An external piece of equipment 

(e.g. effects processor, sound module etc.) can be controlled via controllers 1 & 

3 in connection with PRG 5 (PROG CHG). In doing so, controllers 1 & 2 are used 

as 2-byte bank select controllers, whereby up to 128 (MSB) x 128 (LSB) banks 

can be dialed in. Controller 1 needs to contain the number 00 and the MSB bank 

value, while controller 2 needs to contain the number 32 and the LSB bank value. 

The program change command that activates the preset in the new bank is sent 

with PRG 5.