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May 22-Parameter Control with Footpedals
Some virtual instrument and effects parameters just cry out for footpedal control—too bad you don't have a pedal that outputs MIDI data…or do you?
If you have a keyboard synthesizer or controller, it will probably have an expression pedal jack. The standard MIDI controller for expression is controller #11, and unless your keyboard or controller is really old, the odds are good that plugging an expression pedal into the pedal jack, then moving the pedal, will send controller #11 messages out the keyboard or controller's MIDI out. A floor multieffects for guitar that has a pedal may also transmit controller messages.
The Yamaha FC-7 Expression Pedal can control more than just parameters inside a hardware synthesizer.
Assuming the target parameter you want to control has MIDI Learn, enable it (often done by right-clicking or shift-clicking on a control and choosing MIDI Learn), wiggle the footpedal, and now the parameter has "learned" to respond to your footpedal motion. Note that if another parameter is already controlled by controller #11, you'll probably want to click on it and call up "MIDI Forget."
About the author
Over his career, Anderton has toured and recorded with the group Mandrake, wrote the seminal books Electronic Projects for Musicians and Home Recording for Musicians, foretold the rise of electronic dance music back in 1981, consulted for dozens of companies, and lectured on technology and the arts in 38 states, 10 countries, and in three languages.
Anderton created a mechanically programmable drum machine in 1970, invented multiband distortion, started the first media-rich website devoted exclusively to musicians in 1995 on AOL, and co-founded Electronic Musician magazine. He is currently working on a book series, "The Musician's Guide to Home Recording," for Hal Leonard..