Behringer FCB1010 with the Uno mod

[jwhitcomb3]

I've been using a Behringer FCB1010 MIDI foot pedal controller for several years.

(Click on image for details).

I use mine to control my Fender Cyber-Twin SE and Cyber-Deluxe amps.

A German programmer got fed up with some of the bugs and limitations in the FCB1010, reverse engineered it, fixed the bugs, and implemented some cool features not available on the factory stock unit. Details are here. For 16 euros he'll send you a fully programmed eprom chip that you just swap out and you're good to go.

Another programmer designed a computer editor for it (much easier to program than tap-dancing on the buttons). It doesn't play nice with current Mac OS, but I run it fine on my MacBook Pro running Windows 7 under Parallels desktop.

I used the stock Behringer version for years, and even wrote my own editor/librarian for it (a profile for MOTU's Unisyn software). But I finally took the plunge and bought the Uno chip. It is very cool.

The best thing about it is it allows me to use one row of buttons as "stomp boxes" that remain constant when I change banks, and another row of 5 buttons that change when I change banks. I have my stomp box buttons programmed respectively for: volume boost, toggle reverb, toggle modulation, toggle delay, and effects editing. I program the bottom row as one amp model per bank. Each model has four basic sounds: Hi Gain, Medium Gain, Low Gain (just edge of breakup), Clean, and a lead program.

With the stock Behringer programming, pushing any button changes the assignment of the controller pedals. With the Uno, pushing a button can optionally re-assign either or both pedals, or leave them unchanged. You can also have each program set the initial value of the stomp boxes.

There's a whole bunch more this system can do, but this does it for me.

I program most of my presets without reverb or effects, then use the stomp box buttons to bring them in as desired. The rocker pedals then let me adjust parameters like delay time/level or modulation depth/rate. I also have a bank that lets me adjust the gain, volume, treble, mid, bass and presence hands free. It is pretty cool to be able to re-adjust your amp while playing!

I continue to prefer the sounds of the Cyber-Deluxe, but the Cyber-Twin SE has some great sounds as well (each amp has a surprisingly different personality), and doesn't glitch when I change programs. I've purchased a second FCB1010 and Uno chip so I can have one dedicated to each amp (the programming is somewhat different for each).

If you have a MIDI controllable rig, this setup is worth a look!

-Jonathan

[DavidE]

I just bought a Cyber-Champ which at 65 watts is giggable. I quickly dialed in some really nice tones that I could gig with, but I have no way to switch among the presets. I sold off my old ART X15 last year. I had a Cybertwin years ago but it would sound good in one room and lousy in others plus I remember that I still had to add some pedals to the setup.

What does this Behringer setup run? Probably more than i paid for the amp. ;-) I think what I really need is a simple midi controller that will let me switch among patches A-G and that's about it. Maybe one of the old small ADAs?

[jwhitcomb3]

I just bought a Cyber-Champ which at 65 watts is giggable. I quickly dialed in some really nice tones that I could gig with, but I have no way to switch among the presets. I sold off my old ART X15 last year. I had a Cybertwin years ago but it would sound good in one room and lousy in others plus I remember that I still had to add some pedals to the setup.

What does this Behringer setup run? Probably more than i paid for the amp. ;-) I think what I really need is a simple midi controller that will let me switch among patches A-G and that's about it. Maybe one of the old small ADAs?

You can get 'em new for around $150, used under $100.

The Cyber-Champ has some decent MIDI capabilities. You can use the FCB1010 to control the reverb, modulation and delay, as well as the basic tone parameters (gain, volume, treble, middle bass) as well. Page 10 of the manual has a list of MIDI Continuous Controllers (CCs) the amp recognizes: looks pretty tweakable!

-Jonathan

[ZR]

I just bought a Cyber-Champ which at 65 watts is giggable. I quickly dialed in some really nice tones that I could gig with, but I have no way to switch among the presets. I sold off my old ART X15 last year. I had a Cybertwin years ago but it would sound good in one room and lousy in others plus I remember that I still had to add some pedals to the setup.

What does this Behringer setup run? Probably more than i paid for the amp. ;-) I think what I really need is a simple midi controller that will let me switch among patches A-G and that's about it. Maybe one of the old small ADAs?

Didn't TC have a little pedal that did this? what about Tech 21 (not as sure about this one)??

[jisham]

I just bought a Cyber-Champ which at 65 watts is giggable. I quickly dialed in some really nice tones that I could gig with, but I have no way to switch among the presets. I sold off my old ART X15 last year. I had a Cybertwin years ago but it would sound good in one room and lousy in others plus I remember that I still had to add some pedals to the setup.

What does this Behringer setup run? Probably more than i paid for the amp. ;-) I think what I really need is a simple midi controller that will let me switch among patches A-G and that's about it. Maybe one of the old small ADAs?

Maybe a Rolls Midi Buddy? I've had one for years (although it hasn't been used in about four or five years) and they're built like a tank.

[polara]

I'm probably going to have to go MIDI soon. My band does so many abrupt sound changes and wacky sounds, and I'm adding a Roland synth guitar. I'm now using a TC Electronic Nova System but once I lean what to do with the Roland I'm gonna need a MIDI controller to signal both the synth module and effects, so dammit... ugh, a rack and MIDI board. I'll be such a geargeek!

Thanks for the heads-up on all this. The Beringer is built okay? Some of their stuff seems a little lightweight.

[ZR]

I'm probably going to have to go MIDI soon. My band does so many abrupt sound changes and wacky sounds, and I'm adding a Roland synth guitar. I'm now using a TC Electronic Nova System but once I lean what to do with the Roland I'm gonna need a MIDI controller to signal both the synth module and effects, so dammit... ugh, a rack and MIDI board. I'll be such a geargeek!

Thanks for the heads-up on all this. The Beringer is built okay? Some of their stuff seems a little lightweight.

They actually build pretty good stuff although there is some debate about the overall integrity of the company as far as essentially ripping off all other companies ideas and designs. Maybe they all do this to a certain extent but it seems like they do it a little (a lot?) more aggressively.

I'm not really taking sides just passing along some info I heard. I do own a little mixer by them and use to own a V-amp (POD like device).

[jwhitcomb3]

Behringer does have a reputation as a rip-off organization, but they really did their own thing with the FCB1010. I've used mine for several years with no problems. It is very sturdy, and quite a bargain for what you get IMO. There are Yahoo user groups for both the stock software and the Uno software, and both have files that users have uploaded to configure the unit to work with many popular amps and guitar effects units. They may not be entirely to your liking, but they can give you some ideas and serve as a launching point for your own.

-Jonathan

[BillW]

Behringer does have a reputation as a rip-off organization, but they really did their own thing with the FCB1010. I've used mine for several years with no problems. It is very sturdy, and quite a bargain for what you get IMO. There are Yahoo user groups for both the stock software and the Uno software, and both have files that users have uploaded to configure the unit to work with many popular amps and guitar effects units. They may not be entirely to your liking, but they can give you some ideas and serve as a launching point for your own.

-Jonathan

Yeah... I used mine for over 5 years. Averaging 7 gigs a month ...smokey bars, beer on the floor, 3 hour sets...never so much as a blip. Totally rock solid.

[ZR]

Yeah... I used mine for over 5 years. Averaging 7 gigs a month ...smokey bars, beer on the floor, 3 hour sets...never so much as a blip. Totally rock solid.

Yeah, and it looks a lot nicer than my black and jagged pink splash graphic'd ART X-15 I have!!

[jimstav]

Jonathan,

I have a similar setup to what you describe: Fender CT and FCB1010 with Uno mod and Ripwerx. I'm trying to set up the stompbox pedals such as you mention, particularly the volume boost to be available regardless of the patch I use. Not sure what to enter into Ripwerx for that to happen. Also, does the wah effect have to be part of each amp patch for this to work? (I believe the CT only allows one effect per patch). I tried to access the link to your MIDI dumps that you posted in a different thread but it's not working. Any help you or anyone else can give me would be great. We have a week between gigs and I'm trying to get this straight.

Jim

[jwhitcomb3]

Jonathan,

I have a similar setup to what you describe: Fender CT and FCB1010 with Uno mod and Ripwerx. I'm trying to set up the stompbox pedals such as you mention, particularly the volume boost to be available regardless of the patch I use. Not sure what to enter into Ripwerx for that to happen. Also, does the wah effect have to be part of each amp patch for this to work? (I believe the CT only allows one effect per patch). I tried to access the link to your MIDI dumps that you posted in a different thread but it's not working. Any help you or anyone else can give me would be great. We have a week between gigs and I'm trying to get this straight.

Jim

Hey Jim,

Yeah, the site I posted those files to is defunct. If you PM me your email address I can send you some information (give me a couple of days to dig that stuff up). However, I have a CT SE, and a Cyber Deluxe: I don't have any files for the original CT. My FCB programs may still work (or mostly work) with the original CT, and at the very least should serve as a template for you.

I did set up seprate patches with the wah. The Fender patch architecture isn't great about responding to stomp-box MIDI CC commands. The Cyber-Deluxe is actually more flexible in this regard than the Cyber Twin. With the CD you can switch in a delay, a reverb and a modulation. With the CT, the delay and modulation are all lumped together, so while you can bring their levels in and out of patches in a particular effect setup, they don't work the same way across all FX setups

I've decided to make the Roland GR-55 the center of my rig. I'm going to sell my Cyber-Twin SE and keep the Cyber-Deluxe as a backup. The CTSE does more, but what the CD does, it does better.

Jonathan

[Brooks]

cyber CHAMP is 65w?!

whats the cyber deluxe, 120w?

[jwhitcomb3]

cyber CHAMP is 65w?!

whats the cyber deluxe, 120w?

Cyber Deluxe is 65w, but has more user presets and is more tweakable. I think it also has more I/O options...the signal chain is true stereo, so you can add a powered cabinet, such as a Tech 21 Power Engine and get the full stereo effect.

For me, the best thing about the Cyber-Deluxe is that Fender forgot to nail the back door to the internal compressor shut, so you can get in and program it using MIDI System Exclusive commands. The only available tool to do so that I am aware of is MOTU's Unisyn editor/librarian program which is long obsolete and only works on older operating systems (I wrote the Cyber-Deluxe Unisyn editor profile...in a former life I was a developer for MOTU). However, my editor does let you access the compressor, which turns out to be wonderfully musical and can also act as an additional gain stage. It can also be set to nicely emulate a power amp sag, so you can get a very tactile amp response at bedroom levels. In other words, it can be tuned like a studio compressor, rather than a stomp-box compressor, and it is built into the amp's internal signal chain after the input trim buffer and before the pre-amp where you can't otherwise reach. So you can drive the amp models to places they won't otherwise go (and you have to be VERY careful not to drive the signal to digital clipping, probably the most un-musical sound on earth). After years of tweaking, I've come up with some absolutely killer presets, and the few souls who have downloaded my patches are simply amazed at the sounds they produce. It can push the British 1 model (Vox) into medium high gain, and can boost the Modern (Boogie) presets into clean (albeit noisy) territory. Really, it just opens the amp up to all kinds of exciting sonic territories otherwise unavailable. The four pre-programmed compressor presets (I call 'em too much, way too much, excessive and stupid) are generally useless.

Sadly, Fender slammed this compressor back-door shut on any of the other Cyber series amps. I understand why they did it: there are too many ways you can use it to really fuck up the sound, at best, and fry your speakers at worst. But man, the cool things you can do with it!

The Cyber Deluxe is so close to being a great amp, but has some major flaws, including slow switching between presets and proneness to crashing.

[jimstav]

Jonathan,

I have a similar setup to what you describe: Fender CT and FCB1010 with Uno mod and Ripwerx. I'm trying to set up the stompbox pedals such as you mention, particularly the volume boost to be available regardless of the patch I use. Not sure what to enter into Ripwerx for that to happen. Also, does the wah effect have to be part of each amp patch for this to work? (I believe the CT only allows one effect per patch). I tried to access the link to your MIDI dumps that you posted in a different thread but it's not working. Any help you or anyone else can give me would be great. We have a week between gigs and I'm trying to get this straight.

Jim

Hey Jim,

Yeah, the site I posted those files to is defunct. If you PM me your email address I can send you some information (give me a couple of days to dig that stuff up). However, I have a CT SE, and a Cyber Deluxe: I don't have any files for the original CT. My FCB programs may still work (or mostly work) with the original CT, and at the very least should serve as a template for you.

I did set up seprate patches with the wah. The Fender patch architecture isn't great about responding to stomp-box MIDI CC commands. The Cyber-Deluxe is actually more flexible in this regard than the Cyber Twin. With the CD you can switch in a delay, a reverb and a modulation. With the CT, the delay and modulation are all lumped together, so while you can bring their levels in and out of patches in a particular effect setup, they don't work the same way across all FX setups

I've decided to make the Roland GR-55 the center of my rig. I'm going to sell my Cyber-Twin SE and keep the Cyber-Deluxe as a backup. The CTSE does more, but what the CD does, it does better.

Jonathan

Thanks for your reply Jonathan. I have PM'd my email address. My amp actually is a CTSE so any CTSE and FCB1010 files you can send my way will work great and will help me along to learning to set myself up going forward. I'm really most interested in the volume boost stomp as I can pretty much just use the one wah patch when I need that effect. I'd like to be able to stomp for a little boost for solos without having to add any other pedals if possible.

The Fender amp suits my gig well (GB, Rock, Blues covers) but I feel like I have just scratched the surface for controlling the sound. I just invested in Cyber Commander software and that along with Ripwerx and your help will go along way to getting things the way I want them.

Thanks,

Jim