RE: Attention Software loopers....

["Jeff Larson" <jeff.larson@sailpoint.com>]

From: Charles Zwicky [mailto:cazwicky@earthlink.net] 
> Take a look at this incredible piece of hardware...

Yes I've seen this, it looks really cool.  One of my side projects is
trying to build the cheapest possible USB foot controller with easily
available parts.  The problem I have is that all the circuit boards I
can find are at least $50, and by the time you add a case and some
switches you're in the $100 range which is close to the cost of an
FCB1010 only not nearly as rugged and without MIDI and continuous
controller pedals.

That may still be attractive to some, but I was hoping to go even
lower.  A lot of music software is able to associate commands with
arbitrary keys, you don't always need a programmable footswitch.
Ideally we should be able to get a $15 USB keyboard, rip the guts out
and solder switches to the "board".

The problem here is that keyboards don't use easily hackable circuit
boards any more, they use membrane switches and a controller chip 
mounted on the same membrane with very small leads.  It is possible
to hack but you would have to have good soldering skills.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in discussing this feel free to contact
me off list.  If we could design an under $50 USB footswitch, there
are a lot of bedroom...er, make that "home studio"...musicians that
don't really need an FCB1010 that might be interested in it.

Then again, maybe a $100 device using the PI board but 1/4 the size
of the FCB would be interesting too.

Jeff