Roland FC300 Guitar Foot Controller

No longer available at zZounds
Change amp channels with this advanced MIDI foot controller, which features 2 assignable expression pedals, 2 control pedals, and 9 footswitches.

The FC-300 sets a standard of power, versatility and innovation for MIDI foot control. With features such as bi-directional MIDI data flow to the Roland VG-99 via the RRC2, patch memory recall, twin expression and control pedals and more, this advanced control station is a perfect companion for Roland's VG-99 V-Guitar System or any other performance-based MIDI instrument or device.

Features:

- Advanced MIDI foot controller with 2 assignable expression pedals, 2 control pedals, 9 footswitches and expandability
- Patch Mode stores up to 100 MIDI setups
- In addition to standard MIDI connection RRC2 protocol adapted for bidirectional data flow between FC-300 and Roland RRC2-equipped products
- 3-way power supply and rock-solid metal construction for stage use
- 2 Amp Control switches for controlling amp channels or effects
- Perfect companion for the VG-99

Control & Expression

The FC-300 is outfitted with nine industrial-grade footswitches and 2 programmable expression pedals for fast, easy control and expanded performance capabilities. The backlit LCD offers a high contrast view of patch names (when used with VG-99) and other important data, even in the darkest stage environments.

Power Patches

Up to 100 sets of MIDI messages/parameters can be stored simultaneously in the FC-300 as patches. Complex MIDI transmission is made simple thanks to the FC-300's ability to package chunks of data together in a single patch, and then transmit each data-burst via read more footswitch.

Advanced Connectivity

Using commercially available LAN (Ethernet, CAT5) cable and the RRC2 protocol, the FC-300 provides both bidirectional MIDI transmission and electrical power supply with one simple connection between VG-99 and FC-300.

Programmable Switching

Two multi-purpose switch-jacks are built into the FC-300. These programmable outputs are an ideal feature for guitarists, as they allow amp channels to be switched from clean to lead, for example, in sync with patch changes on the FC-300
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Controls:
- Number Pedal x 5 (1/6, 2/7, 3/8, 4/9, 5/10)
- DOWN/UP Pedals
- Control Pedal x 2 (1, 2)
- Expression Pedal x 2 (1, 2)
- PARAMTER Button x 2
- VALUE Button x 2
- UTILITY Button
- MODE Button
- EXIT Button
- WRITE Button
- POWER Switch

Display:
- 7 segments, 3 characters (LED)
- 16 characters, 2 lines (backlit LCD)

Indicators:
- MODE Indicator (STANDARD/CONTROL/SYS EX/PATCH)
- UTILITY Indicator
- WRITE Indicator
- Number Indicator x 10 (1--10)
- DOWN/UP Indicators
- Control Indicator x 2 (1, 2)
- Expression Pedal ON/OFF Indicator x 2 (1, 2)

Connectors/Jacks:
- DC IN Jack
- MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT)
- RRC2 OUT Connector
- AMP CONTROL 1 Jack
- AMP CONTROL 2 Jack
- EXP PEDAL 3 / CTL 3, 4 Jack
- EXP PEDAL 4 / CTL 5, 6 Jack
- EXP PEDAL 5 / CTL 7, 8 Jack
- MODE Jack

Number of PATCH (PATCH Mode): 100
Power Supply: DC 9 V: AC Adapter, Dry Batteries AA type x 6 RRC2
Current Draw:
94 mA (ECONOMY MODE OFF)
61 mA (ECONOMY MODE ON)

Expected batery life under continuous use:
Carbon:
6.5 hours or longer (ECONOMY MODE OFF)
12 hours or longer (ECONOMY MODE ON)
* These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.

Accessories:
Owner's Manual
Dry Batteries R6 (AA) type (carbon) x 6
Roland Service

Options:
AC Adaptor PSA serise (BOSS)
Foot Switch: FS-5U (BOSS) , FS-6 (BOSS)
Expression Pedal: EV-5, FV-500H/500L (BOSS)

SIZE AND WEIGHT (DIMENSIONS)
Width:
550 mm
21-11/16 inches

Depth:
250 mm
9-7/8 inches

Height:
76 mm
3 inches

Weight:
5.3 kg
11 lbs. 11 oz.

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 323-890-3700

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (5 ratings)
Submitted April 2, 2009 by a customer from gmail.com

"No competition"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
It's simply a keeper. Until something else hits the market, this is the one. If/when it dies, I'll buy a replacement. I've considered buying a 2nd just to have one in a different room.

Sound
n/a

Features
There is really nothing else on the market to compete with this, in terms of programmability, expandability, and flexibility. This may seem like a small thing, but for me it was critical: you can run this guy on batteries. The only comparable product on the market is the Behringer FCB1010, which has the great advantage of being being dirt cheap, but which requires AC power, and which is much harder to program IMO. The FCB1010 is great value, of course, but the FC300 is much easier to use, and eliminates a power cable on stage. If anything the features are *too* extensive for me, because I only use it one mode, but it's a mode most other products don't support: CC messages (versus Program Change, etc.)

Ease of Use
The interface is complex, owing to the flexibility of the product, but there is good feedback via the display, and dedicated buttons for most functions (versus the typical "hold down pedals x, y and z for 23 seconds" nonsense), so I rate this a 9. And if it were any easier (i.e. a 10) it would probably rank lower in "Features".

Quality
It's a tank. The switches (the Roland standard) are silent but provide enough resistance to keep you read more informed as to what's happening at your feet. It's heavy, which has its pros and cons. I wish there were a smaller version available - perhaps with one pedal and fewer switches, but until then this is it.

Value
The product is very expensive, and hard to justify when a product (FCB1010) with just a couple of comprimises is SO much cheaper. But when those few comprimises have been nagging at you and you realize you've been searching for something better for YEARS, you buy this. I was lucky enough to find a cheap one, but all the same, I wish I'd just bought a new one earlier. The time saved would have made the expense worthwhile.

Manufacturer Support
Unknown, really. But this product has been in production for a long time and is well-documented, so I feel pretty good with my odds if I ever need support.

The Wow Factor
It's not an especially innovative product, it's just the only one on the market that isn't broken in some way or another. Its big (overkill much of the time) and it tends to eat batteries, but its perfect otherwise.

Musical Background:
Highly experienced hobbyist.

Musical Style:
Eclectic rock.
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