Line 6 FBV Shortboard Mk II good for controlling Looper

[stevewhite99]

Hello

I've just replaced my Line 6 FBV Shortboard Foot controller with the newer USB MkII version. As well as now being able to program the switches in software, they've also changed the action of the switches and I'm happy to report they work perfectly with Looper across all functions.

I now have the top row of footswitches controlling the guitar effects in Line 6's Gearbox software and the bottom row controlling multiple Loopers in Live. All very satisfying.

[The Landwhale]

Seriously, thank you for reporting this!
Why do actually useful posts like this get ignored so frequently?
Especially with so many people looking for good foot controllers for Looper.

I'm not really loving my FCB1010, and was looking for alternatives. I was thinking about the new apogee guitar interface, but I didn't even consider these as I had assumed they were proprietary Line 6 hardware.

I looked on Line 6's website, but could not find a clear answer, is this able to be powered via USB?

[The Landwhale]

I went out and bought one this morning, before work. I'll be checking it out tonight when I get home, and put up more information on it.
For those interested, it IS bus-powered through USB and the online manual even has a tutorial on how to use it with Live, so I'm hoping for good things.

[Tarekith]

Thanks for the heads up, had no idea there was a new MKII version. Love the first version, dead solid, works great after all these years.

[The Landwhale]

Ok, so I bought it this morning, got home a little while ago and tried it out, this things is SOOO good.

Smaller footprint than the FCB, USB powered, more switches, built really solid, and dead simple to program using the FBV software editor. It can even do MMC and a few Mackie control functions for transport.

This is so much better than the behringer that I am compelled to post it on the general page so other people looking for a foot controller are aware.

I've only programmed 3 buttons so far, just to control my current multiple looper config. Can't wait to map out a master plan

For those who want quick answers, when you're programming this thing for looper, set the CC message for whatever button you're using, and set the behavior to "momentary". I had it set to "single" and Looper was doing bogus bullshit, switched to momentary and all is well.

For those who only need a few buttons, the FBV express MK2 has got the exact same capabilities, just 4 buttons instead of 13, and it's only $100

[outershpongolia]

This looks too good to be true!

bus-powered has got me sold, but I use a powered USB hub, so I'd have to confirm that it'd work through that..

I am assuming there is an option to power it from the wall?

[The Landwhale]

No option for external power. The unit is either USB powered or powered by the cable it cones with that connects to the Line 6 products.

I'll check to see if it can be powered through my USB hub and report back, I've just had it plugged into one of the MBP's USB ports.

[The Landwhale]

Just tested it with a Belkin USB hub and it powers up fine. Double checked to make sure it still worked properly with Live and it worked perfect.

[outershpongolia]

Awesome, thanks for the quick response.. I'm pretty sure it'd work with mine, it think it's IOGEAR or something but everything else plugged into it doesn't need much power (nanoKONTROL, nanoPAD) so I'll definitely look into this, I need 9 buttons to record into different tracks and then an up, down and launch scene so that's my 12 right there, and definitely smaller than the FCB1010 which is only 10 buttons I believe

[The Landwhale]

Sounds like the right controller for you. I'd definitely recommend it over the FCB, I just put mine up on Craigslist now that I've got the Shortboard.

[eisnein]

ah brilliant! thanks for posting! must GET NOW!

[midibass]

it's perfect for me controlling the looper of ableton
but if i plug it to my belkin hub sometimes i loose it
( in the manuel they say that you must plug it directely to your computer )

[outershpongolia]

it's perfect for me controlling the looper of ableton
but if i plug it to my belkin hub sometimes i loose it
( in the manuel they say that you must plug it directely to your computer )

Powered hub might help if you're not already doing that

[rpinon69]

I recently bought a Express MKII but can't get it to work with Live 8 I mainly want to use if for play, stop, and record. I press the midi mapping in live and click on the button I want to map then press the button the Express but nothing happens. Is there any setting I don't have right? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Tarekith]

Did you select the Express in Live's MIDI preferences for Control In and Out?