As software developpers, we were needing a handy and precise footboard to control our real time sound applications for our customers. There is a lot of Midi footboards, but due to the low scan frequency (around 40Hz) and the hardness of buttons, a professionnal musician cannot reach the needed precision for real time applications (loop based software for example).

To work around these midi drawbacks, we have designed a footboard based on Labjack U12 USB hardware. Our first prototype, described here, has the following features:

• 62 Hz scan rate (16 ms)
• 8 high quality OFF-(ON) buttons on the main footboard
• 1 counter button ON-(OFF) on the main footboard
• One display, controlled by one analog output, to display simple information (loop duration, loop number, counter value, ...)
• One ON/OFF switch for the display
• One led per button, to reflect software state (LED above RECORD button is ON while recording, ...)
• 2 digital inputs, for pedals (2 extra inputs can be added)
• DB25 connector for secondary footboard :
  • 8 high quality OFF-(ON) buttons. One button is at the same address than one of the main footboard button
  • One led per button

If you want to have a look inside the hardware... It's here. Analog inputs are fitted on the cover.

If some LEDs are removed, then a third footboard can be added. At the moment, up to 31 buttons can be managed.

This footboard prototype has been made from an old 1U modem box, this explains it's strange look...