A few products of interest…

The Behringer Bi-Phase has done its Houdini act and has returned as the Behringer “Dual-Phase”.

I was a lover of all things Mu-tron back in the day. I still have a Musitronics MU-TRON Micro V poor man’s envelope-controlled filter, a MU-TRON C-200 volume-wah pedal, and an original MU-TRON T-shirt! The C-200 is robust enough to double as a storm shelter. The Micro V and C-200 have achieved heirloom status since I await a puff of smoke every time I apply power to either device. Old electronics is just that way.

I never could afford a MU-TRON Bi-Phase and always lusted after one. Thanks to Behringer ($159 USD), I may get my chance. I’m very glad that Behringer retained much of the original livery after their negotiations with [whomever].

I hope there is still love between Behringer and the Musitronics (MU-TRON) heirs as I would love to see an inexpensive MU-TRON III filter re-issue.

Roland/Boss are continuing along the Bluetooth wireless control path with the Boss FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch. Here are the basic details in a nutshell:

• Three footswitches
• Configure via FS-1-WL app
• Ports galore:
  • Full-size USB-B
  • MIDI OUT (3.5mm)
  • Expression (1/4″ TRS )
  • Control 1 and 2 (1/4″ TRS)
  • DC IN
• Two AAA batteries or PSA adapter (optional)
• Weight: 10 ounces (258 grams)
• $129.99 USD

I have the Boss EV-1-WL wireless expression pedal which is integrated into my wireless iPad rig.

The new FS-1-WL goes beyond the EV-1-WL and I wish the FS was available before the EV. The FS adds proper footswitches to expression pedal capability. I have expression pedals in hand already and would have appreciated button control for page turns, patch changes, etc. Boss/Roland are finally thinking outside of the guitar player box.

One potential drawback is the narrow spacing of the footswitches. I have trouble hitting footswitches accurately on the EHX Lester K with its closely spaced switches. Since I play in a sitting position, I can’t see my feet and need to hit switches with confidence. Looking down is not an option.

The other big question is how well the FS-1-WL would integrate with synths and software instruments. Most programming details are covered in the FS-1-WL editor user guide. Basic MIDI message types are supported: continuous controller (CC) and program change (PC). There is a third mode, “PC+CC”, and provision for BANK MSB and BANK LSB messages. What is not clear from the user guide is the ability to send a full BANK MSB, BANK LSB, PC message sequence which typically is needed to select a patch in a modern synth.

If anyone gets their hands on an FS-1-WL, please confirm the ability to send a full three message patch change sequence. [Thanks in advance.]

As a keyboard player, I would go straight to the FS-1-WL and use my own expression pedal. The quick start guide calls out the Roland EV-5 explicitly, so I would simply pull out one of my old Roland/Boss pedals and plug in.

I hope Roland continues to explore Bluetooth wireless control. Now, if we can get two synths to communicate over Bluetooth without the need of a computer (or USB host box) in between…

Copyright © 2022 Paul J. Drongowski