Diezel Columbus Midi Switcher

[Scuba.Duba]

I currently have a FCB1010, but I have no use for expression pedals.

How I currently use my FCB1010 is I go MIDI out from it to the MIDI in to my “TC Electronic G-Major 2”, then out of my “TC Electronic G-Major 2” using the MIDI Thru to my Herbert’s MIDI in – it works alright. Basically the G-Major is the “brain” and whatever patch I chose on it, I store on my Herbert to whatever of the 3 channels I want to engage the G-Major patch to – simple but effective. I can get a new Columbus for $500 here in the states - price is not an issue, reliability and compatibility is. My complete rig is all Diezel, except for my FCB1010.

However, I’ve also heard great things about the “Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro MIDI Foot Controller”. Looks good and I can get a new one for $400 here in the states.

Question: Anybody have one or the other controlling a Diezel rig or have a good/poor opinion on either of them?

Thanks!

 

[RedB4Black]

I've owned 3 of them. They are solid pedals. Not sure I'd spend $500 for a new one though. If you can get one used for a good price, go for it, otherwise get the GCP for less.

 

[Scuba.Duba]

Hey Rezamatix & mhenson42, thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Rez you're probably right, I don't need all the bells and whistles, most likely. I just don't like 1) how the FCB1010 looks and 2) the expression pedals are useless to me. The only effect between my guitar output to my Herbert input is the GCB95F Crybaby Classic Wah. I'm not a pedal guy and I have no interest in arguing about buffered this, buffered that . . . With my G-Major 2 (which can engage 7 effects instantaneously without any dropouts depending how complex your routing config is) in my serial loop all that pedal minutia is of no consequence to me and the GCB95F sounds and responds ridiculously cool with the Fasel inductors.

I suppose I'm just bored of the FCB1010, and I don't really like the "pad" switches, I'd rather have a MIDI pedal with the momentary switches (I think they're more reliable, maybe not) and I'm looking for a "WOW" factor to sexy things up a bit, even though Rez as you say it's most likely overkill. But so what, I've got plenty of coin lurking around and I think having the Columbus would be very cool to have - 100% Diezel rig; except for the TC.

Either way, I think I'm going to try them both out and try and sneak them into my little home studio without my wonderful endearing wife noticing. Dally hasn't a clue how much I have invested in all my gear. If she did, she'd demand I buy her a new white BMW M4.

Thanks guys!

 

[Manxmusicman]

I have a Columbus that I originally used for my dmoll and g major 2. It now works my Hughes and kettner and strymons. There's really not much to it, positives are:

- LEDs are super bright
- screen is easy to read
- it's built like a tank!
- 10 switches on one bank which are easy to use

Now for the not so good bits

- it's very basic and there are cheaper switchers out there that have more bells and whistles
- considering it's only a basic CC midi board it takes up quite a lot of real estate
- if you need to use it for none Diezel amps that don't provide phantom power it's a tricky beast to power

Overall I would say it's alright, it does a straight forward job well and it's reliable however as mentioned above I would say there are better pedals for the money.

 

[cardinal]

Yeah, the Columbus is a very basic switcher. But works easy with Diezel amps, you can trust it won't break, and you'll never think "I wish those lights were brighter..."

 

[Scuba.Duba]

Hey guys, thanks again for the replies.

After thinking it over last night (losing a little sleep) I've decided that Rez is correct - overkill for me.

I'm a minimalist when it comes to effects and I just need to tell my G-Major 2 what patch to engage on the channel I want on my Herbert. In the end (for me), with my Herbert, that's where all the magic lives and breaths.

So I've decided to keep the extra $$$ for something else. Maybe buy my wife some shoes, she only has 176 pair, and one more pair would make her day.

I'll just go into my workshop and run the FCB1010 through my band saw and chop off those useless (for me at the moment) expression pedals.