Behringer FCB1010 + Mainstage 2

[osirisFIVE]

I recently posted this on another forum but was unable to get any help. Hoping soft users can provide some input on this topic.

Hey guys,

I'm currently thinking of switching my current guitar rig to a laptop based one.

I'm going to get my guitar hooked up to an audio interface then to mainstage midi controlled by the Behringer FCB1010.

The problem is, of course, getting an audio/MIDI interface rugged enough to withstand a stage-practical set. Right now, I have a simple PreSonus Audiobox USB but I doubt it'll last even the slightest ding.

My local music gadget store recommended I use the GIO by Apogee that's marketed as a Mainstage product. I think it's a little price-y and I don't really want to be confined by the limited assignable selectors. (Also, I feel it's quite a gimmick and the FCB1010 blows it out of the water in terms of customisability)

Any input will be received with great appreciation.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kongwee]

I don't see any problem getting the FCB and Mainstage to work. You need to read the FCB manual to understand what you could assign. On the front one big different about Gio and FCB is the transport control.

 

[osirisFIVE]

I don't see any problem getting the FCB and Mainstage to work. You need to read the FCB manual to understand what you could assign. On the front one big different about Gio and FCB is the transport control.

Hey, thanks for the quick reply!

My questions was more of which Audio interface I should use to connect my guitar and FCB1010 to my macbook. Like Brand, model, etc.

Sorry if I wasn't being specific! :/

 

[kongwee]

There is no Midi-USB for FCB. You could buy an midi-usb adaptor. Of cos, if you are willing to buy another audio interface. You need to find one with midi port. Then connect midi out of FCB to the interface midi in. Currently. I'm using Focusrite Saffire Pro 14. Cost almost two time of your current interface. Sound wise I leave it with other to suggest. My current audio interface is all metal casing.

 

[osirisFIVE]

There is no Midi-USB for FCB. You could buy an midi-usb adaptor. Of cos, if you are willing to buy another audio interface. You need to find one with midi port. Then connect midi out of FCB to the interface midi in. Currently. I'm using Focusrite Saffire Pro 14. Cost almost two time of your current interface. Sound wise I leave it with other to suggest. My current audio interface is all metal casing.

Haha, yeah the Saffire Pro 14 looks really hardy.

I would definitely need something that can withstand some damage. Do you bring your Saffire Pro on stage?

 

[kongwee]

I don't do live performance. I can't really tell how hardly is this audio interface.

 

[osirisFIVE]

Well how did you get your FCB1010 anyway?

I can hardly find it in Singapore and Shipping from Amazon doesn't seem to be an option for me.

 

[kongwee]

In fact, I am not a guitar player. I'm mainly arranger and a bit of recording. But I take a look at the manual, that why I can tell you what I know.

 

[ankursamtaney]

Well how did you get your FCB1010 anyway?

I can hardly find it in Singapore and Shipping from Amazon doesn't seem to be an option for me.

Yea, Amazon is a little tricky.. and sometimes, on including shipping costs, can prove move expensive than buying locally.

These are the 2 main Behringer dealers I know of in Singapore. Eng Ho Bee (6294 8429) and Hung Brothers (6336 9989)

There's also this dude Sean who's part of Behringer's distributors and takes care of Singapore. Feel free to call him on 96261687 for any inquiries on availability.

I know he (Sean) had a whole bunch of Display Stock available for sale at relatively cheap prices, and the FCB1010 if I'm not mistaken was in his list. Might be worth calling him to check if still available and if so how and where to buy from.

Good luck!

 

[ankursamtaney]

On a related note, I used to use Line 6's Gearbox for a whole lot of recording and easy playing at home. I loved the onboard sounds on it, to a point where my Pod XT Live would sit gathering dust and I'd only use Gearbox (or Podfarm.. which came free with my Line6 interface). Might be worth checking out the Line6 UX1 (someone's also selling a second hand one in the classifieds section right now), or the guitar-dedicated piece called the Line6 GX.

Behringer also has a guitar interface called UCG102. It's a tiny portable thing, which I suppose can fit in your pocket or clip onto your strap using some DIY clip. You'd have to run a USB lead to your comp like you would otherwise run a normal guitar lead to your pedal(s) or amp.

As for the FCB1010, i've never used it myself, but I've heard of people using it along with Gearbox / Podfarm and have heard it holds up well. Some simple Google searches + some reading should get you well informed about it.

Lastly, I gather you can simply use a MIDI to USB cable to hook up the FCB to your comp, rather than buying a separate MIDI interface. I can't guarantee performance, though, as I've never used it, but highly doubt it would be a problem. These links should help.

http://soft.com.sg/forum/gear-keyboard/71084-where-get-midi-usb-cable.html
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.45356
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.36132
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11277

I'm a big fan of deal extreme and can vouch for their reliability. It usually takes anywhere between a week or two for your order(s) to arrive. And no, I'm not related to deal extreme in anyway other than as a loyal customer!

 

[osirisFIVE]

Yea, Amazon is a little tricky.. and sometimes, on including shipping costs, can prove move expensive than buying locally.

These are the 2 main Behringer dealers I know of in Singapore. Eng Ho Bee (6294 8429) and Hung Brothers (6336 9989)

There's also this dude Sean who's part of Behringer's distributors and takes care of Singapore. Feel free to call him on 96261687 for any inquiries on availability.

I know he (Sean) had a whole bunch of Display Stock available for sale at relatively cheap prices, and the FCB1010 if I'm not mistaken was in his list. Might be worth calling him to check if still available and if so how and where to buy from.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for your reply!

Yeah, I managed to get a hold of all of them but sadly none of them stock the FCB1010. Sigh, looks like I have to order it online. Hmmm, wonder why it's so difficult to get.

 

[ankursamtaney]

Did you talk to Sean too? I'm pretty sure he has a display unit to clear out (of course, you'd have to test it out thoroughly to check if it works). Let me talk to him and revert.

 

[ankursamtaney]

Just heard from Sean. He has one display set of the FCB1010 sitting in Behringer's office at Great World City. Call him (96261687); he should be able to sort you out with one and probably at a price that's cheaper than any retail price you'll find for the model. But like I said, be sure you test it out thoroughly before buying it because I think it's a display set.