Boss FS-5 and double-press security issue

Tech Talk
1

Hi techs!

A few days ago, I had an issue during a show with my Boss FS-5, which I use to control AbleSet’s play/pause function via MIDI.

My FS-5 is connected to my SPD-SX Pro, which sends MIDI notes to AbleSet. During the show, I accidentally pressed the FS-5 with my foot and instantly stopped the track.

I noticed there is a “double-press” option in AbleSet’s MIDI mapping, so I tried assigning it to the FS-5. However, when I double-press the pedal, nothing happens, I can’t start or pause the track. If I assign the same pedal using the regular single-press option, it works perfectly.

My question is: how can I set up the FS-5 so that play/pause only triggers on a double-press, to avoid accidentally stopping a track with a single press?

Thank you so much for your help!

2

Hey @FireClub,

To confirm whether the SPD-SX Pro is sending your two presses as two separate notes or not, could you run a MIDI monitor while you double press the pedal? On a Mac you can use MIDI Monitor, and on Windows MIDI-OX. That will show exactly what the SPD-SX Pro sends and in what order.

While you’re at it, check the footswitch settings under KIT MIDI on the SPD-SX Pro. The note off is sent when the GATE TIME runs out, not when you lift your foot, so try the lowest value (0.1).
Also make sure EXT CTRL is set to ON and not ON-ALT, since ON-ALT alternates between note on and note off with each press.

And just to rule it out: which FS-5 do you have, the FS-5U (silver) or the FS-5L (black, with an LED)?

Let me know what you find :slightly_smiling_face:

3

Yo @agustinvolpe !

Thank you sooo much for the quick reply!

I followed your instructions, and here’s what I found on my system:

  • MIDI signals: F#4 is sent on both the “ON” and “OFF” signals, so it’s the same note.
  • Gate Time: already set to the lowest value (0.1).
  • Ext Ctrl: it was turned off, so I turned it on.

I tried the play/pause function again after making those changes, and it worked!

Now I have to double-press the pedal to trigger the function. If I press it only once, or if the two presses aren’t close enough together, nothing happens.

For reference, I’m using a Boss FS-5 (silver).

You solved my issue, thank you so much again! :slightly_smiling_face:

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