Some FC-200 answers...

[Dpcoffin@aol.com]

<<Can the FC-200 send MIDI controller messages, e.g. to control a lexicon
unit? I mean, can one or more of the pedals be programmed with a controller
message?
>>

<<I need to be able to send midi messages to different midi chanels and to 
do

tap tempo delays as well as start stop samplers etc... Does the Roland 
FC200

do this?>>

well, I'm not a MIDI expert, but here's what I can tell you about the 
FC-200 
(if I'm missing something obvious to any experts, please pipe up!):
It can only send on one channel at a time...I use it to control multiple 
boxes with cc messages, using a different pedal/switch for each message #. 
Each unit is on a MIDI thru chain, set to the same channel, and when I set 
up 
controller assignments while patch editing, I've determined in advance 
which 
pedals and which switches are dedicated to that unit, and use those CC#s. 
Of 
course, if I wanted two or more units to respond to the same message, I'd 
set 
up the patches that way.
The FC has 4 modes: Program Change, CC, MIDI note...and also Sysex. 
There's a 
dedicated mode-change footswitch jack that will cycle thru 'em. It can be 
set 
to ignore one or more modes. I never use program changes, since I prefer 
to 
design patches that have multiple sweet spots via parameter modulation and 
use CC controllers to access 'em.
I used the FC successfully to access every option on the MPX-G2, with 
perhaps 
an extra press required in some instances (I think the A/B switch worked 
this 
way) with a new patch to initialize values. 
When you're in program-change mode, the 6 extra CV jacks are still in CC 
mode.
So, I guess it's nowhere near as complex as the Digi pedal, or a Peavey 
1600, 
but I prefer to keep the MDID tech as simple as possible. Somehow I can 
deal 
with complex audio patching, but MIDI starts to spoil the fun for me 
quickly...
I bought the manual for the FC from Roland Customer service (maybe $10?) 
before I sprang for the unit. I'll be glad to answer basic queries on it, 
but 
if you've got complex questions, I suggest you do the same....but then, 
I'm a 
manual-readin' kinda guy.
dpc