EC5 WORK ROUND

D575 · Post by **D575** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:10 pm

Of course, the behringer is not the only midi foot controller, for example > https://www.thomann.de/gb/midi_footswitches.html

Pending Korg's solution for an equivalent or expanded version of the EC5...

Post by **karmathanever** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 4:23 pm

keith-helen wrote:I have checked with a local store and it states that the FCB1010 is discontinued. But seems available from Thoman and others.

Plenty available in Australia and Behringer do not mention "discontinued".

Shop around..

Bromalex-vic · Post by **Bromalex-vic** » Sun Jun 18, 2023 12:08 am

Hi

Alois Muller video reviews a Pa5x EC5 adapter that allows to connect the EC5 directly to the keyboard via the USB port.

The german manufacturer's site:
https://www.usbmidi.de/Yamaha-Tyros-Gen ... assico-L3/
The adapter photo:
https://www.usbmidi.de/.cm4all/uproc.ph ... 86bd5d1318
A PDF with the available functions:
https://www.usbmidi.de/.cm4all/uproc.ph ... 882aaf2d16.
Cheers

Post by **karmathanever** » Sun Jun 18, 2023 4:04 am

Alois Muller video reviews a Pa5x EC5 adapter that allows to connect the EC5 directly to the keyboard via the USB port.

Before anyone buys this or gets too excited, this option saves you throwing away your EC5 pedal but does not provide the same functions as the EC5 did on previous PA models. The functions listed on the webpage can already be achieved with a MIDI pedal.
It merely turns your EC5 into a MIDI pedal - might be smarter to just get a MIDI pedal IMHO.

So those functions that the EC5 was capable of like "VAR-UP and VAR-DOWN" still cannot be achieved with this - the PA5X would have to recognise the EC5 as 5 additional switches and have the internal software to handle it - i.e identical to the current 3 switches functionality.

Remember, since the I-series, the EC5 has effectively been 5 additional switches capable of all the "switch" functions - it is NOT a MIDI pedal - several of these "switch" functions cannot be achieved via a MIDI pedal and Korg has NEVER supplied MIDI implementation details of any of the PA-series despite hundreds of requests.

Korg made some vague comment that this (EC5 switches) would be looked at "later" - doubt that.

Bromalex-vic · Post by **Bromalex-vic** » Sun Jun 18, 2023 9:18 pm

karmathanever wrote:
Alois Muller video reviews a Pa5x EC5 adapter that allows to connect the EC5 directly to the keyboard via the USB port.
Before anyone buys this or gets too excited, this option saves you throwing away your EC5 pedal but does not provide the same functions as the EC5 did on previous PA models. The functions listed on the webpage can already be achieved with a MIDI pedal.
It merely turns your EC5 into a MIDI pedal - might be smarter to just get a MIDI pedal IMHO.

Thank you karmathanever for the clarification!

Cheers

Keymn · Post by **Keymn** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 5:58 pm

I use Airturn Bt500s-6 and widibud pro on the Korg. I group two Airturn to the Korg Widibud pro. Each pedal has 2 analog ports for pedals like expression, wah. Leaves the midi and assignable ports free. The Widibud pro plugs in the top or back usb port. I have been using this setup for many years…and no wires. Compact too. Batteries charge lasts a couple gigs.
https://www.airturn.com/products/airtur ... controller

https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-bud-pro/

rikkisbears · Post by **rikkisbears** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 12:41 am

karmathanever wrote:
Alois Muller video reviews a Pa5x EC5 adapter that allows to connect the EC5 directly to the keyboard via the USB port.
Before anyone buys this or gets too excited, this option saves you throwing away your EC5 pedal but does not provide the same functions as the EC5 did on previous PA models. The functions listed on the webpage can already be achieved with a MIDI pedal.
It merely turns your EC5 into a MIDI pedal - might be smarter to just get a MIDI pedal IMHO.

So those functions that the EC5 was capable of like "VAR-UP and VAR-DOWN" still cannot be achieved with this - the PA5X would have to recognise the EC5 as 5 additional switches and have the internal software to handle it - i.e identical to the current 3 switches functionality.

Remember, since the I-series, the EC5 has effectively been 5 additional switches capable of all the "switch" functions - it is NOT a MIDI pedal - several of these "switch" functions cannot be achieved via a MIDI pedal and Korg has NEVER supplied MIDI implementation details of any of the PA-series despite hundreds of requests.

Korg made some vague comment that this (EC5 switches) would be looked at "later" - doubt that.

Hi Pete, I don’t know anything about midi pedals apart from briefly having watched the Bonners video a while back. I really don’t want or need anything as large as the Behringer. ( 10 switches?)
Thinking maybe this cable might work for me as I still have my old EC5.
I’m currently using 3 piano style pedals ( my pa5 x is on my old Kawai es920 piano stand ) one for sustain, one for vari up , one for vari down. Works well.
I’d have to go thru and work out if the functions the ec5 would have via cable , would be worth my while.

I also use another pedal to change registrations on my sx900.

So might get a bit too confusing . Haha.

Might check into it

Post by **karmathanever** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 5:02 am

Keymn wrote:I use Airturn Bt500s-6 and widibud pro on the Korg

Yes, has seen this but unfortunately does not solve the EC5 issue...

Post by **karmathanever** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 5:08 am

Rikki wrote:I’d have to go thru and work out if the functions the ec5 would have via cable , would be worth my while

I think that is the "key" - "would it be worth it"??

It seems you will end up being able to use your EC5 as a 5-pedal MIDI pedal - at least, as you say, not as cumbersome as the FCB1010.
The EC5 was never a "MIDI pedal" as such - specific cable, specific functions (some achievable with MIDI, some not)

I think there are smaller MIDI pedal solutions available but I have not researched that...

petr14 · Post by **petr14** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 12:39 pm

The advantage of the FCB1010 is the possibility to convert it to a great software.

Post by **karmathanever** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:12 pm

The advantage of the FCB1010 is the possibility to convert it to a great software

yes and it also has a (free) dedicated pedal configuration PC app. It is a great pedal.

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:37 pm

karmathanever wrote:
Rikki wrote:I’d have to go thru and work out if the functions the ec5 would have via cable , would be worth my while
I think that is the "key" - "would it be worth it"??

It seems you will end up being able to use your EC5 as a 5-pedal MIDI pedal - at least, as you say, not as cumbersome as the FCB1010.
The EC5 was never a "MIDI pedal" as such - specific cable, specific functions (some achievable with MIDI, some not)

I think there are smaller MIDI pedal solutions available but I have not researched that...

I would look into the nektar pacer..

rikkisbears · Post by **rikkisbears** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 9:25 pm

karmathanever wrote:
Rikki wrote:I’d have to go thru and work out if the functions the ec5 would have via cable , would be worth my while
I think that is the "key" - "would it be worth it"??

It seems you will end up being able to use your EC5 as a 5-pedal MIDI pedal - at least, as you say, not as cumbersome as the FCB1010.
The EC5 was never a "MIDI pedal" as such - specific cable, specific functions (some achievable with MIDI, some not)

I think there are smaller MIDI pedal solutions available but I have not researched that...

Hi Pete, for me personally , ( just being for home use), not sure if it’s worth getting a midi pedal, I’ve had my old EC5 since the 90’s for the i2/i3.
Korg arrangers have come and gone, but I’ve always held on to the pedal.

As I mentioned I have vari up and down via 2 single pedals ( and sustain via 3rd). Haven’t really missed Ec5 as much as I thought. Sadly I can’t remember what else I used to have the other switches assigned too. Haha

Got so used to , during last 4 years, of just having 2 pedals on the sx900 , one for a function , one for sustain, it’s a luxury having just the 3rd pedal on the Korg.

There is one function I wish korgs had that the sx900 has, the
Registration Step Sequencer.
I just input the order my registrations are going to play back , ie
Reg 1 (intro, )reg 2 (vari 2 ) , reg 4 (vari 4, ) back to reg2, then to reg3 etc , this way I can just use a single pedal tap, to step thru the variations for a song in the order required.
Even though we don’t have registrations, be great if there was a similar function to step thru the variations inkorg, instead of just up and down. ( unless I’ve missed something

)

rikkisbears · Post by **rikkisbears** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 9:30 pm

Bachus wrote:
karmathanever wrote:
Rikki wrote:I’d have to go thru and work out if the functions the ec5 would have via cable , would be worth my while
I think that is the "key" - "would it be worth it"??

It seems you will end up being able to use your EC5 as a 5-pedal MIDI pedal - at least, as you say, not as cumbersome as the FCB1010.
The EC5 was never a "MIDI pedal" as such - specific cable, specific functions (some achievable with MIDI, some not)

I think there are smaller MIDI pedal solutions available but I have not researched that...

I would look into the nektar pacer..

Thanks Bachus,
I think I need to do some research on what these pedals can do.
Obviously way more than I can imagine.

Keymn · Post by **Keymn** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 10:02 am

karmathanever wrote:
Keymn wrote:I use Airturn Bt500s-6 and widibud pro on the Korg
Yes, has seen this but unfortunately does not solve the EC5 issue...

I group 2 bt500s-6 airturns with Widibud pro plugged into the usb port. Have: variation 2,3,4…Keyboard sets 1-4, ending 1 and 3. Break. Spare button.
Each Airturn has 2 analog ports for expression, wah etc.
No wires, just set on floor and power up.
The assignable ports are open as well as midi ports on pa5x. I use one assignable for harmony on/off. Been using this for years with pa1000, works flawlessly. Mount on a guitar pedal board frame if you want.
I even used this configuration with PA3x without my ec5 before that. What else do we need? This was not a surprise on pa5x, since no ec5 was already on pa1000.