When you’re playing guitar, trying to simultaneously control software can be tricky. Luckily, the engineers at Boss have come up with a solution that provides an extra pair of hands.
The new Boss FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch is a cable-free Bluetooth device that can be utilized in any number of situations, such as when using a music score app (for page turning), playing along with YouTube videos (start/stop/skip back) or working on a DAW (record/stop/play.)
With the ability to connect to smartphones, tablets, computers, electronic instruments and various MIDI devices, the infinitely useful Boss FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch has been cleverly designed for silent use (very handy for intimate performances or when recording.)
The FS-1-WL can be powered by an AC adaptor, but if you want to go truly cable-free then a pair of AAA batteries will provide around 14 hours of continuous use.
Operation for each button is fully customizable via a dedicated editor/librarian app (you can even change the corresponding switch LED color for easy visual reference.)
The FS-1-WL editor/librarian app is available for Mac/Windows and iOS/Android mobile devices and can be used to assign specific keyboard commands to the footswitches, whether single keystrokes or combinations using shift or control, for example.
Furthermore, the app software allows you to save and organize different configurations, so you don’t have to reprogram it every time you switch devices, say from your DAW to a Waza-Air headphone amp (pictured below.)
It’s worth noting that if you wish to control MIDI hardware devices and computers without built-in Bluetooth support, the FS-1-WL supports communication using Roland’s WM-1 Wireless MIDI Adaptor and WM-1D Wireless MIDI Dongle.
For added versatility, the FS-1-WL allows up to two external footswitches to be connected using a 1/4-inch TRS jack labelled CTL 1,2 (for both MIDI messages and keyboard commands.)
Utilizing the 1/4-inch TRS EXP jack, an external expression pedal can also be connected for continuous parameter control of any device that responds to MIDI CC messages.
A stereo miniature TRS jack labelled MIDI Out provides wired operation of MIDI hardware devices.
USB connectivity is available via a USB B port.
The Boss FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch is currently priced $129.99.
Visit the Boss website for more information.
