Roland FC-300

I've had this for 2 years and STILL can't get it to do what they told me I could do with it. The ONLY reason this isn't rated a ZERO is because of it's great construction....it's a GREAT PAPER-WEIGHT!!
Even with the latest firmware revision, it still won't even do a program change on ANY piece of equipment that is connected to it. In fact, there is NO evidence that it can even COMMUNICATE with another piece of equipment.
ALL requests for assistance have had the same response: "Call us". And, when I do, I'm either past THEIR working hours, or, I'm ON-HOLD for 2 hours (it may have been longer IF I could have stayed on the phone), but it's too costly to HALT MY BUSINESS while I waited for them. All WRITTEN requests for a step-by-step solution to my problem have been rejected w/no explanation. My stated goals when I inquired to Roland BEFORE I BOUGHT IT were simple:
- I want to create a PATCH for each song I do
- Each PATCH represents a single song (although that same PATCH could be used for several songs)
- When I select "song-X"....I assign it "PATCH#13" (13 being the number I chose for this example)
- At any given set-list order, when this song is played, it will have the #13 after it
- (hypothetically) When I select #13, it will do the following:
* Change the VoiceWorks to preset #11 (for my vocals)
* Change the Alesis DEQ830 EQ to preset #56 (sets the EQ for vocals & electric guitar)
* Change the Digitech Whammy4 to preset #15
* Change the BOSS GT-10 to preset #35 (giving me a very clean, flanged setting for my rhythm) NOTE: I use an A-B Box to switch my inputs between pedalboards.
* Change the Lehle D.Loop from one loop to another (dual stereo looper)
So, by selecting ONE number on the FC-300, it will make all those changes using the different MIDI channels each unit is assigned to.

I want to add that I have been able to do ALL OF THIS on my Peavey RMC-4512 FOOT CONTROLLER that I bought about TWENTY YEARS AGO and it just died a few months before I got this thing. The EASE OF USE on the Peavey RMC-4512 was a "9"...only because inputting the data was SLOW and there wasn't an easy way to back it up!

With all the menus and options on the Roland FC-300 FOOT CONTROLLER, you STILL have to press the button for EVERY MOVEMENT....not just HOLD it for a couple seconds and have it fly through the MANY menus and options as MOST electronics in the last 10+ years do!! After 20 years, this is the BEST they could do???

One reviewer didn't even use this as a STRAIGHT MIDI CONTROLLER, so that review is totally misleading!! This is SOLD AS a MIDI FOOT CONTROLLER....not for one specific add-on unit.

Doesn't Apply?

It's NOT supposed to affect the sound.....UNLESS you consider that CASHING your Alesis DEQ830 in the middle of a performance wiping-out ALL your sound and making it SQUEAL so loud that everyone starts heading for the EXITS "affecting your sound quality"!!!

FAILS 100% of the time!!

(But never fails to destroy my Alesis DEQ830....which has never been a problem until I hooked it to the Roland FC-300 MIDI Foot Controller.

Fails 100% of the time, too!!

EVERY REQUEST I have ever made *on-line* to them has ALWAYS had the response of "call us"! I have never been able to contact them OR been contacted BY them. I figure 2 hours of being on-hold a few times while losing at least $100 of your time (each time) is too much to ask of ANYONE!

- Manual ASSUMES that you understand VERY MIDI terminology and offers *NO EXAMPLES* whatsoever for any of the things it/it's sales personnel tell you is possible with this unit.
- It also ASSUMES you are a keyboardist...that no one else would consider a MIDI controller to actually CONTROL MIDI if it isn't keyboard-related.
- I would not recommend this to ANYONE.
- I would NEVER buy this again if it was lost or stolen....I would laugh at the poor sucker that stole it.
- Why did I choose this? Stupid me....I thought ROLAND was at least as good as the BOSS company (which they own/partner with)
- How does it compare with Peavey's 20+ year-old RMC-4512?? Well...THEIR WORKED FOR 20 YEARS and I didn't need a manual to figure it out....what does that say?
- What do I wish it had? How about a DEMO DVD that has INPUT from AVERAGE MUSICIANS instead of techs who's WHOLE LIFE is *JUST MIDI*??
- I WILL SAY IN IT'S FAVOR....it is an impressive looking, well-built PAPER-WEIGHT!!!

NOTE!!!: Since this writing (posting issues), I THOUGHT I was able to "create a patch".

HOWEVER...if either of the 2 treadles on the FC-300 are moved even slightly, the ALESIS DEQ830" (equalizer) goes through a "freaking light-show" and settings (that aren't supposed to be achievable OR, DESIRED) start going off right before your eyes. TOTALLY SCRAMBLED LEDs!!
THEN, IT LOCKS-UP!!! The unit has to be UNPLUGGED before it will respond again. The DEQ830 doesn't have a setting for OR the need for "CC MIDI" so this is TOTALLY baffling. I've tried disabling the CC MIDI but, no matter what I do, one touch of a treadle brings your whole performance to a GRINDING HALT!!!

Very easy to use. But setting the swithces and pedals with gt-pro took me 2 days to figure out. Manula is pretty simple because the problems you have to solve are caused by the effects processor you use.

No effect on the sound

Looks like a tank.So far no problems

not needed yet.

Pretty cool.Very flexible. 2 ctl, 2 expression pedals, 5 bank swithces 2. bank shifters. It is perfect.I think i will get it again if stolen.It works perfect with boss gt-pro once you find out how.

I use this with a Roland VG-99 and it is straight foward plug and play. The FC-300 becomes and extension of the VG 99 and extracts power from it. I have not yet tried, nor may never try, to use it as a MIDI controller.

The FC-300 is a control unit and has no effect on sound

This thing is a freaking TANK! see the summary for my comments on that.

Roland has always been good to me, but I do not anticipate needing them for the FC-300

This thing is BIG and HEAVY. I have always been a little concerned about how the plastic VG-99 would hold up in a fall. Now I'm concerned what would happen if the FC-300 would fall on the VG-99. The FC-300 is one heavy duty road worthy piece of gear. I almost wish it was a little lighter and little smaller. It is bigger than a GT-8! That's big. Not knowing the size, I am forced to buy the Roland carrying bag for the VG-99 and FC-300 just to make it to the gig.

This completes my VG rig..I have the stand (which is also HEAVY), the Foot controller and now the bag. The little light VG-99 now weighs a good bit to move about, but it is worth it.

Good side is the VG-99 integrates seemlessly with the FC-300 and the FC-300 adds ALOT to the usability and gig-ability of the VG-99. The expression pedal are smooth and have a big full sweep. The VG-99 Wahs work really, really well with the FC-300...much better than with a standard expression pedal.

Plus, it is just one wire down and no power needed for the FC-300...SWEET!