Yamaha MFC-10

MIDI is not a main major in the course of my musical life, so with this foot controller, I had involve myself into MIDI controllers programming and editing, matters that I didn't know at all before. So I took a deep breath and started to read the manual (luckily, I'm always in the mood to read the whole manual of a new device), which I found a little confusing at first, but as I keep on reading, I got familiar with the modes and ways of edition. At the end, it's just a matter of MIDI understanding.
I bought this unit to take full control of this FX-770 that I had been using with a borrowed ART X-15. I didn't feel the both things were totally compatible, so I went to the brand compatibility decision... and I'm still not dissapointed up to now.

Since the MC-10 is not a sound altering device, I'll go into how it allows you to control your sound:
I don't consider the MC-10 a low budget MIDI footcontroller, since is widely verstile in the functions that it "discovers" in my effects processor.
First there's the Program Change mode: not complicated, just push a button and it changes the preset in your unit. You have 128 of these, so you can choose the ones you want your preset to be into.
Then, there's the Function mode: you can access it by pressing the Function button, and you'll have a hundred Control Change buttons to be executed on your current patch parameters. Very useful for me if I want to switch off just the delay in the patch I'm using. No more patch duplication, no more waste of memory! Even more: you can program up to 4 control changes in one button, so if you want to switch on 4 different parameters into your patch, you can do it.
Oh, yes! We can use both modes in the Mix mode. Up row for Control Change, bottom row for Program Change.
Last, but not least: there's an expression pedal for volume, wah or whatever you want it to control in real time. I use it to control the amount of reverb, but also plug a second expression pedal for massive use (yep, you're right, my wah is there). My FX-770 doesn't allow me to have more than 2 real-time controllers, but if your unit does, you can have up to five (they're not included, you'll have to buy them).
Maybe the only complaint would be the cut of sound that all MIDI devices make the processors do when a program change is executed, but I guess that's not the MC-10 (or any other MIDI controller) to blame.
BTW: Victor: in your review, you want to know how to control wah with a MIDI expression pedal, so mail me and I'll let you know, I've been doing it for years.

Absolutely, as I always say to any one who asks: this is the steering wheel of my sound. In the dark of the stage, big red numbers let me know what patch I'm using, green numbers let me find fast the program I want to call, or the control change I want to execute, MIDI expression pedals are accurate. My "Atari" (as it's been called with affection) has been in charge since 2001, and it won't go soon.

Haven't needed at all, but if I had to, Yamaha support here in Mexico has always been trustable. Only complaint is that they only open Monday?Friday, 9am?5pm, would begreat they open on Saturdays too.

My style of music is rock music, original and cover tunes. The MC-10 has been in a lot of gigs and didn't suffered a bit; in fact I'm thinking on controlling a floor unit I've been thinking to get to substitute the FX-770.
I take care of it since Yamaha uses to lanunch a new product and 6 months later you don't find it anywhere, so thinking on buying it again if it were lost or stolen would represent some hunting on eBay.
I'm into being a guitar player, so I don't know what features would be useful for a keyboard player, but I know there are a few.
I highly recommend it.

Midi controller, very simple to programme. Patches are easy to edit and the two modes (normal and function) are pretty useful. You do tend to need the manual at hand though due to a rather peculiar hexidecimal numbering system for midi channels etc.

N/A does not affect sound.

Very solid, nice firm switch action. Although it's all quite a durable plastic casing which does not seem ideal, my guitarist has gigged and rehearsed with one for about the last 4 years with no problems whatsoever. Given his experience and it's solid feel I'll give a good rating.

I've not tried to get in touch with Yamaha, although I can't imagine such a huge company being really easy to deal with.

I use this to control a sansamp PSA-1 and TC Electronic M-one. In function mode it can send up to 4 simultanieous program changes so it's pretty future proof in my moderate set-up. The normal mode only sends one change however so you need to make use of both or just function to controll more than one piece of equipment. I find the normal mode useful though as most of my changes are on the pre-amp without switching anything on the M-one. CC's are easy to set in but can only be set globally rather than per patch although this is something common with all midi foot controllers of lower budget (get an all access for ultimate flexibility).
I love the solid feel to the switches and the nice level of resistance on the built in expression pedal, works great in my set-up and is not too bulky. The power supply is 12v, however I use an MTR fully regulated 9v supply on my pedal board and the Yamaha has no problem with this.