DIY Footswitch

[sse1990]

Well in my search to find a multi-effects pedal I ended up getting a Boss ME-20B yesterday. After reading through the manual ( ok it was a fast flip), I noticed that you can get either a single FS-5 pedal or a double FS-6 pedal form boss. It will control your tuner or bass enhance in manual mode and the bank up and bank down in memory mode. Looking online for the double pedal, they are about 55$ US. For some reason Canadian sites will not list the price of any boss product, you have to contact them, so figure about 80$ CAD. Even buying one from the US, you have duty and shipping.

I decided I can build one for cheaper. I went to The Source ( Radio Shack, but up here they changed their name), and picked up a few supplies.

1-"project box"
2- SPDT N.O. Momentary switches
1- STEREO cable ( Headphone extension cable with 1/4" ends), they only had a 20' cord as the shortest

I could have put an input jack but I would need a cable anyhow and other than this I don't really see using a stereo cable.

It was a bit more than I expected but only due to the fact I bought a cable. Prices are CAD
Project box 5.99
Pack of 2 switches 6.99
20' cable 16.99

So looking at about 30$

I had to test it out and it works like I expected it to. A bit more control instead of reaching down to push a few buttons.


And now the pictures ( after-all, no pictures = didn't happen)







I still have to get a bit of black silicone for where the cable comes out of the box and I plan to make a few labels at work for tuner, bass enhance and the bank up and bank down features.

[lobey]

I'm actually in need of an FS-6. Got pics of the inside?

[sse1990]

I didn't take any but I can tomorrow.

[lobey]

Gotcha. Been trying to find a schematic for one, but can't seem to locate one anywhere.

[sse1990]

OK well since I had to work 2 shifts tomorrow I decided to open it up tonight.

Here is the inside


Wiring schematic I found online.



I went with the wire whereas in the schematic I just posted it shows a stereo jack. I just figured that with the wire going directly into it then I won't loose it and it is the only thing I use the 1/4" stereo cable for.

[cheapbasslovin]

One way to cut down those cabling costs is to find a pair of headphones that don't work, or a pair of cheap second hand headphones with a 1/4" jack and chop the cord off of that.

You may also want to put some sort of strain relief on that thing to prevent it from tugging at the switches. Even tying the cable in a knot would be better than nothing.

Having said all that yours is way prettier than the one I made for mine when I had one.

[sse1990]

I actually have a washer over the wire on the inside and it is siliconed in there. Not gonna move, lol. As for the headphones I agree but I didn't have any around here. Plus this is a nice new cable.

[walker rosewood]

FYI you should have used a normally closed switch. So that the switching happens when you press down, rather then when you lift up. This is particularly necessary if you're using an FS-5 or FS-6 clone for tap tempo purposes. The actual FS-6 has a toggle switch to choose normally open vs normally closed (polarity) for different uses. It also has a toggle between latching and un-latching.

Most of the DIY versions and diagrams found online pick and choose the components of this for their specific application, and don't include the rest. So for anybody reading this thread who wants/needs an FS-6, make sure you know what it is you need it to do.

[sse1990]

Yes it does switch on the up and not when pressed. The switches I found were all either momentary N.O. or on off switches. PLUS for the fact that it is only for tuner/bass enhance, and then in memory mode it is bank up and down, there is not much difference.

BUT for tempo purposes then yes you should be using a N.C. switch.

For the sake of of 13$ it cost for the box and switches though I can't complain. IF I do end up needing it for Tap Tempo purposes then I would definitely either build another one Or change the switches.

Even building a second one, it will be cheaper than buying the true FS-6.

[lobey]

Thanks for the pics and the schematic. I'm looking to build a simple switch like the FS-6 to control a rackmount multi I bought since a cheap MIDI one isn't in the budget right now.

[sse1990]

It's super simple to build, but as mentioned just make sure you know if it needs Normally Open switches or Normally closed ones.

[walker rosewood]

The normally closed momentary switches are tough to find. I built one for myself that is essentially two FS-5u's in one box, rather then an FS6. I used a DPDT stomp switch and wired it up with an SPDT mini-toggle switch to reverse polarity-i.e. changing from normally open to normally closed. I skipped the latching option part which would make it closer to an FS6.

It was my first build actually. Now I'm making overdrive pedals! Fun stuff.

[sse1990]

Yes it is fun stuff. This "project" I probably could have done with my eyes closed, hehe. I always enjoy making something that I need and that it can be done cheaper then store bought. Might not look as good, but the more saved is more to spend on other toys.

[MX21]

I just built one to go with my Boss ME-20B. $22 in parts from pedalpartsplus.com including drilling all the holes and another $6 for the toggle switches from Radio Shack. The toggles flip the polarity of the momentary foot switches between normally open or normally closed.

MX

[walker rosewood]

looks just like mine. except I opted for two mono jacks, so I could use each switch with separate devices if necessary.





Actually, I've since sold my ME-50B. Now I use one side as a tap tempo for my DD-7, and I changed the other side into a killswitch.

[MX21]

Originally Posted by walker rosewood

looks just like mine. except I opted for two mono jacks, so I could use each switch with separate devices if necessary.





Actually, I've since sold my ME-50B. Now I use one side as a tap tempo for my DD-7, and I changed the other side into a killswitch.

Yes, I saw yours before I built mine, so hope you don't mind that I used yours for inspiration.

MX

[walker rosewood]

I don't mind at all! I've had several TB'ers asking for help with theirs. I'm still a newb at the DIY effects, but this is what got me into it in the first place.

Actually, I had a question about wiring the toggle, and emailed this guy http://www.willsledgefx.com/ just out of the blue. He responded and was very helpful. So I should give him a plug here!

[MX21]

Here's the wiring I did for mine:

[kenstee]

If you're DIY-challenged like me you can hit this guy up - http://this1smyne.com/pedals.html. Beautiful work at very reasonable prices...

I wanted a SMALL FS-6 replacement for my RC-2..

Here's basically what I got......

"i make the switch, and can do it with polarity or not, no problem there. They sell for $34 NC switching or $40 with two polarity switches ($3 a piece). Right angled TRS cables i can build to length for $8 a piece, just let me know how long you'd like it. the enclosure box is 1.5x3.6, and i rarely build them with LED's because they don't really serve a purpose on the unit.... people sometimes ask the LED to go on and off when the stomp, but my units are so small you couldn't see it flash unless you had eyes on your toes. so i typically avoid the LEDs on tap tempo/momentary control items.

i also build these for Eventide pedals, Nova modelers and other pedals (timebender Wah zoo etc) but some units require customizing the actual unit in order to function. the RC2 is set up to receive immediately."

thanks for your interest and let me know if this is something you'd like to make -
Dan <this1smyne@hotmail.com>"

NOTE: And I received it 2 days latter.

[sse1990]

Hmmmm I might just have to "modify" mine now and add the toggles, then I can switch the polarity. I will add that to the to-do-list.