Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2022 0:11:57 GMT
After desiring one for the past 4½ years since I bought my Blackstar ID:Core 40 (V1) amp, earlier this week I finally hit the buy button on Blackstar's FS-11 Footcontroller. Not unusually with low price point amps of any brand in the segment where price competition is fierce, the FS-11 is an aftermarket accessory item. Put off on each prior occasion by its IMV usurious price point in AU which saw me re-triaging in favour of an alternatively desired item, until now. I'd spotted it at much more amenable price I doubt I'll see again during the sale which resulted in my recent unexpected but carpe diem guitar, bass and bass amp buying foray. Although I vacillated initially after that spend, on Monday spotting it still at that price I decided to bite the fiscal bullet. It arrived yesterday. Last night I gave it an initial hammering as there is no FS-11 handbook per se. Other than reading page 13 and referring to item 15 of the ID:Core handbook, it's a figurative 'hands on' learning curve.
As Blackstar describe it accurately in their product nomenclature, it's a "footcontroller" rather than a standard dumb two button latching footswitch. It is actually a smart footswitch, so the term footcontroller is more than merely marketing semantics.
So the verdict. I'm glad I bought it, and would again. Not life changing, but a genuinely useful tool designed for and which works well with my ID:Core 40, an amp I find use a lot for its combination of features and characteristics suited to my purpose. In hindsight I'd buy the FS-11 again, but I wouldn't and didn't pay AUD$69 (GBP£39.50/EU€48) for it, its current street price pretty much everywhere here. It used to be priced even higher years ago, hence the 'head vs heart' pass every time desire for it arose.
Although compatible ONLY with Blackstar's ID:CORE series amps, the 20, 40, 40H and Beam specifically, it's well worth having IMV if you own one of those. Special mention: 10W owners will be aware of the 10 doesn't have a footswitch jack, but I've seen one modified to fit one and it's a fairly simple inexpensive mod (which works) for anyone modestly handy with a soldering iron and drill.
I'm still feeling it out, but so far Mode 1 or default mode the two buttons act pretty much the same as a simple two button latching footswitch with the left or #1 button acting as a toggle selecting between two pre-selectable patchable voices, and the right or #2 as an effects on/off toggle for similarly variably patchable effects. In Mode 2, the left and right buttons act respectively as down or up cycling patch (6) selection buttons. The downside is, the unit has to be connected to a PC (or MAC) through the amp's USB to swap between Mode 1 or Mode 2 operation (AFAIK at this point), an either or alternative enabled through Blackstar's Architect or INSIDER software. Similarly, specific alternative voice or patch selection has to be assigned the same way. Here's a supposed FS-11 demo vid from Blackstar made way back around the time of the product's release semi-simultaneous with initial release of the ID:CORE series amps, but it's actually an audio visual explanation of its features straight out of the ID:CORE handbook than a demo.
OOTB it comes with an integrated 22AWG (approx) quality cable of generously ample length fitted with a 6.35mm plug. The switches and IC are encased in an attractive screen printed satin black powder coated strong steel housing with a non-slip pad on its base, which is commendably robust. Used as intended, so far I've found it to work as described with no switching delay. It's pleasant to use. Although I've had footswitches for my Blackstar Artist 30 2x12" 6L6 tube combo and Fender Champion 100 2x12" digital combo for some time, both of which came supplied with, I'm enjoying the newfound hands free remote freedom with my ID:Core!
As Blackstar describe it accurately in their product nomenclature, it's a "footcontroller" rather than a standard dumb two button latching footswitch. It is actually a smart footswitch, so the term footcontroller is more than merely marketing semantics.
So the verdict. I'm glad I bought it, and would again. Not life changing, but a genuinely useful tool designed for and which works well with my ID:Core 40, an amp I find use a lot for its combination of features and characteristics suited to my purpose. In hindsight I'd buy the FS-11 again, but I wouldn't and didn't pay AUD$69 (GBP£39.50/EU€48) for it, its current street price pretty much everywhere here. It used to be priced even higher years ago, hence the 'head vs heart' pass every time desire for it arose.
Although compatible ONLY with Blackstar's ID:CORE series amps, the 20, 40, 40H and Beam specifically, it's well worth having IMV if you own one of those. Special mention: 10W owners will be aware of the 10 doesn't have a footswitch jack, but I've seen one modified to fit one and it's a fairly simple inexpensive mod (which works) for anyone modestly handy with a soldering iron and drill.
I'm still feeling it out, but so far Mode 1 or default mode the two buttons act pretty much the same as a simple two button latching footswitch with the left or #1 button acting as a toggle selecting between two pre-selectable patchable voices, and the right or #2 as an effects on/off toggle for similarly variably patchable effects. In Mode 2, the left and right buttons act respectively as down or up cycling patch (6) selection buttons. The downside is, the unit has to be connected to a PC (or MAC) through the amp's USB to swap between Mode 1 or Mode 2 operation (AFAIK at this point), an either or alternative enabled through Blackstar's Architect or INSIDER software. Similarly, specific alternative voice or patch selection has to be assigned the same way. Here's a supposed FS-11 demo vid from Blackstar made way back around the time of the product's release semi-simultaneous with initial release of the ID:CORE series amps, but it's actually an audio visual explanation of its features straight out of the ID:CORE handbook than a demo.
OOTB it comes with an integrated 22AWG (approx) quality cable of generously ample length fitted with a 6.35mm plug. The switches and IC are encased in an attractive screen printed satin black powder coated strong steel housing with a non-slip pad on its base, which is commendably robust. Used as intended, so far I've found it to work as described with no switching delay. It's pleasant to use. Although I've had footswitches for my Blackstar Artist 30 2x12" 6L6 tube combo and Fender Champion 100 2x12" digital combo for some time, both of which came supplied with, I'm enjoying the newfound hands free remote freedom with my ID:Core!