Hi George,
You can set your eight Scenes to respond to CC (Control Change) messages, such that the following values will make the changes:
value 0 = Scene 1
value 16 = Scene 2
value 32 = Scene 3
value 48 = Scene 4
value 64 = Scene 5
value 80 = Scene 6
value 96 = Scene 7
value 112 = Scene 8

Go to [UTILITY] > “Settings” > “MIDI I/O” > select a CONTROL CHANGE number for “Scene CC”

You would need a programmable Foot Switch that allows you to send a specific CC value when the switch is engaged.
The Yamaha MFC10 is such a programmable device. This MIDI Foot Controller can be setup so that it’s switches send the specific values to change the Scenes.

Say you set the SCENE CC = 92, then sending the above listed value from a particular switch will cause that Scene to be recalled. The MFC10 has 10 switches and jacks for others. The MFC10 connects to the synth via standard 5-pin MIDI cable.

Yamaha MIDI Foot Controller MFC10

Hi Bad Mister,

from your response i assume that in order to control scenes by foot, only a MIDI foot controller can do it.

The MFC10 has 10 switches and jacks for others. The MFC10 connects to the synth via standard 5-pin MIDI cable.

There is no other way using 'conventional' switches connected to the respective assignable foot switch or foot controllers (FC7), am i right? It would be more than enough if i could accomplish my task with 2 simple switches just for going back and forth (... if you understand what i mean:))

My obvious worry is that your proposed Yamaha MFC10 programmable device, is fully featured for my rather mild use but also has a quite hefty price (around 300$/Euros)......

Thank you in advance

You would need a programmable Foot Switch that allows you to send a specific CC value when the switch is engaged.

The answer is already there.
While it may be possible to use expression pedal to send the MIDI values... are you sure you can control the pedal with such precision to send the exact MIDI value needed to change the scene? Without a visual feedback? Or maybe you can assign the Super knob to control the Scene change CC (giving you some visual feedback) and use the expression pedal to control the Super knob, but then you won't be able to use the Super knob for the really good stuff...
I, speaking for myself, would not play such lottery. There are cheaper options for programmable MIDI foot controllers, like Behringer FCB1010 to name one.

Thanks Kalin,

Obviously a continuous controller like FC7, is impossible to control the specific CC values for alternating between scenes. The same for Super Knob. In the end my purpose was to use a foot controller, because changing scenes while playing with both hands is a tough job (accuracy related).

I understood therefore that this task can be accomplished only Through MIDI.

I don't think that the proposed Behringer FCB1010 will have any compatibility issues then. After all it will fall under the MIDI protocol rules, right??

In the end my purpose was to use a foot controller, because changing scenes while playing with both hands is a tough job (accuracy related).

I understood therefore that this task can be accomplished only Through MIDI.

If you would like to select 8 different options, not sure how it would be done short of eight switches... you need eight messages.

Alternative is to place the Arp Select options in the screen... yes, you still have to reach up and touch. This way you have access to all eight directly at once.
I don’t know if I agree that having eight pedal switches on the floor makes it harder or easier, I guess that is up to the individual.

You could “finish” the arrangement — play it back via the PLAY/REC function as a .mid file. This is a radical option because you lose the ability to ‘change your mind’ at any time. But something to consider.
You could make longer Sections so you have less changes to deal with...

It’s pretty obvious any other kind of foot device has to be able to give an individual selection for each value. The foot is not an accurate articulate method to select specific values even though the values have a range 0-15, 16-31, 32-47, 48-63, 64-79, 80-95, 96-111, 112-127... trying to move from range to range with your Foot is not possible. The CC method is best done remotely via MIDI... like with a Sequencer.

Btw - while Super Knob position can be memorized in a Scene, it cannot manipulate changes in the selected Scene. Not at all.

I realise that this is a few months old, but I've built myself a midi foot controller to do just what the OP was asking about.

This is an Arduino Nano based controller, using the Arduino midi protocols. It sends out midi messages over a standard midi cable. I've tested it, and I can confirm that it will send midi messages.

I'm learning midi late in life - I was a child of the 80's, but guitars were my thing back then!

In programming the midi instructions, I require the following information to send continuous controller messages - Control Number, Control Value and Channel.

In order to program them up, I'm having difficulty in knowing what to tell it. I understand scene values as stated above, but I'm not sure what is a control number, and a control value (or, which channel to send the messages on).

I really want this to work. I've put a decent amount of time building it, and trying to give it a retro synth vibe with the black textured paint, and wooden ends.

Can anyone help me to understand how to understand how to order the messages please?

The meat of your question:

In programming the midi instructions, I require the following information to send continuous controller messages - Control Number, Control Value and Channel.

The answers are in the thread - but you may not recognize this yet if new to the MIDI protocol.

Control Number for Scene is programmable and can be found here:

Go to [UTILITY] > “Settings” > “MIDI I/O” > select a CONTROL CHANGE number for “Scene CC”

The value there is in decimal - so if you are programming values make sure you know if you are using hex or decimal and translate accordingly. Hint: you should use decimal to make life easier on yourself.

Control Value was documented here (the number after value). A value of 0, for instance, switches to scene 1.

value 0 = Scene 1
value 16 = Scene 2
value 32 = Scene 3
value 48 = Scene 4
value 64 = Scene 5
value 80 = Scene 6
value 96 = Scene 7
value 112 = Scene 8

MODX should respond to any channel for this particular message, but I would stick with channel 1 for all global (not-for-a-specific-PART) CC messages. If you have your MODX in single-channel mode - you can make the channel the same as your transmit/receive channel. If not - channel 1.

Note that when you are coding channel values at a low level - MIDI Channel 1 is represented by a value of 0. Your arduino code may handle this for you and start channel numbering from "1" (and not 0). So know the valid range of the functions you are using.

That should leave just about no stone unturned.

Jason, This is fantastic.

I now understand it!

I'll get it programmed up and hopefully be using it live this weekend. Being able to have different scenes with different arpeggiator patterns and mixes, within a song is game changing for me. Doing it without taking my hands off the keyboard is going to be awesome. I'll share a link to a video of it working in a few days!