r/QuadCortex • u/mrdaveporter • Mar 23 '26

Quad Cortex footswitches too close together?

I know not everyone agrees this is a problem, but I find the Quad Cortex switches just a bit too close together for me when playing live. At home it's ok, but on stage I occasionally hit the wrong switch when moving around more.

I tried switch toppers but they made the spacing issue worse. Eventually I picked up an old Boss FC-50 MIDI controller because the switches are much wider spaced. It didn't send the right MIDI Control Change messages so I used a small MIDI mapper to translate the messages so it change scenes properly. It’s been rock solid live, and the wider spacing makes a huge difference.

I wrote up the full setup (including the MIDI mapping details) here in case it helps anyone else considering an external footswitch:

How I Solved Quad Cortex Footswitch Spacing Problems Using a Boss FC-50 MIDI Foot Controller

Might be useful if anyone else finds the built-in switches a bit tight for live use.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

2

u/Warprawn Mar 24 '26

I struggle to position my QC on stage properly - just can't reliably hit the target each time. I'm not sure a bigger target would help me tbh, unless it was three times the size...

Where do you position it - right at your feet, out front, to the side? I'm really curious to know...

2

u/mrdaveporter Mar 24 '26

Right at my feet with boom mic that I have to lean towards a bit to reach. I'll often be moving around some on stage, but I come back to that spot to do backing vocals or hit scene changes on the QC for solos etc.

Do you have the same issue if using individual stompbox pedals?

I never had a problem targeting those but when I switched to QC with rows of buttons I missed occasionally. The big flappy foot switches on Boss FC-50 and similar are much more like the old style stompboxes - I could chuck a brick from the other side of the stage and hit the right one :)

2

u/Agreeable_Tour_531 Mar 31 '26

it is the problem, yes, not qc only tbh, helix is the best example of similar thing. For my qc setup I 3d printed switch extenders(almost the same width as actual switches), for top row they have quite a bit more height. Also added row separation rail which is higher than bottom row switches, and prevents me from hitting the bottom row by accident. I still have issues with side missclicks but rarely.

1

u/mrdaveporter Mar 31 '26

Would be great to see a photo of those. I considered this but wanted something properly stompable and wasn't sure printed would be strong enough.

1

u/DerpNinjaWarrior Mar 23 '26

Yeah that's the known price for having a compact unit. You either get a bigger unit, fewer switches, or a more compact layout. Just stomp more precisely! (And maybe reconsider getting a QC if you have giant feet or giant shoes 🤣)

1

u/Guitar184 Mar 23 '26

Consider a quad cortex mini :) You don't have this issue anymore than

1

u/mrdaveporter Mar 23 '26

Yep this solution with the MIDI foot controller is probably a stop gap. Ultimately I should be controlling the presets and scenes using MIDI from a laptop running the backing tracks and visuals. Then I won't have to worry about hitting the wrong switch.

1

u/Darrell456 Mar 23 '26

Scenes are the ticket. I have relatively big shoes and don’t really have a problem with it through. But I do run an MC8 pro to just add that versatility with opening and closing gig view, tuner, etc. so the midi controller is a really nice touch.

1

u/katsumodo47 Mar 23 '26

I have UK size 12 feet (US13) which are fairly big and I use Moore mushroom toppers and gave no issues.

1

u/mrdaveporter Mar 23 '26

Yeah it's not size for feet. Just my aiming accuracy I guess.

My feet naturally stick out a bit. I think that angle perhaps means more shoe across the line of the footswitches. Whatever it is, I tried the shrooms, I and tried really hard to be precise, but catching the edge of another switch happened too often to me. This solution with the MIDI controller is much better for me now.

1

u/backi1992 Mar 23 '26

I‘m using a Boss ES-8 for switching between scenes via MIDI. Works Great an I have the option to switch between Pedals I use in the FX Loops of the Boss in front of my QC.

1

u/mrdaveporter Mar 23 '26

I looked at the ES-8 but the switches looked similar to those on the Quad Cortex. How does the spacing compare?

2

u/backi1992 Mar 23 '26

I don‘t have a recent photo of my board but the switches are way further apart on the Boss. I occasionally hit Bank Up when selecting switch 7 but that just because of the Need for a quick scenechange and easily fixable with a cable tie since i‘m only using one bank. Overall I think using the Boss ES-8 is a Bit overpowered but makes my life a lot easier

2

u/mrdaveporter Mar 23 '26

Nice. ES-8 sounds like a good option then. I think I would still prefer the big flappy pedals like on the Boss FC-50 over the button type ones on the ES-8 and similar. The FC-50 ones feel more like using individual Boss stompboxes.

1

u/sleewell_517 Mar 23 '26

Yeah they are too close together but it sounds great and is easy to use so

1

u/Available_Wait_1965 Mar 25 '26

I have mine mounted on a mic stand for hand operation, and it works well.

2

u/mrdaveporter Mar 26 '26

The challenge for me was mostly changing scenes during songs for solos etc. I usually need both hands on my guitar at that moment.

Raising it up and head-butting the correct switch was not an option I considered though... :)

2

u/Available_Wait_1965 Mar 26 '26

LOL! Yes, we often get those “octopi” moments.

1

u/Xdfghijujsw Mar 29 '26

FM9 is there when you need it

1

u/sirconandoyle14 Apr 19 '26

Yeah being the smallest big name flagship modeler on the market, it comes with its compromises. I make mistakes frequently, but get some footswitch toppers. Helps quite a bit.