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  • Mini bluetooth controller for ST3

I've been looking for a solution for this for a while, and have only found large foot-pedal devices for the job. I sit on a bar-stool during acoustic gigs and find floor-pedals difficult to reach.

Does anyone have any suggestions for an actual existing device I could buy that is as simple as a two to four button bluetooth (midi/keyboard) controller that is small enough to attach to the back or side of a guitar, a mic-stand, etc. - not on the floor - which could be used with ST3 to do one or two essential things such as START next song, or CROSSFADE to next song, or TOGGLE SONG AUTOPLAY on the fly (for when I realise during a song that I need to tune-up or have a drink), etc.

Thanxx

    MasterAnt AirTurn digit3 is a hand remote perfect for this I use it on my guitar and it has 6 assignable buttons.

        Thanks Damir, that looks great ! ! !
        Unfortunately it's "sold out" at airturn.com, and I'm not finding stock anywhere else in Australia.
        Maybe sweetwater.com, if they actually have "1 more in stock" (yeah right), but shipping almost doubles the price!

          The Digit 3 is the only hand remote I know. Maybe you could use a small MIDI keyboard like the AKAI LPK25 Wireless.

          The LPK25 is a very interesting idea, but I couldn't have a keyboard onstage without playing it. Well, it could be cosmetic... I also considered using my Logitech K380, but carrying that around is just clumsy. With the larger options, I could just stick to using my 9" Gigabyte laptop for everything.

          I initially tried my bluetooth selfie-stick remote control, but that simulates volume clicks and doesn't seem to be mappable in ST3. I guess it would probably mess around with volumes too, even as it attempts to send two commands--volume up and volume down in sequence.

          The main advantage of using Stage Traxx for me is that I always have my iPhone handy so could always be gig/demo-ready, especially during travels.

          I've made some enquiries about getting hold of a Digit III. It seems like the right controller for my setup!
          Edit: I have ordered this. ETA 1-week.

          the air turn pedals although bulky and I know you said you cannot reach easily, actually have the bluetooth module as a small separate device that you can trigger 5 bluetooth commands from it. Its part number is Quad BT-200 if that's any help. built in rechargeable battery etc as well.

          DaveT When I first checked out the Digit 200, I thought it was just a Digit III alternative with cheap buttons that wouldn't have any longevity. But upon your recommendation, I looked more carefully and now see the versatility of this product with its ability to connect switches via the 3.5mm ports.

          The "bite controller" is fascinating and could work by attaching this to the guitar. Also, it would be simple to make one's own switches connected to the 3.5mm port which may be even more compact (visually) than using the Digit III.

          I have backordered the Digit III already and think it should do the trick, but I appreciate the suggestion and the knowledge imparted.

              MasterAnt i have mine connected to my fcb1010 pedals via the 3.5mm jacks just as you say, to allow me to start and stop stagetraxx from the assignable pedals on the board. the rest of my fcb1010 is midi linked to my desk to control mutes, fx returns, channel levels etc etc. I didnt want another set of pedals at my feet, hence why I bought the air turn pedals then , just as you said, used my own pedals via the 3.5mm jacks. each one allows you the control 2 "switches" sleeve=ground, tip= first switch ring=second switch, then the other jack is switch 3 and 4 (same wiring)

                  DaveT its great to hear how everyone comes up with different ideas to simplify their on stage experiance there should be more of it.
                  I use airturn 6 switch foot pedals if im standing up and performing as they are very practical especially if you require more switching for Tempo changes, i find no matter how much i try to pre set the tempo every gig requires a slight change on some songs depending on the mood of the crowd, specially if you had them wound up and you next song is slightly down tempo a slight lift just keeps the mood.This unfotunately hogs up switches so i also use the Airturn digit 3 which has 6 more switches, i have Stop/start on both as sometimes i dont use the foot pedal as you said if you are sitting on a stool its not practical but i have the ipad within reach so i can add another 2 switches where the volume buttons were , i will consider the airturn bt 200 as well because you can dedicate remote micro switches to it and would be very practical for stop start, so i dont have to look down to the guitar when starting.
                  I bought the digit 3 innitially thinking it has dedicated stop/ start switch and it can be velcroed on to the guitar in a handy spot, this works fine but i still have to look down to make sure i hit the correct button as they all very close to each other, a dedicated switch for stop start would be much better.
                  My previous foot pedal had four switches and 2 external ones which was a lot easier to hit when standing as i would place the stop start opposite side to my other four switches so left side was for tweaking and searching for next song while the opposite side was my stop start and audio mute, my helicon guitar foot pedal was in the middle for guitar effects and harmonizer switching.
                  I will give the BT 200 a go as well on my guitar and see if a can remote the external switches to a very conveniant spot on my guitar for Stop/ start and audio mute as these switches i allways introduce at random for a more live feel performance.
                  Hope my way of operating can introduce some small benefit to someone else.
                  The whole key to all this is ST3 so thanks to Peter for making our on stage performances less stressful and more enjoyable.

                      DaveT That's interesting—controlling the desk from a pedalboard. I guess I've just never gone with a MIDI-capable desk to even consider doing that. Hmmmmmmm.... the possibilities!

                      Damir I had not considered changing tempo on the fly. That's a really interesting idea! I'm going to give that a think... I always hated the damage tempo and pitch changes did to the audio, but perhaps algorithms have improved enough now!?

                      While I still do some gigs on electric guitar, standing, I've gone as small as using a BOSS GT-1 for pedals in an effort to reduce setup time, weight, and complexity. When using my laptop for backtracks, I would (sometimes) attach a USB dual keyboard pedal I had adapted from a USB keyboard controller, and that did the trick for many years to pause and go to next song. That relied on each song having about a minute's trailing silence, which I've finally removed (last week) for going with ST3.

                      My goal with reducing pedals is also one of reducing dependency on my own system. The advantage of that is having the ability to perform using rental, house, or borrowed equipment, or as a guest performer at another person's gig...

                      Oh the days of using the TCH Play Acoustic were fun, but that also got sold off.

                            MasterAnt i judge a system of operation this way, how long does it take to setup, and what cabability it has to give me a professional outcome, the cost is the last factor in ST3 case i would pay a lot more for it as it does everything i want.
                            my setup time for gigs with PA system supplied is 5 to 10 minutes, if i am using my own system ,smaller gigs 10 to 20 minutes setup time , if its a big gig and i bring my whole arsenal of subs and pa it takes around 30 minutes to setup.
                            So i cant complain, just bring my ipad with a mic stand clip, my helicon guitar effects my mic that plugs in through the helicon, my whole show is mixed and supplied to the main Pa or my powered speakers, no tack ons or fiddly external outboard equipment, its just all about the audience and my connection with them, the rest is done by a streamlined setup and a great app like ST3 in the middle of it.
                            Easy breazy! This gives me more time to create better backing tracks and come up with more creative ways to perform at the end its all about the audiance , they dont care how or what you use they just want to party.

                                MasterAnt That's interesting—controlling the desk from a pedalboard. I guess I've just never gone with a MIDI-capable desk to even consider doing that. Hmmmmmmm.... the possibilities!

                                Remote controlling your mixing console is really great. Now I only own consoles without faders (X32 Rack and XR18). For bigger events I use an X-Touch controller. But for small events I wrote this: https://github.com/peterdikant/xair-remote

                                It allows you to remote control your console from the very small X-Touch Mini. This controller is connected to a Raspberry PI and controls the mixer over wifi or a network.

                                    peter Will have a look at the app, as I love using the pi for anything and everything (my home made arcade using it is amazing). Yeah I do a lot via midi on my X32, X18, X32 rack, M32 and now Wing 🙂 can't fiddle with knobs when im playing keyboards at the same time lol, but I also find the pedals to be a great addition even when im mixing live sound. I have the full size touch, but its in one of my stage box racks as a back up should FOH fail, then I can quickly run to the stage, do a quick re routing on the x32 rack (I use it as a stage box, but its was purchased instead of another S16 simply for backup purposes) and re route the S16 and be ready to go in less than a minute again but with the added benefit of having the touch there for physical faders until I boot my iPad or MacBook. Still haven't got round to messing about with stagetraxx and the Wings 4 midi ports over usb yet as I mentioned in a previous thread 🙂

                                      Damir totally agree mate. The cost isn't the deciding factor in my setups either (and backups for backups I always factor in). Seen too many acts going the cheap route and having a failure that results in no gig, and subsequently future work being cancelled. Not worth the word of mouth either that would go about. Small setup im about 20 to 30 mins, big setup close to two hours to set and an hour to de rig by myself.

                                        I thought I was the only muso that had a small and big setup. 🤣 😆 Although my big setup is much smaller than it once was...

                                        11 days later

                                        My order for the Airtun Digit III was cancelled by the supplier, who is saying these devices are antiquated.
                                        That includes the Digit 200. Maybe it's just Australia, but I just can't seem to get hold of any small device even directly from AirTurn. Even AliExpress doesn't seem to have anything similar, which is quite unusual.

                                        I have this question which I think I already know the answer to:

                                        If I go with this small Microsoft Number Pad / BT keyboard:

                                        would I only be able to use keys 1 to 6, because that's all the setup of Keyboard AirTurn within StageTraxx allows??

                                        Thanks

                                        No that will not work at all, because number pads send completely different keycodes which are not recognized by the Airturn software. I tried it with a usb number pad and it did not work.

                                          6 months later

                                          DaveT

                                          I just bought Behrimger FCB 1010 how you connect this midi controller with Stage Traxx which is on IPad I like more cable connecting then buetooth (more stable my opinion). Did I need some midi interface I also what connect Line 6 helix and Pa4x possible Voicelive extreme 3