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first design considerations

A project log for wimsMidiFootboardForCello

MIDI foot controller for use with Cello (and Guitar)

matt-thurstanmatt thurstan 03/10/2017 at 17:360 Comments

I am familiar with guitar pedals and footboards, both audio and MIDI, so I am aware that my main design influence comes from those devices. However in designing for a cellist, the first item that must be taken into consideration is that the cellist generally performs seated and only occasionally stood up, but always the cello is rested on the ground via it's 'spike' and the cellist has limited movement of their feet. In contrast a guitarist is generally just as happy stood up as sat down and their feet have a large range of movement. The common design of guitar footboards is basically an oblong box because it doesn't need to be anything more, the user can reach every switch. The design of a footboard for a cellist needs to take into account that the cellist cannot move their feet far. The cellist sits, feet on the floor, the cello spike rests on the floor between and just in front of the feet, whilst the knees grip the cello. The cellist can move their feet insofar as their knees retain their hold on the instrument.

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