BOSS Un-Latch Footswitch (FS-5U)

I've been working on a personal music electronics project for months. It requires a non-latching (doesn't toggle between "on" and "off" positions with each click), momentary (only goes "on" [that's a "normally open/off" switch] or "off" [that's a "normally closed/on" switch] when you push the pedal) footswitch. I have now looked at and/or actually tested/used three different brands of such footswitches: Philmore 30-17090; Hosa FSC-502 and Boss FS-5U. All the makers have different versions of the same switch ... if you know you need a "momentary" switch, then you have to find out if the type you need is "normally open/off" or "normally closed/on." As explained below, the Boss switch eliminates that problem. The Philmore switch is the cheapest pre-fab switch I could find "out there," and comes with a basic 1/4 inch cable pre-installed. It "works," but it's like a noisy little tin can, and the guts of it are just too crude to really work effectively/consistently with any modern digital music devices. I couldn't get it to work properly/consistently with my project ... this switch is really designed for analog control of lights, ham radio mic/audio, etc. The Hosa switch is "OK," also comes with a pre-installed cable, and SHOULD work, but it's basically a glorified version of the Philmore device, designed/made a little better for use with digital music devices ... that is, the internal circuitry is better designed for that function. Then there's the Boss switch, which doesn't come with a pre-installed cable ... you'll have to provide your own. I've already been using two of these switches for years, as a controller for an Alesis SR-16 drum machine. One switch for "on/off," the second for switching between "A" and "B" patterns. They've worked so great for that purpose, I NEVER had a switch-related problem until one of them finally became so worn/glitchy that I had to replace it. That took about 10 years of regular (more than weekly) use. Inside and out, Boss is the best such device out there. The case is thick, solid aluminum with a hard rubber base, and is basically bombproof. It has modular grooves on the right and left sides that allow you to lock multiple units side-by-side, and create a "bank" of as many separate switches as you want/need. The pedal is firm and the switch action is QUIET. The design that transfers the heavier action of the pedal to the more fragile/delicate internal circuit-board push-button is the best I've seen, and the internal circuitry is specifically designed to properly interface with the highly sensitive circuitry of digital music equipment. Unlike the other two, the Boss pedal can also function as EITHER a "normally on/closed" OR "normally off/open" switch, by use of a toggle switch mounted next to the 1/4 inch input jack. This switch is simply labeled "polarity," but what it actually does is change the way the switch operates ... from "normally off/open" to "normally on/closed," and back again, so you know this one switch can easily be made to work with either type of input ... no experimenting with different model numbers. In sum, if you know you need a "momentary" footswitch, spend the extra money and buy the Boss. It's the best-designed, most durable and most reliable option out there for the price, and it will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

I have been using this pedal for a few months along with my Boss DD-7 pedal. This was one of the recommended pedals by Boss for the tap feature on my delay and it works great! It's very sturdy and has held up without any issues in my live gear. I've been carrying it around with my pedal board the whole time and it doesn't even have a scratch. For the functionality it couldn't be easier. With a DD-7 you just plug it into the "Tempo/Exp" jack and tap in time with the beat you wish the delay to follow and it adjusts the DD-7 to match. This pedal feels very responsive, and does what it's supposed to, no sense of it lagging or being behind the beat. If you like dotted 8th delay (used often by The Edge from U2 for example), this makes dialing in the tempo a breeze, no guessing if you've set the knobs right to be locked into the beat! There are cheaper pedals out there, but if you gig live a lot this pedal is pretty hard to beat. Works great and you won't have to worry about it breaking down from road wear!

I used this footswitch along with the below to turn my Nikon D7000 into a great photo booth along with 2 Alien Bees B400 Strobe lights and a white muslin background. I also use the cybersync transmitter and receivers. * I have read that this switch is very durable and stands up to allot of abuse. Plus it's easy to unplug for packing, etc. Allows guest to walk into the photo booth (It's just a mini studio) which I can setup in the corner at wedding receptions, etc. The foot pedal along with the pre-trigger cable allow the subjects to snap their own pictures and be as funny as they want. Seems having a photographer behind the camera makes people not come out and be as funny as they are when they know no one's behind the camera. I have an assistant had out props such as hats and mustaches on sticks along with chalk boards, etc. for guest to write whatever they want. (I have the camera set to manual focus along with a high f-stop so there's no issues with users being blurry. Camera is set with a 50mm prime lens and covers the entire backdrop) The wifi card allows users to view their images on my ipad and the otterbox case protect it from kids/rough guest. (also another reason to have an assistant). I tried the Eye-Fi Card along with Nikons USB Wifi card, and for the money, the transcend card was the best bang for the buck. I leave the camera in live view mode, so it never looses a connection to the ipad by turning off the wifi card. Also that's why I needed the ac power cord for my camera. The ipad is also plugged into power. Hope this helps someone else setup an awesome photo booth as well! * Nikon 27018 EP-5a Power Supply Connector * Kapaxen EH-5 EH-5A AC Power Adapter * ChargerCity Music Mic Microphone Stand Tablet Mount * Hosa Cable CMS110 1/8 inch TRS to 1/4 Inch TRS Adapter Cable - 10 Foot * C2G / Cables to Go 03170 3.5mm Stereo Coupler Female/Female * Fotodiox Pro Pre-Trigger Remote Shutter Release Cable for Nikon D7000 * Transcend Information 32 GB Wi-Fi SDHC Class 10 Memory Card * OtterBox Defender Series Case with Screen Protector and Stand for the New iPad

Bought this as an extension for my Boss RC-1 loop pedal. The FS-5U allows you to single-tap (instead of double) to stop loops, which is SUPER helpful when gigging. And just as importantly, you can silently delete stored loops in between songs. To delete loops using the RC-1 alone requires holding the pedal down for a few seconds, at which point you (and your audience) are forced to hear the loop for a few seconds until it deletes, unless you want to lean down between every song and lower the volume on the loop pedal as you delete (which creates situations like forgetting to turn the volume back up for the next song) The FS-5U eliminates this issue with silent deleting. A must have for use with the BOSS RC-1 loop pedal.

Pianist for musical theatre shows. Syncs with MainStage great for patch changes and it’s always fun to step on something while counting rhythms.

I got this to use as a tap tempo switch for a Boss DD-7 delay pedal (recommended for that purpose by Boss). The footswitch is very durable and stable on the floor. It can also be used as a momentary switch for any application (mute, keyboard sustain, etc...) BUT DON'T TRY TO USE IT TO SWITCH AMP CHANNELS. For that purpose you need a latching toggle switch that opens/closes each time it's depressed. This one is designed only to stay switched as long as your foot's on it. Also, if you'd prefer a cheaper, less bulky momentary pedal, shop around for a keyboard sustain pedal. They perform the same function for a much lower price and have a smaller/lower profile. Be sure you get one that has switchable polarity. Also, a keyboard sustain pedal usually comes with a permanently attatched cable which might be more clutter than you care for. This pedal can use whatever length of 1/4" patch cable or pedal jumper you have on hand.

It's the industry standard and for a good reason. I've got three of them and have never had an issue with them.

Wish it cmae with instructions, but google helps. No power required and it works great

Sehr gut 👍

Great solid pedal from Boss,and easy to set up and use, I bought this pedal to go with my Boss RC 1 loop Station guitar pedal and it works great, would recommend 5\5

Es Boss, Roland....no falla, si lo encuentras mas barato compralo.

Spouse needed one of these, found it on amazon and he's pleased with it.

As described.