Extending and improving
the Behringer FCB1010


On this site you will find solutions to get the best out of your FCB1010:
different alternative firmware versions highly enhance its functionality

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Real stompboxes on your FCB1010...
Dedicated Kemper Profiler control...
Dedicated RC-505 control...
Full setup flexibility...

UnO stands for "UnOfficial" (= not created by Behringer). UnO firmware solves some annoying bugs and adds some frequently requested features. To name just one: in "stompbox mode" you can use 1 row of FCB1010 switches to switch effects on/off, with the LEDs showing the current state at all time. Initial stompbox states can be programmed for each preset.

UnO2 is not just a new version of the UnO firmware. No, this firmware takes a completely different approach. Getting rid of the rigid 10x10 bank structure, a UnO2 setup can contain any mix of presets or stompboxes, sending any number of MIDI commands on any MIDI channel. Initially we thought this would only be feasible by adding extra hardware, which is why we invented the TinyBox.
But now we succeeded in squeezing part of the TinyBox core functionality into an FCB1010 chip.
And it comes with a free editor included!

UnO4Kemper firmware is a completely different beast. The UnO4Kemper equipped FCB1010 becomes a plug-and-play remote control for the Kemper Profiler. No programming required!
2-way communication assures that the FCB1010 LEDs are always in sync with the Profiler. Even the Profiler tuner can be shown on the FCB1010 display.

FCB-505 firmware turns the FCB1010 into a very very simple MIDI controller, sending 1 hardcoded CC message on switch press, and 1 CC message on switch release, and this for all 12 footswitches. No preset banks, zero programming. This type of controller happens to be a perfect remote control for the Boss RC-505!

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Proven track record

Thousands of FCB1010 users installed UnO firmware, and just love it!

The ultimate

Programming flexibility beyond compare, with a free PC editor

A winning combination

The most affordable solution for Profiler control. Just plug and play that guitar!

Foot control FTW

RC-505 foot control is made possible for musicians who loop with guitars or keyboards.

F.A.Q.


About shipping

Answer

We ship EPROMs between 1 and 5 working days after ordering. Due to the use of regular post service, it is hard to give an estimation on delivery time. In most cases, delivery takes around 1 week within Europe, and 2 to 3 weeks for the US and Canada. But shipping times of 4 to 6 weeks may happen sporadically. For remote destinations like Australia, China, South-America sometimes even up to 8 weeks apparently.

Answer

That's up to you to choose. If you choose the "registered shipping" option, the shipping is insured. Find more info about how to request a refund below. If you choose the "unregistered shipping" option, shipping is not insured. This means that you cannot request a refund if the package gets lost.

Answer

First of all check your order date. If your order was placed less than 5 weeks ago, please have some more patience. If 5 weeks are passed send us an email and we will follow up.
ATTENTION: do contact us within 2 months after ordering. PayPal only allows to do a refund up till 60 days after payment.

Answer

Unfortunately you are out of luck in this case, as explained in the topic about insurance. Luckily enough this happens very rarely, experience learns that regular post service is sufficiently reliable within EU.

About the upgrade

Answer

We cannot tell, since we are not affiliated with Behringer. However, Behringer offers upgrade chips for their own firmware too, so the fact that an EPROM has been replaced should not void the warranty. In any case, it is always a good idea to keep your original EPROM and install it again when your FCB1010 needs to be shipped back to Behringer for repair.

Answer

No it isn't. The most difficult part is removing the hotglue from the original EPROM. This needs to be done with extra care not to damage the chip, socket, or surrounding electronics. Always take the necessary precautions against electrostatic discharge when working with electronics. More detailed installation instructions can be found in the upgrade manual here

Answer

The use of the alternative firmware chip itself cannot damage your FCB1010. It's just firmware offering different functionality. It has been used by many over the past +15 years, so its stability has been proven. On the other hand, whenever you open the housing of a device and interfere with its electronics, there is a slight chance for damage. Make sure to take the necessary precautions against electrostatic discharge. Also, make sure not to damage the board while removing the hot glue from the original chip. Do it carefully and patiently!

Answer

All ICs leave the factory with their pins slightly bent outwards, in order to accommodate automated insertion machinery. Before manually inserting an IC into its socket, it's a good idea to gently bend all pins slightly inward, by resting the IC on its side on a flat surface.

Answer

No, that's not necessary. The IC socket is designed to hold the chip firmly without need for glue.

About the functionality

Answer

A comparison chart between both firmware versions can be found here!

Answer

Yes, the chip works equally well for the original RC-505 and the new RC-505 mk2.
Check the RC-505(mk2) Parameter Guide on the Boss website for all details on how to assign different functions to each incoming MIDI CC message.

Answer

FCB/UnO ControlCenter is our own editor, which can be used both for regular and for UnO-equipped FCB1010s. A Mac version and a Windows version are available. It can be purchased here. Ripwerx is a free Java-based editor, fully compatible with UnO firmware.

Answer

The UnO2 purchase is more expensive, not because of the extended feature set, but because it includes both the firmware and a dedicated Windows and Mac editor. After purchasing the firmware the editor can be downloaded here.

Answer

None. The UnO4Kemper firmware is intended to be "plug and play". There are few configuration possibilities, which can be done through a few button clicks. All you need to know is on this cheat sheet (and more detailed in the manual of course).

Answer

None. The FCB-505 firmware sends hardcoded MIDI messages and doesn't need any configuration. All programming can be done at the RC-505 side. Details about which MIDI messages the FCB-5050 firmware sends can be found here

Answer

That's possible, but definitely not guaranteed. UnO v.1.0.3 introduced a few changes in the communication protocol, and added the extra possibility to use a series of smaller SysEx messages for a patchdump. This allows a larger number of MIDI-USB interfaces to be usable for FCB1010 patchdumps.

Answer

You cannot purchase the UnO2 firmware unless you have first passed a successful MIDI communication test. This test verifies if your MIDI-USB interface can be used for FCB1010 patchdumps. Since the UnO2 firmware has to be programmed using the included editor a correctly working MIDI-USB interface is mandatory. Hence this required prerequisite test. It can be done online, when visiting the UnO2 order page, or it can be done using our freely downloadable MIDI monitor tool. Download link also on the UnO2 order page.

Answer

Definitely! Since it is plug-and-play, the small amount of configuration can be done on the board itself. No more patchdumps needed!

Upgrading to the latest version

Answer

Unfortunately the FCB1010 hardware doesn't allow easy upgrading. Since the firmware is stored in an OTP PROM (= One Time Programmable read-only memory) the only way to upgrade is by purchasing a more recent firmware chip, and replacing the old chip with the new one.

Answer

We understand that this can be frustrating, as it is not possible to simply download the new version into your older firmware chip. Therefore on each firmware release we give a 50% discount to everybody who purchased an earlier version of the same firmware within 6 months prior to this release and wants to upgrade to the latest version.

What's next?


Below is an overview of helpful links (in case of the manuals: required reading!)
A big thanks to Michael Wolter and Peter Reinhardt for spontaneously offering us a German translation of the UnO+UnO2 and UnO4Kemper user manuals respectively.

If you still have questions after reading the FAQ above and the manual, please visit one of the FCB1010 user groups. That's the best place to meet other musicians who might use the same gear as you and have useful tips on how to use the FCB1010.