12 Step foot controller
The 12 Step foot controller is a bass pedal-style programmable MIDI controller pedal keyboard made by Keith McMillen Instruments which was released in 2011. It has small, soft, rubbery keys that are played with the feet. As a MIDI controller, it does not make or output any musical sounds by itself; rather, it sends MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) messages about which notes are played (and with which types of expression or pressure) to an external synth module or computer music program running on a laptop or other computer. Each key on the 12 Step senses the velocity, aftertouch pressure, and the amount of tilt the player is applying with her feet. The messages from the player's foot presses can be sent via USB to a computer-based virtual instrument or to a synthesizer or other electronic or digital musical instrument.

The expressive nuances in playing the 12 Step can be used to make a virtual instrument or synthesizer's melodic line change in sound or timbre. For example, a melody line could be played to get louder and softer by pressing the keys harder or more gently; by continuing to hold down a long note, the player could trigger effects on the synth patch such as vibrato; and by tilting the foot on the key, they could trigger a pitch bend (depending on the user's programming of the 12 Step and the design of the synth patch). The 12 Step's keys can be used to play individual notes in many octaves, enabling it to be used to play anything from deep-pitched basslines or high-pitched melody lines.

As well, the keys on the 12 step can be programmed to play chords of up to five unique notes per rubbery key (e.g., the C note can be programmed to play a C major chord, the D note can be programmed to play a "d minor" chord, and so on). The programmable chord feature enables performers to play chords with their feet and accompany themselves or be a one man band. The 12 Step has 59 factory preset programming choices, including a chromatic scale and many different types of chords (major, minor, dominant seventh, power chords, etc.). The user can also program their own chords for each key of the instrument. The 12 Step's keys can also be used to trigger "clips", backing tracks, or song sections in digital audio workstations, music sequencers, and music apps.
Q810545
bass pedal
Concept
Q669610
MIDI controller
Concept
Q1758965
pedal keyboard
Concept
Q23879627
Keith McMillen Instruments
PER
Q80535
Musical Instrument Digital Interface
Concept
Q715223
synth module
Concept
Q42378
USB
MISC
Q1897589
virtual instrument
Concept
Q163829
synthesizer
Concept
Q862880
effect
Concept
Q377435
vibrato
Concept
Q3975481
pitch bend
UNK
Q810540
bassline
Concept
Q170412
melody
Concept
Q1304271
one man band
Concept
Q202021
chromatic scale
Concept
Q920305
dominant seventh
Concept
Q1130936
power chord
Concept
Q2027843
backing track
UNK
Q1060750
digital audio workstation
Concept
Q646683
music sequencer
Concept
Q85719642
12 Step foot controller
UNK
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use