The ART X-15 Ultrafoot places MIDI real-time control at your feet in a format that is incredibly easy to use. Since winning the 1992 Music & Sound Most Innovative MIDI Product Award, the Ultrafoot has become one of the world's most popular MIDI foot controllers. The X-15 combines MIDI program change commands and real-time control for the ultimate in flexibility with any MIDI controllable product. The two expression pedals are built into the unit. The rugged chassis is 16 gauge steel, and the composite activator pads provide a dirt-free environment for the switches beneath them for years of reliable use.

The X-15 has two operating modes: Preset and Effect modes. In Preset mode, the Bank up and down pads rotate through banks. Bank number is indicated by the first two digits in the display. Pressing a numbered pad selects a preset in the bank and sends a MIDI program change message. Presets are indicated by the last digit in the display. Pressing the Mode button places the user in Effect mode. In Effect mode, the Bank up and down pads increment or decrement through presets. The numbered pads are now MIDI controllers. These controllers allow individual effects in A R T processors to be turned on and off. The controller numbers are fully programmable.

Ben's X-15 has some custom modifications. The first is the addtion of a two button momentary switch circuit to the upper right corner of the unit. These two heavy-duty silver switches can be seen in the middle of the large ART logo in the photo above. This circuit is used to switch channels on the Tubeworks Realtube II preamp. The other modification is the replacement of the stock 5-pin MIDI in jack with an aftermarket 8-pin jack. Ben made a custom 8 conductor cable to go along with the unit. This single cable carries the MIDI data from the unit, the momentary switch info to the Realtube II, and the power for the X-15. Extra cables and clutter onstage are avoided with this 'one in place of three' cable configuration.

Now that Ben has discovered POD his X-15 is used to control that unit during live situations. It is configured as follows:

Button	cc	POD Function
Left Pedal	04	WAH Sweep
Right Pedal	---	not assigned
Bypass	43	WAH on/off
01. Exciter	26	Drive Boost
02. Compressor	---	not assigned
03. Distortion	25	Distortion Boost on/off
04. Equalizer	27	Presence Boost on/off
05. Noise Gate	22	Noise Gate on/off
06. Reverb	36	Reverb on/off
07. Delay	28	Delay on/off
08. Pitch	64	Tap Tempo
09. Flange/Chorus	50	Chorus/Flanger/Rotary/Tremolo on/off
10. Special Effect	55	Rotary Speed fast/slow

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