The Randall RF8 is an 8-button MIDI footswitch made by Randall. It is a controller, not a sound-making effect: it sits on the floor and sends MIDI commands to a MIDI-equipped amplifier or other device, so a player can change channels, presets or settings without reaching for a front panel. It belongs to the wider family of MIDI pedals used to organize a rig.1
What it does
Randall describes the RF8 as "an 8-button MIDI controller that can work with a variety of amplifiers and other MIDI devices." Its eight footswitches give a player hands-free access to that connected gear during a performance.1
The RF8 can be configured to send MIDI program change messages, continuous controller messages, or both. In practice, that means it can handle preset and channel switching on a MIDI amp, and also send continuous controller messages for adjustable functions on devices that support them.1
Connections and power
The RF8 has a 7-pin MIDI connector, and you can use either a standard 5-pin or 7-pin MIDI cable to connect to your MIDI device, whichever matches the connector on the device.1
The RF8 accepts 9 to 12 volts, AC or DC, and draws 100mA. Because it is powered through its 7-pin MIDI connector, the power supply and cable arrangement matter when connecting it to other MIDI gear.1
Questions
What kind of MIDI messages can the Randall RF8 send?
The RF8 can be configured to send MIDI program change messages, continuous controller messages, or both. That means it can switch amplifier channels or presets with program changes and also control adjustable functions such as effects levels or other continuous parameters, depending on what the connected device supports.
What cable does the Randall RF8 use to connect to gear?
The RF8 has a 7-pin MIDI connector. You can use either a standard 5-pin or 7-pin MIDI cable to connect it to your MIDI device, whichever matches the connector on that device.
Sources (1)
- Randall Amplifiers, Randall Amplifiers, 2020-01-13
