Boss FS-6 substitute questions: polarity and open/closed

[BataviaJim]

I have a Boss VE-2 vocal harmonizer that takes an FS-6 dual pedal to control two settings (Variation & Memory). The FS-6 is $60 so I'm looking for a cheaper substitute.

The FS-6 uses a single stereo 1/4" cable - I assume each pedal sends it's signal across one of the stereo channels?

The VE-2 manual says the FS-6 should be set to Mode "Momentary". It shows the Polarity switch set to the left but doesn't say whether that's positive or negative.

The substitutes I'm considering are BeatLoop Rowin Dual Momentary External Footswitch $20, or a Saturnworks $27. (There's a Fender for $20, and Behringer FS112BX for $30, but neither specifies momentary or latching.)

Saturnworks says:
"The double switch can replace the Boss FS-6. You need to determine if your application requires the switches to be normally open or normally closed." The pedals come either way so you have to know to order the right one.
The VE-2 manual says nothing about open/closed.
The BeatLoop, the cheapest option, doesn't specify open/closed.

None of the possibilities has a polarity setting. They don't use a battery (no LED) -- only the FS-6. So would polarity not be an issue?

I did find some threads here about FS-6 and replacements but none of them addressed my specific issues.

How can I tell which substitute would work?

As you can deduce from my question I'm strictly amateur; I play solo for small senior groups and nursing homes. I recently got the VE-2 to beef up my voice and add some harmony variety.

Thanks for any help.

 

[1300 E Valencia]

Momentary = Unlatched = Open. All these labels mean an un-latched foot switch.

Latched usually means tap for "ON", tap again for "OFF", often accompanied by a mechanical "click".

An un-latched switch can perform latched functions, but it depends on the specific device.

"Momentary" refers specifically to an un-latched function that switches "ON" only when you keep your foot on it. Remove foot, function is "OFF".

"Open", or sometimes "Normally Open" is similar to "Momentary". Nothing to do with "Polarity" on the FS-6. "Polarity" switch is set so the LED is "ON" when you press the switch. Reversing the polarity simply means the light comes "ON" when the device is "OFF".

AFAIK, the battery in the FS-6 is for the LEDs, and the foot switches still function without the battery.

 

[BataviaJim]

I spent a couple hours trying to figure that out and I never came across anything that equated "momentary" with "open". Thank you!

Wait though. The Saturnworks comes in these options:
Momentary double switch normally closed pro TRS
Momentary double switch normally open pro TRS

So if momentary equals open, how can they have a momentary switch that's closed?

I thought I had it but now I'm confused again.

 

[Thin white duke]

I bought this one, 20 Euro, i use it with the Boss Ms-3 and it wotks great, it can do momentary and latch at least with Ms-3

https://www.moskyaudio.com/product/products-7-37.html

 

[Obsessed]

I would stick with the FS-6 option. I have, what amounts to 1/2 of that pedal that I use all the time ... the FS-5U ("U" is for inlatched). You can set either switches on the FS-6 for latched (switch)or unlatched (momentary). There should be another switch on the back for each pedal for polarity too. These are very robust and you can use the FS-6 on many other brand devices. I use my FS-5U now hooked to a Tascam CD trainer unit. My guess is you could find a used one on eBay for cheap. Okay, I checked, $38 shipped Buy it now.

 

[BataviaJim]

I bought this one, 20 Euro, i use it with the Boss Ms-3 and it wotks great, it can do momentary and latch at least with Ms-3

https://www.moskyaudio.com/product/products-7-37.html

Amazon has what appears to be that one for $23, though the description says only momentary, nothing about latched, though momentary is fine for the VE-2.

 

[BataviaJim]

I would stick with the FS-6 option. I have, what amounts to 1/2 of that pedal that I use all the time ... the FS-5U ("U" is for inlatched). You can set either switches on the FS-6 for latched (switch)or unlatched (momentary). There should be another switch on the back for each pedal for polarity too. These are very robust and you can use the FS-6 on many other brand devices. I use my FS-5U now hooked to a Tascam CD trainer unit. My guess is you could find a used one on eBay for cheap. Okay, I checked, $38 shipped Buy it now.

I did check ebay and Reverb a few days ago and didn't find any used FS-6 that were buy now. There were some on auction but the price goes up fast towards the end. I guess if I can get that $38 one I could go for that. I don't need the latched option now but I guess you never know.

 

[Obsessed]

I did check ebay and Reverb a few days ago and didn't find any used FS-6 that were buy now. There were some on auction but the price goes up fast towards the end. I guess if I can get that $38 one I could go for that. I don't need the latched option now but I guess you never know.

It is an option. My main point is the value of that pedal for now and the future is pretty darn good. I have been stomping on mine since about 2005 or so. I remember reading about how inexpensive it is to build your own, but these are in a slick robust housing. I understand though and it is kinda difficult to justify a pedal that does not do much, but it is a nice addition to your VE-2. I was in the same position for a similar Digitech switch pedal to go with my looper. A month later, I was wondering what took me so long to buy it. Just my thoughts.

 

[Thin white duke]

Amazon has what appears to be that one for $23, though the description says only momentary, nothing about latched, though momentary is fine for the VE-2.

Yes, that is the price, i needed a latch switch and so i was skeptical about it because also from the site it says that it's momentary but i decided to try and it works great, it turns my effects on and off like a latch switch and also it does a momentary one if i decide to activate an effect only if i keep it pressed, like a whammy for example.

I guess the only problem it could if your multieffect is designed to do both modes or momentary only.

 

[OzShadow]

I made one easily but there are momentary foot switch pedals on Amazon for about $30ish.

if you can drill and solder, it’s under $20.

 

[BataviaJim]

Thanks. I thought about making one but I'm not too handy, and after reading various instructions I'm not confident that it would turn out well.
I found an FS-6 replacement from Saturnworks for $27 plus $2 shipping. It got good reviews so I think I'll get it.

 

[peeweepete]

if you can drill and solder, it’s under $20.

This. It's fairly easy since it doesn't need many components. You should give it a go. It's a great first project, too.

 

[BataviaJim]

This. It's fairly easy since it doesn't need many components. You should give it a go. It's a great first project, too.

If I showed you my last soldering attempt you might not encourage me.

I'll take another look at the instructions I found earlier, maybe I'll give it a go.

 

[kc99x]

Although it's been awhile since this thread was active, it's still the first hit on a Google search for info on the Boss FS-6. And since I couldn't find the answer anywhere else, I pulled out my multimeter and tested every setting to make a -

Definitive Guide to the Boss FS-6 Switches

FS-5L Mode
This is Latching or Locking which means press the FS to close the circuit and press again to open.
In this mode, setting the polarity switch to the right causes the led to light when the circuit is closed and setting to the left causes the led to light when the circuit is open.

FS-5U Mode
This is Unlatched or Momentary.
Setting the polarity switch to the right puts it in Normally Open mode so that circuit is closed while the FS is being pressed and returns to open when your foot is removed.
Setting the polarity switch to the left puts it in Normally Closed mode so that circuit is open while the FS is being pressed.
Either way, the led lights when the FS is down.

Without a battery, I get an open circuit regardless of where the switches are set or if the FS is being pressed.

Too late for the original poster, but hopefully others that find their way here will find it useful.