What is the StealthSwitch II?
StealthSwitch II FootSwitch
The StealthSwitch II is a fully programmable USB foot switch capable of sending keystrokes, hotkeys, macros or mouse clicks in any program. The StealthSwitch II comes with configuration software for Windows (XP and Vista 32,64, Windows 7 32,64) and MAC OSX. Once programmed the configuration software is no longer required since all settings are stored in the switch hardware itself virtually eliminating the possibility of software conflicts. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. If a program can be controlled with keystrokes or hotkeys, it will work with the StealthSwitch II. Configuration is fast and easy.
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Applications:
- The StealthSwitch II has been used as a push-to-talk footswitch in VOIP gaming programs like Ventrilo, TeamSpeak, Xfire, WOW, Second Life, etc.
- Trigger for commercial PhotoBooths
- Foot Pedal control of transcription software
- Foot control for PC based teleprompter
- Electronic music page turner
- Foot Control of electronic test equipment
- Assistive Technology Switch Interface
- Control for Dragon Naturally Speaking
- Gamers – Bind any keystroke or hotkey in any game
The StealthSwitch II comes with 1 integrated footswitch and support for up to 4 inexpensive slave switches.
StealhSwitch II with Cable Squid
“Hey guys. I purchased a pre-production version of the stealthswitch2 and I have to give the feedback that it totally rocks. I use one footpedal for vent, and the other to toggle my [modifier] macros in World of Warcraft.”
Hi…I like the idea, but can you give more info on the other add ons…for instance, the 4th one, is that a continuous controller? Can all these be linked together to and triggered independently…sending continous control signals to programs like ableton live?
thanks,
Bill
ps…Ableton accepts both midi and keystrokes etc…
Hi Bill,
The SS2 can be configured to send keystrokes, hotkeys (including modifiers) or mouse clicks. Once programmed, all settings are stored in the switch hardware so it can be easily moved to another computer and virtually guaranteeing compatibility with any application.
The main SS2 has an integrated footswitch and connectors to add up to 4 additional slave footswitches. Each switch can be programmed and triggered independently. You can even add your own switches including guitar foot pedals. The only requirements are a momentary switch (non-latching) and a 1/8″(3.5mm) mono plug for each pedal. You can use an adapter to convert the guitar pedals which are normally 1/4″ plug to 1/8″.
Configuration software is provided for both PC and MAC. You can save an unlimited number of configurations for different applications.
You can also assign one of the footswitches to be a “shift” switch and then each of the remaining switches can have a “normal” and a “shifted” setting. This would enable you to program 9 different keystrokes using 5 footswitches. This works similar to the shift key on your keyboard.
If Ableton supports keystrokes, should work great for up to 5 foot pedals.
PS. I’m not sure what you mean by “continuous control signals”. If programmed for keystrokes like F1, it will work just like your keyboard including key repeat.
Hi…I like the idea, but can you give more info on the other add ons…for instance, the 4th one, is that a continuous controller? Can all these be linked together to and triggered independently…sending continous control signals to programs like ableton live?
thanks,
Bill
ps…Ableton accepts both midi and keystrokes etc…
Hi Bill,
If Ableton supports keystrokes (including modifiers), the StealthSwitch II should work great with Ableton. The SSII comes with 1 integrated switch and you can add up to 4 additional slave switches. Each slave switch can be triggered independently and can be configured to send a single keystroke or repeat if held down. If you need more than 5 footswitches, you can use multiple StealthSwitch II controllers. Or, you can designate one switch to be a “shift” switch which allows you to assign 2 different keystrokes to each remaining switch.
The electronics are in the integrated footswitch built into the StealthSwitch II. The slave switches are simple momentary (sometimes called non-latching) switches. In fact you can use any momentary switch that terminates in a 1/8″(3.5mm) mono audio plug (like a Rock Band Foot Pedal). Many non-latching real guitar foot pedals also work great with the addition of a 1/4″ to 1/8″ adapter.
We provide configuration software for both the PC and MAC. Once programmed, no software is required since all settings are stored in the SS2 controller. This approach virtually guarantees compatibility with any application that can be controlled with keystrokes, hotkeys or mouse clicks and makes for an extremely responsive controller.
We have a 30 day return policy so you can see if it will work with Ableton Live.
Is the primary switch stuck as the original design (as opposed to the optional slave switch types)?
It’s not a big deal, it would be nice to have one distinguished as the master, and that can be the “shift” key.
Is the SHIFT function simply a copy of the keyboard’s shift key or is it a function of the pedals themselves?
By that, I mean that if I am useing the pedals to assist in playing a game, and the keyboard’s SHIFT key is bound to say… the JUMP function in game, Would trying to use a pedal’s shifted function send a keyboard shift signal, thus causeing me to JUMP (assumeing I would prefer NOT to jump)?
The electronics for the StealthSwitch II are integrated into the included footswitch. You can add up to 4 additional slave switches. Although the electronics are in footswitch #1, all 5 switches can be programmed independently to send keystrokes, mouse clicks or hotkeys.
Any of the 5 switches can be designated to be the “shift” switch. This is not the shift keystroke on your keyboard but rather a function that we use internally. The way it works is you first assign a switch to have the “shift” function. Then you assign a “normal” and a “shifted” keystroke to each additional switch. If you press a switch without holding the “shift” switch down, it will send the normal keystroke assigned to that switch. If you hold the “shift” switch down and press another switch, it will send the “shifted” keystroke.
You can also assign the “shift” switch to work in toggle mode so you don’t have to hold it down. In toggle mode, press the shift switch once and all other switches will send the “shifted” keystrokes when pressed. Press the shift switch again and all other switches are now back to sending normal keystrokes when pressed.
Finally, if you are not using the shift toggle mode, the switch that is assigned to be the “shift” switch can also have a normal keystroke assigned to it. If the “shift” switch is pressed and released without pressing another switch, it will send the normal keystroke assigned to it. If the “shift” switch is held down and another switch is pressed, it will act as the “shift” switch. So, if you have 5 switches (integrated SSII switch plus 4 slave switches), you can program 9 different keystrokes.
In summary, the SSII “shift” function is different from the keyboards shift key and is only used internally by the SSII hardware. However, if the keyboard’s SHIFT key is bound to the JUMP function in game, that would be an ideal setting to assign to one of the footswitches so you could jump using your feet.
BTW, the programming is quick and intuitive. You can assign all 5 switch settings in a minute or two. If you use different switch configurations for different games, the SSII Configurator software allows you to save an unlimited number of configurations.
I just purchased the SSII and also got one FS-4 slave switch, as the reseller I purchased from had only the FS-4 as an option (so I didn’t realize their were others). Is there any functionality difference in the different slave switches, or are their intended physical differences other than aesthetics? For example, I noticed that the FS-4 takes slightly more pressure to engage, but is also a wee bit noisier than the SSII when functioning (not that I would call the sound it makes ‘noisy’ by any stretch.
Thanks!
The functionality of the slave switches are identical. The FS-1 slave switch is mechanically the same as the StealthSwitch II integrated switch and as you have observed has the quietest click sound (similar to the click a mouse button makes).
The FS-2, FS-3 and FS-4 slave switches all require more force and travel to activate and have a slightly louder click sound and greater tactile feedback. This can also be an advantage since you can rest your foot on the switch without triggering it and it provides more tactile feedback.
The bottom line is one of personal preference. Our most popular slave switches are the FS-1 and FS-4.
Awesome, thanks for the quick response here. I definitely like the FS-4, as leaving a foot on it when not active is super convenient. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything with any of the other types. And from the sound of the comments above, I should to use a 2-switch setup like I now have, and get 3 different functions out of it if I use one of them as a momentary shift; and 3 for the price of 2 is awesome.
Thanks.
I’m a little confused still. Do these switches send a “down” keystroke when pressed and “up” when lifted? Or is it always an up/down regardless of how long u press the switch? I’d like to program one of these to my be my ctrl key so that while i’m pressing it down it’s the same as holding the ctrl on my keyboard.
Excellent question Dane. Yes, if you program a switch to be the ctrl key it will behave just like the ctrl key on your keyboard. Ctrl will be held down as long as you press the switch. There is also a “toggle mode” for ctrl, alt and shift where you press once for key down and press again for key up. The StealthSwitch II supports up to 5 independently programmable switches. So in summary, the SSII will work in your application exactly as you describe. We provide configuration software for both Windows and Mac.
However, due to the design of Mac OSX, one keyboard can’t modify the keystrokes on another keyboard. The SSII can send keystrokes, hotkeys or mouse click in OSX but you can’t use the SSII to hold down the ctrl key and press another key on your keyboard like you can in Windows.
What is the difference between Stealth Switch and Stealth Switch 2? Why should I buy one or the other?
While the original StealthSwitch and the StealthSwitch II look quite similar, they are very different products with different uses and applications.
The original StealthSwitch was designed as a computer privacy product. When someone comes in your office, press the foot pedal to hide your windows, press again to display. There are many options that can be configured that allow you to hide all open windows, only specific windows, mute the audio, etc. Supplied with software for both Windows and Macs.
The StealthSwitch II was designed as a USB programmable foot pedal with built in support for up to 5 switches. You can program the SSII to send keystrokes, hotkeys and mouse clicks. Supplied with Configurator software for PCs and Macs to program an unlimited number of configurations. Once programmed, no software is required since all settings are stored in the switch hardware. This virtually eliminates any compatibility issues and makes the StealthSwitch II very responsive and portable – you can even move it from a PC to a Mac without installing any software. Typical applications include, Push-to-Talk footswitch for Ventrilo, TeamSpeak, World of Warcraft, trigger for photobooth software, footswitch control of teleprompter, etc. Basically any software that can be controlled with a keystroke, hotkey or mouse click will work with the StealthSwitch II.
Is the SSII available retail at any stores such as BestBuy or EB anything like that.
Sorry, The StealthSwitch II is not available at Best Buy or EB. It is currently only available online. All orders received by 2pm Central Time ship the same day. We have shipped the SSII all over the world.
Hi,
This product looks awesome. Before I buy it, I want to just make sure of one thing. I am a musician who would like to be able to turn pages in Adobe Acrobat (or Preview) on my Macbook Pro by using this step switch. Can it be programmed to do this without any problem?
Thank you.
The StealthSwitch II works great to turn pages in Acrobat on your Macbook Pro. The Mac OSX application that ships with the SSII is a native Mac application which means it was written from scratch for the Mac and is intuitive, fast and easy to use.
The way it works is you configure a hotkey (or keyboard shortcut) for each switch and hit the program button. Once programmed, all settings are stored in the switch hardware so no software is required. You can even unplug the SS2 and plug it into another computer (Mac or PC) and it will work without installing any software or drivers. You can program keystrokes, hotkeys or mouse clicks. If your application can be controlled using a keystroke or hotkey, it will work with the StealthSwitch II.
So, to turn pages in Adobe Acrobat Reader, you would configure one switch for “right arrow” to advance to the next page and another switch for “left arrow” for previous page. Here is a list of the Acrobat 9 keyboard shortcuts that you could use to program the SSII.
The StealthSwitch II requires one “master” switch and you can add up to 4 optional slave switches. The StealthSwitch II FS-1 slave switch has the quietest click sound (similar to a mouse button click).
Hello,
I’d like to use this in world of warcraft. I currently have a nostromo N52 (programmable keyboard) that I programmed to spam a key when I push on a button. I mean it does keydown, keyup, wait 0.5 second and then again, keydown, keyup, and so on.
It is not the same as holding down the key, since when I hold down the key my ablity is fired only once. I have to push the key repeatedly (that’s the key word here).
I’d like to know if it’s possible to setup the stealthswitch II to do the same.
Thanks.
The StealthSwitch II can repeat a key if held down but won’t send multiple keydown, keyup, etc. sequences as you describe.
However, using the killer combination of the StealthSwitch II and AutoHotkey, you can easily send as many repetitions of the keystrokes as you want with one press of the SSII. Simply set a hotkey for the StealthSwitch II to trigger your AutoHotkey script. Here is a link (scroll down to “Repeating or Holding down a Key”
AutoHotkey is a free, open-source utility for Windows with a great user support community. With the StealthSwitch II and AutoHotkey, there isn’t much you can’t do regarding footswitch automation.
If you are new to AutoHotkey, make sure you start here When you have your AutoHotkey script working the way you want it, you can compile it into a standalone .exe to share with your teammates.