Dexterity comes in handy when it comes to playing with the new 12 Step chromatic keyboard foot controller by Keith McMillen Instruments. To begin shipping soon, the KMI 12 Step allows keyboardists, guitar players, bassists, instrumentalists, and vocalists to accompany themselves with their feet, playing bass lines, notes, and chords with the tap of the toe.

As Keith McMillen Instruments notes, the 12 Step opens up a new dimension of performance by giving your feet unprecedented expressive control using polyphonic Aftertouch and pitch bend. Upon the heels (get it?) of the success of SoftStep, KMI’s versatile USB Foot Controller, 12 Step is described by KMI as another leap forward for performing musicians.

The long and narrow unit is gray with large illuminated touch pads that are numbered for your convenience. There is also a small LED display that shows the setting that you are currently using.

You can get the 12 Step on its own or as part of a bundle (the 12 Step Foot Controller Bundle; $339.90), which includes the KMI's MIDI Expander for sending MIDI information to MIDI hardware.

The new 12 Step will begin shipping this Fall for $289.95 (MSRP). As an extra incentive to buy, Keith McMillen Instruments is offering a free Batt-O-Meter (valued at $34.95 MSRP) to buyers of the first hundred 12 Step controllers.

The Batt-O-Meter from KMI shows hours of life remaining without removing the battery. With this nifty meter by your side, you can check hard-to-reach batteries via the 1/4-inch input on most instruments and effects pedals. For more information on the battery tester, visit batt-o-meter.com.

Want to know more about the 12 Step chromatic keyboard foot controller? Visit the Keith McMillen Instruments Web site at keithmcmillen.com.