MIDI foot switch help and recommendations

Flanging_Fred

I have a MacBook Pro running Reaper and thought it would be fun to set it up to run as a sampler to trigger some one shot samples during our band’s set.  I think I will need some sort of MIDI foot switch to do this but I’ve been looking at them and sort of tying myself in knots.

I just need something small and simple with maybe 4 buttons I can hit easily.  I don’t have a MIDI interface for the MacBook currently so would it be better/more flexible to go with a switch that has standard MIDI and buy a MIDI interface or go for something with USB interface? I assume USB cables can’t be that long so if I place the laptop with the PA mixer it might not reach.

Also I’ve seen these Bluetooth MIDI switches but they seem suspiciously cheap.  What’s the deal with these? The idea of a wireless switch is very appealing but not sure how reliable they would be.

So, anyone else doing this type of thing and have any insight or wisdom?

EDIT: Moved from the live section to the studio section as it might be a bit more relevant here. Maybe.