You can use up to two external footswitches to control various parameters in the TD-50. For the footswitches, Roland recommends the BOSS FS-5U or FS-6 footswitches;
Once you have connected the footswitch(s) to the FOOT SW input on the back panel of the TD-50, follow these steps to setup the desired function:
1. Press the SETUP button.
2. Press the PAGE UP button to access PAGE 1 ("1 SETUP 1).
3. Press F4 (CONTROL).
4. Press F1 (FOOT SW).
5. Use the cursor buttons to highlight "Foot Switch 1 func," or "Foot Switch 2 func."
6. Turn the dial to choose the function you want to control:
KIT # INC = Increases the Kit number with each hit.
KIT # DEC = Decreases the Kit number with each hit.
SET LIST # INC = Increases the Set List number with each hit.
SET LIST # DEC = Decreases the Set List number with each hit.
SONG # INC = Increase the Song Number with each hit.
SONG # DEC = Decreases the Song Number with each hit.
SONG PLAY = Plays the selected Song.
SONG STOP = Stops the Song.
SONG TOP = Resets the Song to the beginning with each hit.
SONG PLAY/STOP = Alternates between Starting and Stopping the selected song with each hit.
SONG AB REPEAT = Turns on /off the A-B repeat points that you have set for a Song.
MFX-1 ON/OFF = Turns on/off the MFX 1 with each hit.
MFX-2 ON/OFF = Turns on/off the MFX 2 with each hit.
MFX-3 ON/OFF = Turns on/off the MFX 3 with each hit.
FIXED HH ON/OFF = Turns On/off the FIXED HIHAT switch.
ALL SOUND OFF = Stops any currently playing drum sound or User Sample playback.
7. Press the EXIT button when you're finished. The new settings are saved automatically.