When incorporating a computer into an ES-8 setup, you can record your preset selection moves into a DAW, then "playback" your patch changes using MIDI Program Change messages. The following process assumes that you are using MIDI-enabled pedals that will playing back PC changes, as opposed to just the ES-8 being the receiving device and changing patches with regular pedal's loops turning on and off, accoriding to the preset being recalled.
RECORDING:
1. Set up your DAW to receive and record Program Change messages
2. Set up Program Changes for MIDI enabled pedals in the ES-8.
http://www.bossus.com/support/knowledge_base/205975985
3. Then make sure to route everything as follows for recording into DAW:
ES-8 MIDI Out on Ch.1 >
MIDI Pedals (each on different MIDI Ch.) >
DAW MIDI In Port.
PLAYBACK:
1. For Program Change playback from DAW, change routing to this order:
(A) DAW MIDI Out > ES-8 MIDI In > MIDI Pedal(s)
(Using MIDI enabled pedals)
or
(B) DAW MIDI Out > ES-8 MIDI In
(No MIDI enabled pedals)