Vidami Video Control Pedal Full Review

Start, stop, slow down and loop online streaming video, all hands free with the original Vidami and Vidami Blue.

I can’t imagine how different my life would have been had the tools for music learning online existed when I was a kid. While video platforms have made music teaching available to the masses, hardware tools that complement those sites have generally been gimmicky and ineffective. Vidami has aimed to change that with their new video control pedals. In this review we’ll find out if they hit the mark.

First Impressions

The pedal has a nice clean look and is built like a tank. The five switches are high quality and spaced well so each was easy to identify even while I was focused on the computer screen. I didn’t throw it against a wall or anything, but it seems like it can hold up to some abuse as well. 

Connecting the Vidami

Vidami has two models, the original Vidami and the Vidami Blue. The original connects to your computer via usb cable while the Blue connects via Bluetooth. For my money, the wireless connection is well worth it as I’ve got enough cables to deal with in my guitar setup. Initially I had a little trouble connecting the pedal to my 2014 IMac which I realized was due to my operating system being too old. Moving to my newer Mac Mini running Big Sur, the connection proved simple enough with the only issue being that my Mac identified the Vidami as a typing keyboard upon initial connection (This doesn't happen with the Blue). Closing that window and following the instructions for installing the browser plug-ins took less than 5 minutes and I was in business. (Vidami Blue also works on iOS 15) See full tech requirements here.

How it Works

In default mode, both pedals allow you to control video playback on a number of online video sites including YouTube and Worship Artistry. They both have basic features like play, pause, jump forward and jump backward, but the real stars of the show are the speed and loop features. With a single stomp you can slow videos while not changing their pitch. It has four speed settings and can can go from 75% all the way down to 20% (which is slooooooooowww). Each setting is accessed by the speed button with the first click dropping you to 75% speed while consecutive clicks drop slower and slower until it resets back to full speed. (See video below) As a teacher who creates multiple speed teaching loops online, I was impressed with how slow the video could go and still sound musical. For most players the 75% is plenty but the slower speeds allowed me to decipher even the most difficult passages note for note. The loop function is just as easy to use. You simply stomp once to set your in-point and again to set your out-point. One more click erases both. The jump backward and forward switches make this easy to do hands-free and the ability to combine the speed and loop functions truly make the Vidami a powerful learning tool. 

Additional Vidami Blue Modes

While the original Vidami features stop at video control, the Blue model has both a page turning mode for apps like OnSong and ForScore as well as a DAW control mode for programs like Garageband, Logic, Protools, Ableton Live and Cubase. For a full list of programs and functions see here. I played around with Logic and while I did find functions like hands-free starting and stopping recording very useful, the overall implementation was a little cumbersome. For one, the switches can perform multiple functions by tapping or holding but you really need to have them all memorized as the there’s nothing to indicate what the functions are. Additionally, identifying the mode it is currently in is a bit odd. If you’re not sure which of the 14(!) modes you are in,  the solution is to open a blank document on your computer, hover over it with your cursor, hold “speed” and “forward” together and tap the “play” button to have the mode display on the document. I would much prefer the light to blink the the corresponding number to the mode or have an auto “return to default” command. Hopefully Vidami will introduce a feature like this in the near future.

See the Vidami in realtime action

Final Thoughts

Should you buy a Vidami? Both pedals are well-built and function admirably as online video controllers. If you do a lot of music learning online and want to keep your hands on your instrument rather then fiddling around with your computer keyboard, the Vidami is a great solution for you. If you don’t mind a wired connection and don’t see yourself using features outside of video control, the original is a great value. If wires drive you crazy or you’re willing to put in the time to memorize the extra feature controls, the Blue is worth the upgrade. You can learn more and purchase your Vidami here.