First Post, First project, Guidance needed

[licksville]

Great stuff on this forum, and certainly some intelligent folks here, which is a refreshing change from some of my usual internet hangouts.  As the web address would imply, it seems most here favor stomp boxes over rack stuff so please forgive me if my first project has to do with digital effects.  I am looking to build a switching box which will allow program increment and decrement for a rack effects unit, specifically an Alesis Quadraverb.  Based on my forum research, I think I just need a wiring diagram and the parts specifications.  (I'm assuming that the STORE link above will have what I need; if not I guess I would need some purchase guidance as well.)  If it helps, the Alesis manual says that any standard, normally open, momentary contact footswitch will work.  I was recently able to open up a friends Digitech footswitch and take a quick peek inside.  Based on that, it appears I just need a (stereo ?) input jack, some switches, some wire, and an enclosure.  Appreciate your guidance.

[rubix cube]

As a test, you could plug in a jack lead, and use something conductive to briefly short the tip to the sleeve (briefly since you are replicating a momentary action).  If that has the desired effect, you could remove the jack plug at one end of the cable, strip back the wire to expose both conductors, and solder them to two seperate connections on a momentray switch. Ordinarily, the two conductors won't be shorted together, but when you hit the switch, they will be briefly connected.

At least that's what I'd try!

By the way, there's good info on switches at geofex.com if you want to be sure you know what you're doing.

[rubix cube]

I just realised, increment and decrement.  In that case, I'm guessing that you would need a stereo jack, and two switches.  Same principle, but the second switch would briefly short the ring to the sleeve.  This would mean you would need to connect one of the three conductors to both switches: probably the braid which is connected to the sleeve.  Now, when you hit Switch one, the Sleeve connects briefly to the tip, and when you hit Switch two, the sleeve briefly connects to the ring.