i played with ritchie twice well before final scratch existed
and the footpedal was there then, he was using it as somekind of controller for his delay unit.(i think it's just a basic volume pedal but it could be a midi peadl to control delay times)
as for pre eq'ing trax before you play them
i've never heard anything so ridiculous in all my born days.
firstly: it would make it impossible to get right but very possible to get wrong
secondly: ritchie hawtin IS a very accomplished dj (whether you like him or not)and after me looking over his shoulder as he was playing i'm convinced of the mans integrity in so far that i'm sure he wouldn't "cheat"
thirdly: it sounds like a playground rumour invented by someone who just either wants to have a conversation about final scratch or ritchie hawtin or both, or just purley doesn't know how either djing or final; scratch works and is just taking a wild stab in the dark.

sorry to be so blunt but come on really , the whole idea of this is just so silly its absurd.