An apparatus for controlling vacuum pressure is provided. The apparatus includes a multiple axis controller, such as a dual axis footpedal, and a processing apparatus, such as an instrument host running software, configured to receive multiple axis data from the multiple axis controller. The apparatus also includes a first pump configured to provide nonzero fluid pressure at a first nonzero fluid pressure level based on a first axis state of the multiple axis controller and a second pump configured to provide nonzero fluid pressure at a second nonzero fluid pressure level based on a second axis state of the multiple axis controller. The processing apparatus causes switching between the first pump and the second pump based on the first axis state and the second axis state of the multiple axis controller.