Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: blue on December 12, 2007, 05:33:51 PM

Title: expression pedal
Post by: blue on December 12, 2007, 05:33:51 PM

evenin folks.

i'm looking for an expression pedal for controlling an effects processor.  i'm thinking of a Boss FV-500, but there are both low and high impedance versions.  since i'm using it for expression, not volume, will it make any difference?  in case i do end up using it for volume, what actual difference does it make anyway?  i'm thinking that high impedance should generally be used for guitars, am i right?

or would anyone like to suggest a better expression pedal?

Title: expression pedal
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on December 12, 2007, 06:06:17 PM

For volume, the FV-500 is less than transparent.

I really like the expression pedal that's on the FC-200 foot control board. Great feel and metal construction.

Title: expression pedal
Post by: blue on December 12, 2007, 07:48:01 PM

i'll be plugging it into the expression input, i don't think there'll be any audio actually going through the pedal.  i don't need midi, or any switching. just looking for a sturdy pedal that'll do the job.  i'm leaning towards thinking that the pedal's impedance won't make any difference in this application?  but i'd like to be sure before i go ahead and buy one! unfortunately i'm not in a position to try before i buy.

will a normal volume pedal work as an expression pedal?  i struggle to see how it could, but then, electronics isn't my strong point!  :roll:

Title: expression pedal
Post by: blue on December 12, 2007, 08:50:34 PM

maybe i'm misunderstanding the whole exp-pedal thing, do you send audio to it?  instructions are not clear!

Title: expression pedal
Post by: waves on December 12, 2007, 09:35:19 PM

i used an expression pedal with my old amp and it was a pedal with a jack lead coming of it and no power.

as far as i know they just send midi messages.

however, i also had a volume pedal and that you did send the audio to. this also did have an expression pedal function where you plugged a jack into one of the outputs and into the amp expression pedal input.

so, in conclusion, you do not send audio to the expression pedal, the expression pedal sends midi messages to whatever unit you are using.

the boss fv500's have a jack input for expression pedals and that would just require one lead from the socket on the processor into this jack on the pedal...

if you look at something like the roland ev5.  that is just a pedal with a lead coming out of it. no power..

Title: expression pedal
Post by: hamfist on December 13, 2007, 07:33:35 AM

Not all expression pedals are MIDI-based. In fact most just have a stereo 1/4" jack connection. The master unit sends a small current to the pedal, and this current is changed by the resistance of the pedal (which is altered by the pedal's position). THe Master unit detects the change in current passing through the pedal and uses that info to alter the parameter being controlled by the pedal.
  I actually have one for sale on ebay at the moment. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180192109481&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling

   Virtually unused. Should go for almost nothing, I would guess. :(

Alan

Title: expression pedal
Post by: blue on December 13, 2007, 11:02:06 AM

thanks Hamfist, that's the info i was looking for, and for explaining it in a way that makes sense.  can i take it then i'll need a stereo cable? hopefully there should be instructions with the pedal if i do get one.  and i'm considering your auction too! just depends, i was going to wait until after christmas, but maybe...

Title: expression pedal
Post by: AdamB on December 13, 2007, 06:29:40 PM

This might help - http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10594