Expression Pedal Recommendations?

[zenguitar]

One day I'll get the mojo back to start playing seriously again!

Same here, but I'd settle for playing humorously again.

Andy

[The Elf]

I like the Yamaha FC7. The pedal angle range can be configured for sitting or standing positions, and there is an adjustable spring-return 0-10 degree 'overpress' action if required for emphasis 'stabs' which can be handy. It has a 50k pot and the wiring obviously suits Yamaha keyboards, but I've not had any problems with any of the things I've plugged it into so far.

I've had to swap FC7 conections around for various bits of gear, but they are well made and I have a few of them. The only better expression pedal I have is the Hammond EXP-50, which is smooth as silk, stays planted and feels 'right' in a way I can't explain. But it comes at a price...

Mission pedals are superb and solid, but too short a travel for my linking.

For anyone on a budget the little plastic M-Audio jobbies are great for the money. I always have a couple of these in my gig bag - if they break they're a tenner and bit of shrapnel to replace. Switch-able and trimmable - can't go wrong with those.

[Martin Walker]

Just to clarify, the one I was referring to had the LDR in the signal path. There weren't any voltage controlled amplifiers in those days. The organ was populated entirely with discrete transistors - mostly germanium ones.

Ah, those were the days when you could convert a germanium transistor into a light-dependent device just be scraping the black paint off its casing

OC71 to OCP71 anyone?

(and if that doesn't date me, nothing will )

Martin

[Wonks]

(and if that doesn't date me, nothing will )

Well there's either carbon dating, or cutting off a leg and counting the growth rings.

[BWC]

That Hammond pedal looks nice! ...but I don't think I can justify that price right now, one to keep on the wish list for the future though, perhaps.

[Stratman57]

I have one of the M-Audio ones, and it works great.
I did convert it from wired to a TRS socket because the wire was way too long for my application, connecting to the control in of my Boss SY-1 synth pedal, which was 2 inches away from the expression pedal.

Regards, Simon.

[Funkyflash5]

I'll throw in a third mention of the m-audio one, as that's what handles the expression on my board right now. It's been trouble free for several years of service on my main pedalboard mostly controlling whammy-style pitch bend. I'm considering getting a 2nd Dunlop Volume X mini modded with a buffer for volume duty and shifting my current one to expression to save space on the board but if size isn't a problem it's a bit spendy.

[S.Crow]

What a great thread, thanks for all the info.
I ordered an M-Audio EX-P as for home use it's worth a try at ~£13 delivered.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I also have the Hammond EXP-50 (which I use with an SKX keyboard) and an EXP-20 (used with an XK-1c). The 50 is nicer than the 20, but I wouldn't say it was significantly better than the Yamaha FC7 yet costs twice as much!

[The Elf]

I literally have a EXP-50 and an FC7 here under my feet. The Hammond is definitely the classier act! The fact that you can add your own length of cable to the Hammond is also a big plus here.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yes... but twice-the-price classier?

Like you, I mildly prefer the EXP-50, but I'm not upset when using the FC7...

[Guest]

I have a couple of those moog pedals, not a great fan here, a bit on the light side!

The Alesis F2 is pretty good (nice and weighty), but everyone should have a FC-300

[The Elf]

Yes... but twice-the-price classier?

Like you, I mildly prefer the EXP-50, but I'm not upset when using the FC7...

I did allude to the difference in price. The FC7 is better value, but the Hammond is Rolls-Royce 'sod the expense'!

[Hugh Robjohns]

[BWC]

...yet costs twice as much!

From the prices I'm seeing, more than four times as much for the EXP-50 than for the FC7.

I also see there's an EXP-100, which looks the same as the 50 with an added kick switch. One of the customer reviewers on the 100 suggested that it's an optical pedal, but then they also said that they think that's the cause of extra latency, so...

I'm still thinking I'll order both the FC7 and the EP-3, and keep the EXP-50 as a future possibility.

[The Elf]

Yes... but twice-the-price classier?

Because I'm worth it...

[Hugh Robjohns]

You certainly are, Pepe!

[Hugh Robjohns]

From the prices I'm seeing, more than four times as much for the EXP-50 than for the FC7.

Ouch!

In the UK, the FC7 is around £75 and the EXP50 is around £145 -- hence my double-price comment above.

However, I see Sweetwater's prices are $45 for the FC7 and $212 for the EXP50!

That makes the EXP-50 about the same price as in the UK, and the FC7 a real bargain!

I also see there's an EXP-100, which looks the same as the 50 with an added kick switch.

Mechanically it is very similar, but the internal electronics are quite different -- whereas the EXP-50 (and -20) employ a simple pot, the EXP-100 uses a light-dependent resistor (photo-electric cell) as the control element. It connects via a DIN style plug and the foot side-switch toggles the Leslie speed. Naturally, though, the EXP-100 can only be used on a few specific Hammond keyboards like the XE-1 (and XE-101, XE-103), and the portable XK3 and new XK5 (and their variants).

One of the customer reviewers on the 100 suggested that it's an optical pedal

It is.

..but then they also said that they think that's the cause of extra latency, so...

Quite. The Internet is a constant source of amazement and amusement...

I'm still thinking I'll order both the FC7 and the EP-3, and keep the EXP-50 as a future possibility.

Sounds like a fair plan to me.

[BWC]

Wow, I'm surprised the price difference is that extreme between here and there. The Moog is only slightly more than the Yamaha over here at $49. If the prices of those two were doubled, I wouldn't be so keen on buying them both.

[The Elf]

However, I see Sweetwater's prices are $45 for the FC7...

Buy three and send two of them to me!!!

[Folderol]

One of the customer reviewers on the 100 suggested that it's an optical pedal

It is.

..but then they also said that they think that's the cause of extra latency, so...

Quite. The Internet is a constant source of amazement and amusement...

Actually, It's (sort of) true. In all the LDRs I've come across, resistance change from full light to full dark takes a whopping great 30-50mS

[Hugh Robjohns]

So more of a slew-rate issue than latency, then...

[Folderol]

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Our pedals employ a special device that smooths the change as you deploy the pedal. This avoids the annoying artifacts you get with simpler potentiometer type units.
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[Wonks]

So about the same length of time it takes to move the pedal!

[IAA]

So about the same length of time it takes to move the pedal!