Expression/ volume and sustain pedal recommendations

[metalandkeys]

Hi all, first post so please be gentle. I have a Waldorf Quantam and a Novation Summit connected to a radial key largo but want to add an expression/volume pedal and I know the KL has sustain but I don’t have it on the floor so also a sustain pedal. I have searched the forum but can any of your knowledgable folks give me so recommendations, I have a healthy budget, I believe in buying right first time. Many thanks in advance.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Sustain pedals can cost anything from £20 to £100 or more. The cheapest are simple mechanical switches in lightweight plastic boxes. Some of the more expensive designs use more elaborate switch mechanisms and more robust mechanical designs. I have a Yamaha FC4 which is really solid, but I also use a cheap Studiologic pedal which works just as well... but might not last as long.

As for the expression pedal, there's an important difference between an expression pedal and a volume pedal.

A volume pedal passes the actual audio signal from an instrument or mixer. So if you need to pass stereo you need a stereo pedal. A volume pedal normally has separate sockets for the input(s) and output(s), and the impedance can be anywhere from 25k to 500k Ohm or more, depending on application.

An expression pedal works differently, and typically adjusts a control voltage sent out from the keyboard rather than the actual audio. The control voltage returned to the instrument is then used to vary the gain of the output amplifier(s) inside the keyboard, so the same control voltage can control any number of outputs, mono stereo or whatever.

The expression type of pedal usually has an attached cable with a TRS plug. The internal workings and the impedance of an expression pedal can be critical to proper working, so can be instrument-specific.

The KL requires a stereo volume pedal with a 25k Ohm (audio taper) dual pot. The mixed audio through the KL is routed out through the pedal and back, so it needs to be a good quality pedal with a quiet and reliable pot. Radial recommend an Ernie Ball 25k stereo pedal, but its very expensive.

Personally, I'm not a fan of this approach, though, as you can only control the level of the whole mix, not the balance of each instrument. Instead, I prefer expression pedals connected directly to each instrument, and these are usually much less expensive and less problematic.

[The Elf]

Expression pedals:
Cheap and cheerful shopper car is the M-Audio EX-P.

Secondhand prestige car is the Yamaha FC7.

Brand new Rolls Royce is the Hammond EXP-50.

Each does a good job in its bracket, but beware that the connection standards (and resistance value) for pedals do not always agree. I've had to solder up adapters (or alter internally) several pedals to suit particular keyboards. Try before you buy, if possible.

Looks like yours is not a typical 'normal' expression pedal arrangement (thanks, Hugh!), so ignore the above - I will leave it here for others.

Sustain pedals:
Cheaper = lighter = not so good under the foot and will 'creep' in use. Beyond this they are much of a muchness, other than switch/half-damping options. Most keyboards don't implement half-damping, but if yours does it is very worthwhile.

The best I have is the Roland DP10, which allows for half-damping by a switch on the side, and also has an open-out heel pad for stability.

[daniellemill]

I had a Studiologic pedal, it broke after 7 days, I had to buy a new one! I do not recommend this manufacturer to anyone! It is better to buy something more expensive but more reliable!

[Hugh Robjohns]

I had a Studiologic pedal, it broke after 7 days...

It's not able to spontaneously break itself... you broke it!

I agree you get what you pay for, and I wouldn't gig with mine, but its fine for home practice.

[James Perrett]

I bought our lad a Nektar branded sustain pedal from CPC for under 20 quid. It is surprisingly heavy and solidly built.

[metalandkeys]

Thanks for the replies so far, some further thoughts - would the Lehle dual expression pedal work with the Key Largo, it has the 25k covered, but it looks ugly to me! Also looking at a bit left field for the sustain with the Walrus Audio SLO but think it might be overkill with the great effects the synths offer.all thoughts happily accepted.

[Hugh Robjohns]

would the Lehle dual expression pedal work with the Key Largo...

No. It is a dual-channel expression pedal designed to vary one or two control voltage(s) sent from the instrument.

You need a stereo volume pedal. It will have two audio input sockets and two audio output sockets...

[The Elf]

IIRC Korg do a rather nice 'catch-all' pedal that has both 'normal' expression connection and stereo audio in/out. It's very well made, but not cheap. XVP-something?

[MarkOne]

I've had the M-Audio EX P for years and it has given me trouble free service.

I've also got the M Gear SP2 sustain, which has a proper piano style metal pedal and has equally given great service

And a whole bunch of those little foot switches like the M Audio SP1 (But the unbranded ones like JHS used to - or might still - sell)

With them all laid out, to do sustain expression and patch change it can sometimes feel like doing a jig around the keyboards

[metalandkeys]

I have bought the Mission Engineering SP-25M Pro which although a bit expensive, based on Hugh’ explanation looks likely to be suitable and hopefully long lasting. Once again thanks everyone for the advice, this has been my first post and everyone has been really helpful.

[The Elf]

I have a few Mission pedals, including some of the custom Helix pedals. They are heavy, solid and very well made.

The only problem I have with them is their relatively short travel.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I have bought the Mission Engineering SP-25M Pro which although a bit expensive, based on Hugh’ explanation looks likely to be suitable and hopefully long lasting.

Erm... I don't think this is going to work out of the box. It's a two-channel expression pedal designed to work with control voltages. It doesn't have the separate channel input and output connections that the KL is designed for.

It could could be made to work as a volume control with the KL, but it's going to need some custom-made cabling to do the right job.

This is how a stereo volume pedal would be wired up using off-the-shelf TRS to dual TS cables:

And this is how a dual expression pedal would need to be wired, using a complicated hand-made custom cable: