Volume Pedal vs Expression Pedal

ShaunKorg · Post by **ShaunKorg** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 9:48 pm

With organs on the SV1, what is the advantage to using an Expression pedal vs. a normal volume pedal between the output and amp/PA? This would be for a live, mono setup.

thanks

ShaunKorg · Post by **ShaunKorg** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 5:46 pm

Can someone please try to answer my question?

My suspicion is that using an expression pedal changes the volume BEFORE it hits the effects. I'd like to know before I drop $50 on a pedal.

Thanks

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:25 am

A kind of answer would be that a volume pedal affects the signal after it comes out of the SV-1 and does not generate MIDI control signals (i.e. cannot be recorded into or controlled by a sequencer). An expression pedal, on the other hand, is connected to a special input and hence gets converted into MIDI data - as a result you can control various parameters (e.g. filter cut-off, modulation parameters such as Leslie speed, etc.) depending on the actual synth you're using and the assignment of the MIDI controller data.

So, following the logic you outlined, a volume pedal controls the signal after the effects while an expression pedal (in principle) can control the signal wherever you set it up in the synth. I'm not sure about the SV-1 though, I don't have one and have not checked whether it is possible to assign the expression pedal to various user parameters, but I would guess so.

Even the connectors are generally different on the two types of pedals (number of sockets and contacts on the plugs), so they're not compatible, as you most probably have already spotted it. There are some exceptions like the Behringer FCV100, but that one for example requires a power supply or battery to operate, which might be inconvenient for you. Hope this helps - maybe someone with factual information on the SV-1 can help further.

ShaunKorg · Post by **ShaunKorg** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:58 pm

Thank you. It isn't clear in the manual.

jg:: · Post by **jg::** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:23 am

The Behringer FCV100 does not require battery/mains power to operate as an Expression Pedal. I actually prefer the feel of this pedal to Korg's EXP1.

jg::

ShaunKorg · Post by **ShaunKorg** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 3:33 am

I just got the FCV100.

The sound does not go all the way off when the pedal is all they way up. I don't know if this is the SV1 or the FCV100, but I don't like it.

Also, there is a stepped sound, not a smooth sweep. Maybe I just have to get use to the pedal, or maybe I'm too use to my Hilton.

ShaunKorg · Post by **ShaunKorg** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 1:48 pm

One more annoying thing...

When you change sounds the keyboard doesn't remember where the expression pedal is set. If I have the pedal at low volume on the piano sound and switch to an organ, the organ starts out at full volume even though it should be quiet. You have to wiggle the pedal and then it realizes where it is supposed to be.

velour100 · Post by **velour100** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:14 pm

I use a Roland Volume/Expression pedal. When I play the organ, you have indeed press it all up and down before its on de soft volume.. And.. worse of all.. the pedal works on all the sounds..

What use does it have for i.e. a piano sound.. when I play in church, I play on a Nord Stage, and there you can chose, if you want it to work on all sounds or just on the organ sound. And it remembers how far you have pressed the pedal, on the volume.

Anyway, I think Korg could do MUCH better on this!!

ShaunKorg · Post by **ShaunKorg** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 2:10 pm

I played out with the pedal on Saturday. I guess the sweep isn't as bad as I thought. The "low but not off" thing wasn't a big deal live through the mix.

But the other things are annoying.

korgmike2k7 · Post by **korgmike2k7** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 6:00 pm

I just got an FCV100 for my M3 and am encountering problem where the entire volume range is limited to a tiny portion near the top of the pedal range, any suggestions on what could be wrong?

I am using TRS cable from CV mode output2 to pedal input, M3 pedal control set to master volume.

are you able to get full pedal range for controlling volume?

daviebhoy85 · Post by **daviebhoy85** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:52 pm

I use a Yamaha FC-1 expression pedal. I love it. It's great for the vox wah because you can control the wah and it works like a guitar wah pedal, and when vox wah is not selected it just works as a volume pedal so you can easily control the volume which is especially handy with the original organ sounds.

pawz · Post by **pawz** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 7:24 am

I have an EXP-2 pedal and I find that the volume control is very sensitive. I would love to have better control over it. I often use it for fade-in or to quieter segments of music. Anyone find similar and have a solution?

Joie deVivre · Post by **Joie deVivre** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:10 am

I just got my SV-188 today! I've had a Korg SP-100 for about 15 years and has done good by me, it's indestructable. But I must say, the SV-1 sounds real sweet. I keep jumping back and forth comparing the sounds. I got the SV-1 because we have Kurzweils at church, and they're great, but I like knobs. Even in my car.
Question: Roland EV-5 expression pedal has it's own calibration, and the SV1 has a calibration. Do I need to do both? I've messed and messed with it, and it doesn't seem to do much of anything. I really just want it to be a volume pedal so I don't have to turn up or down my volume on the keyboard face. Any advise would be aprreciated, as I forgot to mention, I am kinda daft.

hammondking · Post by **hammondking** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 4:42 am

For you guys having trouble with the range on your FCV100, have you done the calibration on startup? I use an FCV100, and it goes all the way to zero volume, with a smooth sweep to the top. It sounds to me like you either didn't do the calibration, or you didn't exercise the whole range when you did so.

I will say, though, that it is a bit annoying for the Korg not to remember the pedal position on program change - that's just a bug there. But the volume pedal affecting pianos vs. organs is more of a personal preference. It'd be nice to have an option to change the behaviour, but for me I like it - I like the ability to change the volume range for a piano during a solo or what have you without having to use my hands.

For the person wondering why to use an expression vs. volume pedal, one other plus for expression pedal is that you can use it as a wah pedal with the pedal wah effect. I use this quite a bit on clavs.

Joie deVivre · Post by **Joie deVivre** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:43 pm

I think I've got it. The Roland EV-5 expression pedal, I set it to zero, had the pedal in the "up" position, then did the calibration procedure on the SV-1 ( turn it off, hold the auto pedal button, turn the piano on, when then auto pedal light blinks, let go of the button then hit it again, then push the expression pedal down, then back to up, then press down the damper pedal) then press the auto pedal button again to exit calibration mode. Make sure the expression pedal is plugged into the #2 pedal jack. It seems to give about 3 levels of volume push now. I don't know what I was doing wrong before. I was expecting a bit more punch, though. I didin't do any of the pedal set up according to the EV-5 leaflet.