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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

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    Rullian


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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Empty Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

    Post by Rullian Tue May 27, 2014 8:16 pm

    Hello everyone. I think I'm going to run a buffered volume pedal in front of the amp to avoid the issues that have been discussed. Anyone here use expression pedals to control reverb, delay and gain? Does that work better than controlling volume? Which expression pedals are best with the GM 36? I almost bought the boss pedal until I read here that it has to be rewired. Your insight would be most welcome. Thanks very much.
    Teddis
    Teddis


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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Empty Re: Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

    Post by Teddis Wed May 28, 2014 11:20 am

    I am using the Boss FV-500L. I had to swap polarity on my midi cable ( which worked with Fractal's foot controller ) to get it to work. I use it right now for Modulation Intensity, but that could change Smile
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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Wed May 28, 2014 7:42 pm

    Thank you very much Teddis. I'm not sure what you mean by switching polarity but I shall google it. Is it just me or is it odd that you have to modify the pedal to work? Are there expression pedals out there that just work with the GM out of the box?
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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Wed May 28, 2014 7:43 pm

    Thank you very much Teddis. I'm not sure what you mean by switching polarity but I shall google it. Is it just me or is it odd that you have to modify the pedal to work? Are there expression pedals out there that just work with the GM out of the box?
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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Wed May 28, 2014 7:43 pm

    Excuse the double post. Apologies.
    Teddis
    Teddis


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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Empty Re: Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

    Post by Teddis Wed May 28, 2014 8:23 pm

    Hi,
    If you are handy with a soldering iron I just had to swap the tip and ring on one end of the TRS cable. Not sure why this was needed.
    HwyStar
    HwyStar
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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Empty Re: Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

    Post by HwyStar Wed May 28, 2014 8:29 pm

    I got a: Yamaha FC7 Volume Control Pedal.

    It does the job and works right out of the box. They were using this pedal at the H&K booth at NAMM. Saw it in one of the YouTube videos. It's okay... Cheap too!


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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Fri May 30, 2014 8:35 am

    Perfect! Thanks HwyStar. Thank you too Teddis. I'm not much of a soldering expert unfortunately. Appreciate the insight?
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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Fri May 30, 2014 8:36 am

    question mark was typo. Meant period.
    Egads
    Egads


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    Post by Egads Fri May 30, 2014 10:34 pm

    I'm Ron Burgundy?
    Egads
    Egads


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    Post by Egads Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:58 am

    I tried a Source Audio and an old Roland EX-5 expression pedals tonight, with very minimal luck. There was almost no range of movement on the pedal, and I couldn't get the pedal cover the whole range a function's control. For example, each pedal would change the value about 25% then back all with the same sweep of the pedal. This was the same with any function.

    I did have good success with an on/off switch and the boost function. This is an awesome option for me and how I use the amp. I'll play around a little more and see if I can figure it out.
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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:57 am

    Please excuse the easy question here but could someone explain exactly how to set up the expression pedal (I have the Yamaha FC7 per HwyStar's suggestion) to control gain/chorus/reverb/delay etc? Here's what I understand:

    1) put amp on standby
    2) press and hold Noise Gate/FX loop for three seconds. Lights start flashing.

    I think I have to change the setting to "omni off" by pressing the FX access button but once I do that, how do I set the expression pedal to control a specific parameter? I know using the noise gate button as a +1 and the FX loop as a -1 is involved somehow.

    I'd like to be able to:

    -set control 1 expression pedal to control gain regardless of channel.
    -set control 2 expression pedal to control either delay or reverb level depending on the channel.
    -volume will be controlled by a buffered pedal running in front of the amp (again something I did based on HwyStar's recommendation).

    Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks very much.
    Egads
    Egads


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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Empty Re: Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

    Post by Egads Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:31 pm

    Hey Rullian,

    I think you are confusing changing the midi channel with setting the function of the expression pedal. For the expression pedal (assuming you are using the FSM 432 Mk III), press and hold the Tap and D foot switches until the display on the FSM changes. Use the up and down switches to choose the numerical value related to the function you want. Press D to save and exit. This sets Controller 1. To do Controller 2, follow the same steps, but use C, instead of D.

    All that said, I still haven't gotten the expression function to work well. I've tried three expression pedals and four different volume pedals. I'm going to pick up the Yamaha pedal tomorrow and hope I can get 0-100% range out of a pedal. I have had good luck using a single button foot switch to activate/cancel the boost function.

    Good luck!
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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Mon Jun 02, 2014 1:52 am

    :-)! Thanks a bunch, Egads. That's exactly what I was looking for. To clarify: the effect I choose to control with the expression pedal applies to all channels, correct? The same expression pedal can not control gain in bank A and delay in bank D (two expression pedals = controlling the same two parameters regardless of channel).

    I'm gonna try your single button boost switch suggestion. Line6 put a boost switch on their pedalboards and it was very handy. I was a little surprised the FSM didn't have one. Not complaining of course. Just wondering.

    Oh, btw, dude- "I'm Ron Burgundy?" That made me laugh out loud. Haven't thought about that movie in a while. Had to google it to watch that...scene?

    HwyStar
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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Empty Re: Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

    Post by HwyStar Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:54 am

    I already talked about the expression pedals here:  https://handkusers.forumotion.com/t7-the-volume-pedal-doesn-t-do-what-i-want

    Don't bet your life on it...  I have gone to using a stand alone volume pedal (Mission VM-Pro) and wah pedal (MXR MC404 CAE Dual Inductor).

    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Pedals11


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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:46 am

    Thanks HwyStar. I read that post and am doing exactly what you suggested: running the volume and wah (I'm using the visual sound volume and fulltone Clyde) out front. It works real well. I got the Yamaha FC7 like you suggested too (I'm totally benefitting from your knowledge so thanks!) but have not yet tried it to control gain, reverb or delay. I'm assuming that the expression pedal will have the same issues regardless of what effect it controls but, maybe with things like delay or gain, it won't be as big of a deal if the settings revert once I've switched channels. Whatever changes I make to the delay, gain or reverb level will only be for the song at the moment. In this case, it would actually be good if it reverts once channels are switched. Thoughts?
    Egads
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    Post by Egads Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:05 am

    Yes, it appears they are global control functions. At least, using a single switch for boost is functioning the same across the board. As alluded to with regard tot he volume control, the boost switch has a similar issue, but it's not that big of a deal. If the foot switch is the on position when you switch to a different preset, the boost doesn't automatically come on with that new preset. You have to double tab the foot switch to put the switch in the off position, then in the on position to get the boost back on. Not that big of a deal
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    Rullian


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    Post by Rullian Mon Jun 02, 2014 11:27 am

    I like that the boost doesn't stay on when you switch. If I adjust any parameter (other than volume) mid-song using the expression pedal, I don't necessarily want that edit to apply afterwards.

    This info is really helpful. Haven't even tried the IPad app yet but I see there's a thread on it. All gear has its quirks, right?

    Thanks Teddis and Hwystar.
    Egads
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    Post by Egads Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:46 pm

    Yeah, I admit I often still think like a single channel amp guy! I guess my thought would be having the volume pedal control master volume (like a free standing volume pedal) and the boost being global. I do get the intent and am happy to use the amp as they intended. It's just a different way to think (and plan!)
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    Rullian


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    Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay  Empty Re: Using expression pedals to control gain, verb, delay

    Post by Rullian Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:50 am

    So after a few days with my Yamaha expression pedal, I'm finding that the ability to control parameters such as gain, delay, reverb etc. works-so long as you don't switch channels. The volume discrepancies would be difficult to control live. It works fine for switching on and off the boost or effects loop, but otherwise not so well, I realize that this matches what a lot of you have already found out but I had to see it (hear it) for myself. Kind of a bummer. Still a fine amp and very useful, but this feature would have been great if it had worked. If anyone figures out a workaround, please share.

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