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Zybler
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    The volume pedal doesn't do what I want...

    HwyStar
    HwyStar
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    The volume pedal doesn't do what I want... Empty The volume pedal doesn't do what I want...

    Post by HwyStar Sat Apr 26, 2014 9:13 am

    So, I tried saving each preset with my Yamaha FC-7 expression pedal plugged into Expression 1 of the FSM foot pedal to no success.

    I made sure that I moved the volume pedal to 100% then saved each preset. After saving, the FSM pedal board still wants to save the preset volume; in relation to the pedal position, at about 75%. This can be very disconcerting. The volume will get louder than the preset has been saved at and that is not good in my opinion.

    I tried; per the FSM manual to set the volume using the "hard" value (controller value 75) and the volume pedal stopped working. I will create a support ticket with H&K and see if this is something that can be fixed via a firmware update. They may say that the FSM is designed to work this way but I don't like it. I think you look like an idiot if you can't control your volume!

    This may be the expression pedal that I am using that is the issue. I will include this idea in my H&K support ticket. Maybe they designed it to work with a specific pedal and just forgot to tell us? I think I will go back to using my EB Junior volume pedal. It worked like a champ. It never went to 125% volume!


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    Hughes and Kettner GrandMeister 36, Suhr®️ PT-100 Signature Edition, Marshall 1960a 4x12 cabinet (G30s & Greenbacks - open back)
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    Teddis
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    Post by Teddis Sat Apr 26, 2014 9:18 am

    Hmmm, not good, I will try my BOSS FV 500 exp pedal tomorrow.

    Getting ready for a show tonight , will use AxefxII tonight till I get the GM under command Wink
    HwyStar
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    Post by HwyStar Sat Apr 26, 2014 11:27 am

    Good luck with the show! May the rock gods be with you! (Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhodes, etc.)


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    treewiz
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    Post by treewiz Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:57 pm

    Yup these are the issues I'm encountering with my 432MKII and Grandmeister. The volume commands suck and the connection is very finicky to certain expression pedals, particulary the EV-5 pedal.
    XploZiveToyz
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    Post by XploZiveToyz Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:24 am

    I was just screwing around and took a cheap expression pedal made by M-Audio that cost around $19.00 that I used with one of my keyboards, and plugged it into the GM's foot pedal. In input 2 it turned the boost on and off. In input 1 it acted as a volume pedal. However, if I pushed it all the way down it got louder than the pre-set. I guess that can be a bad thing or a good thing. If you're listening to the music around you and don't push it all the way down it works all right. You could then kind of use it as a boost if that's what you need for a solo or something. But if you do that you don't need a boost switch. If I can put a wah pedal and compressor in front of the amp then I think I can set it up so I don't need any other pedals or stomp boxes. At least that's what I'm thinking at the moment. Any thoughts on this?  Cool 
    Zybler
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    The volume pedal doesn't do what I want... Empty Re: The volume pedal doesn't do what I want...

    Post by Zybler Sat Jun 21, 2014 4:27 pm

    I have the same experience with expression pedal. Sent a question to H&K about it and got this answer:

    "All controller inputs are 100% real remote controlls, that means, the position of the controller always matches the position of the knob or switch on the amp. We know that especially with the volume control, this means a compromise. Please remind, the amp is analog, not digital, and when you turn the expression volume fully up, it is the same as turning the volume fully up on the amp.
    If you want to control the master volume, it is better to use an analog volume pedal in the loop."

    That means You can't control any parameter in the amp with expression pedal, unless you set that parameter to 100%. I going to put away the expression and use a volume pedal instead. Analog is not always the best thing :-)
    HwyStar
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    The volume pedal doesn't do what I want... Empty Re: The volume pedal doesn't do what I want...

    Post by HwyStar Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:12 am

    Thanks for posting the reply back from H & K. Well, that answers that. I wish they would have not hyped the expression pedal control so much then. Nothing on my amp ever gets sets to 100%.

    I am getting by with my volume pedal and wah pedal just fine. The songs I am playing do not require any other expression control of effects - yet.

    Thanks Zybler!

    Sorry I have not been more active on the forum lately guys. I have been sick with an Ulcer and GERD and life has just plain sucked!

    Let me know if I need to create any other sub-forums for us to discuss specifics about anything else. I was thinking of creating a sub-forum off of the GM36 forum that lets us talk about requested enhancements to the GM36. Maybe H & K is watching this forum? I did send them an email letting them know we are here.


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    Post by gravydb Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:06 pm

    Hi, new guy here. I can't believe I found a H&K user forum! I had been looking for a while.

    Anyway... This thread is good timing, I am in the thick of trying to get an expression pedal to do what I want it to do, with the GM36. I am also in the process of transitioning from my "old" rig to the GM36. So I guess you could say I am in evaluation mode on the GM36, seeing if it can do what I want it to do, and essentially replace what I have been using for the past couple years.

    For reference, the Moog EP-2 expression pedals do not work with the GM36. As far as I can tell, their polarity is incompatible. I'm still trying to get a handle on how an expression pedal behaves with the GM36... if what H&K said is true, that it always controls 100% of the given parameter (be it volume, gain, delay time, etc)... well that's a big bummer. The main thing I need is a volume control, and if the expression pedal is going to sweep from 0-100% regardless of where I have the volume knob, well, I'm not sure if that'll do. I have ordered a couple more brands to try: a Yamaha FC-7 (which supposedly is recommended by H&K?) and a Moog EP-3 (the descendant of the EP-2) which has selectable polarity.

    My preference would be that the expression pedal controls 0-100% of the volume, with 100% being the current volume setting (the current knob position). The new pedals will arrive this week and I'll keep you posted.

    On a somewhat related topic... while I was waiting for my GM36 to arrive, I had asked H&K about the volume control's location - is it before or after the fx section. I would prefer that it be located before the fx so that the reverb and delay trails aren't affected by it. I was disappointed when they responded by saying that the volume control is located after the fx section. However, upon testing the amp, it seems to me that the volume control is in fact located before the fx. I selected a preset with lots of delay, hit a chord on my guitar, and then turned down the volume knob.... the delay repeats continued just fine! So at least THAT part works the way I want it to!

    I'll let ya know how it goes with the new exp pedals. Fingers crossed! The alternative is to get a conventional volume pedal which I really want to avoid... I don't care for having audio cables going to/from my pedal board! I'll keep ya posted.

    My "old" rig:
    H&K Tubemeister 18 head
    TC Electronic G-System, w/ two Moog EP-2 exp pedals
    H&K CC212 cab

    My "new" rig (hopefully):
    H&K Grandmeister 36, (w/ ?? exp pedals)
    H&K CC212 cab
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    The volume pedal doesn't do what I want... Empty Re: The volume pedal doesn't do what I want...

    Post by 3dognate Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:44 am

    Yeah, there are many things in the GM MIDI CC arrangement that I dont' really care for. One thing you might try to solve your particular need is to put an Erie Ball MVP volume pedal in the loop. It has both a minimum and a maximum/boost setting. And you would have volume control independent of the presets.

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    Bob V


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    The volume pedal doesn't do what I want... Empty Any updates on Expression Pedals w/ FSM432mkIII ?

    Post by Bob V Fri Dec 19, 2014 1:34 pm

    Hi folks,

    New to the forum.  Enjoying my new GM36 + FMS432mkIII + (2) TM112 cabs

    Would like to get my expression pedal working and have read through other users troubles.  

    To share what's working and isn't with other GM36 users:   I have problems with two expression pedals - a Line 6 expression pedal (appears to be a re-branded version of the Boss/Roland EV-5) and the Mission Control pedal. Neither works.  I've reset controller values (07), tried TRS and TS 1/4" cables, both give the same results - toe forward the volume is off, mid-point to heel down, volume is full-on.  

    Looks like many veterans of this forum have given up or went to a buffered pedal in the signal path or in the efx loop.

    Sadly, I've attempted to contact H&K 3 times through their Website>Support>Contact Us forum....but nothing comes back...no replies :-(

    Any words of wisdom out there?

    Bob
    Melbourne, FL

    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

    Success and Updates as of 27-Dec-2014 !!!

    (all due Respect & Thanks to others on this forum who have commented on this same problem -- there are multiple threads, ongoing!)

    Since posting this, I have made discoveries and navigated through my troubles. I would like to share my findings, hoping to help others.

    1. If you want to use an expression pedal with your FSM432mkIII foot controller, the H&K manual is very specific (see the illustration) stating you must use an expression pedal with a 25k-50k value potentiometer, with a TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) ¼-inch to ¼-inch connector. (If you do not use this value pot and cable configuration you will see odd/bad results with your expression pedal, it doesn't work :-).
    2. Hughes and Kettner's support team recommended the Yamaha FC7 expression controller. (~$39 at the usual online music stores, recommended by others on this forum, verifying that it works).
    3. Should you want a more robust (Dunlop crybaby type) pedal I would recommend the Mission Engineering EP-25k pedal, at $139. Available in colors, built like a tank.  (features a TRS connector, 25k potentiometer)
    4. Expression Pedals I have tried that do NOT work:  Mission Engineering EP1-L6 (made for Line 6), Line 6 EX1 (appears to be an OEM version of the boss EV-5)
    5. The Mission Engineering control team was very support-friendly! They offered to send a pre-soldered upgrade kit that I could swap the internal parts of my Mission Engineering EP1-L6 and convert/upgrade to the Mission Engineering EP-25k pedal (parts + shipping: $27.50).  Better than $139 for new pedal…very kind of them.
    6. It’s all working now…  Cool

    Cheers,

    Bob
    Melbourne, FL.


    Last edited by Bob V on Sat Dec 27, 2014 6:53 pm; edited 3 times in total
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    Post by fredo Fri Dec 19, 2014 4:34 pm

    You should try to post a message on the H&K Facebook page : it's much more efficient to get support feedback...

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