Stereo volume pedal for keyboards

[Maine]

Hi, can you recommend a volume pedal for my keys please? It doesn't need to be the very best on the planet, just one that works without failing and will allow me to accurately ride the levels while I'm playing with both hands.

 

Thanks,

 

Maine (UK)

[Sven Golly]

What keyboard are you using? It may allow you to control the source volume with what is commonly referred to as an 'control' pedal, which basically replicates what the volume slider does.

 

If it's an old synth (you say stereo, so my guess is it's reasonably current), then you can use an inline pedal; audio in -> audio out.

 

One such option is the Roland FV-500.

 

No idea on price, sorry. This thing's built like a tank, though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MuzikTeechur]

Perhaps Sven can clarify for you, but my experience with volume pedals is that the analog type (inline, between your keys and amp/sound board) tend to have too much of a penalty in that they attenuate a lot of the sound, even when fully "on".

 

The control pedal is a good bet, but requires some basic programming of the keyboard to recognize the pedal (some are set to recognize the pedal as volume by default)

 

[jimmymio]

Another "built like tank" option is the Yamaha FC-9. Very flexible accesory.

JP

[timwat]

I'd recommend Ernie Ball 6167. This is a stereo volume/pan pedal that can be used with dual mono sources, TRS stereo or simply as a mono volume pedal.

 

As opposed to the 500K ohm pot in their 6165 pedal (for guitar), the 6167 uses a 25K ohm pot which avoids the attenuation that muzikteechur refers to...common when using a pedal intended for guitar.

 

A plus is the Ernie Ball pedal truly is built like a tank - extruded aluminum, heavy as a tire, virtually bullet-proof and useful as a self-defense weapon after the gig.

[Maine]

The keyboard is a Yamaha Motif ES8, so it can work with its dedicated control pedal. The trouble is, that although I know things are expensive in the UK, the FC7 is £60, when in the US it's $40. I suppose I'd better get one shipped over...

 

And blimey, that Ernie Ball is £175!!

 

Edit - OK, I bought the Boss FV-500L this morning. But with the input connected to my Motif, and the output connected either to a desk or a combo amp, simply moving the pedal through its travel makes a loud scratchy noise and a lot of DC, which I can see on the monitor cones. Is it a dud, or have I done something wrong?

[TZ_Keyz]

Another "built like tank" option is the Yamaha FC-9. Very flexible accesory.

JP

 

I second this recommendation. It works as a stereo analog pedal as well as a controller pedal. TZ

[Steve LeBlanc]

 

Edit - OK, I bought the Boss FV-500L this morning. But with the input connected to my Motif, and the output connected either to a desk or a combo amp, simply moving the pedal through its travel makes a loud scratchy noise and a lot of DC, which I can see on the monitor cones. Is it a dud, or have I done something wrong?

 

The pot is dirty. First work it in by rocking the pedal aggressively (fast) fully back and forth.

 

Other things that can help:

- buy a can of compressed air and blow any dust out.

- buy some contact cleaner, spray directly on the main connections and rock the pedal

 

(the store you bought it from may have contact cleaner and might even clean the pedal for you)

 

All analog volume pedals will get dirty if they sit for a while, just have to work the dust out.

 

If you still have unwanted noise from the pedal after doing any of the above, it has a bad connection and needs to be replaced, however, I doubt this is the case.

[Floyd Tatum]

OK, I bought the Boss FV-500L this morning. But with the input connected to my Motif, and the output connected either to a desk or a combo amp, simply moving the pedal through its travel makes a loud scratchy noise and a lot of DC, which I can see on the monitor cones. Is it a dud, or have I done something wrong?

 

Maybe you have it set in expression-pedal mode?

 

[JeffLearman]

 

I recommend you consider trying the use of an expression pedal (if your rig permits) rather than an audio volume pedal.

 

One advantage is that it's not noisy. (However, you do still have to periodically clean it with contact cleaner and work it, or your volume will jump around in certain spots.)

 

Another advantage is that on a well set up rig, it's different than a volume pedal: it can change the tone as well as the volume. For example, with a good Hammond clone, as you increase the pedal angle (getting louder), it should also soak the simulated Leslie tube amp more, causing more distortion. You don't get this with a volume pedal (unless you're really feeding a tube amp that is set up to distort, which you probably do *not* want with your piano sound).

 

Finally, it's one less cable to worry about.