One Expression Pedal - Multiple fx pedals

TEMAS · 9th May 2009

So I've got several pedals now that have expression pedal inputs and sometimes its can be inconvenient to unplug the one and only expression pedal that I have from the input of one pedal and connect it to another. A more time saving solution would be to have a switchable router that enables me to select which fx pedal I'm controlling. And even better than that would be to have it foot-switchable.

Its my understanding that as a rule the A/B/C switches that are produced for amp switching (such as the ones made by Lehle, Loopmaster, Voodoo Labs, etc) are designed for unbalanced connections. And seeing as expression pedals require balanced cables, I'm not so certain that one of these off the units would be the correct solution for this task.

Can anyone here enlighten me on this topic?

Cheers.

octatonic · 9th May 2009

I use a Ground Control pro with an expression pedal that can be routed to any of the fx I use via midi CC messages.

TEMAS · 10th May 2009

Thanks, but there's definitely no room left on my pedalboard for that!

MIDI control would be useful, but I could live without it.

Anyone else?

popvulture · 7th July 2009

The Moog Multi Pedal might work for you if you have room. You can plug in several pedals' expression controls at once, and set up presets on the pedal that decide which effect to control. It's pretty interesting, but a bit expensive.

Controllers

TEMAS · 2nd January 2010

I still haven't found a solution for this.

I recently built a patchbay into my pedalboard and part of the reason for including the patchbay was so that I could patch the expression pedal to operate as whichever pedal I wanted.

However I have now encountered another fundamental problem. Unfortunately whenever a cable is connected to most exp inputs, the pedal operates in a different mode. For example with my Foxrox pedals, plugging a cable into the exp input disables the internal LFO.

This is annoying if you want to have a cable connected at all times, but only want to use an expression pedal with the pedal occasionally. Its like when devices have a really awkwardly positioned headphone jack that mutes the audio to main outputs.

Hopefully pedal designers will realise soon that they need a switch on the front to turn expression pedal functionality on and off.

DntBelievtheHype · 3rd January 2010

I use a CP251 and custom A/B box for multiplying and combining (respectively) CV/exp outputs from my MP-201-- I had the box made for under $50 with choice of layout, box and led's; the CP251 is probably larger than you're looking for, but a custom A/B or A/B/C might do the trick. I wanted the jacks on top so I had to go with a larger box, but it is still the same size as a Boss pedal, and if the jacks were on the sides you could get the A/B/C in there (plug in the exp, have 3 outputs with a single switch and 3 LED's).

Which Foxrox pedal do you use? My Paradox TZF does not disable the LFO when plugged in the 'manual' input, and obviously not in the 'speed' input (i wasn't aware of other Foxrox pedals with internal LFO's). Anyway, if you're interested I could pass along the info of the builder (Pharaoh Amps) who made my box.

octatonic · 3rd January 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEMAS

Thanks, but there's definitely no room left on my pedalboard for that!

MIDI control would be useful, but I could live without it.

Anyone else?

I'm 6 months late, but I've been away.

The idea with the Voodoolab is you would put everything in your pedalboard in a rack.
I don't know of much else that would do it in an elegant way.

matthew_ · 24th February 2010

I'm 7 months late, but Mission Engineering sells expression pedals built into wah-style enclosures and have a model that can switch between two outputs by a pedal activated switch. They do look very nice, and are fairly priced compared to a Ernie Ball VP. That said, does anyone know how you'd go about wiring a similar pedal?

Matthew

9th May 2009	#1
TEMAS Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 1,434 Thread Starter	One Expression Pedal - Multiple fx pedals So I've got several pedals now that have expression pedal inputs and sometimes its can be inconvenient to unplug the one and only expression pedal that I have from the input of one pedal and connect it to another. A more time saving solution would be to have a switchable router that enables me to select which fx pedal I'm controlling. And even better than that would be to have it foot-switchable. Its my understanding that as a rule the A/B/C switches that are produced for amp switching (such as the ones made by Lehle, Loopmaster, Voodoo Labs, etc) are designed for unbalanced connections. And seeing as expression pedals require balanced cables, I'm not so certain that one of these off the units would be the correct solution for this task. Can anyone here enlighten me on this topic? Cheers.

9th May 2009	#2
octatonic Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,429	I use a Ground Control pro with an expression pedal that can be routed to any of the fx I use via midi CC messages. __________________ Regards, Jim Richmond "I don't go to mythical places with strange men." Douglas Adams

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10th May 2009	#3
TEMAS Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 1,434 Thread Starter	Thanks, but there's definitely no room left on my pedalboard for that! MIDI control would be useful, but I could live without it. Anyone else?

7th July 2009	#4
popvulture Gear maniac Join Date: May 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 269	The Moog Multi Pedal might work for you if you have room. You can plug in several pedals' expression controls at once, and set up presets on the pedal that decide which effect to control. It's pretty interesting, but a bit expensive. Controllers

2nd January 2010	#5
TEMAS Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 1,434 Thread Starter	I still haven't found a solution for this. I recently built a patchbay into my pedalboard and part of the reason for including the patchbay was so that I could patch the expression pedal to operate as whichever pedal I wanted. However I have now encountered another fundamental problem. Unfortunately whenever a cable is connected to most exp inputs, the pedal operates in a different mode. For example with my Foxrox pedals, plugging a cable into the exp input disables the internal LFO. This is annoying if you want to have a cable connected at all times, but only want to use an expression pedal with the pedal occasionally. Its like when devices have a really awkwardly positioned headphone jack that mutes the audio to main outputs. Hopefully pedal designers will realise soon that they need a switch on the front to turn expression pedal functionality on and off.

3rd January 2010	#6
DntBelievtheHype Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 156	I use a CP251 and custom A/B box for multiplying and combining (respectively) CV/exp outputs from my MP-201-- I had the box made for under $50 with choice of layout, box and led's; the CP251 is probably larger than you're looking for, but a custom A/B or A/B/C might do the trick. I wanted the jacks on top so I had to go with a larger box, but it is still the same size as a Boss pedal, and if the jacks were on the sides you could get the A/B/C in there (plug in the exp, have 3 outputs with a single switch and 3 LED's). Which Foxrox pedal do you use? My Paradox TZF does not disable the LFO when plugged in the 'manual' input, and obviously not in the 'speed' input (i wasn't aware of other Foxrox pedals with internal LFO's). Anyway, if you're interested I could pass along the info of the builder (Pharaoh Amps) who made my box.

24th February 2010	#8
matthew_ Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cental PA Posts: 1	I'm 7 months late, but Mission Engineering sells expression pedals built into wah-style enclosures and have a model that can switch between two outputs by a pedal activated switch. They do look very nice, and are fairly priced compared to a Ernie Ball VP. That said, does anyone know how you'd go about wiring a similar pedal? Matthew