Expression pedal for A6

anykeystudio · Joined: Feb 01, 2005 Posts: 5 Location: deep space

Hi, I'll been looking for a expression pedal (CC pedal) that works with my A6. First i tried a Roland one, but i sending only CC in a very short span in the beginning of the movement. And acted more like a key hold switch, with on or off values. Then i tried the Alesis on called F2 something and got the same result.

What CC pedal should i use with my A6 or am i missing something in the setup ?

Greetings Anykeystudio
www.anykeystudio.com

elmacaco · Joined: Jul 21, 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

I think the F2 has a range adjustment, also try the global menu. Funny I was just looking into getting one of these soon. Does the F2 work well with the Andromeda? I read in the manual that the Andromeda wants just a TS mono jack expression pedal, and the F2 is TRS stereo.

anykeystudio · Joined: Feb 01, 2005 Posts: 5 Location: deep space

sunny pedaal · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:38 am Post subject:

for cc's inormally use the boss ev10( stereoplug in a6 and in pedal)i will test it again for the a6, but think it worked fine, will double check and come back on it.
, for volumecontrol (le/ri in/out) i use the boss fv60.
both have a pot for adjusting the amount of effect

mao · Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 30 Location: italy

I bought the F2 ... same result, very very short range.

I red something about flipping the ring with the tip...

The A6 manual says TS cable... I think it's a mistake... Is there any TS expression pedal ?

rh2y · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

Bump

Did anybody come up with a solution for this? My A6 is expected to be arriving one of these days, and my wife was asking me what I want for Christmas. I thought an expression pedal would be a good idea.

I'm looking for an analog pedal, not a MIDI CC pedal.

So, what are people using as an expression pedal on their A6's ?

Thanks!

Russ

mao · Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 30 Location: italy

I think you must choose something else for christmas Sad

I tried a bunch of pedals and nothing worked... I mean every pedal works in the same stupid way... all the expression in 1 cm travel... no sense... Perhaps A6 really needs a TS cable... but I tried making a custom one... no way.. and yes I tried chanching the wiring ... no way... tried emailing to Alesis... no way....

no way... sorry... I really can't understand which pedal can work with the A6...

elmacaco · Joined: Jul 21, 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

So I was on a quest for an expression pedal or volume pedal for a live gig, and I couldn't find one with a mono plug like the Andromeda requires, and the volume pedal was $159, so I took home a yamaha FL-7 or something, with an integrated balanced cable. No workie.

I took it back the next day, and the volume pedal I had looked at was reduced o $65. Sold. it's the Boss FV-500, and it has an expression pedal output jack, designed for a stereo (balanced ) quarter inch cable to connect it. I decided to experiment a little, since it's a passive pedal (no batteries) I didn't think it would hurt.

Stereo cable didn't work, mono cable didn't work, BUT, I grabbed an insert cable, (a 'Y' cable, one balanced connector with two unbalanced connectors that split the tip and ring of the balanced connector on to their own cables, with a shared ground.) and it works!! You just have to use the TIP end of the Y cable in the Andromeda and the balanced connector in the pedal.

The problem comes with the expression pedals that have the cable integrated and not just a jack on the pedal. in that case you will need a Y cable and a barrel or some other way to convert the plug to a female balanced jack.

The Alesis expression /volume pedal (F2?) has the jack, so it can work like this quite easily.

I used the Boss FV-500 pedal on the gig as a (stereo) volume pedal and not an expression pedal, but the expression pedal worked fine in all tests and man was I psyched!

So mystery solved. I wonder if the Alesis manual mentions how to use their pedal with mono cable expecting synths like their Andromeda?

The Boss manual had no mention of it.

The gig went very well btw.

Eduardo

PS I tried to post this to the other a6 list and just got bounces, can someone please forward this to it if the whole thing isn;t down or something?

Mohoyoho · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:32 am Post subject:

Moog has a new expression pedal out: the EP2. It's a vast improvement on the previous model, which really was weak. This one is heavier and has a much wider sweep and has an attenuator knob. It's got a TRS jack. I'm not sure how it would work on an A6, but it works great on other gear. It retails at $44.
http://www.moogmusic.com/detail.php?main_product_id=21079

mao · Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 30 Location: italy

Well I have done all the possible with an Alesis F2 and I can assure you It doesn't work... switched ring with the tip with the salve (tried all the combinations !!!) converted to mono cable (tried all the combinations !!!) ... and so on. Nothing... well it works with the usual 1 cm travel.

elmacaco ... If you get one working... yes it seems you are the first one !!! many compliments !!!

BUT PLEASE... post something more clear... I'm not so good with english language... so why not putting a simple black and white wiring diagram with the model of the pedal + the exact wiring...

You can win the "Hey I have done it right" 1st prize... Razz

...please...we are in your hands...

rh2y · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:53 am Post subject:

jonathap · Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Los Angeles

I just discovered this old thread. It looks as if I'm not the only one having massive problems getting an expression pedal to work with my A6.

elmacaco---you seem like the only one who claims to have solved this, but I could definitely use clearer instructions from you, or someone else who's pulled this off.

Help!

jonathap · Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Los Angeles

Okay, I finally seem to have gotten this to work with, of all things, a $40 Line 6 EX1 pedal. The EX1 uses a mono 1/4 inch cable which seems to be what the Andromeda needs to work properly. It seems very odd to me that well respected standard keyboard pedals like the EV5 and FC7 don't work but this plasticy little Line 6 pedal (that's intended purely for Line 6 products) actually does the job. Why Alesis would build the Andromeda to this standard makes no sense to me.

In any event, I'm good now...though the build quality of this Line 6 EX1 is pretty poor, and I'd love to find myself a better mono expression pedal.

Jyoti · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for the tip, dude!

I'll see if I can pick up an EX1 before they all get snapped up by A6 owners! Very Happy

elmacaco · Joined: Jul 21, 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

OK, I don't check forums too much, so sorry I missed the request for clarification.

Get an expression pedal that has a output jack and not an integrated stereo cable.

Plug an insert cable into the Pedal's Jack, use the stereo end of the insert cable into the pedal.

Take the 'Tip' plug of the Insert ('Y') cable and plug that into the A6.

Sweep pedal and hear the volume drop and rise.

The range is extreme, but can be tuned to your liking, also it can be disabled from controlling volume (global menu) and then just used for whatever.

the Andromeda manual says to use a mono type expression pedal, but those seem quite rare now.

Soarer · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:16 am Post subject:

So how about the Behringer FCV100?
That should work fine yes?
I'm thinking about getting one soon.

elmacaco · Joined: Jul 21, 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

I don;t know, try it and if it doesn't, return it!

Mono Plug pedals are supposed to work. otherwise get one with a jack and not a built in cable and use the y cable method.

jonathap · Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Los Angeles

Still using my Line 6 EX1 with happy results.

This is definitely the easiest cheapest solution to this problem I know of.

purpurkatten · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 131 Location: right here

If you don´t mind I´d like to revive and update this thread.

I would like to know if the recommended Line 6 EX1 expression pedal for A6 is only for use with the sounds from A6, or if it also can be used as an expression pedal while using the A6 as a controller for VST-instruments. Anybody got a clue?

Thanks for help.

marctims · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 5 Location: netherlands

Page 68 of the Alesis Andromeda reference manual, describes (with images) how the connector have to be wired.

elmacaco · Joined: Jul 21, 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

Yes. If the a6 reads the pedal it sends the signal out as midi.

My pedal is a boss fv-500 iirc. It is a metal volume pedal with an expression pedal jack output.