Coming soon - the Expressionator

Jared Lash · #1 08-09-2011, 05:21 PM

Since some of you may have seen Jean Baudin's prototype in the Franta Bit thread I figure it may be time to leak a bit of info.

Jean has been in contact with a designer who has quite a bit of experience with digital pedals to create a multi expression controller.

The original intent was to have a box that allowed the user to have one input cable into a stompbox which then had multiple outputs to control several expression capable pedals on your pedalboard.

Along the way, lots of cool features were added. The Mini Expressionator will control 3 expression inputs and allow you to have expression control of any of the 3 pedals individually or in combination.

It also will have the ability to use different taper presets such as linear, inverse linear, audio (where it ramps up at the end of the sweep) and a couple that are still being considered.

Here's Jean's pic of the prototype from the other thread:

And here's a shot of an early enclosure prototype.

Oh - and there may be a deluxe version down the road too with some very interesting options. . .

Pandafist · #2 08-09-2011, 05:24 PM

that's ... actually pretty f-n rad

BroKenSticKs · #3 08-09-2011, 05:41 PM

I would buy this.

scotch · #4 08-09-2011, 05:43 PM

Wow. I've starting doing pedalboard design for a few clients... something like this might be VERY handy for maximizing real-estate on some of the more convoluted setups.

Subbed!

behndy · #5 08-09-2011, 05:57 PM

lulz. MORE than a little rad. it'll make me actually carry around an expresion pedal.

M Sterling · #6 08-09-2011, 05:58 PM

Yeah, awhile back in the FrantaBit thread there was a discussion about the possibility of building something along these lines. I was very happy to hear that Jean found somebody to do it and it will come to fruition. I can't wait to get mine so I can stop buying EP2's!!!

HiFi · #7 08-09-2011, 06:00 PM

I'm barely getting into the idea of using an expression pedal, let alone this insanity. You guys are killing me.

....but I appreciate it....I really do.

gastric · #8 08-09-2011, 06:00 PM

Curious how it will handle the varying expression pedal ranges required by various manufacturers. They all seem to work better with different expression pedals.

behndy · #9 08-09-2011, 06:05 PM

*Senor Sterling looks down at 19 Ep-2's*

*looks at Expressionator*

"OH **** 'T."

M Sterling · #10 08-09-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by behndy

*Senor Sterling looks down at 19 Ep-2's*

*looks at Expressionator*

"OH **** 'T."

Hahahaha, so true.

And to gastric, it will be tested on an array of different pedals and will have a function to choose between trs and the other one. Sounds like it's gonna work nicely!

Smallequestrian · #11 08-09-2011, 06:25 PM

It looks like I'm going to end up with 4 expression capable pedals on my board, though only two would I really want to have an expression pedal connected to. This will be super useful.

tigerbass · #12 08-09-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

It looks like I'm going to end up with 4 expression capable pedals on my board, though only two would I really want to have an expression pedal connected to. This will be super useful.

Me too. Probably the same ones too!

Mr. Pickles · #13 08-09-2011, 07:08 PM

In like flynn.

gastric · #14 08-09-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Sterling

And to gastric, it will be tested on an array of different pedals and will have a function to choose between trs and the other one. Sounds like it's gonna work nicely!

I was thinking more of the range of the potentiometer within the expression pedal itself. It'd be great to be able to use something with a 25K pot with a device that needs a 10K pot, or maybe even visa versa. Honestly, I don't have a lot of gear that I personally use expression with. But I have a BOSS FV-500H and an Ernie Ball VP JR specifically for the reason different gear needs different pedals. And my KORG G5 seems to really want something other than the BOSS VF-500H.

wolffman · #15 08-09-2011, 10:15 PM

Into it! Any idea of a release date?

Jean Baudin · #16 08-10-2011, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolffman

Into it! Any idea of a release date?

hey guys - thanks for the comments! I hope to make a page with details such as features, est. price, release etc. next week.

I wanted something like this to keep me from carrying around a bunch of expression pedals for gigs, couldn't find anything so I had to go looking for someone willing to make it for me (having dozens of contacts from years attending the NAMM show helps). When it started moving along, I mentioned it to a few guys and here we are now. I really have no intention of becoming a pedal builder and honestly, something like this is really esoteric. You have to be a little whacky if you need to control three expression pedals (I know I'm going to need at least 2 of these myself... And I play an 11-string, so I already know I have problems). So this may turn out to be a very limited production. If it sorta takes off (meaning we didn't waste our time and actually sell some), we have ideas for a deluxe version.

Gastric, to answer your question - the Expressionator uses digital pots to control each pedal input so depending on which taper you select that will be how your treadle (expression pedal) behaves. It will actually turn an audio taper into a linear.... correct it, so to speak. I would imagine that both your BOSS/VPjr will behave the same way through this box, and you would just choose whichever one you like best as far as feel, looks or what fits on your pedalboard. The Taper LEDs have a secondary function of being meter (kind of like those visual volume pedals) so it shows you how the pedal is reading your taper.... and the taper/meter LEDs change color depending on what channel you are on.

I hope I haven't pushed any CUP rules here with this post. Lastly, if anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area has a MoogerFooger they are willing to loan us as a guinea pig, please PM me. We want to confirm CV before we do the next board revision.

Dazonbass · #17 08-10-2011, 01:14 AM

Just what I was picturing I needed to build after buying an M9. Saved me the effort of figuring it all out.

warwick.hoy · #18 08-10-2011, 01:50 AM

I would gladly plunk down some loot for one of these. IN-O-Vative!!!

Hollow Man · #19 08-10-2011, 06:29 AM

*splooge*

I'll reiterate the previous questions: any idea of release date and cost?

gastric · #20 08-10-2011, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean Baudin

...if anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area has a MoogerFooger they are willing to loan us as a guinea pig, please PM me. We want to confirm CV before we do the next board revision.

So it'll have expression to CV control as well? Sweet.

I think there's plenty of people that'd find use for this type of box since more and more pedals are providing expression support natively. There's a zillion guitar players that'd possibly be interested. And if you have simple expression-to-CV support now you can market to synth players as well.