Moog super custom expression pedal

[plasson]

ok, sorry for the super-hypish subject...
an insane idea comes to my head: would it be possible to take an ErnieBall volume pedal (no matter which one, I just love the feel of its sweep) and mod it in order to use it as an expression pedal for Moogerfooger effects?
I'd want it to have 4 or 5 outputs, each one to be engaged with a little switch (one for each output).
that way I could control 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 parameters with one single pedal.
would it be possible?
if so, which value should the pot inside the exp pedal have?
should it require external power (I don't think so...)?
to take it a little step further, would it be possible to ti insert 5 more switches, each one capable to invert the sweep rate of the pedal?

I know, I'm sick... but it would be GREAT.
ErnieBall pedals have such a great feel, they're built like tank and one exp pedal instead of FIVE would save SOOO much space on the board...
... and I guess it would be much cheaper!

[Swimming Bird]

Sounds cool. I'm not entirely sure what's going on with CV expression pedal control so this may be completely wrong:

If the expression pedal is just acting as a potentiometer, you may have an issue with running multiple controls at the same time, unless you have a dedicated potentiometer for each control.

Anyway, seems to me that if you are just running a voltage through a potentiometer, it would be very easy to add a kill switch for each as well as an inverter.

[Toasted]

Toneczar already does this:

15 August Update: a letter from Ed

A moog version of my EB-based expression pedal is now available - 150.00 each. These will NOT work with toneczar products.

[plasson]

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

If the expression pedal is just acting as a potentiometer, you may have an issue with running multiple controls at the same time, unless you have a dedicated potentiometer for each control.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Toasted, do you know it the Toneczar version has multiple outputs?

[Toasted]

Your best bet is to call or email Toneczar to answer your questions. My standard Toneczar expression pedal has one output

[solarpanelasses]

They came out with this a few months ago, its called the MP-201.

http://www.moogmusic.com/controllers...oduct_id=21114

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by solarpanelasses

They came out with this a few months ago, its called the MP-201.

http://www.moogmusic.com/controllers...oduct_id=21114

Yep, and I bought mine in January -- though they have not shipped yet -- if on time they are due the end of April.

Further, this has been discussed, and concepted before, but not an easy task for the DIY person. That is, the idea of having one pedal and the ability to switch between say delay time/delay feedback/LP cutoff/etc...

The "problem" would be that every time you "set" one of those parameters with the expression pedal, then switch away to control another, the "setting" is not upheld. If you understand how the Control Voltage of the MFers work you'll see what I mean.

It's a complicated problem, for this apparatus to "remember" the CV and continuously apply it while you switch the pedal away to control something else. It requires microprocessor control, and that's what Moog have done with the MP-201 pedal, and in Moog fashion that's why it costs $400+ dollars.

But it is pretty cool and powerful, giving you the ability to store presets, switch between 4 different CV controls, tap-tempo LFO source, and also has built in MIDI for further automation if you're into that kind of thing.

[plasson]

yeah, I guess it would be the only solution...
how do you like the "feel" on that pedal?

[bassbmx]

Looks like a great idea! The way I'm heading with my planned board, it'll be good to have a way of controlling multiple pedals with one expression pedal.

The price is pretty steep but when you compare to four high quality expression pedals and consider the convenience and space saved, I don't think it's too much to pay.


It'll work with pedals other than the Moogs, right?

Parameters I'd use it for: -Malekko Ekko600 regen amount
-Grinder manual sweep
-DL4 expression
-VFB-X blend

Would that be possible? I only have the DL4 currently but I'm looking to get the others.

[Swimming Bird]

I wanna be clear on something: on a Moogerfooger, if you were to unplug CV for a parameter, that parameter would revert to its knob setting. Is that correct?

Hmm... if this is the case, you could get crafty and have either some sort of mechanical disengage or a floating potentiometer. Either of those gets way complex fast... not really practical unless you're an ME.

[Liten]

Why not a small custom a/b/c/d/y box? wouldn't that work with the VP-jr for example?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by Liten

Why not a small custom a/b/c/d/y box? wouldn't that work with the VP-jr for example?

The VP-JR as-is is a volume pedal and would need to be converted to an expression pedal for it to work. Even after that, if someone were to build a A/B/C box with TRS outs rather than standard 1/4" instrument outs as it would need for expression control, then the aforementioned problem of retaining your pedal positions when switching between controlling different effects, as without using some advanced technology like in the Moog pedal, the value of each effect parameter would drop to 0 after switching to a different effect.

I was looking for a similar solution a while back for my Looperlative looper. I have the option of controlling track volume, speed, feedback, and pan, but I don't want to have four different expression pedals. Luckily, the maker of the Looperlative is working on a way to allow you to switch your pedal assign to different functions via MIDI buttons on a MIDI controller, but for anyone else who wants to use expression control for a number of pedals, it's a tough problem.

[Liten]

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

The VP-JR as-is is a volume pedal and would need to be converted to an expression pedal for it to work. Even after that, if someone were to build a A/B/C box with TRS outs rather than standard 1/4" instrument outs as it would need for expression control, then the aforementioned problem of retaining your pedal positions when switching between controlling different effects, as without using some advanced technology like in the Moog pedal, the value of each effect parameter would drop to 0 after switching to a different effect.

I was looking for a similar solution a while back for my Looperlative looper. I have the option of controlling track volume, speed, feedback, and pan, but I don't want to have four different expression pedals. Luckily, the maker of the Looperlative is working on a way to allow you to switch your pedal assign to different functions via MIDI buttons on a MIDI controller, but for anyone else who wants to use expression control for a number of pedals, it's a tough problem.

I use the 25k active VP-jr..


Use it with my Barge VB-jr to blend every pedal in my homemade loopstrip.. works like a charm..
Now im just thinking of getting a Moog 12 stage phaser and control the "rate/speed" with the same pedal.. thats all..

(4 now.. )

EDIT: The barge VB-jr is switchable and with a minor modification the expression on/off could be done by the footswitch instead of the micro switch.. thereby enabling me to set the blendknob on full when in expression "off" mode.. then switching so the phaser gets the expression signal.. If im right the result of the phaser having a plug in its "speed/rate-exp-out" when using the VP-jr as expression for the VB-jr blender, would be a really slow sweap.. wich ain't that bad..

Think it would work?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by Liten

I use the 25k active VP-jr..

Use it with my Barge VB-jr to blend every pedal in my homemade loopstrip.. works like a charm..
Now im just thinking of getting a Moog 12 stage phaser and control the "rate/speed" with the same pedal.. thats all..

(4 now.. )

EDIT: The barge VB-jr is switchable and with a minor modification the expression on/off could be done by the footswitch instead of the micro switch.. thereby enabling me to set the blendknob on full when in expression "off" mode.. then switching so the phaser gets the expression signal.. If im right the result of the phaser having a plug in its "speed/rate-exp-out" when using the VP-jr as expression for the VB-jr blender, would be a really slow sweap.. wich ain't that bad..

Think it would work?

The fact that your EB volume pedal is working as an expression pedal for your Barge VB-Jr is pretty much just luck. From the Ernie Ball site:

Q: Can our Volume Pedal be used as an expression pedal?

A: An expression pedal controls the amount of voltage that allows certain functions, such as, delay, distortion levels, volume, etc. in a keyboard or an effects processor to perform to whatever parameters the user sets it up to do. Our pedal may work as an expression pedal , but the manufacturer usually suggests what type of pot needs to be used, 500k, 250k, 25k, etc. in a pedal, keyboard, or an effects processor. The pedal might require a more sophisticated design, contact the manufacturer to determine what type of pedal is necessary.

So I wouldn't count on it working with your Moog, but it may be worth checking the Moog specs sheet.

[plasson]

so I have another question:
would the original idea of the custom exp pedal I was thinking about work without adding ON/OFF switches on the outputs?
the cables might just be plugged off by hand...