Xerograph with an expression pedal

[The Lurker]

I just bought a Xerograph and am using a Roland EV-5 to try to do filter sweeps, but using the treadle doesn't seem to do anything. I've tweaked the sensitivity and frequency knobs quite a lot, since they relate to the base freq and filter triggering, but nothing happens.

Am I missing something?

[M Sterling]

First off, i recommend keeping the sens off if you are doing manual sweeps. Also, the sweeps will not sound very pronounced unless you are feeding the filter with some kind of fuzz or distortion.

[The Lurker]

I've been trying that, but the filter seems not to let anything through if the sensitivity is turned all the way down.

Also, should have been more specific-- I have the Xerograph Deluxe.

[El Slap]

I have the regular Xero and it works like a charm with my Moog EP-2, so maybe it´s the expression pedal. The most dramatic sweeps, I´ve found, are on higher notes when the resonance is high and the frequency low.

[K-man]

there is knob on the side of EV5. This should be turned completely counter clock wise. You can then turn off or play with the sensitivity.

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by K-man

there is knob on the side of EV5. This should be turned completely counter clock wise. You can then turn off or play with the sensitivity.

+1. I use an EV-5 with my Xero Deluxe and it works fine, but the adjustment knob on the side limits how low the sweep will go (essentially the same as the Frequency knob on the Xero, except that the EV-5 adjustment knob is limiting on top of wherever the Frequency knob is set). The Moog pedal is probably a better pair if for no other reason than its adjustment control controls how high the sweep will go instead of how low, so it adds a new parameter of control rather than the superfluous control of the EV-5.

Also- the way I use my Xero, most of the time I have the Frequency knob past noon or the filter is below most audible content. There is a big slice of that knob that is for super deep subs, much of which your bass probably isn't making in the first place. Since the EV-5's sweep isn't nearly big enough to cover the whole Xero sweep, you might just be missing it entirely if you set the Frequency too low.

Also try jiggling the cable of the EV-5 and making sure its seated all the way- if mine gets twisted the wrong way it will stop functioning. One downside of the cheapo built-in cable design of the cheaper expression pedals.

[M Sterling]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

+1. I use an EV-5 with my Xero Deluxe and it works fine, but the adjustment knob on the side limits how low the sweep will go (essentially the same as the Frequency knob on the Xero, except that the EV-5 adjustment knob is limiting on top of wherever the Frequency knob is set). The Moog pedal is probably a better pair if for no other reason than its adjustment control controls how high the sweep will go instead of how low, so it adds a new parameter of control rather than the superfluous control of the EV-5.

Also- the way I use my Xero, most of the time I have the Frequency knob past noon or the filter is below most audible content. There is a big slice of that knob that is for super deep subs, much of which your bass probably isn't making in the first place. Since the EV-5's sweep isn't nearly big enough to cover the whole Xero sweep, you might just be missing it entirely if you set the Frequency too low.

Also try jiggling the cable of the EV-5 and making sure its seated all the way- if mine gets twisted the wrong way it will stop functioning. One downside of the cheapo built-in cable design of the cheaper expression pedals.

+1, the ideal range for the cutoff frequency when doing manual sweeps is between 11:00 and 1:00. make sure to keep the range knob on your expression pedal turned up enough to operate in this range.