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Boss ES-8 ES-5 Thoughts

ES-5 ctl-outputs will only generate on/off signals, don´t support fullrange expression analog outp.
So you can use that for amp switch. Tap tempos and such as i understand it.
I think ES-8 supports Fullrange analog outp. through ctl.

You've had both, so I would believe you. As far as I can tell, the EXP in on the ES-5 works for MIDI.

This is from the Boss.AU guide:

Expression Pedal Connecting an expression pedal allows you to do two things:
  1. Control the Master Tempo using the expression pedal
  2. Transmit MIDI Continuous Control messages to compatible devices via the MIDI OUT port. This allows you to use the Expression Pedal to deliver a full range of control to any supported parameter of your MIDI capable device and is a very powerful expansion tool. (For more information on MIDI Expression Pedal usage see section 4-7)
*NOTE: Expression Pedals assign to the EXT CTL output jacks, but they will only output ON and OFF signals, depending on the position of the pedal. The ES-5 does not support analog output of the full range of Expression Pedal values via the EXT CTL jacks.
 
You've had both, so I would believe you. As far as I can tell, the EXP in on the ES-5 works for MIDI.

This is from the Boss.AU guide:

Expression Pedal Connecting an expression pedal allows you to do two things:
  1. Control the Master Tempo using the expression pedal
  2. Transmit MIDI Continuous Control messages to compatible devices via the MIDI OUT port. This allows you to use the Expression Pedal to deliver a full range of control to any supported parameter of your MIDI capable device and is a very powerful expansion tool. (For more information on MIDI Expression Pedal usage see section 4-7)
*NOTE: Expression Pedals assign to the EXT CTL output jacks, but they will only output ON and OFF signals, depending on the position of the pedal. The ES-5 does not support analog output of the full range of Expression Pedal values via the EXT CTL jacks.

I´ve just had ES-5.
Using the expression pedal with couple of midi pedals.
Was trying to get it to work with my mxr reverb, but didn´t work appart from full on/off.
So just stumpled on this from alot of google searching.. ;)
 
I´ve just had ES-5.
Using the expression pedal with couple of midi pedals.
Was trying to get it to work with my mxr reverb, but didn´t work appart from full on/off.
So just stumpled on this from alot of google searching.. ;)

Yeah, for my purposes, I'm really looking at MIDI control rather than discrete pedal-to-pedal expression (what I don't need is more nest of cables)...And while I have a few traditional effect pedals on my board with expression, they're almost all limited use (like the dry/effect mix on my fuzz or my Mantic Flex).

For me, the real problem with the ES-8 was the size. Unless your board is HUGE you really can't fit that much stuff on with it. I'm using a Novo-24 these days and could still manage 3 rows of pedals when carefully placed. While I've been removing pedals (C4 taking place of a handful of them), I don't think I could make the 8 work.

Current:
IMG_6738.jpg


When I was at 'max':
board8.8.19.jpg
 

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  • IMG_6614.jpg
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Yeah, for my purposes, I'm really looking at MIDI control rather than discrete pedal-to-pedal expression (what I don't need is more nest of cables)...And while I have a few traditional effect pedals on my board with expression, they're almost all limited use (like the dry/effect mix on my fuzz or my Mantic Flex).

For me, the real problem with the ES-8 was the size. Unless your board is HUGE you really can't fit that much stuff on with it. I'm using a Novo-24 these days and could still manage 3 rows of pedals when carefully placed. While I've been removing pedals (C4 taking place of a handful of them), I don't think I could make the 8 work.

Current:View attachment 3574926

When I was at 'max':
View attachment 3574931
Nice board, same here the ES-8 was just to big for my board.
 
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Has anyone experienced the volume issue? I just did a google search after my own encounter and was surprised to hear this is a common problem.

I have noticed that I had significant volume drop when running through my board but assumed it was tone suck due to a zillion pedals, but today I was re-doing my board and set up just a few pedals w the ES-8 to work on MIDI programming and the audio is SIGNIFICANTLY lower. I pinned it down to being the ES-8. Googled and saw a thread on TGP saying this is a known issue, but everyone pops in says they have it and nothing about a fix...

I had added a really strong boost at the end of my chain in the past to compensate and I can do the same now, but would be good to have this fixed and not have to bandaid the problem.
 
Has anyone experienced the volume issue? I just did a google search after my own encounter and was surprised to hear this is a common problem.

I have noticed that I had significant volume drop when running through my board but assumed it was tone suck due to a zillion pedals, but today I was re-doing my board and set up just a few pedals w the ES-8 to work on MIDI programming and the audio is SIGNIFICANTLY lower. I pinned it down to being the ES-8. Googled and saw a thread on TGP saying this is a known issue, but everyone pops in says they have it and nothing about a fix...

I had added a really strong boost at the end of my chain in the past to compensate and I can do the same now, but would be good to have this fixed and not have to bandaid the problem.


Not with my 5...
 
I'm using my ES-5's Expression over Midi. Depending on the pedal that's receiving...it's working very well. There's a very slight delay and it doesn't feel quite as immediate (or connected) as an analogue expression pedal plugged directly into a pedal, but the whole midi approach does take up a lot less space. I also need to remember which pedal is expression enabled per patch on my ES-5. The slight expression delay is purely the ES-5's ability to read the pedal...transmit to midi and then the target pedal's ability to convert that into an internal command.
As an expression option it works well. As a volume swell calling a specific Midi function on a pedal to mimic a volume swell...less so.
For example, I've tried using it as an output out volume control on my Aftershock (via a SA hub) with mixed success. I'm basically trying to get some nice volume swells post dirt. However, using the same midi expression, I'm getting great filter control on my Eventide H9 and fairly good control on my Strymon Mobius. The EXH Hog2 has the best responding expression over midi, but it needs a dedicated patch for clean and expression and there isn't a global setting for the EHX pedal. I also then need to program that loop, patch and midi expression command into that one ES-5 patch on top of all the other midi settings...and that's a lot of effort. Where as the Strymon and Eventide are fairly generic midi settings. I set Midi CC #15 as my expression control on my SA C4 and H9's and then the individual patches on those pedals I assign what the Midi expression will control.
So I think at some point I'll need to add a post dirt (but pre modulation / delay / reverb) active volume pedal on to my board.
It's a lot easier to have a Volume pedal...and 4 expression pedals. But it takes up a lot of board space and might not be as flexible as my current approach.
 
The ES units are about controlling space and making things easier when playing live and eliminating the tap dancing. That said it does require a lot of effort up front and a lot of planning on what you might want in a live situation. Not such a big deal if you play covers or the same stuff always but if you do more spontaneous stuff I agree it adds a layer of complexity.
 
Not with my 5...

I'm wondering about a different volume issue. I'm considering going back to pedals from my Line6 HXFX and using an ES-5 or 8. One pedal I'm having trouble with is the VFE Wood Chipper, which puts out a LOT of extra gain after. The HXFX appears to attenuate the output, so I can't get the boost I need (ok, want), when I switch it in even with the FX on the HX loop dimed.

Do people use super high output pedals in the loops, and if so, how are they?

Also, how do people work volume pedals into their setups with the ES-5?
 
I'm wondering about a different volume issue. I'm considering going back to pedals from my Line6 HXFX and using an ES-5 or 8. One pedal I'm having trouble with is the VFE Wood Chipper, which puts out a LOT of extra gain after. The HXFX appears to attenuate the output, so I can't get the boost I need (ok, want), when I switch it in even with the FX on the HX loop dimed.

Do people use super high output pedals in the loops, and if so, how are they?

Also, how do people work volume pedals into their setups with the ES-5?

I never found a real difference in operation in terms of output level when using the ES v. not. Though I'm more interested in keeping my levels consistent...and I've more likely had to jockey higher gain down, the ES was still passing hotter levels if I sent 'em.
 
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Months later, I am finally back in my practice space (though only with my wife, not my bands, alas). I took the HX off my board and now it's down to tap dancing or the ES-5/8. More questions:

--can you program the MUTE button to send a MIDI message when pressed? I'd like it to activate the tuner function on my H9.
--still curious to hear how people are integrating volume pedals into their setups with this.

TIA!
 
Months later, I am finally back in my practice space (though only with my wife, not my bands, alas). I took the HX off my board and now it's down to tap dancing or the ES-5/8. More questions:

--can you program the MUTE button to send a MIDI message when pressed? I'd like it to activate the tuner function on my H9.
--still curious to hear how people are integrating volume pedals into their setups with this.

TIA!

Yes, just disable the mute button functionality and use an assign tied to mute w the cc and value for the channel that the H9 is on.

I keep my volume pedal outside of the ES-8, but I use the volume loop for a 9th effect. I typically take over the mute button to toggle on that 9th effect or some sort of bonus action for the patch. I usually use 2 bonus functions....MUTE and CNUM.
 
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