Question for those with experience using the Robot Factory Meatwad

[Nyarlathotep]

Which expression pedals work with it?

I've got a Boss FV-500H and was hoping to use that. If I can't its no biggie (I will prolly need a volume or 2 anyways), but I would like to know which EXPs work with the 'wad

 

[kevteop]

The Bespeco VM18L and VM19L are (IIRC) the recommended expression pedals for the Meatball circuit. I've only used a VM19L with my Meatwad and it works OK, although to me it seems that most of the "interesting" part of the sweep is bunched up in a small part of the treadle travel.

 

[rcubed]

I have the FV-500L. I don't know what the differences are between the two. There is an expression jack on the one I have. You'll want to read up on it and see if it uses a TRS connector and what kind of pot it's using (25K, 100K, 125K, etc.).

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I have the FV-500L. I don't know what the differences are between the two. There is an expression jack on the one I have. You'll want to read up on it and see if it uses a TRS connector and what kind of pot it's using (25K, 100K, 125K, etc.).

The 500H is basically a mono version of the L with a higher "ohmage", but with a TRS exp jack. Im pretty sure the 500L is 25K and the H is 250K.

From the looks of the Bespeco site, the pot in the VM18/19L are 20K

Invalid Link Removed

So, I guess the real questions are:

-What will be the difference in sounds between 20, 25 and 250K pots?
-is there anywhere I can buy a Bespeco vm19L in Canada? (CoastMusic doesn't exist on the web apparently)

 

[rcubed]

The difference between 20K and 25K should be very minimal. You'll need to read up and see what you're controlling with the expression pedal. Usually you're switching from a mounted pot to the expression pedal so the values should match up (though this might not always be the case). The pot could either be changing the resistance of a voltage divider (VC) or changing the resistance in an RC filter (frequency modulation/FM). So it's important to get the right value or it could sound way off.

The 500H is basically a mono version of the L with a higher "ohmage", but with a TRS exp jack. Im pretty sure the 500L is 25K and the H is 250K.

From the looks of the Bespeco site, the pot in the VM18/19L are 20K

Invalid Link Removed

So, I guess the real questions are:

-What will be the difference in sounds between 20, 25 and 250K pots?
-is there anywhere I can buy a Bespeco vm19L in Canada? (CoastMusic doesn't exist on the web apparently)

 

[Nyarlathotep]

The difference between 20K and 25K should be very minimal. You'll need to read up and see what you're controlling with the expression pedal. Usually you're switching from a mounted pot to the expression pedal so the values should match up (though this might not always be the case). The pot could either be changing the resistance of a voltage divider (VC) or changing the resistance in an RC filter (frequency modulation/FM). So it's important to get the right value or it could sound way off.

Hmm. Thanks

Im under the impression that the exp controls the sweep of the filter on the Meatwad, allowing you to use it as a pedal wah (edit: I would be seeing if a toggle could be added to switch the exp in/out so I could just mount it and the treadle on a board and leave it). Correct?

If not I may just go with a 3leaf or grinder and a separate pedal wah. In that case I'd just have to find a pedal wah with LPF and band pass modes + mix

 

[kevteop]

Meatwad ... I would be seeing if a toggle could be added to switch the exp in/out so I could just mount it and the treadle on a board and leave it

You can leave the exp. pedal plugged in anyway if you leave the treadle toe-down, at that setting the expression pedal has no effect.

 

[TOOL460002]

i really liked the expression wah on the meatwad.

i have used an m audio ex-p on it, as well as a roland ev-5; both work.

they will also work with the moog ep-1, which is what he tests pedals with i believe, or at least some of the time.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

You can leave the exp. pedal plugged in anyway if you leave the treadle toe-down, at that setting the expression pedal has no effect.

So, the exp doesn't manually sweep the filter? Or can you put it in half sweep mode (which I assume makes the filter sweep 1 way each time its triggered, and you just control the range with the exp) and fake it into doing that?

i really liked the expression wah on the meatwad.

i have used an m audio ex-p on it, as well as a roland ev-5; both work.

they will also work with the moog ep-1, which is what he tests pedals with i believe, or at least some of the time.

Cool

 

[kevteop]

So, the exp doesn't manually sweep the filter? Or can you put it in half sweep mode (which I assume makes the filter sweep 1 way each time its triggered, and you just control the range with the exp) and fake it into doing that?

The exp. does manually sweep the filter, but in the toe-down position it effectively does nothing, it leaves the filter open to whatever point you set with the knobs (same as if you didn't have an exp. pedal plugged in). Rocking back on the pedal closes the filter.*

I think the "half" setting is like a sensitivity divider or something, I don't know I never use it, I use full or static. Incidentally the exp. pedal does work with the envelope follower on, as well as in static mode. So you can sweep the centre point of the filter while it's quacking away with your playing, which is quite cool.

* This is based on LP mode - it might be the other way around in HP, I don't know - I never use BP or HP.

Edit: If you're talking about a way to switch between envelope-following and purely manual sweep with no envelope control, the only way is to either switch it to static with the flicky switch or turn the sens. off. But I wouldn't bother trying to put this on a stomp because other controls on the filter will need adjusting between those two settings anyway (the decay knob, certainly - for some reason that knob has to be turned up to get the filter wide open in "static" mode, whereas the filter is much more reactive with the decay set low in envelope mode).

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Thanks for the VERY informative post kev

Sounds like exactly what Im looking for, and in stock form (+volume control) too

 

[funkucan'ttouch]

I know a guy selling one...

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I know a guy selling one...

I'll looking for one with the post volume/boost option. I've spent my "allotted" FX $$$ for this month, but PM me anyways! (im sure I can get something together)

 

[kevteop]

I'll looking for one with the post volume/boost option.

Another quick FYI: When I spoke to Mario about that option, he said it was mostly for the band-pass setting which seems to lose a bit of volume. I don't notice any volume drop on the low-pass filter at all.

Oh and another: The LP and HP filters put the output signal out-of-phase, which means the blend control becomes effectively useless in those modes. Mario did say he could mod it to flip the phase back again, so you might want to bring that up with him before you order if it's going to be an issue for you.

 

[perk45]

I know a guy selling one...

Not anymore

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Another quick FYI: When I spoke to Mario about that option, he said it was mostly for the band-pass setting which seems to lose a bit of volume. I don't notice any volume drop on the low-pass filter at all.

I want it specifically as a small boost tied into kicking in the wah

Oh and another: The LP and HP filters put the output signal out-of-phase, which means the blend control becomes effectively useless in those modes. Mario did say he could mod it to flip the phase back again, so you might want to bring that up with him before you order if it's going to be an issue for you.

Thanks for the phase info too I'm prolly just gonna be using the LP and BP modes, and only blending on the Meatwad with the BP. I might have to bring it up tho since my setup is gonna be 2 channels anyways....