Expression Pedals

Expression pedals are essential for the organ sound. It is not just a volume pedal for the organ but it alters the distortion and the timbre in the same way as the swell pedal on the original Hammond organ. It is only in effect on the organ section. On the piano the expression comes from the velocity you hit the keys with, so Clavia have decided that you do not need expression pedal with pianos.

If you switch on the "Wah-wah" effect it works as a manual wah pedal. This is nice to combine with the Clavinet program for som funky sounds, but can be used with all instruments in the Electro even the organ.

What pedals function as an expression pedal with the Electro?

Here is a schematic for a pedal that will work well:

The Roland EV-5 and EV-7 work as shipped - no modification is needed. The EV-5 has a short throw.

The Yahama FC7 is durable, solid pedal with a long throw that fits organ playing well. The Korg Exp-1 is the same pedal with the Korg brand.

In stock form,the FC7 will not work correctly with the Electro. The tip and the ring must be reversed. This can be done in a few ways:

• By cutting off the cable and replacing the TRS jack with a new one. By using an Ohm meter you can determin how the original is connected and by switching the lead that is connected to the tip with the one that is connected with the ring and the ring with the one that is connected to the tip.

• Use an adapter with a female to male jack adapter. This you can make yourself, or you can buy ready made from Ashby Solutions http://music.ashbysolutions.com.

You can also do a makeshift adapter by using two insert adapters with one female TRS to two male TS jacks and one with two female TS jacks to one male TRS jack.1 See the picture abowe.

The Behringer FCV100. I have been testing this pedal lately and it seems to be a nice, solid pedal. It can be used as a stereo line pedal *or* CV (expression) with a mono line in paralell. If you plan to use it as a line volum pedal you will need a 12V power supply or a 9V battery. In CV mode it takes the power from the keyboard.

In CV mode it has the same issue with polarity as the Yamaha pedal. You need to use an adapter, or make a cord yourself where tip and ring are crossed.