3 ms·

In the interest of having less junk to lug back and forth to rehearsal and gigs I recently spent time investigating alternatives to full-size expression pedals.

In the interest of having less junk to lug back and forth to rehearsal and gigs I recently spent time investigating alternatives to full-size expression pedals. TC Electronics makes pressure-sensitive footswitches in the form of their "MASH technology" but they're exclusive to their pedals and don't seem to be available in a separate MIDI controller or analog footswitch format. A small British pedal company that I don't recall the name of also made a pressure-sensitive pad with a TRS output but they weren't available for separate purchase when I checked. As a stopgap measure I decided to use the digital footswitches in my Fractal FM3 as quasi-analog expression controllers by hooking them up to wah and pitch effects then messing with the damping and curve parameters. This way I can approximate the most typical wah and digital whammy effects by simply timing when I take my foot on and off the switch. It works surprisingly well in a cover band context.

maegul 3y ago
That’s a neat idea there with the FM3! Generally though, it makes total sense that there should be a pressure sensitive or at least continuous press foot switch with the footprint of only a normal foot switch.
timrichard 3y ago
Could be worth checking out the SoftStep - a small board of pressure controllers that can work as MIDI controllers. I think they supply a USB to MIDI cable or an expander box if you're not hooking up to a computer. I think each pad is configurable on the X and Y axis as well as vertical foot pressure... https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/softstep/ https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/softstep/
thraxil 3y ago
> A small British pedal company that I don't recall the name of also made a pressure-sensitive pad with a TRS output but they weren't available for separate purchase when I checked. I think you're talking about the Rainger FX Igor: https://www.raingerfx.com/shop/p/igor-expression-pad https://www.raingerfx.com/shop/p/igor-expression-pad It looks like they're available for individual purchase now.

maegul 3y ago

That’s a neat idea there with the FM3! Generally though, it makes total sense that there should be a pressure sensitive or at least continuous press foot switch with the footprint of only a normal foot switch.

timrichard 3y ago

Could be worth checking out the SoftStep - a small board of pressure controllers that can work as MIDI controllers. I think they supply a USB to MIDI cable or an expander box if you're not hooking up to a computer. I think each pad is configurable on the X and Y axis as well as vertical foot pressure... https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/softstep/ https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/softstep/

thraxil 3y ago

> A small British pedal company that I don't recall the name of also made a pressure-sensitive pad with a TRS output but they weren't available for separate purchase when I checked. I think you're talking about the Rainger FX Igor: https://www.raingerfx.com/shop/p/igor-expression-pad https://www.raingerfx.com/shop/p/igor-expression-pad It looks like they're available for individual purchase now.