Overdrive with Expression Pedal

[Heady Jam Fan]

I posted a similar question maybe two years ago, but here goes:

What other dirt pedals function like the Toneczar Openhaus with its expression pedal? I think it is a really cool idea and would like to know more about what is involved in getting that technology to work.

I would expect there is a lot to consider when designing this, such as the drive and output volume potentiometer (and matching that with something like a dual gang pot in the expression pedal) along with the components within the pedal: how they effect volume and how they compress. I would expect the volume change over a range of distortion would have a complex relation to the position of the drive knob, not a linear relationship.

It seems that this would be hard to design, so kudos to Ed! But I was wondering if it would be possible to implement in other pedals?

While I have pretty good success with my volume knob and a flat boost after my OD, this would be a lot easier for dialing in variable amounts of distortion quickly.

Here is an alternative I was thinking of:

An expression pedal with a loop for the dirt pedal(s):
- When it is set to toe down, the loop's send volume is the same as the guitars output or unity, or in other words the max overdrive from the dirt pedal(s).
- When the toe is up, the loop's send volume decreases, the dirt pedal(s) are clean(er) and a volume boost is introduced after the effect loop return before the expression pedal's output.

The difficulty wold be having a relatively unity gain across the expression pedals sweep (maybe a little louder with toe down/more drive). I would personally use it with 2 Tube Screamers in the loop and a Ross style compressor after the expression/loop, so mild inconsistencies in volume wouldn't matter.

[jnepo1]

I can't compare it to the Toneczar, but the only other dirt pedal that I know of w/ an expression jack is the Dr Scientist "The Elements". It's a cool pedal, but way too many things going on to keep on my board. I like it in a studio setting for noodling around, but can't envision using it in a live setting.

[Heady Jam Fan]

I can't compare it to the Toneczar, but the only other dirt pedal that I know of w/ an expression jack is the Dr Scientist "The Elements". It's a cool pedal, but way too many things going on to keep on my board. I like it in a studio setting for noodling around, but can't envision using it in a live setting.

Interesting, though that is a blend control rather than drive and output volume, though I suspect it might have a somewhat similar effect.

[jnepo1]

Interesting, though that is a blend control rather than drive and output volume, though I suspect it might have a somewhat similar effect.

It is worth trying, but as I mentioned, I can't fathom using it on gigs. Atleast not for a while, I'm a stickler w/ my dirt pedals.

[Heady Jam Fan]

It is worth trying, but as I mentioned, I can't fathom using it on gigs. Atleast not for a while, I'm a stickler w/ my dirt pedals.

I am too, that wouldn't suit my needs, but it is still cool - I have heard of that pedal numerous times, but had no idea it had an expression option.

I was thinking that something that might work would be an expression pedal with a loop for the dirt pedal(s):
- When it is set to toe down, the loop's send volume is the same as the guitars output or unity, or in other words the max overdrive from the dirt pedal(s).
- When the toe is up, the loop's send volume decreases, the dirt pedal(s) are clean(er) and a volume boost is introduced after the effect loop return before the expression pedal's output.

The difficulty wold be having a relatively unity gain across the expression pedals sweep (maybe a little louder with toe down/more drive).

[Mr. Kite]

How about a T.I.P. third hand on the clean blend of the voodoo lab sparkle drive?

[Heady Jam Fan]

How about a T.I.P. third hand on the clean blend of the voodoo lab sparkle drive?

That is pretty much the same as jnepo1 suggested with Dr. Scientist's The Element. A clean blend is different, still cool, but I tend to really not like that function to be honest.

I appreciate the idea, I would probably go with a kickdisk instead personally.

[V]

Akai Shredomatic has a built in treadle that controls either output volume or gain. Of course, it's geared towards a very specific kind of music, but it's a cool feature. I was thinking of adding an expression input feature like this to some of my pedal designs in the future, either to control gain or voltage.

[Heady Jam Fan]

Akai Shredomatic has a built in treadle that controls either output volume or gain. Of course, it's geared towards a very specific kind of music, but it's a cool feature. I was thinking of adding an expression input feature like this to some of my pedal designs in the future, either to control gain or voltage.

Yea, lol, I have seen the shredomatic and that is absolutely not getting in my pedal chain!

Interesting idea controlling the voltage. I know what variable voltage control can do on an amp, and I know what increasing voltage does on pedals, but what would your intended use/outcome be? Would it increase or decrease voltage (or both)?

[4nd3h]

didn't read your OP, sorry. But the HD500 does this.

[Heady Jam Fan]

didn't read your OP, sorry. But the HD500 does this.

Definitely not what I am looking for.

[V]

Yea, lol, I have seen the shredomatic and that is absolutely not getting in my pedal chain!

Interesting idea controlling the voltage. I know what variable voltage control can do on an amp, and I know what increasing voltage does on pedals, but what would your intended use/outcome be? Would it increase or decrease voltage (or both)?

It depends on the pedal but I'm thinking of using it to decrease the incoming voltage on a fuzz i make called the silver apple. It's already got a voltage decrease knob on it and depending on where the voltage is set you get oscillations at different pitches. Similar principal to a fuzz factory but a different design. It also has a momentary switch already to swap between two preset voltage levels when you hold that button down with your foot.

But that's a wild use. On something designed differently/geared towards being more normal (like this other pedal I make called the kung fuzz) dropping the voltage would sort of just reduce the intensity of the distortion/fuzz and act more like a texture control.

[Heady Jam Fan]

It depends on the pedal but I'm thinking of using it to decrease the incoming voltage on a fuzz i make called the silver apple. It's already got a voltage decrease knob on it and depending on where the voltage is set you get oscillations at different pitches. Similar principal to a fuzz factory but a different design. It also has a momentary switch already to swap between two preset voltage levels when you hold that button down with your foot.

But that's a wild use. On something designed differently/geared towards being more normal (like this other pedal I make called the kung fuzz) dropping the voltage would sort of just reduce the intensity of the distortion/fuzz and act more like a texture control.

I could see that being pretty sweet, if a bit avant-garde

[4nd3h]

So I came back and read your OP. I still think that the Line 6 M5 with an expression pedal would work because you can set a separate heel and toe setting for tone, mix, drive, and other parameters for all the dirt models.

[Heady Jam Fan]

So I came back and read your OP. I still think that the Line 6 M5 with an expression pedal would work because you can set a separate heel and toe setting for tone, mix, drive, and other parameters for all the dirt models.

Yea, I appreciate the idea, but I don't want to use their dirt models.

[4nd3h]

Fair enough.