Expression pedal question

[Paul_C]

I have a couple of Moog EP-3 expression pedals and I'll soon have four pedals that have expression pedal jacks.

I tried putting an EHX Switchblade (wired for TRS) between the EP-3 and two pedals, but no joy - I'm sure there must be some of you who know why, and I'm hoping someone might be able to a) provide a solution (which doesn't involve buying a special expression pedal), or 2) tell me that there is no way of connecting an EP-3 to multiple pedals so the only way to resolve this is buy more EP-3s or another (no doubt expensive) expression pedal that will do the job.

[drolo]

Can you describe more in detail what you mean with the switchblade being wired for TRS? I was under the impression that they were mono only, but I might be wrong
In any case, the culprit is most likely that.
A perfect solution would be an Expressionator, it has some really cool features, but not quite cheap.
Or build something yourself, it can be just a switch selecting one of two jacks. If you know how to solder it's definitely worth a try :-)

[Mudfuzz]

I have a couple of Moog EP-3 expression pedals and I'll soon have four pedals that have expression pedal jacks.

I tried putting an EHX Switchblade (wired for TRS) between the EP-3 and two pedals, but no joy - I'm sure there must be some of you who know why, and I'm hoping someone might be able to a) provide a solution (which doesn't involve buying a special expression pedal), or 2) tell me that there is no way of connecting an EP-3 to multiple pedals so the only way to resolve this is buy more EP-3s or another (no doubt expensive) expression pedal that will do the job.

http://hosatech.com/product/cys-100/ I use these with the 80's metal boss exp pedals [they have two outs and work better than the moog ones overall] works well with any fooger pedal

[jrfox92]

Wiring up some vactrols that are controlled with a single expression pedal might work (at least, that's how the evil filter works, but I haven't really looked into it, either ).

[Paul_C]

Can you describe more in detail what you mean with the switchblade being wired for TRS? I was under the impression that they were mono only, but I might be wrong
In any case, the culprit is most likely that.
A perfect solution would be an Expressionator, it has some really cool features, but not quite cheap.
Or build something yourself, it can be just a switch selecting one of two jacks. If you know how to solder it's definitely worth a try :-)

I took a std. Switchblade which IIRC was as you say, wired mono and connected up the middle connectors of the jacks so that it switched between two TRS cables. It might be that the switch isn't doing what I expected it to, but as far as I can recall I did test it first.

If there's not a clearly obvious reason why it didn't work (I wondered if adding the switch and second cable might have added something that interfered with the signal somehow) then I'll try again tomorrow - I might open up one of the EP-3s and add a switch and jack to it.

I can solder and (usually) manage to hold a multi meter the right way up, but I do have a point where things get too complex for me, and I'm old enough and wise enough to know when I'd be better off asking someone who knows more than I do rather than floundering about

I discovered earlier that I can use a footswitch instead of an expression pedal with the Syntax Error, though it might need a latching switch instead of the non-latching one I have currently fitted, so I only need to be able to switch one of the expression pedals now.

[DRodriguez]

I've never owned a switchblade, but does it have TRS connectors inside? that aren't wired?
A picture of the pcb might be helpful, they may have connected the Ring and Sleeve on the pcb.

[Paul_C]

I opened it up and remembered that I gutted it and replaced the jacks with stereo jacks:



I tried it again just now and neither pedal worked.

Checked it with the multi meter and everything with the Switchblade is working as it should.

[drolo]

if the jacks are the ones I think you may need to swap the wires on the input jack to the other side as the connections they are on now get switched out when you insert a plug

[Paul_C]

I would have sworn I checked and double-checked everything, but you're right.

I feel a proper fool now, but luckily it's not the first time

I shall go and sort it out and then report back tomorrow (it's a bit late to be turning amps on here now).

[drolo]

These jacks always get me too ... there is something akin to an Escher drawing about them that I always end up soldering the wrong side ;-)

[Paul_C]

I couldn't wait once I re-soldered it - all working correctly now

Many thanks everyone for all the help, and David for being more observant than me

[drolo]

[Paul_C]

I've spent ages looking for my stereo patch leads but no joy, so I've had to order some.

My next question is - where did I put my second Switchblade ?

*sigh*

[Paul_C]

Panic over!

I found it, along with four cymbals, a Screamin' Demon Wah and a Boss RC-50 - which was a result.