CV input troubleshooting

[nevada]

Scratching my head a little and I suppose before I go to Muffwiggler I should ask around here...

I have a Lastgasp Oscillo Fuzz 86 with a CV input. I have an EHX 8-Step that works well outside of this scenario. I have both TRS and TS cables. For the life of me, I cannot get the Lastgasp to respond to the EHX. I believe it's something on the Lastgasp end, because just plugging a TS cable into the CV input seems to bypass the pedal.

Do I appear to have the right components and is it fair to suspect the pedal's CV input is broken?

Things I've tried:

- TRS cable instead of TS (definitely not the solution; possibly hazardous?)
- Various depth settings on the EHX ("bypass" effect seems to rule this out)
- Different TS cables (no matter what, the pedal enters bypass when the cable connector is inserted halfway into the CV input)

I don't have another device that sends CV out.

[autopilot]

can you try a expression pedal at the cv input on the LAL?

[nevada]

I don't have one on hand unfortunately.

I emailed Hirofumi last night with the summary. I'll post his feedback here if he has any.

[skullservant]

I'm wondering if their 'CV' really just means expression

[nevada]

I would think it should work either way. Here's the original LAL specs for the "CV Input" on this pedal:

On the left side, there are jacks for the OUTPUT and a CV PEDAL.. The CV PEDAL jack connects with the CV pedal. If you have a CV pedal, you can control the "FUZZ / FREQ." with your foot.
*The most popular name for the "CV pedal" (Control Voltage pedal) is "expression pedal". Unfortunately, we have not made our own yet. Some manufacturers make "expression pedals" and almost all of them will be able to connect to our pedals, but the effect will vary with different types. We recommend the "ROLAND EV-5".

[skullservant]

Yeah, from that write up it sounds like they just mean an expression pedal or resistance, and not actual voltage input

[nevada]

So that would rule out using the TS cable... Going to power up the studio and see what's what.

[skullservant]

Yeah. I'd try TRS, that's your best bet!

[nevada]

Yes, TRS using the 8-Step's factory cable does avoid the "bypass effect." Instead of cutting out the signal entirely, I'm able to hear a horrible oscillation in oscillation mode and no oscillation in no oscillation mode. This seems technically correct to me, though the oscillation that's product seems relatively unaffected by the 8-Step and sounds largely unlike the pure tone that's produced without anything plugged in expression.

I think it's just a bad pairing actually.

Hirofumi just wrote back with a very nice troubleshooting checklist.

[skullservant]

I'm glad he was helpful! That rules. Kinda sucks that the 8 step doesn't work with it, but hey, an expression pedal would be pretty rad too!

[nevada]

Nah, you that put me on the right path first. Thanks!

Now I need something with CV to sequence.

[skullservant]

No problem buddy

You should use it to modulate a delay!

[nevada]

This is true... I was thinking something like that or Ravish Sitar since it's meant to be part of a drone chain and there's a Malekko Dark 616 already down the line.

[skullservant]

Oh man, that would be neat!

[nevada]

Just thought I'd say that Hirofumi of LAL has been more than helpful in following up with my email!