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Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestions?
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 10:51 am
by ishtar2020
Hi,
I've decided to get a volume pedal specifically for ambient swells. The pedals I tried all my life (like the fender classic) left a lot to be desired
when it came to control and were nothing more than on-off switches in pedal enclosure. I'd like to ask you experts what should I look into for the
following features:
1. Smooth taper and good pedal travel for natural and progressive swells. No sudden volume bumps.
2. As little tone suck as possible.
And please don't bother with the obvious Telonics recommendation. That pedal is absurdly priced, and even more so here in Europe.
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 11:07 am
by ryan summit
the ones i currently use are
the ernie ball vpjr
and the morley lil alligator
i like the mininmum volume on the morley
but the sweep of the eb is perfect
morley has to be powered too so
im trying to get another eb
no change in tone for me
the only con is the size
but thats probably why the sweep is good
get a used one
theyre tanks
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 12:01 pm
by ishtar2020
I read somewhere that the ernie ball has a real good sweep but it sucks tone like a MF. Maybe I should try it and see if it's true...
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 12:05 pm
by Achtane
Also,
Passive vs. Active: Whenever there is a passive signal leading into an EB pedal, the 250K or 500K pedal is recommended (mono VP & VPJR 250K and stereo 500K VP pedals available). Whenever there is an active signal (powered preamp in the instrument, effects loop, etc.) leading into an EB pedal, the 25K pot is recommended (stereo VP and mono VPJR pedals available). If an active signal is placed before a 250K or 500K EB pedal, or if a passive signal is placed before a 25K EB pedal, then the consequence may be that the swell of the pedal does not act as designed. Either way, as stated above, try whatever combination you desire, and determine if it works for you. All of our volume pedals are designed to be as transparent as possible in a signal chain. However, whenever you add any component to a signal chain, the signal will change whether it is audible or not. Keyboards are generally served best by the 25k pedals as well.
If you find it has a weird effect on yr sound, it'd be really easy to build or get a true bypass box to throw it in
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 1:00 pm
by Disarm D'arcy
I use an ernie ball vp jr, which has the best sweep IMHO. Tonewise, it's okay as long as you've got a buffer before it. I have an always on compressor at the start of my chain and the VP doesn't suck as much as some would say.
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 1:35 pm
by ishtar2020
I'm getting informed about the different versions and you are right. It seems to work flawlessly if you choose the 25k version and put a buffer in front. It's
actually ideal for me because I use an always on compressor too, and have a lot of active pedals in the chain. The VPJR is shaping up to be the best option by far.
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 6:28 pm
by ryan summit
Disarm D'arcy wrote:. I have an always on compressor at the start of my chain and the VP doesn't suck as much as some would say.
ah ha
this is probly why i dont notice it either
the cleanest i ever get is comp and od
didnt know comp was antisuck
not that id notice it anyway
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 6:30 pm
by Disarm D'arcy
A buffer is basicly a unity gain amplifier. If you set your compressor for unity gain or more, it basicly fulfills the role of a buffer
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 7:16 pm
by dubkitty
I use the full-size Ernie Ball and don't have tone problems. from what i've read it's using the tuner out that induces tone suck. the other nice thing about the full-size pedal is that it has a hidden dip switch to change between audio taper or linear taper...it's two volume pedals in one.
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 7:25 pm
by Disarm D'arcy
Oh yeah, that. Using the tuner out will ruin your tone. Other than that, you're fine. Some people offers mode that make the pedal active and add a buffer before splitting the signal between the out and tuner out.
T1M is one of them IIRC.
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 7:55 pm
by chuckjaywalk
I use the full sized Ernie Ball Volume Pedal for exactly this. My dimed out Distortion+ is as clean as I get, but I've never noticed a tone suck.
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 8:52 pm
by grege
Full sized ernie ball for the win (as long as you avoid the tuner).
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 9:11 pm
by D.o.S.
There's a real cheap one you can find pretty much all over the globe called the Volume Knob. You might want to look into it.
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 9:16 pm
by sonidero
D.o.S. wrote:There's a real cheap one you can find pretty much all over the globe called the Volume Knob. You might want to look into it.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXifLDoL1OA[/youtube]
Re: Need a volume pedal specifically for ambient. Suggestion
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 10:23 pm
by Gone Fission
I've got a 20 year old Morley, PVO I think, that I despise the sweep of. All the volume comes on at the very end of the throw. Never use it because of that.