Hi,
I own a S88 MK3 keyboard and would like to add an Expression and sustain pedal set-up. Now, from what I have been able to see so far that would require me to aim for two different pedals. Am I right? But - is there a system available that provides this - so two pedals still - in one combined package?

thanks

 

Yes, you do need to buy 2 pedals and put them next to each other under the keyboard.

Here are 2 recommendations:
- Yamaha FC 5 Sustain footswitch - 39 €
- Roland EV 5 Expression Pedal - 69 €

 

As far as I know as an enlightened idiot, a sustain pedal is either on or off or what is referred to as "momentary" (To half pedal is another story and would need a dedicated pedal that functions that way as well as either the hardware or software instrument that works that way). An expression pedal is continuous between two points, hence the ability to "express" a chosen given value.

 

One option is to buy an expression pedal and use a MIDI effect plugin that sends a 1 or 127 on CC64/66 (sustain/sostenuto) when you cross certain thresholds with your pedal.

 

Thanks for the different responses

 

Yes that was the original idea. But from the responses I do sense, that my thought remains to be a thought

 

I had a funny discovery with my Casio CDP 130 : there is only a "Damp" pedal connector.
But i was curious ... and send MIDI for sustain, soft, and sostenuto.
And they all worked

They simply used the same audio engine than their high grade pianos ... but without putting all the pedals connectors

My advice : buy a MIDI foot controller like FCB1010, so you can send whatever you want, 2 pedals are included.
And more (because an FCB1010 can serve for a LOT of different uses).

Less than 100 euros second hand.

 

Last edited: Nov 12, 2024 at 8:07 PM

https://www.studiologic-music.com/products/vfp2/
they have them in triple style as well to match pianos

 

Why isn't this a thing? Somebody definitely ought to make it. With a really heavy weighted base.

 

Bear in mind that those are either both switches (ie, no expression pedal) or ONLY the sustain pedal is variable for half-pedalling sustain - depends on the cable configuration you get.

There are probably other brands that do have switched sustain + a second, variable, pedal. But I don't know of any.

The redneck solution that most of us utilise is to get a separate expression and sustain pedal pair (or 2 sustain pedals) and cable-tie the cables together then glue the pedals to a piece of wood.

 

Probably because of the sheer number of polarity/cable variations possible, it's bad enough that switched sustain pedals aren't standardised, nor is the track direction on variable expression pedals (so I have to assure that all 3 of my pedals are in the 'neutral' position when I turn on my gear, otherwise they guess wrong)

edit: *thinks* maybe it could work if you put jack sockets on the base board and have some kind of top-mounted polarity switches to swap things around... then sell custom twinned cables to go from the base to a keyboard if you don't want to split them over devices (my personal setup has 3 separate potential 'sustain' inputs, and 2 separate 'expression' inputs, f.e)

 

Last edited: Nov 12, 2024 at 9:35 PM

He just need the "Floor" version of this.
https://www.thomann.de/be/endorphin.es_plus_3.htm

 

I like proper piano pedals, they're designed to be easily located by the feet, I would try and get that design if you can.

 

Product information "Doepfer VFP2 double footswitch" Classic double footswitch for sustain and damper with a relatively large housing for stability. Stereo 6.3mm jack plug suitable for all Doepfer keyboards.

https://schneidersladen.de/de/doepfer-vfp2-double-footswitch

 

He needs both: Switch and Expression Pedal

 

Also, I'm not saying Doepfer are reselling Fatar/Studio-Logic's pedal pair at nearly double the price, but that IS exactly what they're doing; not even changing the product code either.