BR800 with EV-5 Expression Pedal - Worth it ?

[wyvernwood]

Hi,

haven't posted in a while - and this is a bit of a noob question. I bought a BR800 a while back and have been having great fun with it.

I've been looking at the EV-5 expression pedal to go with it.

Is it worth it ? What exactly does it add specifically to the BR800? I've never used one before, and my main reason for looking at it is as a present idea (you know with Christmas coming) - I'm under strict instructions to provide an idea for something that will be 'fun' for someone to get me.

Other that using it for the Wah effect - what will it allow me to do ?

Thanks
Martin

[Blooby]

I used one occasionally with my BR-1600.  I found this excerpt from the manual:

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/141735/Roland-Br-800.html?page=127

Blooby

[64Guitars]

By defaut, it operates as a volume pedal. But it can also be used to control the Wah and Pitch Shifter effects. The latter is similar to the Digitech Whammy.

[wyvernwood]

Sorry for not replying sooner - thanks for the advice, went for the FV500H in the end as it's much sturdier.

This is another real noob question too - the pedal works fine as a volume control using it between the guitar and the BR800.

I can't get it to work as an expression pedal though - this may be as simple as using the wrong cable though. I only have mono cables here at the moment, does it need to be stereo for the expression to function correctly ?

Fingers crossed that is all it is - I've been running through the BR800 manual fiddling with the various settings and checking that the BR800 jack point works (it's fine when used as a switch control via mono connection).

Any pointers really appreciated, thanks
Martin

[Geir]

The FV is a volumepedal. The EV an Expression pedal. I think the impedance and also the characteristic of the EV is different. The volume pedal probably has a logarithmic characteristic and the  expression pedal most likely linear. Also the expression pedal would probably only have one input. The volume pedal may be used as an expression pedal if you plug a short-circuited jack in the output, but I think it would be hard to use due to the logarithmic nature (and probably wrong impedance).

Someone will surely correct me if I'm wrong !!

[64Guitars]

I can't get it to work as an expression pedal though - this may be as simple as using the wrong cable though. I only have mono cables here at the moment, does it need to be stereo for the expression to function correctly ?

It definitely has to be a stereo cable (1/4" stereo phone plug on each end). Plug one end into the FV-500H's "EXP" jack and the other end into the BR-800's "FOOT SW/EXP PEDAL" jack.

Here's the FV500H Owner's Manual (single sheet). It includes directions for using the FV-500H as an expression pedal.

http://lib.roland.co.jp/support/en/manuals/res/1811265/FV-500H_je06.pdf

See page 133 of the BR-800 Owner's Manual for instructions on using an expression pedal with the BR-800. Basically, you set either the WAH effect's "MODE" parameter to "PEDAL" (see page 67 of the BR-800 manual) or the P SHIFTER effect's "TYPE" parameter to "PEDAL" (page 76). If neither the WAH effect or the P SHIFTER effect is set to "PEDAL", then the FV-500H acts as a volume pedal.

[wyvernwood]

Thanks again

It would have been helpful if they had put that instruction sheet in with the pedal. The box was sealed, as was the pedal inside - but no instruction sheets.

I am now over-familiar with the BR800 Expression setup having spent some time with the manual and the various menu options thinking that it was me not setting the thing up that was the problem.

No spare stereo cables here either - looks like it's a trip to the store at lunchtime tomorrow.

Many thanks guys  - just what did noobs like me do before the internet ?

Martin

[Geir]

Someone will surely correct me if I'm wrong !!

at least I was right about one thing