Dan Explains It All - Expression

What is expression? What is a TRS cable? What is that fader thing? All is illuminated in the latest installment of Dan Explains It All. Dan walks through how voltage division is used in the context of our pedals using the Expression Slider and also explores the difference between TRS and TS expression capabilities.
We have a running list of manufacturers who use the same-tip-to-wiper expression methods as well as a list of those that are known to employ a different method. Find it here: www.oldbloodnoise.com/pedals/...
Video by Old Blood Noise Endeavors
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oldbloodnoise.com

[@whiskybravo4648]

I ordered two of these today. I can’t wait to plug them into my lesser used expression enabled pedals. I have a Boss duel expression pedal but it can handle only two pedals at a time, so rather than spend another $180 on a Boss EV-30, I bought two of these for $115. I can adjust my pedals on the fly or before I play.

[@rude_tech]

I didn't know I needed this, but I really really do.

[@oldbloodnoise]

It's a helpful tool

[@deseant]

Really digging this simple tool. Got me brainstorming of attaching to my pedal steel (maybe a leg?) from my small board. Also dig the ABY splitter got from you dudes. Gracias 🤘

[@oldbloodnoise]

pedal steel is a great place for it. You can get creative with gaff tape. thank you!

[@nikwinkelmann2471]

Luv u guys! Greetings from Switzerland

[@kevotheclone]

Great vid! Hey Dan, where'd ya get that quick-release mic stand @ 9:30 ? 😀😀😀 Gotta get me one of those. OBNE Expression Slider 🎚 works great with OBNE & Keeley pedals, must be something in the OKC water. Keep pullin' those strings!!!

[@jerrysolonsmith8471]

What an awesome video format , excellent content/explanation.......all from a dude that is a clone of the main character from the original half-life video game.

[@oldbloodnoise]

ha, what a specific reference. thanks.

[@chameleonblockstudios]

will this work with modular synthesis? I am aware eurorack uses 3.5 but if you got a converter that kept the trs, would this work?

[@DanielHuman1996]

Does it work like a Roland EV-5 expression pedal and can I use it with my synthesizer as the Expression Pedal? It also uses a stereo TRS cable.

[@Brumata]

Is that breakout cable trick effectively the same as a TS to TRS "floating ring" cable?

[@danpechacek3855]

Yep, same idea - with the breakout cable, you physically see the ring floating! As long as the setup has a proper TRS connection at the expression slider and connects only tip and sleeve at the other side, that’ll do the trick.

[@emilianoibarra3537]

can i use this to replace an expression pedal on an eventide h9 or any other pedal? or it just works with only 1 parameter at the time?

[@carelessfounder]

That Dan, he knows a lot. He sure knows how to talk.

[@oldbloodnoise]

you're tellin me

[@rafa787]

does the slider works with the eventide h-90 pedal? since has 2 expression inputs would like. to add it on mt setup.

[@Audiorial]

very interesting.

[@oldbloodnoise]

thank you

[@phurniture]

Does anyone know if this works with Boss pedals, specifically the DM-2w Waza Craft Delay?

[@therealesttoolyjones]

I'm super intrigued by this thing. So what happens if you plug it into the expression jack on a synth? How do you select what parameter the slider will affect? Great video btw 🔥

[@phurniture]

That would be something you would need to assign on the synth itself. Often the expression pedal would control the same parameter(s) that the mod wheel on the synth would control. Refer to your synth's manual for more info. :)

[@kevinhetzel8654]

Hey guys! Plugging my expression slider into the boss sy1, but it's reading it like a switch (it's engaging the sound hold function) instead of working to move the tone knob (like my normal foot expression pedal does). Any ideas, I read the boss manual, but don't see any way to make it recognize it as an expression rather than switch? Thank you!

[@DanielHuman1996]

It might be your cable. A TR cable for your guitar or sustain pedal is mono with 1 ring. This will act like a switch. A TRS cable for your expression pedal or headphones is stereo with 2 rings. Are you using a TRS cable?

[@bretonleo8740]

Can I use it carefully with my foot for a live utilisation or will it break ? (I Used to tweak a exp outpost of an effect A few times in the set or rehearsal) Thanks !!

[@oldbloodnoise]

many use it that way, we just don't endorse that method

[@bretonleo8740]

@@oldbloodnoise thanks for the reply! Leo

[@eloisegrech2391]

Good for me as I have CP and have trouble getting down to my pedals so I would much rather operate with my hand

[@DelToroBeats]

It works with the expression in of a midi keyboard???

[@ghostsshepherd]

Does it works with HX FX Line6 ?

[@stefjer8725]

So what about Elektron Analog Rytm mk2 control in ? I have seen videos of people using this combo. Had one slider for a few days. Didnt work. But I think this was because I use a mono cable. Am I right in all my dumbness ?

[@oldbloodnoise]

You are correct in that a TRS cable must be used in order for Expression Slider to work.

[@stefjer8725]

@@oldbloodnoise than I will order two. :D Big thanks.

[@stonedapesociety5628]

Hi Just got one to use with my Boss Re20 but it doesn't work.. I've tried it also with a Wayhuge Ringworm but nothing happens.. Am I missing something?

[@oldbloodnoise]

Hey! Shoot an email over to [e-mail] and we will try to get something figured out!

[@Psychonautilus]

Isn't 5V the standard used in many other pedals and/or synth gear? The 3,3V threw me off a bit here. Or am I looking at it the wrong way? I have a bunch of MoogerFoogers and am wondering if the expression slider could be a smaller, hand operated alternative to Moog's own EP3 or a similar expression pedal.

[@craig250]

Any work arounds for using this with pedals that don't have expression input jacks? (Black Fountain/Demedash T120 in particular) Would a 1/4 in splitter cable work- run a cable into the slider from the out on your pedal and another out from the slider into an amp?

[@leave-trace]

Has anyone gotten one of these to work with the Empress Zoia? I have been unable to, and either it never will work for the reasons listed in this video, or I just don't know what I'm doing.

[@danpechacek3855]

I haven't used it with a Zoia, so I can't give Zoia-specific advice, but it should work based on their recommended specs (TRS connection, signal at tip).

[@sordel5866]

Did you ever solve this? I'm considering using it with a Zoia myself.

[@leave-trace]

@@sordel5866 Nope, I did not.

[@sordel5866]

@@leave-trace Thanks for replying. It's odd though because Empress is listed as supported on their site.

[@davidcamargo7143]

Can I use it with a boss sy-1 synth pedal?

[@oldbloodnoise]

you may!

[@BedroomFidelity]

"that's the fun one."

[@oldbloodnoise]

gotta keep it fun

[@gilbyjackson304]

what happens when paired with something like the Haunt Fuzz

[@oldbloodnoise]

the Haunt doesn't have an Expression out option

[@gilbyjackson304]

@@oldbloodnoise ohhh cheers sorry

[@multivox_musik]

Does it work with SuperEgo+

[@oldbloodnoise]

It does

[@inhquannguyen1131]

Some segments in the video are stamped not adjacent to each other

[@edwardi.haeffer-associater5506]

Does it work with JHS Unicorn?

[@oldbloodnoise]

Yep

[@basicnoise]

was that a MFB 501?

[@aarcvault908]

In other words, once again, manufacturers didn't agree upon a standard, forcing propriety adherence; where have I seen this before (Apple)?

[@oldbloodnoise]

pretty whacky

[@aarcvault908]

@@oldbloodnoise: Wacky, to the extent unsurprising.

[@myfriedme]

gotta get that thing out of your hair

[@oldbloodnoise]

i know right?

[@hierrogm]

Wow your insufferably biting

[@oldbloodnoise]

chew you

[@oldbloodnoise]

+2 points for the vampire pun though