FX Pedals for Keyboard Players

[@sweetwater]

FX pedals aren’t just for guitars - they also double as tone-shaping tools for keyboards! If you enjoyed this video, make sure you hit those like and subscribe buttons 🤘

[@lcrecel]

You couldn't have picked a better person to do this ad . He really brought it out. I heard some excellent options in there and he just touched the surface.

[@ericfricke4512]

Getting a vibrato pedal for subtle pitch warble on my Rhodes has been a game changer.

[@philipbenjamin4720]

Great job presenter - your video was creative, musical, and personable.

[@jmcoffin1]

Line 6 HX Stomp Is my favorite for keyboards. For one it is stereo… unlike most of the pedals shown in this video. with its numerous amp/cab sims HX Stomp provides incredible options for saturation/distortion … Much better than the Deco IMHO, partly because HX Stomp has so many choices which I find very important when needing saturation/distortion that works with a particular Keyboard sound. I tried a Deco and found that it worked well for some keyboards, but not so much for others. Being a multi effects pedal, the HX Stomp also covers a broad range of modulation, delay and reverb effects. By using its “return” input as a auxiliary input,it is even possible to set it up so that you effectively have two independent stereo paths (with different effects in each) which allows one pedal to be used by 2 synths (With different needs) simultaneously. HX Stomp is more expensive than the pedals shown in this video but well worth it because it is so much more versatile.

[@Lorneplumber]

Agree the helix family are excellent tools My deco is also a very special pedal for many things I have sent the stereo out of my stomp into a dig and deco for further treatment

[@troublesomecorsair]

and here I was expecting boring delay and reverb demos. Excellent pedal choices!

[@sapphicquartz]

Phasers are rly good and common effect for rotary type sounds, this phaser was rly heavy/fast, a song w a rly nice keyboard phase effect is No Quarter by led zeppelin

[@piktormusic2538]

This is one of the few videos on this topic out there. Thanks for the demo and ideas. That manual manipulation of octave settings on the Pitch Fork sounds like a technique that I have used on a Multimoog. Zawinul used that technique on an ARP on a Weather Report tune. Hey, Deco sounds great on ep. I used to use a RAT on an Oberheim Matrix 6.

[@jeffvair62]

What would be interesting would be seeing something like a Neo Mini-Vent on a cheaper keyboard, perhaps the Casio CT-S1, or even something like a Roland E09 (I happen to have one of those), and see how the addition of such a device can bring the actual organ sounds alive … or not.

[@GobiPup]

Love the playing. Nice sounds too.

[@leeg066]

Extremely cool video. Thank your for the wicked demonstrations.

[@jeremyfonseca77]

awesome..! this needs to be a series and have pt2, 3.. and more

[@TheIndustrialRetrospective]

I love using my Electro Harmonix Mainframe (purchased from you guys) with my JU06a.

[@jaysonnorman8955]

If you had a Nord Electro, why would you need an effects pedal? You should demo a Roland U20 perhaps.

[@al_MighT]

Waiting for the Guitar Version 😍🎸

[@oliveo7336]

Super detailed video…love it. I recently purchased a Strymon Big Sky hoping to pair it to my Nord Electro 6D keyboard as you do in the video. My audio interface is a Irig Pro Duo I/O with 2 inputs and 2 outputs. I seem to be missing some critical point though. Maybe the Inputs of the Irig Pro Duo cannot take the Out signal of the Big Sky. My routing is the following: From Nord L Output into Strymon L input From Strymon L Output to Audio Interface L Input The Irig Outs are sometimes connected to a Bose S1 Pro.But I mostly use a pair of headphones on the Irig itself. Unfortunately nothing nothing is happening. I am using regular TS cables all the way Do I need some Y cable 1/4" TRS Male to Dual 1/4" TS Female Cable to split the signal from the outs of the Strymon to the In of the Irig Pro Duo? Or an attenuator/a “re-amp” to adjust the signal from line level to instrument level? Or maybe switch to some better Audio Interface as the Arturia Audiofuse Rev 2 with dedicated Inserts? OR is there a setting that needs to be adjusted on the Nord Electro 6D as sending out Audio Out in Mono and not in stereo? Any advices appreciated…. Thanks all..

[@samchoate1719]

Do you use balanced or unbalanced cables for this? Will unbalanced introduce noise? And after the pedal: you still run into a line input on your mixer or interface? Thanks

[@sweetwater]

Hi, thanks for your interest! Since most pedals have unbalanced mono I/O, regular instrument cables will work just fine for this purpose. You shouldn’t run into any significant noise issues unless you have an exceptionally long cable run, in which case you might want to use a DI box to go from the pedal to your mixer/interface. And yes, you’d still go into a line input just like plugging your keyboard in directly. Hope this helps a bit - feel free to contact me directly with any further questions, and thanks again! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@etpslick100]

Wow! I like the volume pedal and the Dyno-my pedal. Definitely would add them to my collection.😌🎶⚡️👍🏾

[@Marion0142]

Maybe a silly question...I guess when using pedals I need to use the instrument in mono and connect one jack only. Other instruments like the viscount legend solo for instance have send fx and return fx connection instead so I guess I could use that connections. Am I wrong? ps thanks for the video

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Mauro. Great question! It really depends on the pedal and your desired effect in this case. Some pedals are stereo and you can shop specifically for them, if that is what you need. Sends and returns are useful when you want to use preamp gain/overdrive before time-based effects, but are not always necessary with a keyboard instrument. Feel free to reach out with any other questions. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1281, [e-mail]

[@curtisvalle5141]

The Electro will do a pretty good job on all those effects by itself

[@gnomerod]

I have an EHX Deluxe Memory Man from the 90's that instantly overloads when a synth is plugged in, no matter how low the volume is. How do you guys go about attenuating Line Output levels from synths, going into guitar pedals? I understand there are boxes for attenuate signals but those are really expensive so I'm looking at clever/cheap alternatives. Cheers

[@sweetwater]

Hi, thanks for your interest! There are a few ways you can approach this. The best solution would be a dedicated keyboard mixer with hi-Z I/O for pedals… but this also might not check the “clever/cheap” box: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KeyLargo--radial-key-largo-keyboard-mixer-with-balanced-di-outs Another potential solution would be using a reamp box, which is intended to take a recorded line-level signal and convert it to instrument-level for the purpose of playing and rerecording it through a guitar amp. This one from Walrus Audio is a good option: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CanvasReAmp--walrus-audio-canvas-re-amp-re-amping-device Finally, I personally have had good results with running pedals in the FX send of a basic Yamaha analog mixer - the impedance isn’t technically correct, and it can get a bit noisy, but it works well for my purposes as a bedroom producer. 😃 This is the mixer I use - I have a series of delay and reverb pedals connected to the FX Send, and I bring them back into a spare mono channel: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MG10XU--yamaha-mg10xu-10-channel-mixer-with-usb-and-fx Hope this helps a bit. Feel free to contact me directly with any further questions, and thanks again! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@jaysonfalco7440]

You gave me an idea brother. I will try it out.

[@mulkytool]

dude.... you're pretty good

[@BrianKabalaMusic]

Get a multi fx!! I have the zoom g3xn and it’s so fun

[@petermgruhn]

I wasn't really paying attention, but it was fun on in the background.

[@lowriskhighreward]

Can we use those pedals to with Guitars? Thanks. :)

[@michaelfogarty7962]

Of course

[@_sidandan]

can i use that for my roland xps-10

[@doboltalis]

Why have I never seen anywhere on the video that guitar processors were used , and not pedals

[@micpep]

Am i the only one who thinks 90% of those effects are built-in the nord electro? And the control pitch bend... It's on every keyboard! Still nice demo!

[@joshuaparham88]

Would any of these pedals work with a Yamaha YPG 535 keyboard? thanks for this cool video!!

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Joshua! Thanks for your interest. These could work with a YPG 535, but since that particular keyboard only has a single stereo TRS output you might have to use an adapter to get the full signal in to the pedals. If you want to get something like that set up, feel free to reach out and we can walk you through it! Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1793, [e-mail]

[@oliveo7336]

Can the Strymon Big Sky Reverb pedal take a Line Level In from a Synth? I don't see any Line/Instrument at the back of the pedal same as on the Volante. Or do we need it a Re Amp box to convert Line to Instrument Level and make it all work?

[@sweetwater]

Hi Olive O. Strymon pedals have always been good with guitar and bass (active and passive) as well as line-level keyboard outputs. As with all stomp boxes, I recommend that you keep your keyboard's final volume knob (or slider) at about 75%. Thanks for watching! -_Daniel_

[@The_Penny_Seventeens]

Nice video! I have the Nektar Impact LX 88 keyboard it has MIDI out can I use that to go into my guitar pedals ?

[@sweetwater]

Hello. You need an audio output to go into guitar pedals. You can use the audio output from your audio interface into guitar pedals, though. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1281, [e-mail]

[@lovestyle642]

Great ideas

[@Franck8440]

To use the EHX Pitch fork I need always to be in mono ?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, Francisco! The EHX Pitch Fork is indeed a mono pedal. If you intend to use it with a keyboard rig, or any rig for that matter, it can only accept a mono input. Thanks for the interest! Cody Kraus, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1766, [e-mail]

[@ryanm9565]

Can these be used with a midi keyboard that has no internal sounds to get the effects to be recorded on a DAW using a vst?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Ryan. Unfortunately these cannot be used with only a MIDI keyboard, but if your audio interface has the requisite inputs and outputs to do so you could route them through that. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1281, [e-mail]

[@Thomas_Choo]

@Sweetwater Bro… I have the same tshirt you’re wearing.

[@Elazarko]

Hey👋 I want to buy an Expression pedal together with the Casio CT-S1000V can you please confirm what pedals work with the new casio CT-S1000V or what pedal would you personally recommend? I NEED that expression. I've heard about the Holographic electronics microcosm though I understand that there isn't %100 control over the expression which kinda worries me for recording and playing live. Thanks 🙏

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Elazar! Thanks for your interest. The Roland EV-5 is tested and compatible with the CT-S1000V as well as the Kurzweil CC-1. We have EV-5’s in stock and available here at Sweetwater and we can order the CC-1 in from Kurzweil if needed, but it seems the EV-5 has full functionality when the minimum volume knob is set to 0. I hope this helps! Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1793, [e-mail]

[@Elazarko]

What delay pedal would you recommend for keyboard for piano and Rhodes sounds..? I play mostly funk..

[@Elazarko]

@@sweetwater under $300

[@sweetwater]

@@Elazarko There are lots of great options! Check out Strymon’s delay pedals like the Brigadier if you want an old school bucket brigade style delay and the TimeLine if you want something more expansive (both are stereo). If you’re looking for a specific sound or feature send me an email with an example or description and I’ll see if I can point you in the right direction! Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1793, [e-mail] Brigadier review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGTHkGV4asaAiKM

[@TheLordcasio]

Great job avoiding the pitch tracking whine on the EHX pitch up.

[@BrianAndersonTT]

Yes this our dream except the pedals always use mono signal.

[@endersw]

Doesn't even matter that KZbin disabled dislikes. Un freakin possible for this vid.

[@truclinhanhiuem]

Idk why I ended up here but cool

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

Me thinks guitarists fret over nothing , or just perhaps their board🎶🎶

[@copperstaterocketguy1640]

Will Wheaton!;

[@Jack-fs2im]

I use chorus,wahwah,actone.

[@jjrusy7438]

get with the program: MULTI-FX. the zoom MS70 CDR is the standard synth pedal. you can load every effects patch zoom ever made into it. and it doesnt cost a lot like most pedals. edit: with the philosophy of this video, you are suggesting the purchase of over $1k worth of pedals and i guess one would need a pedal board etc etc ETC. several other commenters have also mentioned multi-effects which is what works best for keyboards. also you people ignore rack effects. lexicon is very reasonably priced, stereo, MIDI programmable, like things a keyboard player can actually use. tip for pedals+rack effects: put them in the effects loops of your mixer and you can add them to any channel.

[@ericfricke4512]

1. Nord keyboards already include good on-board effects, so if all you need are basic effects with few parameter tweaks, you don't even need a MS70 CDR. 2. Individual pedals typically will give you more parameters to adjust in the sound; more functionality per effect. For example, the vibrato pedal I have offers a random waveform and envelope modulators for random and enveloped pitch warble; most multi-effects will not have this. 3. Individual pedals with 1 knob per function typically are better for adjustments on the fly (playing live) as opposed to menu diving. 4. For some pedals there simply exists no counterpart in multi-effects units. 5. For me personally, I tried a MS70 CDR and it was too noisy. Not really sure what caused that because it was plugged into a power conditioner.

[@jjrusy7438]

@@ericfricke4512 those are still all bogus reasons for not recommending any multifx. not everyone has a nord, not everyone tweaks on the fly, more of a synth thing. if you actually play keyboards, you set up and play, not futz with an entire pedalboard. presets on multiFX are great if you play sets, so no, you cant put your reasons on everyone. also, the MS70 is quieter than a whole string of pedals. i have pedals of both types. i know how they are.

[@PabloSintesMartinez]

Didn't like this pedals. Too much distortion.

[@cellofellow5115]

There's plenty of good reverb and delay pedals. Personally I'm not a fan of most phasor and rotary effects.