Why You Need a Volume Pedal!

The volume pedal is a pretty amazing piece of gear , and I don’t think most people realize all that they can do with it. It’s usually seen as this simple volume control device-- which is accurate --but it also holds within it magic. In this episode, we’re going to unpack some of that magic.
www.thejhsshow.com/
www.jhspedals.info/
/ thejhsshow
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:28 History of Volume Pedals
2:40 Fuzz and Volume
4:34 "Swollen Face"
6:28 Expression
8:08 "Venus Frontier"
9:52 Effects Loop
10:54 Effect Loop Demonstration
12:17 Swells
13:48 "Prairie Dog Daydream"
15:07 More Volume Pedal Tips
16:52 Record Time
17:42 Thanks for Watching!
Gear in this Episode:
Dunlop JHF1 Jimi Hendrix Signature Fuzz Face
reverb.com/p/dunlop-jh-f1-jim...
Ernie Ball 6180 VP Jr Mono Volume Pedal
reverb.com/p/ernie-ball-6180-...
Universal Audio Starlight Echo Station
reverb.com/p/universal-audio-...
JHS SuperBolt V2
reverb.com/p/jhs-superbolt-v2...
EHX Oceans 12
reverb.com/p/electro-harmonix...
Boss RV-6 Reverb
reverb.com/p/boss-rv-6-reverb...
Vertex Boost
reverb.com/p/vertex-boost-gra...
Insert Cable
reverb.com/p/hosa-stp203-stp2...
Record Time:
Beabadoobee - Fake it Flowers
amzn.to/3m9Ytar
Josh’s record player is by U-Turn Audio:
amzn.to/34CRXjr
The jams from this episode are on BandLab! Head over to the link below to jam with us, download the stems, and create your own samples from our sounds... or all of those things.
www.bandlab.com/jhspedals
#jhs #thejhsshow #volumepedal

[@robotsongs]

I LIKE THE PART WHERE THE BIG MAN HOLDS THE ELECTRONICS

[@JOSEPH-vs2gc]

i'm deaf so i can only relate to this.

[@heybuddy6794]

I like to wave to the pedals 👋

[@Ndlanding]

Gosh!

[@rootsradical]

Timestamp please, I missed that part and can't watch it all again.

[@KrumpusPlunk]

@@rootsradical just watch the part from 0:00

[@RaxFx]

BREAKING NEWS: volume pedal sales volume has just increased beyond expression

[@theparttimepunk]

FOLLOW UP: they are nearing wah sales on reverb

[@mlwsf]

I see what you did there

[@stephpicher]

That speaks volumes.

[@zachshipstead5247]

Thank god I have my brother's

[@d.rowley5023]

That’s a swell comment

[@Infinighost]

HE USED ONE OF THE SOVTEKS! HE USED ONE OF THE SOVTEKS! Does this mean we're one step closer to the mythical Sovtek episode???

[@carminenevills6327]

Please!!!!!!

[@18-tube-wattamp64]

@@carminenevills6327 I think he's buying all of them first, then he's going to dump them on Reverb after he drops the video...

[@TheChadPad]

This is not a drill

[@robotsongs]

James Hoffman just started his mythical Aeropress series, so anything is POSSIBLE!

[@michaeldiamond76]

It's definitely a sickness

[@robertpurdy4452]

The trick of turning your volume pedal into an expression pedal just blew my mind. This may be the most important video ever!!!

[@tomlang1005]

I wish I knew this soooooo long ago, now to make/find that splitter cable!

[@joellebrodeur1015]

Makes me glad I held off adding to my new board. I concur. This video is a must watch.

[@error8418]

That's a clever trick! I'm not sure whether the sweep range is particularly good tho: Don't regular expression pedals utilize linear potentiometers?

[@error8418]

@@tomlang1005 Look for an insert cable (TRS -> 2x TS). They are usually used for insert effects (send/return) on consoles.

[@MojoJojoMojo]

With some pedals a normal mono cables from the output of the volume pedal to the expression in works as well! The TRS method definitely works, but you might not actually need one. Just try it and see if it works. I used my Ernie Ball VP JR to control a Line6 Helix I borrowed for a gig once because the Helix pedal was terrible...

[@DylanMichaelToddMusic]

Honestly the acting with the baby was moving. Just as good as the musical

[@eggnogthespacecadet3392]

I love it when Nick yells from offscreen, I just always find it hilarious for some reason.

[@peterwelsh1932]

(That’s why they do it

[@natehofer]

As a pedal steel player, I want to recommend looking up the 1950s Bigsby volume/tone pedals. Up and down for volume (like we all know) but also left and right for that “boo-wah” tone effect. Two pots. I think you all might dig knowing about it.

[@billphillipstube]

I’d like to take a moment to recognize two items: 1. Nick’s “brushes on toms” drum tone during the Prairie dog jam was amazing. Very pleasing. I think that deserves to be recognized. 2: Referring to what happened to the see saw as if everyone knows what happened, although no one, in fact, actually knows what happened, isn’t nice. You have the tea. Spill the tea. Oh, and I use my volume pedal to control my volume, post gain but pre wet.

[@TOANhound]

Totally agree with Nick’s drumming. I kept thinking during this whole episode how much credit he’s due because not only is he really good, his kit sounds amazing. And the brush work on the Prairie Dog jam was fantastic.

[@afterstars]

It was ‘amazing’? It left you astonished and in pure wonder?

[@stfisher65]

Alex Lifeson is a master at using volume swells to remove the attack of his picks. One of my favorite guitarists.

[@markrobinson8410]

Steve howe also a master at volume swells.

[@kkfurtado]

Steve Hackett...

[@stuminnis4050]

Came here to say this. The start of the slow-build solo in La Villa Strangiato (esp. the live version on Exit Stage Left). Perfection.

[@johnsmith7140]

XANADU

[@fabiocuccu3689]

Jan Akkerman of Focus did the most beautiful volume swells imo. He used the volume pot though.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Cool video! Thanks for the honorable mention at 16:13 we appreciate it!

[@danmorrison8746]

I heard it's a really good input butter too. Someone smart told me that. I forgot who...

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@danmorrison8746 the buffer is "butter" ;)

[@RobertNolan]

@@VertexEffectsInc input butter is the new input buffer. 🤣 Just let's everything slide on through.

[@Ndlanding]

@@RobertNolan Can you tell the difference between Stork and butter?

[@richieworrell]

wow I never thought I would SEE what I SAW in this video

[@RobbieTayVaughan]

That fuzz/volume jam was badass

[@Bliggick]

This guy I played with a long time ago was a master of using his Ernie Ball volume pedal with bends on his Telecaster to simulate Country pedal steel guitar. I tried it but it takes years of practice.

[@markferguson3745]

And I'm sure some of the sounds created prior to mastery are cool as well.

[@andrewmusslewhite5445]

Gary Louris from the Jayhawks does that

[@ZachisSublime]

Do you remember where he placed it in the chain?

[@Bliggick]

@@ZachisSublime All I can remember is he used little or no other effects going into a Fender amp. I doubt if he used any overdrive, distortion or fuzz while using the volume pedal.

[@jacquesd5781]

JHS is such an amazing musician-composer. His "jams" are full-blown awesome mini songs with lots of soul, feel and good ole rock n' roll. Thanks for the great tips, and, most of all, thanks for the great music.

[@dhauz___7855]

I'm still hoping someone makes a compilation of all the jams they make. They're the highlights of his videos for me.

[@duanewilson3941]

@@dhauz___7855 He said in the video they were all available.

[@jdsherman2001]

And Josh's Slide Guitar sound takes a giant leap forward. Rhett Shull weeps.

[@DMSProduktions]

Rhett Shill?

[@Ndlanding]

@@DMSProduktions I know what a skull is, but what's a rhett?

[@charlesbranch4120]

The Rig Doctor just built a new pedalboard for Rhett Shull, so I think if anything he'd swap out a pedal rather than add one... To learn what a Rhett is, you need to watch or read "Gone With the Wind." Both Rhetts are from Georgia, but the one in the movie is a bit older than the other, since he served with a B-17 group in England.

[@DMSProduktions]

@@Ndlanding LOL!

[@RexKrueger]

The trick with the volume pedal in the effects loop really blew my mind, but it also made me wonder why more amps don't just come with a volume pot in that part of the circuit. Seems like a feature many people would want. Lots of folks use an attenuator with loud amps and I imagine that's better at capturing power-tube distortion, too. But is the fancy attenuator really that much better? Many interesting questions here. Oh and fantastic video. Just amazing.

[@shakinpaulus1]

Surely, if you put a volume pedal in the effects loop it acts like a remote control of the master volume?

[@goose688]

Holy crap! I didnt expect to see you in an effects pedal comment thread! Do you make guitars too? I'd kill to see you make a luthiery for humans series!!!

[@papat1742]

The exciting moment Josh picks the pedal you own up....then says he hates it 😔

[@christopherkennedy873]

🤣

[@JonNewquist]

I say, thank goodness you're not a Josh clone. One Josh goes a long way. Having two might break the space-time Continuum. Enjoy the heck out of your little multi treadle.

[@RealMaltigow]

Buy an Ernie Ball volume pedal and rewatch the video. You are welcome. (I'm very happy about by little red btw, as a volume at least, small on the board and does the job.)

[@mykhedelic6471]

Won't happen often, apparently only if you use volume/wah combos. Otherwise, he turns no pedal away.

[@papat1742]

@@christopherkennedy873 what are the chances? 😂

[@kikaho_]

I feel like the volume pedal as expression pedal hack was some industrial secret. I would have never known this unless I studied the inside of an expression pedal

[@KrumpusPlunk]

it's not really that much of a secret since even the cheap chinese volume pedals get sold as "combo volume/expression pedals" these days ;)

[@greycastro1009]

The little red pedal getting trash-talked near the end looked like the Hotone Soul Press. I’ve got one, and I really like it. I use it primarily as a volume pedal, doing swells, but on a crowded board, having the option of using it as a wah or an expression pedal (it does all three)-and the whole thing having a fairly small footprint-is super nice.

[@erik_gerhard]

I second all of the above 😊

[@janattaaya]

Me too

[@Nightryder7]

Your simplicity is amazing!. That fact that you show different and good products on your channel makes me wanna buy ur product more.

[@timoconnell]

I just learned I have an expression pedal. My world has just been turned upside down.

[@aaront7041]

Truth! Just need an adapter cable. I had no clue

[@stevenbatke4167]

And they work well. Ernie ball has such a nicer feel than a M-Audio.

[@PedalChainsAddiction]

Will this work with any pedal with an expression jack?

[@stevenbatke4167]

@@PedalChainsAddiction if the exp input is trs, then yes.

[@stevenbatke4167]

@@PedalChainsAddiction so, not line6. They’re usually mono.

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Josh: “We can..” Nick: “YEAH!!!” Josh: “You can download...” Nick: “DO IT!!!”

[@thedeserthead]

I could have written this comment on any of the many many videos of yours I've consumed but I just love everything you put out and it's like living and playing vicariously as life seems to rob me of Music Time in regular intervals. Please keep it up, it's genuinely helping me through some poo poo times

[@JonathanHyattVerified]

Great episode. Awesome to see you have the jams available now! Thanks!

[@BarrySmithviolin]

Your videos are SO well produced; Incredible content, brilliant humor, articulate editing and always great sounds/music! 🌟 Question 🙋🏼‍♂️: How long does it take you guys from conception of the idea or ideas to the completed video? Thank you

[@fotoajojo]

Ah... I remember the first time I felt that swelling - 1975 in my girlfriend’s basement the first time we played The Wanton Song. A typically simple driving Page riff and a great Leslie effect solo - all over shadowed by the incredible distorted guitar swell transitioning back to the verse. EPIC

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

I thought you were going somewhere else with this story, but ok then

[@christopherweise438]

@@b.scottfarthingsworth - Totally. Swelling.....girlfriend's basement.......Zeppelin....all the ingredients were there.

[@DMSProduktions]

And I always thought this was a CHINESE song about soup... who knew?

[@fotoajojo]

@@DMSProduktions You are thinking of The Dim Sum Shuffle.

[@fotoajojo]

@@christopherweise438 Except according to Demone, “... And five, now this is the most important, Rat. When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.” But Rat was playing Kashmir in the car. So there was a definite PG nod.

[@contactolequotidien8492]

This Is amazing, You opened up my eyes in a ton of stuff this is the first time I comment one of your videos, and what you helped me realise is of how much you can do to be expressive and get a tone that seems only for those who’ve been blessed with the pick of destiny, I’m an amateur guitarist, until last month I’ve never owned a pedal, I started with some cheap ones, I wanted a better guitar so I decided to make my own guitar, and I’ve been improving and every time I watch one of your videos I get curious about other sounds and equipment there’s a lot I still don’t know obviously but I’ve been improving thanks to content like yours, and that is unique, and basically good, I am amazed by how a man makes his own pedals witch such quality I’m really looking forward to buy one of yours I’m already saving for a pedal, still indecisive which and it would be great if you could also help me choosing one, something that helps me create a unique sound, something unexpected that lets me Chanel creativity! Cheers I’m truly thankful to find content like this and people like you that not only praise on what they do but acknowledges how good others are!

[@pedally]

I don't always keep a volume pedal on my board but it's definitely a staple for any pedal collection. You did an excellent job showing how versatile they are. Can't go wrong with the Ernie Ball volume pedals.

[@jcdelas]

The trick to put the volumen pedal in the effects loops is a nice way to get a master volume for your amp ( if it doesn't have already )

[@BobJones-bh9qz]

Good idea

[@jdsherman2001]

Yeah it's just a home made master V right?

[@chuckganz8840]

I put it in the loop, great swells!...especially first and then all the other effects....

[@MrScrofulous]

Yup, I have a Marshall SV20 coming this week that is gonna get that treatment. And before people start howling at me about power tube OD, you are wrong, that's actually PI tube OD. Power tube distortion sounds bad.

[@shakinpaulus1]

I was thinking of cranking the master volume and using the vol pedal for control. That way I'll never be drowned out again.

[@DylanFischerTX]

This past Christmas I was driving from Austin to the San Antonio area to see family for Christmas & whenever I drive through San Marcos I turn the radio to KTSW, the college radio station at Texas State. They always play the coolest, weirdest things. I was entranced by the sounds coming out of my car speakers so I asked my wife to Shazam the song so see what they were playing. It was Worth It by beabadoobee. We had a long conversation when the song ended about how to say the name (I'm sure we were both wrong) and after the station signal faded out of reach, we pulled up Spotify & put on Fake It Flowers. What a great album. Worth It is still my favorite track

[@privateer0561]

Steve Morse was famous for using volume pedals as expression pedals. I think he invented their use as such back in the mid-70's. He would use his main amp as the dry sound and then use the preamp out of that amp to drive a second amp for effected sound only. The cable to the second amp would go to a passive splitter and then have one cable going to each of his three effects (long delay, short delay, and guitar synth) He would then place a volume pedal between each effect and then run all three back to a 2nd splitter which reassembled the three cables into a single one that plugged into the 2nd amp. He could thus bring his effects in and or combine 2 or three at various levels for an almost infinite variety of sounds. Simple, brilliant, and effective. He constantly switched pickups and hit those pedals...he was a busy man onstage. Look at any performance from any era and you'll see.

[@barrysmith8920]

Serious as your excellent videos are, and ultra informative, I also watch for the entertainment!! Always the best on YT 🙏🏼

[@brendanguinn4427]

Just want to say yall's channel really relit my love of guitar, and music too. Thanks for all you do, I hope to one day be able to afford one of your pedals

[@Kashed]

Another tip, if you are playing out and the sound guy is known to not give you enough volume, do the soundcheck with the volume pedal at 75% and when it comes time to play or solo you have the volume you deserve. 🤓

[@aaront7041]

I will neither confirm not deny doing that in church before.

[@TIMTIMEdits]

Rofl!

[@markschuth8036]

Yes. 🤣

[@nickspence5977]

As someone who’s done sound work for local shows before, every sound guy hates you for this. We will 100% cut your mix down extra just to punish you. Trust your sound guy.

[@Ottophil]

@@nickspence5977 haha , i always ignored the sound guyz, they were busy trying to get drunk and or laid and barely did their jobs at the gigs ive done. So i just cranked the amp up way louder than soundcheck. Thats how I get off

[@id3m589]

THE JAMS ARE HERE! THANK YOU JOSH!!!

[@davidrobinson5180]

Lemme just say first how I appreciate this and many other videos. Truly fascinating and clever. Second, that clean boost pedal/volume pedal idea at the end...I would love to see that in action.

[@JasonSmith-fm8pf]

This video is very informative and it justifies all the time that I have watched your channel. Thank you very much, Josh. You are a gigantic albino angel.

[@JayBeeBlues]

for those who have "effects loop free" amps (like me): put the volume pedal after your drive pedals - your tone stays the same, but the singer will love you ;-) If she doesn't, you can always use the volume pedal as a door stop or paper weight :-D

[@brentongutierrez4021]

So glad you reviewed that record. Love her songwriting!

[@BluesforJ]

I have 2 JHS pedals and love them both. Ive got to say your videos have educated me so much.

[@alanstahl594]

My favorite trick is to use the tuner out jack as a splitter. Opens up crazy possibilities. Multi amp scenarios, simultaneous synth and modulation mixed with clean tones etc...Or go tuner out into a second volume pedal... It's endless. HAVE FUN :)

[@patrickhlavinka6364]

Hell yea man! I did that a couple times. Even had a di box after it and split it again. It gets crazy.

[@BigolBoyd]

4:37 this is absolutely beautiful

[@tanguydelooz2881]

Awesome !!

[@pcbullets8726]

I have had a few of these in my setup over the years. Again, I learned something today. Thanks!

[@blacktoothfox677]

My favourite music- related channel on KZbin (okay... tied with Premier Guitar's 'Rig Rundown' which is exceptional) - defo my fave content creator. Have learned an awful lot, even though I'm a 30 years in to my playing. Have even bought stuff based on stuff Josh has said and demonstrated. Big Love and Best Regards from the UK

[@KrumpusPlunk]

my favorite way to use volume pedals is to split the chain to create a parallel fx chain and use the volume pedal in this parallel chain to control the fx intensity.

[@xebio6]

I'm interested! Care to share how you route your signal? Thx in advance!

[@KrumpusPlunk]

@@xebio6 one example: i have a cheap chinese stereo tremolo pedal that works as a buffered splitter when it's turned off. behringer stereo chorus is another example of a cheap pedal that can do that, or just buy a designated splitter. my amp has a second input jack for mp3-players and phones. so I split the signal with whatever stereo pedal or buffered splitter i have lying around, then my "dry" line goes into the normal amp input and the other goes into a 10€ passive DI box (maybe optional? but changes impedance to line level) and then into the 3,5mm input jack of my amp. ofc if your amp doesn't have 2 line ins you could just use a mixer before the amp, or use 2 amps, or go from the di box into any other speakers with a line input you have lying around, a cheap bluetooth box with a 3,5mm jack might even do. or run both chains into an audio interface and let the computer do the mixing...

[@xebio6]

@@KrumpusPlunk Ok, I'm assuming your volume pedal is at the end (or maybe start) of the "effected" line? Also, would this work using the return input in the back of my amp for the effected line + volume pedal? Thx again!

[@KrumpusPlunk]

@@xebio6 as long as you don't have a drive pedal in the fx chain, the placement of the volume pedal does not matter. if you plug anything into your fx loop return, the preamp will be bypassed so that won't work... could try a passive a-b-y pedal, those are cheap to get.

[@piggycity]

First volume pedal I purchased was the Ernie ball, and it was to play George Harrison’s song “I need you” from the “Help” album.

[@skone9965]

GH song = money well spent

[@thomasweinmeister325]

I have never thought to bend a single string past the nut for those slide/faux b-bender sounds like you did in the last song. That just blew my mind. Well done

[@allardhebbink]

Thank you for always making my day so much better!!

[@tanguydelooz2881]

Great video !! Would have been nice to mention high vs low impedance vol pedals and also what does and doesn't work when there's a treble bleed circuit in the guitar or in the vol pedal.

[@joermnyc]

I’ve got a cheapo “Rogue” stereo (but I use it mono as I simplified the rest of my setup to mono) volume, it’s plastic, but it feels like truck can stand on it no problem, and it has a slider at the top for the “minimum volume” so you can have just go from full volume to about 1/4 volume or zero, or anything in between. (This feature might work great for that trick with a fuzz.) I can’t remember when I got it, must’ve been 20 years ago.

[@LowSlowDisk]

Wow. That volume pedal in the effects loop trick. Thanks, man. That's brilliant.

[@unsoundmethodology]

Thanks for this video! Coming back to it because I just yesterday finally picked up a volume pedal - it's a Dunlop GCB-80, which I found in a local thrift shop, and which I currently have disassembled to clean the pot. This should be useful once the scratchiness is cleared up. 😀

[@ZRobertson91]

I look forward to 11 CST every Friday

[@ofeldtc6]

Wasn’t aware that the Mig-50 has an effects loop. Did I miss something? Thanks again JHS.

[@ApolloSuns]

Dude! The splitting trip with the expression pedal is dope! So cool

[@herfamusic]

This video was absolute gold! Thank you for all the info ♥️♥️♥️

[@davidsant5729]

What a fascinating video. Thanks very much! Will try the vol pedal in the effects loop of my JVM. Do I turn the effects level high or low and to wet or dry? I'm guessing level high and wet. What a great idea cutting the vol between the gain stages!

[@robertjacobs9445]

My favorite stupid volume pedal trick is to split your clean signal and send it to a second amplifier with a chorus and a delay. When it's time to solo hit the volume pedal and some chorus into a short delay gives you this technicolor sheen for your solo. Your sound gets larger and more colorful. That was my trio sound in the 80's.

[@bradconklin2878]

Got one 4 yrs ago, gave it away, now want another, thank you very much.

[@paulvash]

Well. I've been watching these JHS Pedals show for a while - I *may* have watched every one ever - and if I'm not mistaken, this is the FIRST TIME Josh has used one of his SOVTEK amps. Merry Christmas to me!

[@Menesterosos]

It's amazing how 15 years ago, the way a fuzz cleaned was basically the way eveyone meassured how good it was. Now there's a new generation that has to be taught this fact for the first time

[@joshwaterfield4882]

It cracks me up when demos or shows highlight fuzz pedals only to spend an hour demonstrating how clean they can sound lol

[@Saxby8six]

I like Morley optical volume pedals. There is no pot to get dirty

[@DMSProduktions]

OR suck your treble I'm guessing!

[@Ndlanding]

SOunds like just the thing for my kitchen! Can you use it to pan, too?

[@Saxby8six]

@@Ndlanding pot is short for potentiometer

[@Ndlanding]

@@Saxby8six And "pan" is short for panorama. And IQ is what you are short on.

[@dkelley9661]

No, no pot to get dirty. Just a cheap plastic strip with opto electric cells , that you can’t fix when the cheap plastic strip breaks or folds. No thanks, I have a forty year old Morley still waiting to work again. Paid over a hundred for the pos.

[@Ndlanding]

Josh has spoken, and his words are true. WHen I was wee, I wanted to convert the pedal for my mum's sewing machine into a volume pedal, but she wouldn't let me. She's dead now, after never ever sewing anything on that machine. Now I have my own mini sewing machine, which I only ever used once, seven years ago, but I can't bring myself to convert its pedal. I'm on my second Cry Baby, but I've never felt good about buying a volume pedal. One day, I'll probably have an accident and lose both legs, then I'll invent an elbow "pedal"., but as far as floor-based volume pedals, I must put my foot down.

[@__Anton__]

I’ll get my Ernie Ball volume pedal off the shelf and start using it again. Had it years, but only ever used it as a violin type effect before switching to using volume on guitar. Great video 🎸🙂

[@DCJayhawk57]

I like when he played my favourite Grean Dag song really loud.

[@TheRealcdawg22]

What is Grean Dag?

[@chnacr2]

@@TheRealcdawg22 The band in which Belly Goe Jamstrong sings and play guitar

[@G_handle]

FYI: that was an “Insert Cable” he used to turn a volume pedal into an expression.

[@samnichols4692]

old timers like me might call it a "channel insert"

[@G_handle]

@@samnichols4692 Hey Sam. You may or may not already know this, most of us old guys do. But I wanna flesh it out for anyone that might be confused, as these cables Can be confusing if you don't know what they're trying to do. They look a lot like standard Y-Cables, and the beginner probably assumes that TRS jacks are either for Balanced Mono connections, or Unbalanced Stereo, but may not have encountered Unbalanced Send-n-Return. I was referring to the specific Y-Cable he showed in the video. It has a single 1/4"-TRS jack on 1 end, and it 'why's out' to two 1/4"-TS jacks on the other. They're sold, or built as "Insert Cables" as when the TRS side is plugged into a Channel Insert on a mixing console, it breaks the channel's internal signal-flow, 'sends' the signal out either the tip or the ring of the TRS jack, the signal can be processed by "Outboard" gear, and 'returns' the signal on the other (ring or tip). The Shield of all three jacks are tied together, so common ground. The TRS-Tip is tied to one TS-Tip (A). The TRS-Ring is tied to the other TS-Tip (B). Depending upon which way the Insert Jack was wired on the mixer, (A) or (B) get plugged into the Unbalanced input and output of whatever Outboard processor. Insert Cables are also Re-purposed for a number of other tasks, such as in this video. A common one being splitting out a Stereo headphone jack to separate Mono left and right (or 1 and 2) for any number of reasons. (Recently used that from the TRS Headphone out on an Apollo Twin x, with the volume all the way up (line) into dual TS jacks, patched into the dual TRS- LR inputs on the Stereo channels of an Solid State Logic SiX. The result is a studio grade tracking and mixing system, UA & SSL, in a backpack. (Well, carry-on size Pelican, with iLoud MTMs. Unbelievable. )

[@danieljames4163]

Just found an Ernie ball 6166 at a pawn shop for real cheap and this was super helpful in helping me make my decision to buy it, thank you Josh and co !!

[@Piplodocus]

This "taught" me nothing new I didn't know or haven't tried before. However, it's just inspired me to re-arrange my board to put the volume pedal in the first loop of the switcher. Sometimes my favourite vids are more about inspiring me to do something slightly different to the gear pattern and presumptions I've fallen into and shaking things up a bit. Great jams. Nice sounds. Sweet Tubin'.

Alternative title: How to sell a lot of VP juniors?

[@edalosco583]

Just when I thought I had all the pedals I needed

[@thomas79marshall]

You don't realise how much I need you. Love you all the time and never leave you.

[@marshfire1927]

Thanks a lot! I've been trying to find the right way to control my, mostly clean but occasional effects, Ampeg Rocket sound/tone/VOLUME without using an inline pot and losing the output/tone. I put an EB VPJR in the Effects loop AND IT"S PERFECT! You saved me hours of tinkering, Thank you.

[@stephengarrison172]

I love how they're shouting through the entire effects loop section.

[@kaydot6889]

>baby sleeping >still yelling This dude is such a meme-lord lmao I'm dying

[@andrewkratz226]

Great post Informative Well produced Funny Great playing The swells and bends behind the nut was gorgeous

[@mariuswunder7004]

DUDE! I love your jams!!! Thanks for mentioning

[@briansavage932]

I own a JHS modded ernie ball volume pedal, so I feel like this video applies to me.

[@michaelloomisiii3475]

Since the mod makes the VP Jr active and is now buffered, where is it in your chain? Mine is in at the front after my tuner

[@leftovernoise]

Hey, I see a bunch of sovteks behind you.... I would love to hear about them

[@johnladd5016]

This was too funny. I forgot why I was watching it. Brilliant

[@helter2K10]

Another cool vid - some really genius tips! I got an old giant Morley volume pedal like some industrial Soviet-era beastly thing - now I need a couple of those juniors to chain up a monster option rig that can only be moved by crane. What an effing awesome selection for album - never heard of her but it’s a nostalgic whirlwind for me. I am now compelled to go buy some JHS pedals

[@christianhanley5954]

I think the real question here is....how do those cool sneakers affect the tone of the volume pedal?

[@arsenicjones9125]

“And eat a sandwich. Watch this...” where’s the sandwich JOSH!! Lmao great vid

[@DMSProduktions]

Down AT Subway!

[@nicks9343]

some of the best jams yet. well done.

[@mikaeljohansson83]

Great video as always! But this time your record suggestion really hit home with me🤙 Badass record!

[@mathoumba9126]

Hey Josh, you forgot the Morley Optical Volume. Also the difference between the volume pedal and the 25K, 250K, 500K version... Do I need them all?

[@error8418]

Impedances can make a difference depending on your use case: - High impedance (>200k): Whenever you plug a guitar directly into a volume pedal, so your guitar sees a properly high input impedance. A low impedance pedal would probably make your guitar sound pretty dull here. - Low impedance (~10k): If you're using the volume pedal after any other pedals, buffers or in the fx loop a low impedance pedal is better. A high impedance one would certainly work here but the sweep is likely to be very uneven. - Bonus: Active volume pedals: They have a buffer built in, so it doesn't matter where you place them as long as it's not in front of a vintage fuzz.

[@KrumpusPlunk]

nah when the volume pedal is in the open position, the impedance is next to zero in all cases. the potentiometer just defines how steep the volume ramp is.

[@error8418]

@@KrumpusPlunk There still is a noteworthy impedance to ground, regardless of the pedal's setting. 10k to ground is pretty significant in comparison to the output impedance of a guitar. You can easily try this yourself: Try plugging a guitar (with passive electronics) straight into a 10k volume pedal without any buffers in between and you will notice a difference, i.e., lack of definition and treble.

[@KrumpusPlunk]

@@error8418 I would still argue that the most important aspect is that a bigger potentiometer would give you a steeper volume ramp. how much is the residual R of a pot that's completely open? this can hardly be a bigger factor than the completely open volume pod on the guitar, since those are usually 250k-500k, are they not? also, what's the reason the sweep would be uneven with a high-R volume pedal? also, say we have a 50k and a 200k volume pedal, wouldn't both act exactly the same way if you only used the first quarter of travel on the 200k pedal?

[@error8418]

@@KrumpusPlunk Except the fact that a volume pot is not just a variable resistor but usually works like a variable voltage divider. 500k to ground like you would find in a guitar has much less influence than 10k to ground. And here everything else starts to make a difference as well: The output impedance of whatever is before the volume pedal and the input impedance of whatever follows the volume pedal - we are basically dealing with a LOADED voltage divider here. And therefore, the volume pedal's impedance might result in an uneven sweep. (Also, don't forget the pot's taper.)

[@SlyHikari03]

The fx loop and expression pedal thing was pretty neat. Didn’t know that existed. That was awesome.

[@rustyl.6358]

Enjoyed it, as usual. I have several of these pedals, but I currently use two. Both Jim Dunlop. One is strictly a volume pedal and the other is in expression mode, so an expression pedal.

[@derekdamager7928]

Dude, Josh, how are you doing? Today’s episode has a dimmer feel to your typically bright demeanor. Hope all is well.

[@ryanzarbatany7311]

I use volume pedal to cover violin sounds !

[@philipbrister]

Volume pedal plus a slide, a little ‘verb and delay is so good.

[@BarrySmithviolin]

Sweet!

[@Ndlanding]

I do believe "violining" was invented in the 60s.

[@jakewhite6106]

Big props on one of the best drum sounds I’ve ever heard

[@redroverthefngamecat]

What's cool about the Vertex Boost is that it works as a standard volume pedal with the expression pedal hooked up, even when the boost is turned off. This setup removes tone suck that you can get from a standard volume pedal.

[@tehsamjones]

I love how some of the jams sounded like early 2000s Radiohead

[@notyetskeletal4809]

Damn I have the T.R.S cable with two T.S ends into a EHX Grand Canyon into that same volume pedal and it doesn't work. As soon as I touch the tip on the T.S end it goes silent. My electrician made the cable especially for me. Awwww

[@m.bennett9656]

Nice video guys! I've been using a Electroharmonix Signal Pad to achieve the volume reduction on the FX loop of my amp so I can keep my neighbours happy. You also don't blow out your windows if you accidentally push down on the pedal! Thanks very much for the awesome content. I'm very much looking forward to the Shoegaze episode that you hinted about around Christmas time too! :)

[@johnmoser2689]

Great video Josh nice jams and demos👍😎👍

[@DoNotEatStudios]

The effects loop trick just convinced me that a volume pedal will be my next gear purchase. I tested a Fender Bassbreaker 15 and 007 before deciding which to get, and the distorted tube sound of the 007 was truly magical and I loved it, but ended up getting the 15 anyways because it really just was the more versatile amp with more headroom. Haven't been able to get a lot of my favorite tones out of it at low volume though, so this trick will help so much!

[@jamesperryman6433]

Great episode 👍. I've had an Ernie Ball (big size) for about 18 years and have just bought a EB volume Jr, to try to save on space and weight. Mainly used it for swells but never thought of the fuzz face trick (cos of thinking the FF needs to 1st in the chain). Will definitely swap my pedal order and try it out

[@tungtobak]

That TRS-2xTS in a volume pedal=expression-trick really made me free up some space for my live-pedalboard. I had two volume pedals and an expression pedal, but both volume pedals has double in- and outputs, so now one of them doubles as an expression pedal. Thanks!

[@jhspedals]

Nice!

[@santiagovanegas3812]

That Fuzz Face + volume pedal song is EPIC!

[@jesseshookman8502]

Even though it's kind of been mentioned, I like to do the Michael Landau thing and put a volume pedal after gain pedals, but before time-based effects. ML basically uses it as his version of a master volume, as his amps are pedal platforms. This setup works pretty well!

[@iraevans2013]

Great groove. Thx for the volume fuzz combo ideas