I need a volume pedal for this job. What's a good one? Powered? Never used one. Advice needed...
Volume Pedal
- Thread starter Inspector #20
- Start date
It depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
If you simply want to reduce volume, while having a minimal effect on gain, use a powered pedal, such as a Morley Little Alligator, in the effects loop.
Dave Sloven
Ambassador of DOOM!
I have a Little Alligator. The sweep is a bit odd, sort of all or nothing. Apparently you can modify them to fix that. It is active and mono, and cannot be used as an expression pedal.
I also have a Boss FV-500L. I like it, but I mainly use it as an expression pedal. It is a low impedance pedal designed to go after a buffer, for example in your effects loop. They also make a FV-500H, which is designed to go out front like a wah. They are both passive. The FV-500L can also be used in stereo; the FV-500H is mono. Both Boss pedals have a tuner output jack on the side and an expression jack (TRS).
If you have the pedal in the effects loop it will control the power amp volume. If you have it out front it will control the gain level.
Personally I'd recommend the FV-500L if you want it for swells etc. Put it between modulation and delays. If you end up not using it for volume you can always use it as an expression pedal.
I also have a Boss FV-500L. I like it, but I mainly use it as an expression pedal. It is a low impedance pedal designed to go after a buffer, for example in your effects loop. They also make a FV-500H, which is designed to go out front like a wah. They are both passive. The FV-500L can also be used in stereo; the FV-500H is mono. Both Boss pedals have a tuner output jack on the side and an expression jack (TRS).
If you have the pedal in the effects loop it will control the power amp volume. If you have it out front it will control the gain level.
Personally I'd recommend the FV-500L if you want it for swells etc. Put it between modulation and delays. If you end up not using it for volume you can always use it as an expression pedal.
Dave Sloven
Ambassador of DOOM!
In terms of volume pedals to put out front, I've been wanting to try this one
OP
Hey, Guys! Thank you so much for replying! You bring up great points. I want to control volume without lessening my gain...so I assume the put volume pedal in the loop and delay in front of amp...or???
I need to drop and raise my volume without affecting gain levels. Right now, I'm turning down the guitar and its killing my sound...
I need to drop and raise my volume without affecting gain levels. Right now, I'm turning down the guitar and its killing my sound...
Delay in the loop after the volume pedal....unless you want to cut off your delay tails.
Dave Sloven
Ambassador of DOOM!
Put the volume pedal in the loop, delay and reverb after it.
You will need either a low impedance passive pedal or an active pedal.
You will need either a low impedance passive pedal or an active pedal.
Last edited:
That's the same one I have.
OP
This is the kind of data I need. Thanks, Don!
OP
So, only a powered pedal will not reduce gain???
I saw this one, but know nothing about them...Ernie Ball VP Jr 250K Volume Pedal For Passive Electronics
I saw this one, but know nothing about them...Ernie Ball VP Jr 250K Volume Pedal For Passive Electronics
OP
So, would something like an EB MVP or a Yamaha FC-7 work without reducing gain if used in the loop???
OP
I saw a BOSS FV-30L (low impedance) and a FV-30H (high impedance) too.,...
Last edited:
It’s more than being active or passive. It’s also where you place it. Going into the front of the amp will have a similar result to turning down your guitar volume knob, reducing gain into the amp. Putting the pedal in the loop avoids this as it is after the main gain stages.
A powered pedal also has a very low output impedance but a very high input impedance. This essentially functions as a buffer and makes the pedal more transparent to your signal.
I have that same Ernie Ball pedal. Even in the loop it affects the signal somewhat. You lose a little presence. My Morley pedal is very transparent to the signal.
It’s more than being active or passive. It’s also where you place it. Going into the front of the amp will have a similar result to turning down your guitar volume knob, reducing gain into the amp. Putting the pedal in the loop avoids this as it is after the main gain stages.
A powered pedal also has a very low output impedance but a very high input impedance. This essentially functions as a buffer and makes the pedal more transparent to your signal.
I have that same Ernie Ball pedal. Even in the loop it affects the signal somewhat. You lose a little presence. My Morley pedal is very transparent to the signal.
ChasFred
Ambassador of Smooth Operations
ChasFred
Ambassador of Smooth Operations
Did you do the mod suggested by Scott Grove?
OP
?????
ChasFred
Ambassador of Smooth Operations
If I recall correctly, the Morley is an optical interface, but has a short sweep. Scott shows how to fix the sweep.