Top 18 Best Keyboard And Guitar Expression Pedals Reviews (Updated)

Expression pedals are utilized by guitarists, keyboard players, and music makers to control electronic music hardware. They’re similar to a remote handle you control with your foot. Digital intensifiers, rack gear, step boxes, keyboards, and MIDI controllers would all be able to sound all the more fascinating with an expression pedal or two.

The best expression pedals work with gadgets that incorporate a devoted expression pedal info or MIDI control input. Most digital amps and very good quality impacts acknowledge an expression pedal for control of volume, wah, “whammy,” and so forth. What’s more, some top of the line step boxes (Source Audio, Strymon, Pigtronix, and Eventide, for instance) permit pedal control of different parameters, for example, reverb or defer time or tremolo speed.

Some expression pedals are intended to be utilized with the organization’s own instruments or impacts. Right now, pedal probably won’t work appropriately with other gear brands. Not just that, a few pedals guarantee to have additional functions, including volume control, wah, and modulation. Now and then this is valid, and in some cases not.

We’ve picked an exceptionally wide selection of expression pedals, basically ever significant brand in addition to a couple of cloud ones. They all control expression similarly, varying primarily in size, form quality, bonus features, and cost.

We’ll begin by looking at a few “unadulterated” expression pedals that have no other function.

This review will investigate every one of these questions and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. And afterward we’ll review not only a chose Top Ten rundown of expression pedals, yet for all intents and purposes each pedal accessible. We’ll reveal to you how they think about, and whether a specific model you’re considering is probably going to work appropriately for you.

Top 3 Expression Pedals

Nektar NX-P Expression Pedal

The Nektar NX-P Universal Expression Pedal gives you great functionality at a low cost. It has an extremity switch on the base, so it’s good with for all intents and purposes any expression input. There’s additionally an affectability control on the side to adjust the response.

The NX-P is a full-size pedal, 8.3 x 3 x 2 inches, in a hard plastic case. Rocker development is smooth and strong. The appended 6-foot TRS link feels somewhat slender. Whenever treated with care, it should hold up on stage, however you can’t simply connect a substitution link in the event that it breaks. On the in addition to side, it’s exceptionally modest.

• PROS
  1. Extremely minimal effort.
  2. Extremity switch.
• CONS
  1. Plastic case.
  2. Hard-wired link is moderately short.

M-Audio EX-P Universal Expression Pedal

Another very financially savvy option is the M-Audio EX-P. It incorporates an extremity switch on the base for similarity with most gadgets with an expression input, including Yamaha gear. There’s likewise a trim pot to change affectability.

The EX-P has a formed plastic case that is a moderately enormous 10 x 4.2 x 2.2 inches. The TRS link is hard-wired.

• PROS
  1. Exceptionally cheap.
  2. Extremity switch for Yamaha position.
• CONS
  1. Hard-wired link.

Moog EP-3 Expression Pedal

Moog Music has gained notoriety for quality returning over 50 years, and the EP-3 Expression Pedal doesn’t frustrate. It’s emphatically worked, with a recently designed and creative cam framework for amazingly smooth rocker development. It incorporates is an extremity switch and a versatile yield handle.

The EP-3 is an enormous pedal, 12 x 4 x 3.2 inches. It ships with a 6.5-foot TRS link, however a longer one will work fine.

• PROS
  1. Extremity switch and alteration handle.
  2. Smooth cam framework action.
  3. Separable yield link.
• CONS
  1. May be too large for some pedalboards.

Best 15 Expression Pedals

Zoom FP02M Expression Pedal

The Zoom FP02M is another amazing expression pedal. Utilized with a Zoom guitar or bass, it can control volume, wah, pitch, and a few impacts parameters. Since it’s advanced for Zoom gear, it does exclude an extremity switch or range alteration handle.

The all-aluminum case is 9.5 x 4 x 2.8 inches and is appealingly designed. This is sufficiently little to fit on most pedal sheets yet at the same time huge enough for smooth operation while standing. It has a 1/4-inch TRS jack and incorporates a 12-foot connecting link.

• PROS
  1. Alluring aluminum frame.
  2. Separable link.
• CONS
  1. No extremity switch or range control.

Roland EV-5 Expression Pedal

The Roland EV-5 expression pedal is determinedly assembled. What’s more, it’s Roland’s reputation for quality that makes this preferably essential pedal increasingly costly over different brands with more features.

It doesn’t give an extremity switch or range alteration. Additionally, it accompanies a hard-wired 6-foot link, as opposed to a jack to connect a stronger link or one of an alternate length.

The case is plastic, 7.9 x 3.4 x 2.2 inches.

• PROS
  1. Strong form quality.
• CONS
  1. Hard-wired yield link.
  2. Not extremity switch or change control.
  3. More costly than comparable models.

Yamaha FC7 Volume Expression Pedal

The Yamaha FC7 is improved to work with Yamaha keyboards or their DG Series speakers, so it’s a protected decision if that is your intention. It will generally work with other rigging, however the response bend probably won’t be perfect.

The 9.8 x 4.6 x 2.3-inch case is plastic, with a connected 5-foot link. No extremity switch or range change handle is given. The pedal edge and spring point are customizable. A metal connecting plate lets you truly connect a few pedals together.

• PROS
  1. Attachment and-play straightforwardness for Yamaha gadgets.
• CONS
  1. May not work appropriately with different brands.
  2. Short, hard-wired link.

Line 6 EX-1 Expression Pedal

The Line 6 EX-1 is the perfect pedal to use with the Line 6 M5 Stompbox Modeler, AX2 demonstrating guitar amp, and comparative items. The yield jack (strangely named “input”) is a 1/4-inch TS connection, so it’s not good with other gear.

The case is dark plastic, 9.5 x 4 x 2.8 inches.

• PROS
  1. Incredible for Line 6 items.
• CONS
  1. Inconsistent with different brands.

MeloAudio EXP-001 Volume Expression Pedal

In spite of how it’s promoted, the EXP-001 Pedal is a standard expression pedal, however it tends to be utilized to control volume, wah, or whatever other parameter that a gadget makes accessible. It’s little, 5.5 x 2.2 x 2 inches, with an aluminum case, and gauges a negligible 13 ounces.

Regardless of its size, the EXP-001’s rocker has a smooth, damped action. The rocker waits in the event that you lift your foot.

There’s no calibration control or extremity switch. A 6-foot TRS link is incorporated.

• PROS
  1. Metal case.
  2. Little and lightweight.
  3. Damped action.
• CONS
  1. Little pedal may not be agreeable to utilize when standing.
  2. No range calibration control or extremity switch.

MOOER Expline Expression Pedal

The MOOER Expline is one of the littlest best expression pedal reviewed, only 5 x 2.2 x 1.9 inches. Be that as it may, it offers a couple of astonishments. The rocker stage has overlap out ring stirrups to give a longer surface to your foot, helpful for sparing space on your pedal board.

It likewise has pressure turns on the rocker that turn the pedal on consequently when you step on it. A status LED tells you the pedal is dynamic.

The Expline has an all-metal case and gives two I/O jacks. These are wired diversely to oblige various gauges, however they do exclude a calibration control. One TRS link is incorporated.

An outside 9-volt power source is required. The Expline incorporates a 4-year guarantee.

• PROS
  1. All metal case.
  2. Creative conservative design with overlap out stirrups.
  3. On-off weight switches.
  4. Double organization wiring.
• CONS
  1. Force supply required.
  2. No calibration control.
  3. More costly than numerous different models.

BOSS EV-30 Dual Expression Pedal

The Boss EV-30 Dual Expression pedal has a smaller design, simply 7.5 x 3.2 x 2.33 inches. In any case, it has the smooth feel of a full-size pedal in light of its inventive mechanical design. The skeleton is kick the bucket cast aluminum.

With double yields, each with a control to change the range, you can without much of a stretch control two gadgets at once. The yields are separated, killing the chance of ground circle commotion.

Each yield has an extremity switch and a calibration control, making the EV-30 perfect with a wide scope of music gear.

• PROS
  1. Double confined yields.
  2. Extremity switches and calibration for the two yields.
  3. Metal case.
• CONS
  1. Progressively costly.

Digitech K-00691991006555 Expression Pedal

The DOD Mini Expression Pedal by DigiTech is surely little: 5 x 3 x 2.4 inches. However it’s designed to have a similar vibe and toss as pedals twice as large.

A 3-way switch guarantees similarity with each gadget position: TRS (25K pot), RTS (25K), and TS (10K). There’s no range modification pot. It has a 1/4-inch TRS yield jack so you can utilize your own link.

Digitech promotes that this pedal features “tough all-steel construction and apparatus drive,” which infers that the riggings are steel. Truth be told, they’re plastic, and a few clients have detailed issues with them breaking.

• PROS
  1. Steel case.
  2. Extremely conservative.
  3. Good with all expression groups.
• CONS
  1. Apparatuses may come up short.
  2. Costly.

Source Audio SA161 Dual Expression Pedal

In the event that you need superior, the Source Audio SA161 Dual Expression pedal might be what you’re searching for. It features double confined TRS expression yields so you can control two impacts simultaneously. These yields are wired for the standard “tip-hot” standard, and no extremity switch is given. One yield incorporates a range modification control to set the low finish of the expression extend.

In addition, the SA161 gives a 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) 4-conductor TRRS sensor yield that connects straightforwardly to Source Audio Soundblox, Soundblox Pro, and One Series pedals.

The SA161 has a tough cast aluminum lodging that is 10 x 4 x 3 inches. Fabricate quality is magnificent. It ships with a 1/4-inch TRS link and a 3.5mm sensor yield link.

A few models are sold as “2 of every 1” pedals. Contingent upon how they’re connected, they can function either as an expression controller or as a traditional sound volume pedal.

• PROS
  1. Solid aluminum case.
  2. Double expression yields.
  3. TRRS connector and link for Source Audio pedals.
• CONS
  1. No extremity switch.
  2. Costly.

Donner 2 in 1 Viper Mini Passive Volume Expression Pedal

We recorded these together in light of the fact that they’re basically indistinguishable, made in China, and provided to various organizations. Pick the shading or brand you like, look at the best cost, or get one of each, so you have a shading coded set.

In any case, this pedal functions either as a standard sound volume control in your belongings chain, or as an expression pedal for a digital enhancer or impact. Connecting a sound link to the 1/4-inch input jack changes to the pedal’s 100K logarithmic pot to control volume. With no information and a TRS link connected to an expression input, the 10K pot gets dynamic.

These pedals have a moderately little impression at 6 x 2.7 x 2.4 inches. This can be a weakness in the event that you need the better control of a longer pedal. On the other hand, it’s anything but difficult to fit at least one on a pedal load up to include continuous control over impacts settings.

The case is made of hard plastic, which appears to be strong enough for home studio use however may break in the long run until the pressure of live execution. The pedal action feels smooth and not clingy.

• PROS
  1. Double function as a volume or expression pedal.
  2. Smaller impression fits effectively on a pedal board.
  3. Modest.
• CONS
  1. Little size gives less control than a bigger pedal.
  2. Plastic case.

14 Korg EXP-2 Expression Pedal

Korg EXP-2 Expression Pedal

The Korg EXP-2 Foot Controller (Korg’s wording) is a double function volume and expression pedal. With input 1 and yield 1, it’s a traditional in-line volume pedal. Yield 2 is for expression control. Both can be dynamic simultaneously.

The hard plastic case estimates 7.87 x 3.42 x 2.3 inches, somewhat littler than most “full-size” pedals.

On the side, a slider lets you change the base expression control voltage. The EXP-2 does exclude an extremity switch. It ships with a 1/4-inch TRS link.

• PROS
  1. Concurrent volume and expression control.
  2. Range alteration slider.
• CONS
  1. No extremity switch.
  2. More costly than some comparable models.

BOSS FV-500H Volume Expression Pedal

The Boss FV-500H is stacked with features and worked to last. It serves as a guitar volume or expression control pedal, and there’s a different tuner yield so you can tune with the pedal volume off.

This is a major pedal, 11.4 x 4.4 x 2.9 inches, with a hard core cast aluminum body. You can set the vibe of the pedal with a modification screw on the base board with a Phillips screwdriver. At the point when utilized as either a volume or expression pedal, you can set the base yield with a calibration pot.

The “H” in the model number methods it has a high impedance sound contribution for a guitar. Manager additionally makes a FV-500L, a low-impedance sound system model increasingly reasonable for keyboards.

• PROS
  1. Movable pedal feel.
  2. Exceptionally strong construction.
  3. Alteration control for volume or expression.
• CONS
  1. No expression extremity switch.

Dunlop DVP3 Volume (X) 250k Ohm Resistance Volume Expression Pedal

This is a helpful pack that incorporates the Dunlop DVP3 Volume (X) combination volume and expression pedal, in addition to a lot of links. The DVP3 utilizes Dunlop’s patent-pending Band Drive innovation for smoother and completely flexible rocker action.

It’s a full-size pedal, 10 x 3.9 x 2.6 inches, with a strong aluminum body. It gives a high-impedance sound information and sound yield for guitar or bass, a different expression yield, and a different tuner yield that sidesteps the pedal pot.

A calibration control lets you change the base expression level. You can likewise turn around the function of the heel-down and toe-down positions with an inner switch.

Remembered for this pack are two short links with 1/4-inch TS right-point connectors to configure the DVP3 as a volume pedal on your board, and two 10-foot instrument links. Strangely, a TRS link for express isn’t given.

• PROS
  1. Band drive with flexible feel.
  2. Separate tuner out.
  3. Change to invert pedal operation.
• CONS
  1. No extremity switch.
  2. TRS link for expression excluded.

Dunlop DVP4 Volume Expression Pedal

The DVP4 Mini Volume (X) is Dunlop’s most up to date volume/expression pedal contribution. It’s a scaled down pedal, 6 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches, with a similar style of durable aluminum case and Low-Friction Band Drive with movable tension as its elder sibling.

Similarly as with the DVP3, there’s a control to set the base volume or expression voltage, and an interior switch lets you invert the pedal response. The DVP4 is controlled by a 9-volt outer force source.

• PROS
  1. Finaly, this pedal does everything.

Hotone Soul Press 3 in 1 Mini Volume/Wah/Expression Effects Pedal

The Hotone (it’s pronounced “hot one,” in the event that you wondered) Soul Press, isn’t only an expression and volume control yet in addition a genuine wah pedal. A slide switch on the side chooses the working mode.

As a volume pedal, it’s a functioning circuit with genuine detour that helps safeguard your tone. A range alteration control lets you set a base worth. The wah circuit depends on the sound of Dunlop’s Cry Baby.

The Soul Press is really a smaller than normal pedal, at simply 5.43 x 2.46 x 2 inches and an insignificant 12 ounces. Utilized as a volume or wah pedal, it requires a 9-volt battery or outer force.

• PROS
  1. Extremely smaller.
  2. Dynamic volume circuit.
  3. Range alteration.
  4. Three pedals in one.
• CONS
  1. Smaller than expected pedal, consequently, less agreeable to go through standing.

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Best Expression Pedals Buying Guide

How Does A Best Expression Pedal Work?

An expression pedal has a top board, normally called a rocker, that is fixed close to one end and swivels here and there. Appended to the base of the rocker is an arm that is connected at the opposite end to a potentiometer shaft. Moving the rocker all over turns the pot, which is wired to a yield jack or link.

A low voltage goes through the link from the gadget being controlled, through the pedal’s pot and retreat to the yield. Moving the rocker changes the pot’s opposition, and in this way the measure of control voltage returned. The impact utilizes this voltage to decide the setting of whatever parameter is being controlled.

• No Power

An expression pedal is an inactive gadget. It requires no capacity to work since the controlled gadget supplies the control voltage. Not at all like a traditional volume pedal, there’s no sound information or yield on an “unadulterated” expression pedal.

Expression pedals are not quite the same as Control Voltage (CV) pedals. Those are dynamic gadgets that create a control voltage inside from a battery or outer force supply. A CV pedal can harm a gadget that is not designed to utilize one. In case you’re in question, read the manual!

Lamentably, no standard exists for expression pedal information sources. Rigging producers utilize a wide range of frameworks that occasionally make it hard to locate a perfect pedal for a specific gadget.

Here are some conceivable similarity issues:

• Potentiometer Values

Most gadgets work best with an expression pedal potentiometer opposition of roughly 5,000 to 50,000 ohms (5 – 50K). Some gear requires an a lot higher obstruction esteem, up to 500K. A pedal with the wrong opposition can have a constrained range or have a lopsided response, or not work by any means.

• Potentiometer Taper

A pot’s decrease portrays how the opposition changes as the pole turns, and the wiper moves from one outrageous to the next. A direct decrease pot has an opposition that changes at a constant rate all through its range. Most expression pedals have direct decrease pots.

In contrast, a volume control pedal for the most part has a logarithmic decrease, where the obstruction changes gradually toward one side and quicker at the other (in light of the fact that sound tumult is logarithmic). This is one reason why a volume pedal doesn’t work very well for expression. Some wah pedals have invert log pots, and they don’t function admirably either.

• Pedal Wiring

Potentiometers have three connections. The Wiper (W) connection is in the center. Clockwise (CW) connects as far as possible of the resistive strip nearest to where the wiper is the point at which it’s turned as far as possible up. Furthermore, Counter-clockwise (CCW) connects to the opposite finish of the strip.

The most common expression pedal wiring connects the pot to a 1/4-inch sound system TRS jack, with W at the tip, CCW at the ring, and CW at the sleeve.

On the other hand, the tip and ring can be exchanged. A pedal wired along these lines wouldn’t work in a gadget expecting the other configuration since it would consistently send zero volts to the gadget. A few pedals furnish an extremity change to work with the two organizations.

There are much more options

Another plan connects both W and CCW to the tip and CW to the sleeve of a mono 1/4-inch TS link, similar to an ordinary guitar link.

At long last, at any rate one expression pedal reviewed yields two control voltages at the same time through a 1/8-inch TRRS link.

Pedals change extraordinarily by they way they’re constructed. The best units have aluminum cases rather than plastic. Additionally, less expensive units may have the yield link effectively hard-wired to the pedal. In the event that it breaks, supplanting the link is a non-trifling fix.

• Mechanical Issues

Most expression pedals utilize a mechanical way to tackle the direct development of the rocker to turn the potentiometer. Normally, this is a rack and apparatus system. Then again it may utilize a metal or Kevlar band. Some permit you to alter the firmness to suit your style.

Universally useful pots that are turned by hand are unacceptable for expression pedals, for a few reasons. Pedal pots must withstand the pressure of a foot-worked rocker.

Additionally, customary pots turn somewhere in the range of 270 and 320 degrees. A pedal pot’s full rotation needs to definitely coordinate the rocker’s movement to abstain from losing some portion of the pot’s range or harming the pedal system. That is the reason pedals have exceptional, increasingly costly pots explicitly designed for that reason.

• Calibration

Numerous expression pedals incorporate an additional affectability control that lets you change the response to coordinate the controlled gadget or to restrict the range. For instance, possibly you need the full development a pedal to change the control voltage from 50 to 100 percent.

• Combination Pedals

A few pedals can be utilized as either a sound volume pedal or an expression pedal. They incorporate a mono information jack. Embeddings a sound link or moving a switch makes the pedal change to a high-obstruction logarithmic-decrease pot. The sound sign is steered to the yield jack, which is connected to your amp or the following pedal in your chain.

Something else, the pedal’s straight pot is connected, and it works like an ordinary expression pedal, with the TRS yield connect with your impact. These “2-in-1” pedals are increasingly adaptable yet cost somewhat more.

A few pedals equivocally guarantee to be “volume/expression/wah.” One pedal we’ve reviewed does undoubtedly have a worked in wah function, and it very well may be changed to fill in as a volume, wah, or expression control pedal. Some others making a similar case as just expression pedals, however they can be connected to perfect rigging to remotely control any of those parameters.

Conclusion

Need some other incredible pedals for your board? Obviously, you do, all guitarists do, that is the reason we play! So look at our revies of the Best Phaser Pedals, the Best Analog Delay Pedals, the Best EQ Pedals, the Best Boost Pedal, and the Best Tremolo Pedals as of now accessible.

Do you need a traditional full-size expression pedal that occupies more room however gives you more noteworthy control? In case you’re a keyboardist, the appropriate response is most likely “Yes.” But as a guitarist, possibly you need a reduced pedalboard with smaller than normal pedals, perhaps ones that play out numerous assignments.

Likewise, do you need a best expression pedal that serves as a volume control? Odds are, you won’t switch functions during a gig, however a 2-in-1 pedal is increasingly adaptable in the studio. Furthermore, if your arrangement transforms, you can re-reason a pedal from compression to volume or the other way around.