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This instructable details how to modify a wah-wah pedal for use as an expression pedal. It's actually fairly simple, but you need to know how to solder properly, and have basic mechanical ability. Total time: 1 hour. Total cost: $0-$100
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Signing UpStep 1What You Need
Materials
Of course you'll need a wah-wah pedal. I used an original Vox wah from the 1970's. They make a reissue of this pedal that you can buy new for $100 or less. A Dunlop Cry Baby wah is basically the same housing so it will work just as well, and is even cheaper. I've seen them go for as llttle as $20 on eBay and in the pawn shops.
The potentiometer is the toughest item to find. I already had a suitable pot, but I imagine Radio Shack might be a source. You need a 10K ohm pot, such as used for volume/tone controls. The only problem you may have, is finding one with a long enough threaded shaft. It has to be long enough to span the mounting boss in the case with enough protruding to attach washers and nut. Use the stock pot as your guide.
You'll need one or two 1/4 inch stereo jacks, depending on which configuration you choose. Basically you can have just one input jack on one side of the pedal, or you can have an input on either side of the pedal utilizing the stock input/output jack locations. This makes more sense to me, and is how I did it, but you really don't need two jacks. Again, Radio Shack is your friend.
To wire it all up, we want to use shielded two conductor audio cable. You don't need much, probably a foot will be more than enough. I cut what I needed from an old mic cord. Of course you'll need a standard stereo 1/4 inch patch cable to plug the pedal into your controller.
Tools
Basic hand tools; screwdrivers, wrenches and/or sockets, safety glasses.
Soldering iron/gun and 60/40 solder.
Common Sense
Of course you'll need a wah-wah pedal. I used an original Vox wah from the 1970's. They make a reissue of this pedal that you can buy new for $100 or less. A Dunlop Cry Baby wah is basically the same housing so it will work just as well, and is even cheaper. I've seen them go for as llttle as $20 on eBay and in the pawn shops.
The potentiometer is the toughest item to find. I already had a suitable pot, but I imagine Radio Shack might be a source. You need a 10K ohm pot, such as used for volume/tone controls. The only problem you may have, is finding one with a long enough threaded shaft. It has to be long enough to span the mounting boss in the case with enough protruding to attach washers and nut. Use the stock pot as your guide.
You'll need one or two 1/4 inch stereo jacks, depending on which configuration you choose. Basically you can have just one input jack on one side of the pedal, or you can have an input on either side of the pedal utilizing the stock input/output jack locations. This makes more sense to me, and is how I did it, but you really don't need two jacks. Again, Radio Shack is your friend.
To wire it all up, we want to use shielded two conductor audio cable. You don't need much, probably a foot will be more than enough. I cut what I needed from an old mic cord. Of course you'll need a standard stereo 1/4 inch patch cable to plug the pedal into your controller.
Tools
Basic hand tools; screwdrivers, wrenches and/or sockets, safety glasses.
Soldering iron/gun and 60/40 solder.
Common Sense
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I send you a PM but I'm not sure if you received it. I tried your solution to make work a handmade pedal with my PMC-10 but no success. I used a 100k pot and tried everything from programming to your instructable.
I want to use my pedal to send CC messages to a Tc Fireworx or an Axon guitar synth but I can't find a way to do it with the pedal plugged to the continuous controller jacks on the midi board.
When I read your instructable for the 1st time I thought EUREKA!! but I'm now totally dissapointed. The pedal works ok when plugged directly to the multifx unit but no clue bout how to make it work with the PMC-10.
Which pedals do you use? only EV-5? could it be just a problem of pot values?
Any ideas/suggestions/whatever are allowed.
Thanks
Jaime
nopagona(@symbol)yahoo.com
the only doubt in my mind is wether or not the keyboard will accept a potentiometer as valid,
normal keys are momentary swtches..
radio shack