From k2mojo@groovedaddies.com Sun Jul 10 15:59:10 2005
Subject:EV-5 as a boost (was: how many volume pedals)

Like Larry, I do the same thing, in that I use a Roland/Boss EV-5 with my Roland RS-9 synth (used as a controller for a Kurzweil
PC2R) as a 'volume boost' for when I switch from piano comping to soloing and I don't have a soundman (or a soundman I don't trust
to pay attention). The EV-5 works well for this because it's relatively small and it has a variable 'minimum volume level' pot on
the side. With the pedal pressed in the up position (or what would normally be no sound) I set the volume pot at about 80% and then
adjust the level on my rack mixer for how loud I want to be that night. Then when I need a little boost I kick the EV-5 on full and
I get just enough gain for soloing, and since I'm not trying to adjust the pedal for somewhere in-between full and off, I can do
this quickly. I've looked for a footswitch to do this same thing, but most guitar-type boost boxes would also change the tone and
they're usually not in stereo either. With the EV-5 all I'm doing is turning up the volume a little via MIDI CC. Since all my
acoustic piano sounds originate back in my rack unit, I position the keybed of my Electro2 directly above the control panel of the
RS-9 which makes adjusting the volume control knob on the RS-9 impossible, and which is where the EV-5 comes in handy.
Relying on just using the piano's natural velocity dynamics to bring up a solo might work fine in a jazz trio format, but it doesn't
work nearly as well in a loud 6-piece R&B/Rock band.
Since we're on the subject, and for anybody who's interested, here's what I currently use for pedals. The Electro2 has two Yamaha
FC5 momentary (unlatched) footpedals for rotary F/S and sustain, and a Roland/Boss EV-10 for expression. The RS-9 has one FC5 for
sustain and the EV-5 for volume boost. All pedals are neon color-coded so that I can see what is what in a dim light. The EV-10 is
a much sturdier all-metal version of the EV-5, but with a longer throw - it feels a lot better to me, but it does take up a larger
"footprint" than the EV-5. Roland has discontinued them, but you can still find them on eBay. The Yamaha FC5 is the best "cheap"
momentary/sustain pedal I've ever found. It's low to the ground, and also has an all-metal casing and can handle my full weight
(which since I play standing and I weigh in at 275, metal casing is important to me). I found a local supply that sells them for
$12, so I've stocked up on a lot of these and just keep them around in all the different places I might need a pedal. The Yamaha
FC5 works just fine with no modification with all my Kurzweil, Roland, and Clavia keyboards (but not with my children's Casio
WK1800's).

Ed Fliege
k2mojo@groovedaddies.com

----- Original Message -----
> electric piano to be helpful. I would use the keyboard touch for
> dynamics and accents, for going between comping and soloing the volume
> pedal was helpful, especially if there is no sound person running the
> mixing board.