EXP2 Compatibility

[802.11Guitar]

Hello all!

So, I´ve upgraded from a Zoom G3 to a GX-100 and I had my Zoom FP02M external pedal that I wanted to use with my new GX-100.

It just doesn´t work. It has very small and erratic range when using it with Boss.

Since I´m a bedroom guitar aficionado, I will have my GX-100 sit on my desk like 99.9% of the time.  So I bought a FS-1-WL thinking on having that on the floor with my Boss FS-6 and Zoom FS02M attached, that way I would have 5 switches and an expression pedal. The problem is the Zoom expression pedal. It is apparently not compatible with Boss products. I´ve tried it attaching it to the EXP connection on the FS-1-WL and to the EXP2 on the GX-100 and the range is not working fine.


Correct me if I´m wrong, but seems like on the Boss EV-5 there are 2 potentiometers:
https://www.synthxl.com/roland-ev-5/

And on the Zoom FS02M there is just one.

Also, as per this page the polarity of has to be reversed to make it work:
http://expressionpedals.com/matching-pedal-brand-to-effect-brand

Has anyone had experience with this? I don´t have a solder at home, so I´m thinking of purchasing 2 cables to reverse the polarity:

1.- Male TRS to 2 Male TS
2.- TS Female to 1 Male TRS


What do you think, it is a stupid solution and I should just sell the Zoom Expression pedal and purchase a Boss EV-5?





 

[Elantric]

Review this EXPRESSION  PEDAL thread
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=33.0

The Zoom Expression  is not compatible with Roland/ Boss gear.

[802.11Guitar]

Thank you very much Elantric! Excellent thread!

[Elantric]

Thank you very much Elantric! Excellent thread!

Measure the DC resistance of your zoom expression pedal and post

I recall its 100k ohm

Many sites document the Zoom Expression pedal - but they omit the DC Resistance

https://ashbass.com/AshBassGuitar/Zoom/index.html?xpr-fp-01.html

[802.11Guitar]

Measure the DC resistance of your zoom expression pedal and post

I recall its 100k ohm

I think you are right, it shows about 100k but I´m not sure if my measures make any sense. I measured with the pedal on MAX and MIN possitions:

TIP to SLEEVE:

• MAX: 98K8
• MIN: 98K9

RING to SLEEVE

• MAX: 99k Ohm
• MIN: 6,8 Ohm

TIP to RING

• MAX: 128.1 Ohm
• MIN: 98K9 Ohm

Many sites document the Zoom Expression pedal - but they omit the DC Resistance

https://ashbass.com/AshBassGuitar/Zoom/index.html?xpr-fp-01.html

Thank you Elantric, I saw that link as well. Mine is a newer version, made of metal with a single female jack, and no additional potentiometer. I also saw this:

http://expressionpedals.com/matching-pedal-brand-to-effect-brand

[Boisdelac]

The Boss expression pedals work as a voltage divider. They do have 3 wires connected to a Potentiometer and a 1/4" TRS connector ....hot, slider of the pot and GND. The exact value of the resistor is not very important (100k ... 50k doesn't matter)

Other expression pedals (e.g. for Kemper or Line 6) work as an adjustable resistor, connected only via a two wire cable. These pedals are not compatible to the Boss modellers and effects.

[Elantric]

The Boss expression pedals work as a voltage divider. They do have 3 wires connected to a Potentiometer and a 1/4" TRS connector ....hot, slider of the pot and GND. The exact value of the resistor is not very important (100k ... 50k doesn't matter)

Other expression pedals (e.g. for Kemper or Line 6) work as an adjustable resistor, connected only via a two wire cable. These pedals are not compatible to the Boss modellers and effects.

Totally disagree about the value of the expression potentiometer resistor having no relevance to the correct Expression pedal operation with Roland Boss Gear (which requires 10k linear potentiometer)

If this value were irrelevant  There would be 99% fewer complaints on why third party expression pedals do not work correctly on Boss gear.

If your rewired Zoom pedal works 100% with your random Boss product , its a fluke. Remember Roland / Boss rarely provides an  External Expression pedal re- Calibration function - and why they state in their product manuals " must use a Roland EV-5, equivalent expression pedal from Roland /Boss

Review this EXPRESSION  PEDAL thread for workarounds and mods, and  list of third party expression pedals that do work
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=33.0

[gumtown]

When I tried the MOOG EP2
which if I recall, has a potentiometer value at around 250k ohm, didn't work very well.
 I couldn't work the full pedal range properly and didn't work in a linear fashion.

Which might be OK for Volume control,
 but didn't do it for me when programming in more precise Assigned ranges for effect control. 

[Boisdelac]

I still strongly believe that the incompatibility lies not in the different resistance values, but in the different type of connection