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HD500x compatability with External Vol/Exp Pedals (Need Advice)


kkaustin
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Hi fellow Line 6 owners, I purchased an hd500x several months ago for live use as the lead guitar player at our local church. I am very very impressed with the hd500x. It is by far the best multi fx unit I've had the pleasure of using.

 

After searching multiple forums/posts I've come to you veterans for any advice or experience that you would be so kind to offer.

 

I use the line 6 ex-1 exp pedal for volume and swells. I run it into the hd500x's "Pedal 2" input. It has great sound, but as many players have found, it isn't very good in the pedal-travel and durability department. So I thought, I'm gonna buy a heavier volume pedal with better travel/volume ratio.

 

So after several hours of research I decided to try the Morley PVO+ Volume Plus Pedal. My error, I've found, is that it isn't compatible when plugged into the "Pedal 2" input on the hd500x. So I tried running my guitar into the morley, then from the morley into to the "guitar in" input on the hd500x. It works, but with inferior sound quality as compared to the ex-1 (Pedal 2 input). Not to mention I'm not impressed with it's volume taper, even after being "adjusted" multiple times with indiscernible results.

 

So, my dilemma lies in finding a new external pedal to run into the (Pedal 2) input for volume and swells. Does anyone know of any well built pedals that are "compatible" to our beloved hd500x and its software? Any owners out there with success using other brands of volume or exp pedals in the (Pedal 2) input?

 

I've read the forums and only found the Mission Engineering EP1-L6 For Line 6. Its nice and all, but $130? If that is my only option I'm inclined to stick with the ex-1.

 

Thank you for patiently reading my lengthy post. Any advice or shared experiences would be very valuable to me as well as greatly appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

kkaustin

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Volume or wah pedals don't work as controllers, only expression pedals (which don't have inputs or outputs but a TRS jack or cable) are compatible. I've used the Yamaha EP1, Boss FV5 and Ensonic CVP1, cheap on the used market yet effective for the purpose, except they are made of plastic. Line6 offers the EX1, which is kind of crappy. Sometimes I need to stand on the expression pedal  while I do something else with my other foot so I moved to metal chassis alternatives. Earnie Ball offers an expression pedal for around 120 bucks. EHX developed a so called Next-Step EXP with no moving parts (a big flaw), it came bundled with a HOG2 synth pedal I bought recently and it sucks balls, it requires 9v current and that somehow interferes with the HD500X firmware, the screen starts blinking and garbling, go for a passive alternative. 

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Wow, thanks so much Just Startin'. That really helped immensley, as well as cleared up my understanding of expression pedals.

Very much appreciated!  :D

 

Does anyone else have particular favorites for (hd500x compatible) solid construction expression pedals that work well for swells?

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Thanks for the extra info Just Startin', I've considered the options. I'm increasing my price range to over $100. 

I checked out the ernie ball thats on sale. I use both passive and active pickup guitars, would that be compatible with my active pickups? 

 

The boss pedal looks quite nice too. I know it sounds stupid, but I keep going back to the Mission Engineering Pedal, partly because its licensed for line 6 products, but also because its built like a tank.

 

I appreciate all the advice.

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I have the EP1-L6 and use it with an HD500X. You are correct about it being built like a tank.

 

However, if you go with this pedal, be aware that there is a 'dead spot' on the pedal (not the pedals fault). The last 1/4" or so of travel doesn't do anything, it's dead. It can be fixed by adding 19.5K Ohms of resistance across the used terminals of the 10K pot in the EP1-L6, or across the conductors of a cable that you're going to use to connect to the HD500X.

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