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Difference between expression pedal and footswitch

alexpigment
March 10th, 2010, 11:56 AM
I posted about this in the amp forum, but didn't get a response, so maybe someone here knows a little bit more about it:

I bought a single-button footswitch from GC and it doesn't work with my Line 6 M13 as I had hoped. I wanted to use it as a heel-or-toe-only expression pedal so that I could switch between different gain or output levels on my OD without any gradients that a normal expression pedal would give. I can tell that it picks up a heel position, but it doesn't pick up a toe. In other words, it off or heel. Oddly enough, the left button on my amp's footswitch works great with it. It's a stereo cable that has switches for channel and boost.

Does anyone know what the difference is in the functionality of these two pedals? Is it possible that there's an easy solder fix on the GC pedal for what I'm trying to do? For reference, here's a youtube video of a guy who made one for his Line 6 M9:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY3RbpDVmvQ

And here's a link for the footswitch I bought:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Live-Wire-Solutions-LWS21-Universal-Latching-Footswitch-104208756-i1323844.gc

crossroader
March 10th, 2010, 02:21 PM
Did you try emailing the guy who made that YT video?

He mentions that he's plugging a mono cable into a stereo jack, so he's likely doing something with that second connection inside his little box.

I'd take a peek inside your amp footswitch and see how it's different from the Live Wire (assuming you can get inside them without breaking anything, of course).

I'm pretty sure the Live Wire switch is mono-only, which MIGHT mean you can't do what you want with it.
Good luck!

alexpigment
March 10th, 2010, 06:07 PM
Well I emailed the guy. I really hadn't considered doing it because he's selling a product, and it seems kind of odd to ask someone technical details about their product that you're not going to buy :) . Anyway, hope he's cool about it.

ksks
March 12th, 2010, 03:12 PM
If you can't solve the mystery via email, why not return your switch, take the cash and add $10 and get the unit in question?

crossroader
March 13th, 2010, 01:40 AM
"Anyway, hope he's cool about it."

Hey, worst case he tries to sell you one of his pedals.
And if the Live Wire switch won't work for, you can implement the plan ksks suggests and take the guy up on his offer.