GeneralDisarray Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 I'm looking for a cheap temporary way to get an expression pedal, two if possible. One of my two audio interfaces, the old M-Audio M-Track Plus, has a 5 pin MIDI input. I'm not totally familiar with everything related to MIDI connections. Are expression pedals MIDI devices that basically send the 128 positions as MIDI signals? If that's the case, can I connect that pedal, the M-Audio EX-P, which has a typical 1/4" plug, to the audio interface's 5 pin MIDI input using an adapter cable like this? https://www.amazon.com/SiYear-Amplifier-keyboard-Synthesizer-connection/dp/B073TBWJW6 Also, is there some sort of 1/4" female to USB cable or adapter that would allow me to connect this pedal straight to my Mac? I searched for it, and I'm guessing it's not possible, because there are many 1/4" to USB cables, but those are more like tiny D/A audio interfaces that convert analog audio to digital or viceversa. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisarray Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 Well, just in case anyone is looking for this solution like me, it doesn't work. Tried everything, but it's invisible. Are expression pedals actual MIDI devices? Because if they are not, then using an adapter to go from 1/4" plug to 5 pin MIDI wouldn't do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas007 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 The expression pedals (in many cases) don't emit CC. They rather modulates an analog electrical signal (via its integrated pot) and requires to be plugged into a MIDI device equipped with such a dedicated (specific 1/4") port. That modulated electrical analog signal will then be converted into MIDI data. That e+ to MIDI conversion takes place inside the MIDI device. The available M-Audio documentation confirms the above. From the M-Audio EX-P web site: __________________________________________________________ From the Hammer 88 Pro - Quickstart Guide - p.9: __________________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gacki Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 8 hours ago, GeneralDisarray said: Are expression pedals actual MIDI devices? No. What you need is something like this: https://midisolutions.com/prodped.htm It ain't cheap, though. A used Anatek Pocket Pedal would also work; those show up on ebay for comparatively little money from time to time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisarray Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 Thank you both for your replies. Yes, I had read that it had to be connected to a 1/4" expression port, but I figured what the hell, if it doesn't work I'll just return it. Sucks because it seems like a much better pedal than the cheap Crumar I got only because it's USB, but it's grossly overpriced at $100 when it should be more like $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas007 Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 13 hours ago, GeneralDisarray said: it's grossly overpriced at $100 when it should be more like $20 Totally agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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