Good volume pedal?

**AlainJazz** · 10-06-2015, 02:08 AM

So I've tested the mission engineering VM PRO for a few days now. Unfortunately, this pedal isn't for me. It is very well built and does not change the tone in any noticeable way. However, the deal breaker is that the sweep is just way too short. In a live band situation it goes from 0 to 100 with almost nothing in between. I know that this may be something that one can get used to but it doesn't work for me. So now I'm looking at some of the bigger pedals that have a longer sweep and more resistance to pressure. Im looking at both passive and active pedals. One question I have is whether I should be looking at high or low impedance pedals? The volume pedal is going to be at the end of the signal chain, between the pedal board and the amp, acting as a master volume. The last pedal on the board is a Boss DD-3 delay pedal so the volume pedal will between the delay and the amp. I've read conflicting views about the optimal volume pedal impedance so I'd be happy if someone can straighten me out and recommend the right way to go. Thanks!

**JazzNote** · 10-06-2015, 05:24 AM

I (again) strongly recommend one of the Ernie Ball pedals. Currently i use a VP JR 25kohm as its a little smaller & lighter than the standard version. The sweep which feels very comfortable is about 4 centimeters, i doubt that you can find something more comfortable. I use it most of the time at the end of the chain after a CarlMartin ParametricEQ/Preamp, sometimes with a Boss RC-2 in between, when i work with a chorus i use the chorus after the volume pedal because i need it stereo.

**AlainJazz** · 10-06-2015, 05:46 AM

Thanks again JazzNote! I'm currently contemplating buying both a Boss FV500 and an EB VPJr to compare them. I'm just not sure if I should get the low or high impedance versions based on my set up. I believe the output of the delay pedal necessitates the low impedance versions of both pedals but I don't understand enough to know for sure.

**AlainJazz** · 10-06-2015, 05:55 AM

Oh and I'm also looking at the Ernie Ball MVP which looks quite nice:

Ernie Ball MVP Volume/Gain Expression Pedal | Musician's Friend

**JazzNote** · 10-06-2015, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by AlainJazz

Thanks again JazzNote! I'm currently contemplating buying both a Boss FV500 and an EB VPJr to compare them. I'm just not sure if I should get the low or high impedance versions based on my set up. I believe the output of the delay pedal necessitates the low impedance versions of both pedals but I don't understand enough to know for sure.

I have used a 250kohm version long ago. This needed to be placed before the TC parametric EQ which i used at the time. When placed after the TC it scratched a lot at shifting the volume.

You will need the 25kohm version:

VP Jr 25K for use with Active Electronics( P06181)

here an overview Ernie Ball Inc. - Volume Pedals, Volume Pedals

**jorgemg1984** · 10-06-2015, 05:59 AM

Alain I'm not an expert at all but this is my understanding... the guitar yelds a high impedance output that needs an high impedance input in order not to "suck" tone. So if the VP was your first pedal you would need H version for sure.

Now almost all pedals have high impedance inputs (so a guitar can be connected directly) and low impedance outputs. This means if you're using the VP in the end of the chain you can go for the L version.

Going for the H version would have the advantage of being able to plug the guitar directly in the future if you want (it will still suck some tone as the guitar volume pot does too but a lot less). And it is my understanding no harm comes from connecting a low impedance output (pedal) to a high impedance input (volume pedal). If you have a pedalboard that happens every time you connect two pedals. Some people report connecting a low impedance output to a high impedance volume pedal affects the pedal sweep but I doubt it's relevant (or even true).

**JazzNote** · 10-06-2015, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by AlainJazz

Oh and I'm also looking at the Ernie Ball MVP which looks quite nice:

Ernie Ball MVP Volume/Gain Expression Pedal | Musician's Friend

I never played any of their models which contain active circuits, but i believe that the physical aspects (comfort of movement, range of movement) will be as good as on the passive pedals.

**AlainJazz** · 10-06-2015, 06:18 AM

Thanks again JazzNote!

**AlainJazz** · 10-06-2015, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Alain I'm not an expert at all but this is my understanding... the guitar yelds a high impedance output that needs an high impedance input in order not to "suck" tone. So if the VP was your first pedal you would need H version for sure.

Now almost all pedals have high impedance inputs (so a guitar can be connected directly) and low impedance outputs. This means if you're using the VP in the end of the chain you can go for the L version.

Going for the H version would have the advantage of being able to plug the guitar directly in the future if you want (it will still suck some tone as the guitar volume pot does too but a lot less). And it is my understanding no harm comes from connecting a low impedance output (pedal) to a high impedance input (volume pedal). If you have a pedalboard that happens every time you connect two pedals. Some people report connecting a low impedance output to a high impedance volume pedal affects the pedal sweep but I doubt it's relevant (or even true).

Thanks Jorge, that makes sense to me.