Yamaha FC7 controller pedal won't calibrate

[parametric]

I have a Yamaha FC7 foot controller which I use with my SY85 as a volume pedal.

Constructionally this pedal is superbly built and I would like to use it with my Fusion 8HD, but it fails when I try to calibrate it in diagnostics. It has a 1/4" TRS Jack which seems correct for the Fusion . . .

Does anyone have any experience with this pedal and can offer any advice?

many thanks

parametric

[Traboukos]

What do you mean calibrate it in diagnostics? I'm not sure if I understand what you are trying to do, but I will tell you what I know from my experience.
Do you want to use it as an expression pedal or just as a volume pedal? First check the polarity. If there is a polarity issue, to make it work, you just need to reverse the polarity on the jack. (If you're not up to wiring your own adapter, spend a few bucks on the FC7X or FC7X-II adapter cable). You could reverse and re-solder the wiring right at the pedal, but then FC7 would no longer work with your SY85.
I used to own an FC7 but it wasn't compatible with my other synth(roland) so I sold it back. I suggest F2 alesis, volume expression pedal... cheaper, better... with a polarity switch!!!

P.S. Even If you make it work with Fusion is useless as an expression pedal because it's changing the volume along with the expression parameters you will set it to change. As a volume pedal will be fine.

[parametric]

Hi traboukos,

Oct 31, 2010 18:10:51 GMT Traboukos said:

What do you mean calibrate it in diagnostics?

In the Diagnostic Menu, where you calibrate the PB/MOD wheels you get to calibrate the expression pedal, by setting MIN and MAX on the pedal. Test always results in Fail for both - (perhaps polarity problem you suggest - OK)

Oct 31, 2010 18:10:51 GMT Traboukos said:

Do you want to use it as an expression pedal or just as a volume pedal?

Just Volume at this stage . . .

Oct 31, 2010 18:10:51 GMT Traboukos said:

First check the polarity. If there is a polarity issue, to make it work, you just need to reverse the polarity on the jack. (If you're not up to wiring your own adapter, spend a few bucks on the FC7X or FC7X-II adapter cable). You could reverse and re-solder the wiring right at the pedal, but then FC7 would no longer work with your SY85.
I used to own an FC7 but it wasn't compatible with my other synth(roland) so I sold it back. I suggest F2 alesis, volume expression pedal... cheaper, better... with a polarity switch!!!

P.S. Even If you make it work with Fusion is useless as an expression pedal because it's changing the volume along with the expression parameters you will set it to change. As a volume pedal will be fine.

I think I'm understanding. I had a similar problem using a basic Yamaha sustain pedal once on a Korg Digital Piano. It was back to front. Pedal down - sustain OFF, Pedal up - sustain ON. Maddening!

I wired in a reversing switch and all was fine with Yam or Korg.

Maybe I could make up a TRS extender cable and cross-wire it.
Do you reckon that would work?
Maybe I should just buy the F2 pedal anyhow . . . ;D

Thanks for your help anyway - I take your point about the Fusion setup though - can only be set for Volume+mod, NOT Volume only . . .
Strange . . .

Regards

parametric

[Traboukos]

If the problem is the polarity, then if you do the trick with the TRS extender it will work. But with fusion you can never be sure about anything... especially with the volume /expression pedal, which is a known bug.

[Jesse]

It is my understanding with the Fusion that you need to plug your pedal into the Fusion before turning the Fusion on and the Fusion auto-senses the polarity of the pedal.

The F2 pedal is similar to my Alesis CF1 combo pedal; the polarity switch has no effect on the Fusion Work Station as the pedal is plugged into the fusion prior to turning the Fusion on.

I just verified this with my Fusion 8HD & my CF1 pedal changing the polarity on my Expression/Volume pedal had no effect, the pedal when fully depressed is loud and when raised up is quiet.
The Fusion automacticly recognises the polarity.

If there is a problem with your pedal not working properly with the Fusion keyboard, it's probably not the polarity, but some other issue.