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Advice for a sustain pedal

erc13a

Member
Hi,
I am looking for advices because I am using a sustain pedal for my keyboard that was cheap but makes so much noise that I could sample it to create a “untamed pedal” library 😄

I would like to buy another one. Any advice for a sturdy and quiet pedal ?
Thank you !
 
Hi, if you are looking for something very real piano like then I have been using the KORG DS-1 H pedal to great satisfaction for years (practising classical music on my KORG digital piano). In my view excellent product, not exactly cheap. Has a minus polarity if that fits your keyboard.
 
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I use the Netkar one. It's cheap and sturdy. I've been using it for about 2-3 years now. My only complaint is that the metal spring and mechanism has become noisy over time.
 
I'm using sustain pedals of different brands in my studio and for live work with a band. When it comes to price/quality ratio, I think that this one is an excellent choice:


This particular model has been manufactured for decades, and the original design hasn't changed much. I'm using it with my Studiologic piano controller, but it should work with the most keyboards on the market.

I use the Netkar one. It's cheap and sturdy. I've been using it for about 2-3 years now.
I have recently ordered the Nektar footswitch and expression pedal for my Panorama T6 controller and I'm quite happy with both; particularly with the first one. I owned many expression pedals over the years and had various issues with these; especially from brands such as M-AUDIO and Bespeco.
 
I'm using sustain pedals of different brands in my studio and for live work with a band. When it comes to price/quality ratio, I think that this one is an excellent choice:


This particular model has been manufactured for decades, and the original design hasn't changed much. I'm using it with my Studiologic piano controller, but it should work with the most keyboards on the market.


I have recently ordered the Nektar footswitch and expression pedal for my Panorama T6 controller and I'm quite happy with both; particularly with the first one. I owned many expression pedals over the years and had various issues with these; especially from brands such as M-AUDIO and Bespeco.
True, I've had the same or a variation for years.
 
I have recently ordered the Nektar footswitch and expression pedal for my Panorama T6 controller and I'm quite happy with both; particularly with the first one.
I owned the expression pedal from Nektar. It seemed ok. Didn't use it as much as I thought I would and ended up gifting it to a nephew.

The sustain pedal is a completely different beast though.

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since decades my favorite has been Roland DP10
+1 on the DP10, had a cheap M-Audio one before which was fine... until it died after a couple of years. I've already had the Roland for about 4 years and it feels like it will last a lot longer

also worth noting that the DP10 can do "half-pedalling" - i.e where normal pedals are just on/off, the DP10 can output anything between 0-127 which means you can do more nuanced pedalling in supported piano VI's
 
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+1 on the DP10, had a cheap M-Audio one before which was fine... until it died after a couple of years. I've already had the Roland for about 4 years and it feels like it will last a lot longer

also worth noting that the DP10 can do "half-pedalling" - i.e where normal pedals are just on/off, the DP10 can output anything between 0-127 which means you can do more nuanced pedalling in supported piano VI's
Exactly this. ↑↑↑
 
"You can just retrieve your pedal with your feet 20 times in a gig.... Or tape it to the floor every gig..."
Or get a DP10.

"You can just buy a cheap one every couple of years..."
Or get a DP10.

"You probably won't notice the difference in feel."
Yes you will

I've owned a lot of pedals. First was the DP10 (my parents)
Then as I moved out I looked for cheap. Things broke within a year. Wasted hundreds on cheap pedals in about 5 years. Then bought a DP10 and have it for much longer now already.

Trust me, this is no competition.

Get a DP10
 
Is it possible that the Roland DP10, the Nectar & the Studio Logic VFP1....are all made from the same factory. As, they look quite similar?

And possibly only the outer looks are slightly different, but the insides use the same mechanisms? Thus they are same?
 
Is it possible that the Roland DP10, the Nectar & the Studio Logic VFP1....are all made from the same factory. As, they look quite similar?

And possibly only the outer looks are slightly different, but the insides use the same mechanisms? Thus they are same?
No, the DP-10 is quite unique amongst those you mentioned -- note the half-pedalling function, not found on the cheaper pedals.

It is, however, quite likely that the Nectar NP-2, Studiologic VFP-1, and the M-Audio SP-2 are all the same cheap crap. The DP-10 is "only" the cost of two of the cheap pedals, but I would wager it will repay the investment in value over the years in terms of being a pleasure to use, with frustration-free performance, as well as added function over the cheapo models.
 
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I'm using sustain pedals of different brands in my studio and for live work with a band. When it comes to price/quality ratio, I think that this one is an excellent choice:


This particular model has been manufactured for decades, and the original design hasn't changed much. I'm using it with my Studiologic piano controller, but it should work with the most keyboards on the market.


I have recently ordered the Nektar footswitch and expression pedal for my Panorama T6 controller and I'm quite happy with both; particularly with the first one. I owned many expression pedals over the years and had various issues with these; especially from brands such as M-AUDIO and Bespeco.
I own the nektar expression pedal, seems very good. Great value too.
 
"You can just retrieve your pedal with your feet 20 times in a gig.... Or tape it to the floor every gig..."
Or get a DP10.

"You can just buy a cheap one every couple of years..."
Or get a DP10.

"You probably won't notice the difference in feel."
Yes you will

I've owned a lot of pedals. First was the DP10 (my parents)
Then as I moved out I looked for cheap. Things broke within a year. Wasted hundreds on cheap pedals in about 5 years. Then bought a DP10 and have it for much longer now already.

Trust me, this is no competition.

Get a DP10
I own a dp10 it replaced a Yamaha foot pedal. The dp10 is very good. Silent, good action and does half pedalling too. But pricey but you seem to get quality that justifies it.
 
also worth noting that the DP10 can do "half-pedalling" - i.e where normal pedals are just on/off, the DP10 can output anything between 0-127 which means you can do more nuanced pedalling in supported piano VI's
I have a DP10 as well; I'm using it with my Juno DS (a part of my rig for gigs with a band). I don't use Juno DS for playing piano parts, though. Also, unfortunately, neither my stage piano from Kurzweil nor the Studiologic piano controller I use in the studio supports half-pedaling.
It is, however, quite likely that the Nectar NP-2, Studiologic VFP-1, and the M-Audio SP-2 are all the same cheap crap.
I disagree about VFP-1. I own two of them; one about twenty years now without any issue. I don't have a sustain pedal from Nektar, but have recently ordered their footswitch and expression pedal and they seem quite sturdy despite the affordable price. Much better build quality than M-AUDIO and Bespeco.
 
I had bought a M-Audio SP2 one week ago. Im neewbie, and just wanted some cheap to my piano plays.
Its sturdy, dont slip in the floor and fully silent, by now.
I wished a half pedal, but that fetaure needs to be supported for the keyboard. So as my Launchkey MK388 is a "on/off" action pedal, I just picked this.
Otherwise, I would pick the DP10 most probably...
 
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