Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

Hi

im thinking of getting a volume- and a sustainpedal for my CZ1. The 
manual states Casio VP-2 and SP-I pedals, but these models don't seem 
to be in production anymore. 

So I wonder what other pedals I can use. Does the available Casio SP-
2 sustanpedal work the same way as the SP-1, or is it using a 
different interface method, not suitable for the CZ1? ... and what 
with a Roland, Korg or other brand of pedal?  

Is there anyone here who knows how such a sustainpedal actually 
work? - is it simply a switch that makes a connection, or is it more 
complicated, like theres a specific resistance needed. And if it is a 
switch is it working in latch or unlatched mode?

Volumepedals - I know some volumepedals, like the ones you use for 
guitars, are active  attenuators, working on the output audio signal. 
I could get one of those, sure, thats no problem, it might even be 
the best solution, as I could use it with other instruments as well.

But the Volumepedal that goes into the CZ1 obviously can't work like 
that. I guess it must be either someting like a variable CV source, 
or perhaps just a potentiometer working in series with the main 
volume slider. Unfortunately the manual don't give any specs of the 
interface, if its analog or digital, passive or active. 

It could be very interesting if it was a simple interface using 
resistance or CV, as you then, somehow, could interface it with other 
stuff like analog synths - to make tremolo or gating effects on the 
CZ1 sync to a LFO, envelope or evelope follower on a analog synth 
like my Korg MS20.

hopefully -
Ulf/WolleWolfson

If you want a VP2, I have one which I don't exactly over-use.

Drop me an e-mail privately with an offer (postage from Belgium)...

On 11/30/05, wollewolfson <ulf@...> wrote:
> Hi
>
> im thinking of getting a volume- and a sustainpedal for my CZ1. The
> manual states Casio VP-2 and SP-I pedals, but these models don't seem
> to be in production anymore.
>
> So I wonder what other pedals I can use. Does the available Casio SP-
> 2 sustanpedal work the same way as the SP-1, or is it using a
> different interface method, not suitable for the CZ1? ... and what
> with a Roland, Korg or other brand of pedal?
>
> Is there anyone here who knows how such a sustainpedal actually
> work? - is it simply a switch that makes a connection, or is it more
> complicated, like theres a specific resistance needed. And if it is a
> switch is it working in latch or unlatched mode?
>
> Volumepedals - I know some volumepedals, like the ones you use for
> guitars, are active  attenuators, working on the output audio signal.
> I could get one of those, sure, thats no problem, it might even be
> the best solution, as I could use it with other instruments as well.
>
> But the Volumepedal that goes into the CZ1 obviously can't work like
> that. I guess it must be either someting like a variable CV source,
> or perhaps just a potentiometer working in series with the main
> volume slider. Unfortunately the manual don't give any specs of the
> interface, if its analog or digital, passive or active.
>
> It could be very interesting if it was a simple interface using
> resistance or CV, as you then, somehow, could interface it with other
> stuff like analog synths - to make tremolo or gating effects on the
> CZ1 sync to a LFO, envelope or evelope follower on a analog synth
> like my Korg MS20.
>
> hopefully -
> Ulf/WolleWolfson
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

>Is there anyone here who knows how such a sustainpedal actually
>work? - is it simply a switch that makes a connection, or is it more
>complicated, like theres a specific resistance needed. And if it is a
>switch is it working in latch or unlatched mode?

As I understand it, sustain pedals are just switches, but they can be 
normally open or normally closed.  I'm not sure which Casios use.  I think 
Yamaha pedals won't work and Ensoniq ones will, not that it really helps to 
know that.


>But the Volumepedal that goes into the CZ1 obviously can't work like
>that. I guess it must be either someting like a variable CV source,
>or perhaps just a potentiometer working in series with the main
>volume slider. Unfortunately the manual don't give any specs of the
>interface, if its analog or digital, passive or active.
>
>It could be very interesting if it was a simple interface using
>resistance or CV, as you then, somehow, could interface it with other
>stuff like analog synths - to make tremolo or gating effects on the
>CZ1 sync to a LFO, envelope or evelope follower on a analog synth
>like my Korg MS20.

The foot pedals that I've seen are just potentiometers connected between 12 
V and ground with a TRS jack, providing a CV output (though this doesn't 
indicate anything for the Casio pedals).  Some older Yamaha CV pedals 
actually have a lightbulb inside, moving the pedal actually moves a tinted 
glass thing between the light and a photoresistor (or something like that, I 
didn't get a good look).  But probably the basic principle of operation is 
the same.

All Casios that have a sustain pedal facility use a normally-open non-latching footswitch. This has been the case since at least 1981 when I bought my CT-202, and still applies to my recently purchased WK-3000. As far as volume pedals are concerned, the CT-202 used a simple potentiometer wired to a stereo plug, but I couldn't get this configuration to work on a CZ-1; Casio may have changed the way their volume pedals worked in the 5 or so years between these two models.

Simon Beck
London, UK

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Scott Nordlund 
  To: CZsynth@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 9:29 PM
  Subject: RE: [CZsynth] questions about pedals


  >Is there anyone here who knows how such a sustainpedal actually
  >work? - is it simply a switch that makes a connection, or is it more
  >complicated, like theres a specific resistance needed. And if it is a
  >switch is it working in latch or unlatched mode?

  As I understand it, sustain pedals are just switches, but they can be 
  normally open or normally closed.  I'm not sure which Casios use.  I think 
  Yamaha pedals won't work and Ensoniq ones will, not that it really helps to 
  know that.


  >But the Volumepedal that goes into the CZ1 obviously can't work like
  >that. I guess it must be either someting like a variable CV source,
  >or perhaps just a potentiometer working in series with the main
  >volume slider. Unfortunately the manual don't give any specs of the
  >interface, if its analog or digital, passive or active.
  >
  >It could be very interesting if it was a simple interface using
  >resistance or CV, as you then, somehow, could interface it with other
  >stuff like analog synths - to make tremolo or gating effects on the
  >CZ1 sync to a LFO, envelope or evelope follower on a analog synth
  >like my Korg MS20.

  The foot pedals that I've seen are just potentiometers connected between 12 
  V and ground with a TRS jack, providing a CV output (though this doesn't 
  indicate anything for the Casio pedals).  Some older Yamaha CV pedals 
  actually have a lightbulb inside, moving the pedal actually moves a tinted 
  glass thing between the light and a photoresistor (or something like that, I 
  didn't get a good look).  But probably the basic principle of operation is 
  the same.




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Thanks for the answers 

After reading this answer, I unearthed an an old Roland tripple
stompbox-type switch from the bottom of my closet, and tested it as a
sustainpedal. It works, and though the on/of action isn't really that
suitable for playing, at least it proves that any simple swith will
work. So I'll just get some resonably priced momentary (unlatched) pedal. 

As for volume pedals - I'll keep serching for info. bad that its not
just a simple potentiometer, as that also rules out the use of a
photoresistor for light-and-gesture control of volume.

And Jez - I'll remember your offer regarding the volume-pedal, but if
I can get one withouth the trouble of international moneytransfers and
shipping, I'll prefer that.)


thanks
Ulf/WolleWolfson


--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "Simon Beck" <simon@a...> wrote:
>
> All Casios that have a sustain pedal facility use a normally-open
non-latching footswitch. This has been the case since at least 1981
when I bought my CT-202, and still applies to my recently purchased
WK-3000. As far as volume pedals are concerned, the CT-202 used a
simple potentiometer wired to a stereo plug, but I couldn't get this
configuration to work on a CZ-1; Casio may have changed the way their
volume pedals worked in the 5 or so years between these two models.
> 
> Simon Beck
> London, UK
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Scott Nordlund 
>   To: CZsynth@yahoogroups.com 
>   Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 9:29 PM
>   Subject: RE: [CZsynth] questions about pedals
> 
> 
>   >Is there anyone here who knows how such a sustainpedal actually
>   >work? - is it simply a switch that makes a connection, or is it more
>   >complicated, like theres a specific resistance needed. And if it is a
>   >switch is it working in latch or unlatched mode?
> 
>   As I understand it, sustain pedals are just switches, but they can be 
>   normally open or normally closed.  I'm not sure which Casios use.
 I think 
>   Yamaha pedals won't work and Ensoniq ones will, not that it really
helps to 
>   know that.
> 
> 
>   >But the Volumepedal that goes into the CZ1 obviously can't work like
>   >that. I guess it must be either someting like a variable CV source,
>   >or perhaps just a potentiometer working in series with the main
>   >volume slider. Unfortunately the manual don't give any specs of the
>   >interface, if its analog or digital, passive or active.
>   >
>   >It could be very interesting if it was a simple interface using
>   >resistance or CV, as you then, somehow, could interface it with other
>   >stuff like analog synths - to make tremolo or gating effects on the
>   >CZ1 sync to a LFO, envelope or evelope follower on a analog synth
>   >like my Korg MS20.
> 
>   The foot pedals that I've seen are just potentiometers connected
between 12 
>   V and ground with a TRS jack, providing a CV output (though this
doesn't 
>   indicate anything for the Casio pedals).  Some older Yamaha CV pedals 
>   actually have a lightbulb inside, moving the pedal actually moves
a tinted 
>   glass thing between the light and a photoresistor (or something
like that, I 
>   didn't get a good look).  But probably the basic principle of
operation is 
>   the same.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   SPONSORED LINKS Sampler  Electronic instrument  Synthesizer  
>         Music synthesizers  Synthesizer music  Electronic music  
> 
> 
>
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>   YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS 
> 
>     a..  Visit your group "CZsynth" on the web.
>       
>     b..  To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>      CZsynth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>       
>     c..  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service. 
> 
> 
>
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> 
>   No virus found in this incoming message.
>   Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>   Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.10/189 - Release Date:
30-Nov-05

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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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