Common Pedals for Digital Keyboards
Keyboard pedals add an entire world of expression to the range of sounds digital keyboards can produce. They provide players with a way of controlling the volume and intensity of their performance, while also allowing for dynamic shifts between soft and loud volumes. Keyboard players use pedals to open up many more sound possibilities than they would otherwise have access to without them.
Sustain Pedal
The most common of all the pedals is the sustain pedal. It keeps a note playing until you release it, making it ideal for a number of musical applications such as forming a smooth transition between chords or emphasising important notes. It also mimics the sound of a real piano, as when a real piano key is pressed down, the sound will last until it is released. The sustain pedal is great for creating a more organic and natural sounding performance.
Expression Pedal
Expression pedals allow a keyboard player to add subtle nuances and expression to their playing. They are often used to adjust the volume, alter the speed of the keyboard effects and manage how quickly a certain note fades away. This pedal is great for creating subtle changes in dynamics such as crescendos and diminuendos, as well as for creating a more expressive performance.
Volume Pedal
Volume pedals are great for creating dynamic and powerful performances. If you want to bring the volume up and down suddenly, the volume pedal is the right pedal for you. This is great for emphasising certain parts of the performance or for creating subtle transitions between different sections. It is also possible to adjust the volume of the left and right channels separately with this pedal, giving you even more control and options.
Filter Pedal
The filter pedal is perfect if you want to alter the tone of an instrument without changing any of the other sound characteristics. This pedal allows you to adjust the frequency spectrum and resonance in order to create a unique sound and respond to certain musical passages. This is great for creating a more dissonant or ambient soundscape or for adding a unique color and texture to a performance.
Modulation Pedal
The modulation pedal is perfect for introducing unique movement and feeling to your music. This pedal adds vibrato, chorus, flanger, and phaser effects to your sound and allows you to adjust the speed, depth, and intensity of the effect. This pedal is great for creating a more ethereal, atmospheric sound, as well as for adding complexity and interest to a performance.
