Comments on: M-Audio SP-2 US65010 Sustain Pedal Piano Style Sustain Pedal for Keyboards http://www.the-piano-depot.com/blog/1606/m-audio-sp-2-us65010-sustain-pedal-piano-style-sustain-pedal-for-keyboards/ Compare pianos and piano courses. Get tips, techniques and more. Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:13:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: S. Hyde http://www.the-piano-depot.com/blog/1606/m-audio-sp-2-us65010-sustain-pedal-piano-style-sustain-pedal-for-keyboards/#comment-2263 S. Hyde Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:30:18 +0000 http://www.the-piano-depot.com/blog/1606/m-audio-sp-2-us65010-sustain-pedal-piano-style-sustain-pedal-for-keyboards/#comment-2263 A couple of previous reviewers have mentioned problems with sustain operation; the first couldn't get the pedal to operate and the second described changing the pedal's switch setting. While the pedal does have a switch that may correct the sustain operation with some keyboards, it may not be enough to allow reliable operation with all keyboards. I couldn't get it to work with my Yamaha CP300 with the pedal's make/break slide switch in either position. I had to change the Yamaha "pedal type" setting to "break" (under the "other settings" menu) and set the SP-2 slide switch back to the factory default (position "1"). <br /> <br />I was curious why this problem occurred, thinking that perhaps my pedal was defective, so I checked it with an ohm-meter and found that it only goes to 150-300 ohms when conducting. I opened it up and saw that it uses elastomeric switches, and this high "on" resistance is a characteristic of these switches. It seems that the Yamaha is expecting a lower "on" resistance, so just switching the SP-2 slide switch isn't enough to make the Yamaha see the switch go closed in "make" mode. <br /> <br />Mine seems to be reliable (so far), and there could be enough variation between units that this problem may not occur with every Yamaha user. I'd buy another SP-2, but I'd make sure that I knew the store's return policy if I was planning to use it with a Yamaha keyboard. <br /> <br />Additionally, even though everyone is referring to this as a "sustain" pedal, it doesn't allow the "partial sustain" that the real Yamaha FC-3 supports on some of the Yamaha digital pianos, so this pedal should only be used for the "soft", "sostenuto", or "aux" functions on the CP300. A couple of previous reviewers have mentioned problems with sustain operation; the first couldn’t get the pedal to operate and the second described changing the pedal’s switch setting. While the pedal does have a switch that may correct the sustain operation with some keyboards, it may not be enough to allow reliable operation with all keyboards. I couldn’t get it to work with my Yamaha CP300 with the pedal’s make/break slide switch in either position. I had to change the Yamaha “pedal type” setting to “break” (under the “other settings” menu) and set the SP-2 slide switch back to the factory default (position “1″).

I was curious why this problem occurred, thinking that perhaps my pedal was defective, so I checked it with an ohm-meter and found that it only goes to 150-300 ohms when conducting. I opened it up and saw that it uses elastomeric switches, and this high “on” resistance is a characteristic of these switches. It seems that the Yamaha is expecting a lower “on” resistance, so just switching the SP-2 slide switch isn’t enough to make the Yamaha see the switch go closed in “make” mode.

Mine seems to be reliable (so far), and there could be enough variation between units that this problem may not occur with every Yamaha user. I’d buy another SP-2, but I’d make sure that I knew the store’s return policy if I was planning to use it with a Yamaha keyboard.

Additionally, even though everyone is referring to this as a “sustain” pedal, it doesn’t allow the “partial sustain” that the real Yamaha FC-3 supports on some of the Yamaha digital pianos, so this pedal should only be used for the “soft”, “sostenuto”, or “aux” functions on the CP300.

]]> By: Brute Force Woodworks http://www.the-piano-depot.com/blog/1606/m-audio-sp-2-us65010-sustain-pedal-piano-style-sustain-pedal-for-keyboards/#comment-2262 Brute Force Woodworks Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:57:51 +0000 http://www.the-piano-depot.com/blog/1606/m-audio-sp-2-us65010-sustain-pedal-piano-style-sustain-pedal-for-keyboards/#comment-2262 Good pedal. The units that come with many keyboards (such as my older Yamaha P80) are rubbish. The springs are way too weak such that when wearing shoes, I get very little pedal feel. <br /> <br />The spring on the M-Audio metal is pretty firm and has a nice solid feel. I'm currently using it on a Roland Fantom X8. When I plugged it in for the first time, it sustained every note, but the sustain would go away when I depressed the pedal (opposite effect). I looked underneath the pedal, and sure enough, there's a clearly labeled switch that reverses the function of the pedal. So I flipped the switch and it started working normally with no problems. Still working nicely after a month. <br /> <br />Another reviewer gave this product 1-star... pay him no mind. He just wasn't patient enough to flip a switch. Good pedal. The units that come with many keyboards (such as my older Yamaha P80) are rubbish. The springs are way too weak such that when wearing shoes, I get very little pedal feel.

The spring on the M-Audio metal is pretty firm and has a nice solid feel. I’m currently using it on a Roland Fantom X8. When I plugged it in for the first time, it sustained every note, but the sustain would go away when I depressed the pedal (opposite effect). I looked underneath the pedal, and sure enough, there’s a clearly labeled switch that reverses the function of the pedal. So I flipped the switch and it started working normally with no problems. Still working nicely after a month.

Another reviewer gave this product 1-star… pay him no mind. He just wasn’t patient enough to flip a switch.

]]> By: Mouse http://www.the-piano-depot.com/blog/1606/m-audio-sp-2-us65010-sustain-pedal-piano-style-sustain-pedal-for-keyboards/#comment-2261 Mouse Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:27:02 +0000 http://www.the-piano-depot.com/blog/1606/m-audio-sp-2-us65010-sustain-pedal-piano-style-sustain-pedal-for-keyboards/#comment-2261 Honestly now. I have the Casio Privia piano, which can use 2 pedals. I bought 2 of these pedals to try and they work great. The one major complaint I've always had with non traditional pianos is the cheap tiny pedals every company gives you. Plus they give you only 1 at that. <br />Say goodbye to those tiny boxes, pretending to be pedals, slipping and sliding out from under your feet. These are real full size piano pedals and are heavy enough to stay put even without the non slide bottoms. I've had mine 3 months now and have not had to climb under my piano once looking for and sorting out which pedal is which...they simply stay put! <br /> <br />July <br />The more I use these little wonders the more I love them. Honestly now. I have the Casio Privia piano, which can use 2 pedals. I bought 2 of these pedals to try and they work great. The one major complaint I’ve always had with non traditional pianos is the cheap tiny pedals every company gives you. Plus they give you only 1 at that.

Say goodbye to those tiny boxes, pretending to be pedals, slipping and sliding out from under your feet. These are real full size piano pedals and are heavy enough to stay put even without the non slide bottoms. I’ve had mine 3 months now and have not had to climb under my piano once looking for and sorting out which pedal is which…they simply stay put!

July

The more I use these little wonders the more I love them.

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