Inside Triple Pedal, modification

[maxpiano]

Nothing, it is just there for other similar Fatar models (from which the Nord Triple pedal is derived) which use a potentiometer for that pedal.

[KapnKrunch]

Picture 1

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Picture 2

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I've been reading this post with great interest, since I really DO like the pedal noise for the piano samples on my NS2, but don't want to spend the small fortune for the Nord Triple Pedal, nor lug that beast around to gigs.

I am happy to report that I have successfully modified a Roland DP-10 pedal, in CONTINUOUS MODE to deliver what I consider a satisfactory result for my NS2. I define "successful" as pedal noise that's audible enough to be well balanced compared to the normal piano sound, and that's controllable within reasonable limits using the NS2 pedal noise settings. Here's what I did:

1) Open up the pedal, and re-wire the connections to the green circuit board so they're: TIP / RING / SLEEVE. In my pedal that was WHITE, RED, BLACK, left to right (see picture 1). (You may want to use a multimeter to be certain,
2) Insert a 1K resistor between the TIP (WHITE) and the circuit board (see picture 1). (I put two 2K's in parallel = 1K, since I didn't have a 1K handy)
3) So you get maximum "throw" when depressing the pedal, insert a piece of self-stick furniture felt on the bottom side of the pedal (see picture 2).
4) In the SYSTEM menu setting, select TRIPLE for the pedal type, and make certain the switch on the DP-10 is in CONTINUOUS mode.
5) In the SOUNDS menu setting, adjust the PEDAL NOISE to your liking.

My logic:
Out of the box, the DP-10 acts "backwards" in Continuous mode. Also, pressing and releasing the pedal results in a ridiculously large amount of pedal noise. By moving the connectors around (in step 1), I got the "polarity" correct, but still got way too much pedal noise especially when RELEASING the pedal, apparently because the resistance was going to zero too quickly. I played around with the pedal, and discovered that by releasing it ALMOST all the way, avoided the big "bang" when releasing, but still got a satisfying "thump." My solution was to never let the connection go totally "open" so I added 1K of resistance in series with the TIP connection. Therefore, when I release the pedal, no matter how quickly, it never hits 0 ohms, thus I never get the big bang, but there's enough resistance change to signal a moderate thump. And, I lucked out by altering the overall resistance resulting in that nice "whoosh" sound when depressing the pedal. Fantastic!

So why the felt? I discovered that I had to press and hold the pedal down ALL THE WAY, not lifting a millimeter, otherwise I'd lose sustain. My trick was to add a little more material to the bottom of the pedal lever so it pushes the potentiometer cam just a bit further. Voila.

It's certainly not a perfect solution, i.e., true "half-pedaling" is pretty dicey, but it's good enough for my needs.

Of course, your mileage may vary. Have fun!

UPDATE
The Roland pedal has a couple of idiosyncrasies that made it a bit unstable.
a) The resistance in the fully depressed state was not stable. Fix: remove the plastic cam from the potentiometer, and tighten the potentiometer mounting nut. Mine was loose. Re-assemble.
b) The "sweet spot" of resistance is something less that 1K ohms. Too high, and you won't get a reliable sustain, too low and you'll get excessive pedal noise. Fix: I installed a 1K "trimmer" instead of the fixed 1K resistor, and glued it to the green circuit board. I drilled a small access hole in the pedal base so I could access the adjustment screw while the pedal is fully assembled.

With these two additional minor modifications, I'm enjoying pedal nirvana.

[Ecaroh]

Nice! Keep on experimenting!

Anyway - and hopefully Clavia is listening - it's stupid that we are obliged to find a solutions like that. Why can't they release a 1-part continuous pedal which works with Stage2 etc.? I have a triple pedal but practically only use its sustain part. Triple pedal is big, heavy and expensive. Clavia's 1-part model (which comes with NS2) is ridiculous cause it cannot "play" Stage the way it is meant to.

[Mr_-G-]

I wonder how much would real piano manufacturers be willing to invest to be able to remove all noise from their pedal mechanisms.
And here we are, trying to find ways of adding it...

[with657]

I should see this earlier. I already donated $$$ to Nord in last month for NTP...

[Femasile]

A triple pedal version exists in FATAR's catalog where the right pedal has continuous (potentiometer) action.





handyhülle htc desire eye

[maxpiano]

A triple pedal version exists in FATAR's catalog where the right pedal has continuous (potentiometer) action.

That won't work with the Nord Stage, I suggest you read this thread from the start ...

[pasrick]

I see this thread is a year old but I just found it today because; even though I have the Nord triple petal, I have always wanted a single more portable petal that provides the same sustain function as the Nord triple petal. I too am frustrated that Clavia does not offer such an item. While I could live without the petal noise if I had too, I really, really hate to do without the half-petaling function. The solution provided by Maxpiano is quite intriguing but also a bit beyond my competence level as a do-it-yourselfer. Does anyone know if it is possible to do a more basic mod of a Roland DP-10 or a Yamaha FC3A petal that would allow it to have half-petaling functionality with the Stage 2. I tried a factory issue Yamaha FC3A and it doesn't work as is, I wondered about trying a Roland DP-10 and after reading this post I know now that it does not either, at least not without the described modification. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[pasrick]

My apologies to KapnKrunch who was the actual mastermind behind this modification post.

[pasrick]

I see this thread is a year old but I just found it today because; even though I have the Nord triple petal, I have always wanted a single more portable petal that provides the same sustain function as the Nord triple petal. I too am frustrated that Clavia does not offer such an item. While I could live without the petal noise if I had too, I really, really hate to do without the half-petaling function. The solution provided by Maxpiano is quite intriguing but also a bit beyond my competence level as a do-it-yourselfer. Does anyone know if it is possible to do a more basic mod of a Roland DP-10 or a Yamaha FC3A petal that would allow it to have half-petaling functionality with the Stage 2. I tried a factory issue Yamaha FC3A and it doesn't work as is, I wondered about trying a Roland DP-10 and after reading this post I know now that it does not either, at least not without the described modification. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Hi pasrick, we already answed that: continuous sustain pedals using a potentiometer (all models you have listed) won't work as they cannot be modified to that purpose just using passive components or circuit rerouting (please read all thread from the start for the details)

As an alternative if you are using a secondary master keyboard which can accept continuos sustain pedals you can use it and program it send the related MIDI CC to the NS Global MIDI Channel or (last not least) if you don't use a second keyboard) you can use a MidiSolutions Pedalcontroller.

PS: In theory you could also modify a single "open at rest" on/off pedal (the way I did with the rightmost pedal of the VFP3) then properly recable it to a stereo plug (but I haven't tried, when playing live in a band I just use an on-off, no eed really for Pedal Noise or Half Damper subtleties). But you need expertise and also accept the risk of damage and/or void warranty.