Boss EV-1-WL Expression Pedal

Nano Cortex
1

I sent this note to customer support, but I thought I would ask on this forum.

I purchased a Boss EV-1-WL expression pedal to use with my Nano Cortex. I was originally using a Roland EV-5 with no issues.

The Boss doesn’t seem to calibrate properly. It jumps around during the process compared to the Roland calibration. I did the calibration of the pedal and tried it in software apps and the range is good.

Do you think there are issues on the physical wiring i.e. tip ring? I have do use an adapter for the 3mm to ¼ cable. Have you heard of any issues with Boss and is there anything I can do?

2

Most expression pedals require a 3 conductor cable, ring tip sleeve. Based on your symptoms I’m betting you have shorted two of the three signal paths together with the adapter so the results are bad.

3

I am using the proper 3 conductor cable. I compared against the Roland EV-5. I wonder if I just got a bad unit.

4

the Boss EV-1-WL is wireless only… it doesnt support wired expression control. the control port is an inout for external switches, not control output. at least thats what the sales literature shows

5

I have a request into Roland but I am quite sure you are correct. I saw some QC user saying they got it to work so I was hoping it was true.

I will order up the Boss EV 30 with dual TRS connections. I am trying to control both the Nano and my software virtual instruments.

6

Hi All, I was having the same problem with the Boss EV-1-WL expression pedal on my Nano Cortex. I was able to get it to work through some trial and error, since I haven’t found a solution posted anywhere, I thought I would provide that here.

1st, you need to connect the 1/8 inch TRS A MIDI output on the back of the EV-1 to the 1/4 TRS A EXP/MIDI input on the back of the Nano Cortex. Yes you need a 1/8 to 1/4 TRS cable or an adapter to make it work. The CTRL port on the side of the EV-1 will not work, you need to use the MIDI output on the back.

2nd, you have to set the EXP/MIDI Input Behavior on the Nano Cortex as MIDI and not EXPRESSION PEDAL (use the Nano Cortex Settings page to find/set this). Since the Nano Cortex will not be able to auto find and calibrate, you then need to make sure you map your MIDI channel numbers correctly. On the EV-1-WL Editor App, make sure to set EXP SW to the CC# you want to use (I chose 3). It should have an OFF VALUE of 0 and an ON VALUE of 127 to make sure it works across the full range. In the Nano Cortex Settings, you then need to select whichever MIDI Channel you selected for the EV-1 EXP SW (Again, I chose 3).

Finally, under the Expression Pedal (MIDI Input) page on the Cortex Cloud App for your Nano Cortex, you need to make the final adjustments to actually control things. I have a wah pedal in the Pre Fx1 slot, so under “Range”, I selected Pre Fx1 Amount (make sure the range goes all the way from 0-100%), and under “Bypass”, I also selected Pre Fx1 (selected Switch on: Heel-Toe and turned the switch delay all the way down to 0 ms). You probably don’t need to use the Bypass with a volume pedal, but you may want to do that for other pedals.

With this, it works like a champ and means you don’t have to go and buy another expression pedal. Hope it helps somebody.