What’s the Best Sustain or Expression Pedal for Me?

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To get the best out of a digital piano, keyboard, synthesizer, or any electronic keyboard-based instrument, there’s nothing like the dynamics that can be added by a sustain or expression pedal. But what kind of pedal do you actually need? In this Guide, we answer your most frequently asked questions to help you find the pedal that you want. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!

1. What’s a Sustain Pedal?

Sustain pedals are also known as reverb pedals. Strike and hold one or more piano keys and then press down the sustain pedal so that, when you release the piano keys, the notes will continue to resonate until you lift your foot from the pedal.

While these pedals were originally designed to mimic the sustain pedal of a normal acoustic piano, it can be connected up to many electronic keyboard instruments fitted with a sustain or ‘damper’ input. The word ‘damper’ stems from the fact that an acoustic piano creates the sustain effect by lifting the dampers from the internal strings.

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2. What’s an Expression Pedal?

An expression pedal is used to manipulate the sound of the keyboard instrument it’s connected to. Depending on the functionality of the instrument, the volume, pitch, vibrato, or sometimes other effect parameters can be adjusted in real-time using an expression pedal. This kind of pedal is more commonly used with keyboards, synthesizers and instruments that produce the sound of an organ (in which case, they’re often referred to as ‘swell’ pedals). Expression pedals are rarely used with digital pianos.

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3. Do I Need a Sustain or Expression Pedal?

Sooner or later, you’re likely to need a sustain pedal to play certain piano pieces on a digital piano or keyboard. While it can add something to sounds other than that of a piano, it’s not essential.

An expression pedal is an extra effect that’s more commonly used by experienced musicians or organists who are used to playing with the help of a volume pedal. An expression pedal is not essential, but it can really add an extra dimension to the sound.

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4. Can I Connect a Sustain and Expression Pedal to My Instrument?

Most sustain and expression pedals are fitted with a 6.3mm jack, just like most keyboard instruments. This is the same kind of plug as a large headphone plug.
Some pedals will come fitted with a cable or connection that’s only compatible with a specific make or model of instrument. If this is the case, it will always be clearly stated in the product name or on the product page.
Note: Sustain pedals can only be connected to the sustain pedal input, and expression pedals can only be connected to the expression pedal input. The inputs cannot be swapped. If you want to connect a sustain or expression pedal, check that the instrument or user manual clearly states that this is possible and what input should be used. A sustain pedal input is sometimes marked ‘hold’ or ‘damper’ input, and an expression pedal input is sometimes marked ‘foot controller’, or just ‘controller’.

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5. What About the ‘Polarity’ of Sustain Pedals?

Sustain pedals will always have a specific ‘polarity’, which is either centre-positive or centre-negative. The same is true of the pedal input of any keyboard instrument. So that everything works as it should, the polarity of the pedal and the pedal input must be the same. So, how do you check this?

As a general rule, you can be pretty certain that a pedal will be compatible with an instrument made by the same brand.
There are some pedals with a polarity switch. These are universal and can be used with any keyboard instrument, no matter the make.
You’ll almost always be able to find the polarity included in the write-up and specifications of any of the pedals in our web-shop.

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6. Does My Digital Piano Need Three Pedals?

Basically, no. You should be able to play most piano pieces with just a single sustain pedal. Acoustic upright and grand pianos always have three pedals, but even the most advanced pianists tend to only use the pedal on the far right (the sustain pedal). You can get pedal sets, with three pedals, but these are usually only compatible with specific makes and models. If you want to connect up three separate pedals, then you need to make sure that your instrument has the inputs needed for them (expression pedal inputs won’t be compatible). Also, it’s unfortunately not possible to use adapters or similar cables to convert an input.

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7. What Else Do I Need to Check When Picking an Expression or Sustain Pedal?

The size and weight can make a difference when picking the right pedal. A larger and heavier pedal is less likely to shift around while playing, but it’s a little less comfortable to carry in your keyboard bag.
There are also a lot of different shapes to choose from. Some sustain pedals look like acoustic piano pedals, while others are just a small, flat box. Here, you can just make your choice based on what you think looks best and what feels more comfortable beneath your foot, since the function will be exactly the same.
Some sustain pedals support a ‘half pedal’ function. This imitates the effect of only pushing down part of the sustain pedal of a real acoustic piano, but this will only work if your instrument also supports the half pedal function.

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