EHX Freeze(kind of)

[kaboom]

Hi there, I have a really cheap keyboard that doesn't accept sustain pedal, so when I saw this pedal I was very happy, so i want to DIY it!
If Possible, I want to modify it:
First, if Possible, I want to use it with a volume pedal.I dont mind if its "pedal down=sustain and pedal not down=no sustain" or if it has middle points(middle down=middle sustain)
And second thing, if possible, i would like to have the sustain of a normal piano(I mean, the sustain you get when you use the sustain pedal on a grand piano) not infinite sustain.But this secondary.

So, anybody has the layouts or some information on how to do it?

[Hides-His-Eyes]

Completely digital, not a snowman's chance in hell. Sorry.

[wordstep]

Assume it is completely digital, no  analog branch to mix in the output, you still can make a "mother" pedal to take care of it.

Signal split in 2 at the input, one is connected to the Freeze, then the Freeze output goes through a volume pedal then mixed
with one of the split signals.

Example
Barber launch Pad  --- split   
Xotic x-blender ---- mix

[Scruffie]

Hi there, I have a really cheap keyboard that doesn't accept sustain pedal, so when I saw this pedal I was very happy, so i want to DIY it!

As Hide-His-Eyes said, unless you can program, not happening.

First, if Possible, I want to use it with a volume pedal.I dont mind if its "pedal down=sustain and pedal not down=no sustain" or if it has middle points(middle down=middle sustain)

This sounds a bit like the Glissando of the HOG, maybe you should look at that (still not gunna be able to DIY it)

And second thing, if possible, i would like to have the sustain of a normal piano(I mean, the sustain you get when you use the sustain pedal on a grand piano) not infinite sustain.But this secondary.

I think the Freeze actually has the ability to have a faster or slower release like a Piano if I get what you mean, it has some hidden settings that you can change by holding the pedal down and adjusting (can't remember exactly how to, it's in the manual I think)

If you can't afford a Freeze, consider looking at these, cheaper, not quite the same principle but might be a better suite http://www.zcatpedals.com/?dir=view&id=20090818221315WbN9 (Several of the effects have a 'Hold' Function)

[Taylor]

If you can't afford a Freeze, consider looking at these, cheaper, not quite the same principle but might be a better suite http://www.zcatpedals.com/?dir=view&id=20090818221315WbN9 (Several of the effects have a 'Hold' Function)

It may be because of the exchange rate, but in the US at least, the Zcat pedals are more expensive than a Freeze would be.

I can give you guys a hint: DIY Freeze is possible. I know because I've made one. Look to the magical FV1.

[Scruffie]

If you can't afford a Freeze, consider looking at these, cheaper, not quite the same principle but might be a better suite http://www.zcatpedals.com/?dir=view&id=20090818221315WbN9 (Several of the effects have a 'Hold' Function)

It may be because of the exchange rate, but in the US at least, the Zcat pedals are more expensive than a Freeze would be.

I can give you guys a hint: DIY Freeze is possible. I know because I've made one. Look to the magical FV1.

Ah I forgot, Pedals in the U.K. are considerably more expensive than if brought abroad, example in point, Devi Pedals $95, U.K. Price... £95, not quite fair if you ask me.

Ah yes... infinite Reverb or what have you.

[kaboom]

The thing is this keyboard has an output(stereo), so I can(either) use a guitar cable(mono)  to my actual boss me-70(which I use for "super delay" , but someway it turns up the sound 1 octave higher)

Scruffie, could you give me your schematics for the freeze?

[Scruffie]

The thing is this keyboard has an output(stereo), so I can(either) use a guitar cable(mono)  to my actual boss me-70(which I use for "super delay" , but someway it turns up the sound 1 octave higher)

Scruffie, could you give me your schematics for the freeze?

Afraid I don't have one, Taylor is the one to ask about his Digital Programming of the FV-1, which I hasten to add, is not for begginners, okay it may not be the history of the universe exam in 5 minutes with no prior knowledge, but you have to check it over.

The only DIYable thing I can think that comes close is the Pigtronix Compressor/Sustainer, Lots of fluid sustain on tap (No Schem for that either but the John Hollis Flatline might pull it off I guess)

[doug deeper]

for piano type sustain id recommend doing a reverb pedal with a momentray switch and a trails function.
so when you push the pedal you get sustain in the form of reverb and when you let off you can still hear the decay along with the non sustaining notes.
i have a delay pedal set up like this and i LOOOOVE it.

[kaboom]

@doug deeper do you have any example of a pedal like that?. I think it will fulfill my purpose
I can make an echo base delay( delay+chorus+ trails function) but my experience with delay isnt good.
Can you give me any idea of a reverb pedal like this that might be DIYable?

[Mark Hammer]

The only DIYable thing I can think that comes close is the Pigtronix Compressor/Sustainer, Lots of fluid sustain on tap (No Schem for that either but the John Hollis Flatline might pull it off I guess)

Compressors will NOT add sustain.  They will only mimic the sound produced by good sustain.

They will facilitate sustain of a guitar if the amplifier volume is up high enough by vibrating the guitar long enough to make the strings keep shaking.  As you are no doubt aware, though, sticking an electronic keyboard right in front of a dimed Marshall does very little for sustain.....because there is nothing to vibrate.

[kaboom]

I did a search on the web and I found that reverbs are expensive things to DIY.
So I was wondering, could this http://www.thomann.de/es/behringer_dr600_digital_reverb.htm  be modded to add the temporary switch and the trails?

[doug deeper]

check out the ggg reverb, you would have to mod it.
basically you'd leave it on all the time, and put a momentary switch between the input buffer and the reverb chip, that way the dry signal would always be there as well the the output of the reverb chip, but it would only get sent signal when the switch was pressed.
maybe someone can help you a little with tweaking the schematic.

[Scruffie]

The only DIYable thing I can think that comes close is the Pigtronix Compressor/Sustainer, Lots of fluid sustain on tap (No Schem for that either but the John Hollis Flatline might pull it off I guess)

Compressors will NOT add sustain.  They will only mimic the sound produced by good sustain.

They will facilitate sustain of a guitar if the amplifier volume is up high enough by vibrating the guitar long enough to make the strings keep shaking.  As you are no doubt aware, though, sticking an electronic keyboard right in front of a dimed Marshall does very little for sustain.....because there is nothing to vibrate.

Completely forgot he said this was for a keyboard, it's my prejudice towards guitars.  and yes compressors may not add it, but they'll immitate it well enough with an easier build than some things.

[kaboom]

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=160&category_id=7&phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45
Is that the ggg reverb?

Okay It's not as expensive as I thought

Any ideas on modifying that Behringer? anyway?

Now I have to fin how to put the "tails" switch, right?
I have another delay schematic that has this option, the echo base delay: http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=42626&g2_serialNumber=1

[Mark Hammer]

Scruffie,

No problem.  Made the same sort of careless leap myself....too many times.

Kaboom,

Looking through the Kijiji ads in my city, I regularly see 61-key keyboards (usually the Yamaha PSR series, but Casio too) for <$50.  Seems to me that it is more expedient to simply buy something cheap WITH a sustain function, than to go to great lengths to mimic it.

Besides, these sustain functions will often not hold a note/chord infinitely.  Rather, they will simply extend the decay, and allow for the previously-pressed notes to die out as new notes are played.  Whatever other wondrous things it can do, a Freeze pedal will not do that, as far as I know.