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What are the bluetooth sustain pedal options in 2023?
I have an xKey Air 37, and a Korg NanoKey Studio, which I would love to add sustain functionality to.
I've been looking at what options I might have, and it seems they are still thin on the ground. Am I missing something obvious?
I see the iRig Blue Board is an option, but I'm not clear, do I have to plug in a physical sustain pedal into it, in order to get sustain, or can I use the switches as momentary, for the same function?
Are there any other options?
I would be using with iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
Comments
Either will work, but using the onboard switches isn't very satisfying IMO.
I like using the BlueBoard with a sustain pedal and an expression pedal plugged into it. I'm not crazy about the BlueBoard switches, and actually end up using the sustain pedal for the most critical tapping tasks.
I’m not sure I would use Bluetooth, as I’m sure it would introduce latency.
Have you explored wired options? I’m sure they would be more responsive.
Unfortunately, there's no wired option with the xKey Air, only with the USB wired version. The same with the Nanokey Studio, although I knew that when I bought it, unlike the xKey Air.
Not even a USB option? Especially if you are using a hub.
Not enough that you would notice it. Bluetooth MIDI latency is quite small, unlike Bluetooth audio latency. The OP is already using Bluetooth for actual keyboard playing, so I doubt latency from a foot switch would be an issue.
(Some latency measurements here: https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/52287/does-anyone-have-numbers-for-bluetooth-vs-midi-idam-latency).
Correct. Particularly for the type of music I'm making (meditative ambient, drone, and soundscapes).
Interesting to know that the latency isn’t really there for Bluetooth. I have experienced it on the nanoKey Studio, but looks like it’s not enough to be impactful to you.
Sustain is CC 64?
The NanoKey has a sustain button but no connector for a pedal?
Fortunately, the xKey has an Xcable:
The Xcable gives you access to MIDI OUT, sustain & expression pedal inputs with just one cable! Plug it into your Xkey USB port and open up new possibilities. The Xcable is included with Xkey37, and optional for Xkey37 LE.
The Boss FS-1-WL is my favorite BLE MIDI footswitch and it is fully programmable.
Thanks, but the xKey Air 37 does not have the option to use the xCable. Hence the question.
I looked at the Boss, but I wasn't sure if it would work for me or not. Do you have one, what are you using it with?
@andowrites ah yes, I just realized that, and CME's pedal solution still hasn't materialized...
I like the FS-1-WL, it has a lot going for it such as dual mode operation, but I haven't used it as a sustain pedal and I would be leery of forking out the $ only to discover that a traditional spring-loaded pedal is what I really want.
That said, I'm sure FS-1-WL can send CC 64 and its rubber switches seem more suitable for sustain than the typical clicky metal ones.