The Chase Bliss Exp is an expression pedal with a roller mechanism instead of the up-down rocker more commonly used in such devices. Where a normal expression pedal pivots under your foot, the Exp puts a rolling wheel, marked with numbers, on top of a compact Chase Bliss-style chassis, and you roll it by hand. The roller is attached to a dual linear 10k potentiometer, which feeds two completely independent outputs, so one Exp can control two effects pedals at the same time12.
Two outputs and polarity switches
The Exp's defining feature is its pair of outputs. Chase Bliss describes the pedal as having two completely independent outputs, and an internal switch allows you to change the polarity of either one1. In practice, that means each output can be set to sweep the same direction or the opposite direction as the other. Guitar.com's Daniel Seah described the arrangement as "Two independent outputs, with the ability to invert the direction of one (or both) for contrasting movement among your p"3.
gearnews.com's Jef explained the same switches from the player's side: "It also has two internal switches that allow you to reverse the control, so that 10 would be heel down instead"2. Reversing the control matters because expression pedals and pedal inputs do not all agree on which end of the sweep is which; a polarity switch lets you match the Exp to the pedal it is driving without needing a different cable or adapter.
How it differs from a rocker expression pedal
The obvious difference is the control itself. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described the original as "a compact-size, two-out expression pedal with a rolling wheel replacing the classic rocking flat surface"1. A rocker pedal is operated with your foot; the Exp's roller is operated with your hand, which suits players who set a pedal on a desk or table, or who want fine, repeatable moves rather than a full-foot sweep.
The second difference is the two outputs. Most rocker expression pedals drive a single pedal. The Exp's dual linear 10k pot feeds two separate outputs, allowing control of two effect pedals at once from one roller2. The body of the original exp was described as identical in size and build to classic Chase Bliss pedals, making it a natural companion alongside them on a board1.
Versions and what changed
The Exp has been through two versions:
| Original exp / EXP Expression Roller | Updated Exp | |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 202112 | October 20223 |
| List price | USD 179 RRP2 | $1993 |
| Inverting switches | Internal12 | On the outside of the chassis3 |
| Branding | Original Chase Bliss branding | Chase Bliss's new branding4 |
The updated Exp is a reissue: Guitar.com reported that Chase Bliss "brings back the Exp expression roller pedal"3. The main change is where the inverting switches live. On the original they were internal, so changing the direction of an output meant opening the pedal. In the new iteration, Chase Bliss put the inverting switches on the outside to let you more easily change expression direction3. Chase Bliss's Joel Korte also noted of the reissued pedal, "It has our new branding"4.
The design for the EXP Expression Roller started back around 28 July 2018, so the pedal was several years in development before its 2021 unveiling2.
Price and availability
The original EXP Expression Roller was announced in October 2021 with an RRP of USD 1792. When Chase Bliss brought the pedal back in October 2022, Guitar.com reported: "The Exp is available right now, directly through Chase Bliss, for $199 apiece"3. That direct-only arrangement reflects a change Chase Bliss made in 2022, when it shifted pedal sales from physical stores to its web store3.
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Questions
Will the Chase Bliss Exp work with any expression input?
Yes. The roller is attached to a dual linear 10k potentiometer, and both press reviews of the pedal describe it as compatible with any TRS expression input. That covers the expression jacks found on most effects pedals, so the Exp can be paired with whatever pedal accepts a standard TRS expression connection.
How much does the Chase Bliss Exp cost?
The updated version of the Exp was listed at $199 when it returned in October 2022, sold directly through Chase Bliss. The original EXP Expression Roller had been announced in 2021 at an RRP of USD 179, so the price rose between the two versions.
Where can I buy the Chase Bliss Exp?
When the updated Exp was announced in October 2022, Guitar.com reported that it was available right then, sold directly through Chase Bliss rather than through physical stores. Chase Bliss had moved to a direct-to-consumer sales model in 2022, shifting pedal sales from shops to its web store.
How is the Chase Bliss Exp different from a rocker expression pedal?
A conventional expression pedal rocks up and down on a flat surface under your foot. The Exp replaces that with a rolling wheel, operated by hand, with a numbered roller face. The roller drives a dual linear 10k pot that feeds two separate outputs, so a single control can move two pedals at once, which most rocker pedals cannot do.
What changed in the updated Chase Bliss Exp?
The updated Exp is a reissue of the earlier expression roller pedal with Chase Bliss's new branding. The main change is that the inverting switches, which were internal on the original, are now positioned on the outside of the chassis so you can change the expression direction more easily without opening the pedal up.
Can the two outputs be reversed independently?
Yes. The Exp has two independent outputs, each with the ability to invert direction, so one can sweep opposite to the other for contrasting movement. On the original version this was done with two internal switches that reverse the control so that 10 would be heel down instead; on the updated version the switches sit on the outside of the chassis.
Sources (4)
- Chase Bliss Audio Exp Roller Expression Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2021-10-27
- Chase Bliss Audio EXP Expression Roller: Control two effects simultaneously, gearnews.com, 2021-10-28
- Chase Bliss rolls out an updated Exp roller expression pedal, Guitar.com, 2022-10-27
- DTC Has Begun, Chase Bliss
