The Dunlop XP Series Expression Pedal for Line 6 (model XPL6) is an expression pedal made by Dunlop and calibrated specifically for Line 6 gear. Dunlop says it is "matched to the exact response of all Line 6 products with an expression input," with "smooth, accurate heel-to-toe tracking, calibrated to match every Line 6 expression input"1. In plain terms, you plug it into the expression jack on a Line 6 unit and rock the pedal to control a parameter by foot, such as volume, wah, or pitch, without touching a knob.
An expression pedal differs from a volume pedal in that it sends a control signal to another device rather than passing your guitar signal through it. The XPL6 is one of several Dunlop XP Series pedals, each calibrated for a specific modeler or ecosystem, including versions for the Helix, the Kemper Profiler, the TMP, and the Neural DSP Quad Cortex123.
What it does and how it is built
The XPL6 is a rocker pedal: you push the treadle down toward toe or back toward heel, and it sends a corresponding control value to the Line 6 device. Dunlop describes the sweep as smooth with accurate tracking from heel to toe, so the parameter you are controlling follows your foot evenly across the full range rather than jumping or bunching up at one end1.
The build is aimed at gigging players. Dunlop says "the all-metal rocker and base ensure high performance and road readiness"1. The same all-metal construction carries across the whole XP Series, including the Helix, Kemper, and TMP versions243.
Cables and setup
Setup is deliberately simple. Dunlop says of the XPL6: "All you need is a standard instrument cable"1. That is the same cable you use to plug your guitar into an amp, so there is no special TRS or stereo cable to track down, unlike some expression pedals on the market.
For comparison, the other XP Series pedals have different cable requirements:
| Pedal | Cables required |
|---|---|
| XP for Line 6 (XPL6) | One standard instrument cable1 |
| XP for Line 6 Helix (XPL6H) | A pair of standard instrument cables2 |
| XP for Kemper | One TRS cable and one standard instrument cable3 |
| XP for TMP | One TRS cable and one standard instrument cable4 |
The Helix version: XPL6H
Players using a Line 6 Helix should look at the sibling product, the Dunlop XP Series Expression Pedal for Line 6 Helix (model XPL6H). It is "built to the exact specifications of Line 6 Helix modelers with expression and toe switch support"2.
The key difference is the toe switch. On the XPL6H, "the toe switch allows effects with on/off modes to be engaged and disengaged"2. In practice, that means you can turn a wah, pitch, or other switchable effect block on and off with your foot while the pedal keeps sending its position to the modeler, without interrupting the flow of a performance. The Helix version connects with a pair of standard instrument cables rather than one, one for the expression signal and one for the switch2.
Dunlop lists the XPL6H as part of the Helix line, a wah built around the same basic treadle and pedal chassis as the other Helix models2.
Price and the XP Series range
Dunlop lists the XP Series Expression Pedal for Line 6 at $169.993. The other XP Series pedals carry the same $169.99 list price, with one exception: the XP Series Expression Pedal for Neural DSP Quad Cortex is listed at $189.991.
| XP Series pedal | List price |
|---|---|
| XP for Line 6 | $169.993 |
| XP for Kemper | $169.991 |
| XP for Neural DSP Quad Cortex | $189.991 |
Dunlop also makes more general-purpose volume and expression pedals outside the XP Series, including the DVP4, the Volume X, and the DVP3 Volume (X), which are not calibrated to a single manufacturer's inputs.
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Questions
What is the difference between the XPL6 and the XPL6H?
The XPL6 is the standard Dunlop XP Series Expression Pedal for Line 6, calibrated to match every Line 6 expression input and connecting with a single standard instrument cable. The XPL6H is the Helix version, built to the exact specifications of Line 6 Helix modelers that support expression and toe switch functionality, and it connects with a pair of standard instrument cables.
Does the Dunlop XP pedal for Line 6 work with the Helix?
For Helix modelers, Dunlop makes a dedicated version, the XP Series Expression Pedal for Line 6 Helix (XPL6H). It is built to the exact specifications of Line 6 Helix modelers that support expression and toe switch functionality, so players using a Helix should look at that version rather than the standard XPL6.
What does the toe switch do on the Helix version?
On the XPL6H, the toe switch allows effects with on/off modes to be engaged and disengaged. That means you can switch a block such as a wah or pitch effect in and out with your foot while the pedal keeps sending its heel-to-toe position to the modeler.
What cables does the Dunlop XP pedal for Line 6 use?
The standard XPL6 uses a single standard instrument cable, the same cable you already use for your guitar. The Helix version, XPL6H, connects with a pair of standard instrument cables, one for the expression signal and one for the toe switch.
How much does the Dunlop XP pedal for Line 6 cost?
Dunlop lists the XP Series Expression Pedal for Line 6 at $169.99. Other pedals in the same XP Series carry the same $169.99 list price, except the XP Series Expression Pedal for Neural DSP Quad Cortex, which is listed at $189.99.
Is the Dunlop XP pedal for Line 6 made of metal?
Yes. Dunlop describes an all-metal rocker and base that ensure high performance and road readiness. The same all-metal rocker and base construction is used across the XP Series, including the Helix, Kemper, and TMP versions.
Sources (4)
- DUNLOP XP SERIES EXPRESSION PEDAL FOR LINE 6, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- DUNLOP XP SERIES EXPRESSION PEDAL FOR LINE 6 HELIX, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- DUNLOP XP SERIES EXPRESSION PEDAL FOR KEMPER, Jim Dunlop (www.jimdunlop.com)
- DUNLOP XP SERIES EXPRESSION PEDAL FOR TMP, Jim Dunlop (www.jimdunlop.com)
