The Electro-Harmonix 8 Step Program is an analog expression and control-voltage sequencer: instead of processing your guitar signal itself, it outputs a repeating sequence of up to eight voltage levels through its EXP/CV OUT jack, driving any parameter on another pedal that would normally respond to an expression pedal or CV generator, such as oscillator pitch, filter cutoff or delay time1. Released in 2013, it is a digital unit in a die-cast enclosure, and both it and its companion Foot Controller are now discontinued, with Electro-Harmonix marking both as discontinued in 202612.
The appeal for a player is that it automates what an expression pedal does manually. Guitar World described the effect when it demoed the unit in 201313:
"It can turn an ordinary auto-wah into a step filter, a tremolo into a syncopated pulse effect and a pitch-shifter into an arpeggiator."
What it does to your sound
The 8 Step Program does not pass audio at all. Its sequences are composed of up to 8 steps, each with its own independent slider for setting the expression or CV level at that step, and the resulting sequence is output through the EXP/CV OUT jack to whatever pedal or synth parameter you connect it to1. Set the sliders to a rising pattern and a filter sweeps up in steps; alternate two sliders and you get a ping-pong effect; randomize the levels and the destination parameter jumps unpredictably.
Four sequence direction modes shape how the pattern plays: Forward, Reverse, Bounce and Random1. A glide setting, adjusted from the MODE knob, smooths the jumps between steps into continuous sweeps when you want them.
The controls: eight sliders, rate and three footswitches
The front panel centers on the eight step sliders, with the RATE slider setting the internal tempo: pushing it upward increases the speed of the sequence1. A rotary encoder with a push switch gives control over glide rate, direction, sequencer length and depth, with three MODE LEDs and a digit display for editing and displaying those parameters1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| 8 step sliders | Set the expression or CV level of each step independently1 |
| RATE slider | Sets internal tempo; pushing up increases sequence speed1 |
| MODE knob (rotary encoder with push switch) | Edits glide rate, direction, sequencer length and depth1 |
| TAP FSW | Taps in the tempo; press and release at least twice1 |
| RESET FSW | Forces the sequencer to jump back to its first step1 |
| TAP DIVIDE button | Divides down Tap Tempo for faster tempos; 7 modes shown on five LEDs1 |
| EXP. MODE button | Chooses the destination parameter for an external expression pedal or CV to modulate1 |
Six Tap Tempo Divide modes provide rhythmic diversity, letting the sequence subdivide a tapped tempo rather than simply following it1.
Connections, presets and MIDI sync
The 8 Step Program saves, stores and recalls 10 presets on its own1. Its jacks cover both control input and output:
- EXP/CV OUT: the sequence itself leaves through this jack1
- EXP IN: accepts an expression pedal with a TRS plug to control RATE, DEPTH, GLIDE and SEQUENCE LENGTH with your foot1
- MIDI IN: accepts a MIDI output connection, so the unit can sync to a drum machine or DAW via MIDI clock1
- FC: connects the optional Foot Controller, expanding available presets from 10 to 1001
For the expression input to work with an external pedal, the destination must accept a voltage source and a TRS plug wired Sleeve = Heel, Ring = Toe, Tip = Wiper, with a Ring voltage between 2VDC and 9VDC setting the maximum range of the controlling signal1.
Tempo can be set three ways: the Rate slider, the Tap Tempo footswitch, or MIDI clock sync from external gear1.
History and the 8 Step Program Foot Controller
The 8 Step Program was released in 2013 with a US list price of $164.51, announced alongside the Foot Controller in March of that year4. Both units feature solid die-cast construction4.
The 8 Step Program Foot Controller, also released in 2013 and discontinued in 2026, lets you save and recall up to 100 presets with the sequencer2. It connects to the 8 Step Program with a standard mono guitar cable and receives its power directly from the main unit through that cable, so it needs no power supply of its own24.
| 8 Step Program alone | With Foot Controller | |
|---|---|---|
| Presets | 101 | 1001 |
| Preset selection | From the pedal | Two footswitches page up and down2 |
| Preset display | Digit display on the pedal | 2-digit LED display, numbers 0 to 992 |
| Power | 9.6VDC-200mA adapter included1 | Powered from the 8 Step Program via the cable2 |
On the Foot Controller, press and hold either footswitch for approximately 1 second to jump up or down by 10 presets at a time2. Delicious Audio noted at launch that the 100-preset capacity required buying the Foot Controller separately5.
Videos
EHX
Electronic Musician Magazine
Psyckadeli TV
News
Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix 8-Step Program discontinued?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix lists the 8 Step Program as discontinued in 2026, and the optional 8 Step Program Foot Controller was discontinued the same year. Both pages remain on the maker's site as reference material, but the units are no longer in production.
Does the 8 Step Program sync to MIDI clock?
Yes. The 8 Step Program has a MIDI IN jack and can sync its sequence to MIDI clock from a drum machine or DAW. Tempo can also be set with the Rate slider or the Tap Tempo footswitch, and six Tap Tempo Divide modes divide the tapped tempo for faster rhythmic patterns.
How many presets does the 8 Step Program store?
On its own, the 8 Step Program saves, stores and recalls 10 presets. Adding the optional 8 Step Program Foot Controller, which connects with a standard mono guitar cable, expands that to 100 presets, paged through with two footswitches and shown on a two-digit LED display.
What pedals work with the 8 Step Program?
Any pedal or device whose parameter responds to an expression pedal or control voltage, such as oscillators, filters and delay parameters. The sequence leaves through the EXP/CV OUT jack. Guitar World noted it can turn an auto-wah into a step filter, a tremolo into a syncopated pulse effect and a pitch-shifter into an arpeggiator.
What power supply does the 8 Step Program need?
It runs on the included 9.6VDC-200mA power adapter, with a current draw of 100mA. The Foot Controller needs no power supply of its own: it receives its power directly from the 8 Step Program through the same standard mono guitar cable used to connect it.
Sources (5)
- 8 Step Program, Electro-Harmonix (ehx.com), 2026
- 8 Step Program Foot Controller, Electro-Harmonix
- Video: Electro-Harmonix Demos New 8 Step Program Analog Expression/CV Sequencer, Guitar World, 2013-07-30
- Electro-Harmonix Introduce 8 Step Program Control Sequencer, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2013-03-14
- Guitar Pedal News: Electro-Harmonix RTG And 8 Step Program, Delicious Audio, 2013-03-05
