The Electro-Harmonix EHX Expression is a single-output expression pedal from Electro-Harmonix1. It is built to control effects pedals and other devices that have an expression input, using a standard TRS connection2.
What sets it apart from many expression pedals is the combination of a light polymer build and two setup controls: a range knob that fine-tunes the sweep, and a reverse button that flips the sweep direction21. Together those two controls let you adapt the pedal to gear that expects a different sweep range or an opposite direction, which is the usual frustration with generic expression pedals.
Controls and setup
Two controls shape how the pedal behaves with whatever it is connected to:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Range knob | Fine-tunes the pedal's sweep21 |
| Reverse button | Flips the pedal's sweep direction1 |
The range knob matters because expression inputs on different devices rarely expect the same sweep. Dialing the range in means the pedal's full travel maps onto the parameter you are controlling, rather than spending part of its movement doing nothing. The reverse button handles the other common mismatch: some devices increase a value as you rock forward, others decrease it, and the button swaps heel and toe so the pedal works the way your ear expects1.
Construction and outputs
The EHX Expression uses what Guitar World describes as the company's advanced polymer construction, which "yields a roadworthy pedal with significant weight savings"1. MusicRadar makes the same point, calling it a polymer build chosen for durability and light weight2. For a player loading a pedalboard, the weight saving is the practical draw: expression pedals are often the heaviest thing on a board, and a polymer unit cuts that down.
Price and availability
At its July 2017 introduction, the EHX Expression carried a U.S. list price of $65.70 and was available immediately12. MusicRadar, covering the launch at Summer NAMM 2017, gave approximate launch prices of £51 in the UK and €57 in the EU alongside the U.S. figure2.
"The EHX Expression Pedal carries a U.S. list price of $65.70"
Where it sits in the Electro-Harmonix range
The EHX Expression was Electro-Harmonix's own take on the affordable expression pedal, arriving as the company built out its controller lineup2. Around it sit the Dual Expression for two devices, the compact Cntl Knob static expression pedal, and the Next Step Expression Pedal. For players comparing options, the EHX Expression's pitch was simplicity and price: one output, two setup controls, and a light enclosure2.
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Questions
How much does the Electro-Harmonix EHX Expression cost?
The EHX Expression carried a U.S. list price of $65.70 when Electro-Harmonix introduced it in July 2017, and it was available immediately at that price. MusicRadar also listed approximate prices of £51 in the UK and €57 in the EU at launch.
What does the range knob do on the EHX Expression?
The range knob fine-tunes the pedal's sweep. That lets you match the pedal's travel to what the connected device expects, so the full toe-to-heel movement maps onto the useful part of the parameter you are controlling.
Can the EHX Expression reverse its sweep direction?
Yes. A reverse button flips the pedal's sweep direction, so heel-down and toe-down swap. That is useful when a device responds opposite to the way you expect, or when you want the parameter to increase as you rock back instead of forward.
What is the EHX Expression pedal made of?
It uses Electro-Harmonix's polymer construction, which the company describes as yielding a roadworthy pedal with significant weight savings. MusicRadar likewise notes the polymer build for durability and light weight.
Does the EHX Expression have one output or two?
It has a single output, so it controls one device at a time. Electro-Harmonix also introduced a separate Dual Expression Pedal days later, at $72.70, for players who need to drive two devices at once.
Sources (2)
- Electro-Harmonix Introduces New Expression Pedal, Guitar World, 2017-07-11
- Summer NAMM 2017: Electro-Harmonix introduces super-affordable, flexible Expression Pedal, MusicRadar, 2017-07-12
