The Electro-Harmonix Next Step Expression Pedal is a rocking expression pedal that controls expression and control-voltage capable effects and instruments. Electro-Harmonix describes it as "a responsive expression pedal that provides precise control over your expression or control-voltage capable effects and instruments"1. It is part of the Next Step Effects series, a line of pedals built around one proprietary design, and it was discontinued in 20201.
What sets it apart mechanically is what it does not contain. It does not use a potentiometer, optics or magnetism to sweep expression-enabled controls1. That matters to players because potentiometer-based expression pedals wear out at the sweep element, and optical or magnetic designs have their own failure points. Premier Guitar's expression pedal buying guide noted the same design when rounding up expression pedals2.
The Next Step Expression Pedal is discontinued. Electro-Harmonix lists it as discontinued in 2020, so it is available only on the secondhand market1.
Controls and how it works
The pedal has two controls beyond the rocking treadle itself:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Range dial | Increases or decreases the expression sweep range1 |
| Reverse control | Reverses the direction of the pedal's output1 |
The Range dial sets how wide the sweep is. No Treble described it as "a Range dial for increasing or decreasing the expression range from the pedal's Heel setting"4, which means the heel position stays put and the dial determines how far the toe travel reaches. That is useful when an effect only responds to part of a full sweep, or when two pedals in a chain need matching ranges.
The Reverse control flips the output direction, so a heel-down sweep can do what a toe-down sweep normally does. That helps when a controlled effect works opposite to the direction you expect, or when you want to rock the pedal the other way for a particular part1.
Power
A battery is included, and a 9 Volt power supply is optional1. The pedal runs on its internal battery, so it does not need a spot on a pedalboard power supply, and the optional 9 Volt supply is there if you would rather not swap batteries.
The Next Step Effects series
The Expression Pedal is one of four utility pedals Electro-Harmonix built on the same proprietary Next Step design. MusicRadar reported in September 2012 that the company had "further expanded its Next Step Effects range with the addition of three new pedals"3, the Volume, Expression and Pan models, which No Treble reported were "shipping now with street prices of around $88.20"4.
| Pedal | What it does | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Next Step Expression Pedal | Expression / CV control | Discontinued 20201 |
| Next Step Volume Pedal | Volume control, with direct and effect outputs and bypass level control | Discontinued 20205 |
| Next Step Pan Pedal | Pan / blend / mono and stereo volume | Discontinued 20236 |
| Next Step Talking Pedal | Vocal formant wah with fuzz, "talkbox-like vocal expression without the hassles" | Discontinued 20207 |
The series shares its construction philosophy as well as its circuit design. Electro-Harmonix calls the enclosure "ultra rugged" with "no footswitches, gears or rack to break"1, which is the practical case for a pedal with no moving parts beyond the treadle itself. The Talking Pedal, announced separately by Premier Guitar in 2012, "uses the proprietary design of EHX's Next Step Effects"8, the same foundation as the Expression Pedal.
Price at launch
When the three utility pedals shipped in September 2012, the Expression Pedal carried a US list price of $117.603. No Treble reported street prices of around $88.20 for the Volume, Expression and Pan pedals at the same time4. Those are 2012 launch figures; the pedal's current secondhand value is a separate matter.
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Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix Next Step Expression Pedal discontinued?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix lists the Next Step Expression Pedal as discontinued in 2020. The other utility pedals in the Next Step series met the same fate: the Volume and Talking pedals were discontinued in 2020 and the Pan pedal in 2023. Secondhand units are the way to find one now.
Does the Next Step Expression Pedal use a potentiometer?
No. Electro-Harmonix states that it does not use a potentiometer, optics or magnetism to sweep expression-enabled controls. Premier Guitar's expression pedal buying guide makes the same point about the pedal. The design is proprietary to the Next Step Effects series.
Does the Next Step Expression Pedal need a power supply?
No. A battery is included, and a 9 Volt power supply is optional. The same arrangement applies across the Next Step utility pedals, so the Expression Pedal can run on its internal battery without a spot on a power supply.
What does the Range dial do on the Next Step Expression Pedal?
The Range dial increases or decreases the expression sweep range. No Treble described it as setting the expression range from the pedal's heel setting, so you can match the sweep to what the controlled effect expects. A separate Reverse control flips the direction of the pedal's output.
What did the Next Step Expression Pedal cost?
At launch in September 2012 it carried a US list price of $117.60, and No Treble reported street prices of around $88.20 for the Volume, Expression and Pan pedals as they shipped. Those are 2012 figures, not what a secondhand unit costs today.
Sources (8)
- Next Step Expression Pedal, Electro-Harmonix, 2020
- Tools for the Task: Expression Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2017-05-17
- Electro-Harmonix expands Next Step Effects, MusicRadar, 2012-09-20
- Electro-Harmonix Adds Utility Pedals to Next Step Series, No Treble, 2012-09-28
- Next Step Volume Pedal, Electro-Harmonix, 2020
- Next Step Pan Pedal, Electro-Harmonix, 2023
- Next Step Talking Pedal, Electro-Harmonix, 2020
- Electro-Harmonix Introduces the Talking Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-11
