The Hammond Organ EXP-50J is an expression pedal, the foot-operated control that swells the volume of a Hammond-style organ while the player's hands stay on the manuals. Hammond builds it to behave like the pedal on its vintage instruments: the company says it is the same size, has the same "feel", and most importantly has that same "curve" as the Classic B-31.
Why the curve matters
Expression pedals do not simply pass volume from zero to full in a straight line. As Hammond puts it, "The Expression Pedal of Classic Hammonds had a very unique response or 'curve'", and the EXP-50J is based on that circuit, carrying the same response as the Classic B-31. For a player moving between a vintage Hammond and a modern keyboard, a pedal with a matching curve means the swell responds where the foot expects it to.
Compatibility and connection
The pedal connects to the keyboard with a 1/4 inch TRS cable, which Hammond supplies1. Hammond lists the following instruments as set by default to accept the pedal1:
- SkPRO
- SkxPRO
- XK-1c
- Legacy Sk series
- Legacy Skx series
Hammond also describes the EXP-50J as an excellent choice for any other keyboard or instrument using a 1/4 inch TRS jack1. Hammond's own compatibility list covers its Sk, Skx, SkPRO, SkxPRO and XK-1c instruments, and the maker's two statements about use with other gear are not reconciled on the product page.
Players comparing Hammond's expression pedals may also come across the Hammond EXP-100f and the Hammond EXP-20. For the wider category, see Expression Pedals.
Videos
Official Hammond Organ
Bonners Music: Pianos & Keyboards
Official Hammond Organ
Sources (1)
- EXP50J - Hammond Organ, Hammond Organ
