The Limetone Audio LTV-30E-ilm is an expression pedal built on a modified BOSS EV-30. Limetone Audio takes the BOSS EV-30 and adds a side LED that shows how far the pedal is pressed, in 10 steps, so you can see your pedal position at a glance while playing. It is the second release in the company's Illuminate series1.
What it is and what it does
The base pedal, the BOSS EV-30, is a compact dual expression pedal. Premier Guitar's reviewer described it as a rugged expression pedal in its 2021 review2. Expression pedals like this send control signals rather than audio, letting you sweep parameters such as volume, wah, or effect settings with your foot. Premier Guitar's expression pedal buying guide notes that the EV-30 includes a polarity switch to provide compatibility with most devices that support expression control3.
BOSS has also pointed to creative uses for the EV-30: Ed Lim, writing on BOSS's own articles site, noted that you can use the EV-30 with a GT-1000CORE for pitch-shifting, dive-bomb, and drop tune effects on the fly4.
The LTV-30E-ilm modification adds the Illuminate series' signature feature: an LED on the side of the pedal that lights the amount of pedal travel in 10 steps1.
LED modes and the 2021 change
Early units offered three display options via a mode switch:
- Bar mode: the LED shows travel as a bar1
- Dot mode: the LED shows travel as a dot1
- LED off: the display is switched off1
From 2021 shipments onward, Limetone Audio discontinued the mode switch, and the pedal operates in bar mode only1.
If you are buying a used unit, units shipped from 2021 onward have no mode switch and run in bar mode only. Earlier units could also do dot mode or turn the LED off1.
Versions, power and availability
The pedal comes in two versions, a right-footed and a left-footed one, so the pedal can be set up for either foot1. It is sold exclusively through the Limetone Audio web store1.
Power comes from a DC9V in jack with center-minus polarity, drawing a maximum of 90mA1. That current draw means a standard 9V supply with enough headroom is needed; it is not a pedal that runs without power.
Questions
What is the Limetone Audio LTV-30E-ilm based on?
It is a modified version of the BOSS EV-30 expression pedal. Limetone Audio modifies the pedal and adds a side LED that displays the amount of pedal travel in 10 steps. It is the second release in the company's Illuminate series, and it keeps the EV-30's role as a compact dual expression pedal for controlling compatible devices.
Does the LTV-30E-ilm need a power supply?
Yes. The pedal has a DC9V in jack and draws up to 90mA, so it needs a 9V power supply rather than running without power. The power jack is center negative, the polarity used by most standard pedal supplies, so a typical 9V DC center-negative adapter is what it is built around.
What polarity does the LTV-30E-ilm power jack use?
The DC9V in jack is center minus, meaning center negative. That is the polarity used by the majority of guitar pedal power supplies, so a standard 9V DC center-negative adapter is the matching choice. Because the pedal draws up to 90mA, the supply needs to provide at least that much current.
Is the LTV-30E-ilm available in a left-footed version?
Yes. Limetone Audio offers the pedal in two versions: a right-footed LTV-30E-ilm (Right-footed) and a left-footed LTV-30E-ilm (Left-footed). Both are sold exclusively through the Limetone Audio web store, so players who prefer the pedal angled the other way can get the same modified EV-30 design.
Can the LED on the LTV-30E-ilm be turned off?
On earlier units, a mode switch let you choose bar mode, dot mode, or LED off. From 2021 shipments onward that switch was discontinued, and the pedal works in bar mode only. So on current units the LED display runs in bar mode and cannot be switched off or set to dot mode.
Sources (4)
- LTV-30E-ilm, Limetone Audio, 2024
- Quick Hit: Boss EV-30 Dual Expression Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-05-05
- Tools for the Task: Expression Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2017-05-17
- Express Yourself: Expanding Creativity with the EV-1-WL, BOSS (articles.boss.info), 2021-09-02
