The Limetone Audio LTV-500L-ilm is a volume pedal built by modifying the Boss FV-500L: Limetone Audio rebuilds the circuit with hand-wired, point-to-point wiring and adds its Illuminate feature, a ten-step LED display on the side of the pedal that shows how far it is pressed1. It sits in the volume pedal family alongside Limetone Audio's other FV-500L-based models such as the LTV-500L and the smaller LTV-30L-ilm.
The LED travel display
The Illuminate feature is what sets this pedal apart from the stock FV-500L it is based on. Ten LEDs on the side of the pedal show the amount of pedal travel, so a player can see at a glance where the pedal is set without looking down at their feet1.
Three display modes are selectable1:
- Bar mode: the default, with the LEDs lit as a bar
- Dot mode: a single LED marks the pedal's position
- LED OFF: the display is turned off entirely
Connections and power
The pedal is mono throughout. A tuner out lets a tuner stay connected permanently without loading the main signal path1.
On the underlying FV-500L, Boss specifies the TUNER OUT as a 1/4-inch phone type jack2.
Power comes from a DC 9V input with a center-minus connector, and the pedal draws a maximum of 90mA1.
At a maximum draw of 90mA1, the LTV-500L-ilm needs a supply output that can deliver that current. A low-output daisy-chain position on a pedalboard supply may not be enough, and there is no battery option listed.
Background: the FV-500L base
The donor circuit is Boss's FV-500L, a low-impedance volume pedal in Boss's FV-500 series. Boss notes that both models in that series also provide an expression output for use with expression-compatible amps, effects and even synthesizers3. Limetone Audio's modification keeps that platform and replaces the wiring with hand-wired point-to-point construction1.
Questions
What is the Limetone Audio LTV-500L-ilm based on?
It is a modification of the Boss FV-500L volume pedal, rebuilt by Limetone Audio with hand-wired, point-to-point wiring. The underlying FV-500L design also provides an expression output for use with expression-compatible amps, effects and synthesizers, according to Boss.
What do the bar, dot and LED OFF modes do?
The LTV-500L-ilm shows how far the pedal is pressed with ten LEDs on its side. Limetone Audio offers three display modes: bar mode, the default, dot mode, and LED OFF, which turns the display off. Players can choose whichever mode they prefer.
Does the LTV-500L-ilm have a tuner out?
Yes. Alongside the INPUT and OUTPUT jacks, the pedal has a dedicated TUNER OUT jack, so a tuner can stay connected permanently without sitting in the main signal path. All three jacks are mono.
How much current does the LTV-500L-ilm draw?
Limetone Audio lists a maximum current draw of 90mA. The pedal runs from a 9V DC supply with a center-minus connector, so a standard isolated pedalboard supply output rated for at least 90mA is needed.
Is the LTV-500L-ilm mono or stereo?
It is a mono pedal. The INPUT, OUTPUT and TUNER OUT jacks are all mono, so it suits a single instrument signal rather than stereo rigs.
Sources (3)
- LTV-500L-ilm, Limetone Audio, 2024
- BOSS - FV-500H/FV-500L | Volume Pedal, BOSS (boss.info)
- BOSS - FV-500H/FV-500L | Volume Pedal, BOSS (boss.info)
