We got a Yamaha DGX-230 and the FC4 floor pedal for Christmas.My son recently started lessons, and he and my wife reported that when they tried to use the FC4, it didn't work, and they had disconnected it.
I plugged it in and tried it, and indeed, it was backwards.When it wasn't pressed, it sustained.When it was pressed, it didn't.There was no polarity or mode switch.
However, after about 20 minutes of Googling, I found an online PDF of the model 220 owner's manual that contained this snippet:
"Make sure that the footswitch plug is properly connected to the SUSTAIN jack BEFORE turning on the power."
It turns out I hadn't bothered to turn off the DGX-230 before plugging it in.When I followed the instructions, everything worked fine.
I also noted this caution as well:
"Do not press the footswitch while turning the power on. Doing this changes the recognized polarity of the footswitch, resulting in reversed footswitch operation."
So, although the FC4 apparently doesn't have a polarity switch, the DGX-230 can switch its OWN polarity.
Other models of course may work differently.
So far I'm quite pleased with both Yamaha products and I'm impressed with the thought Yamaha has put in to them.
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Yamaha FC4 Piano Style Foot PedalProduct Description: For those electronic keyboards with an input jack labeled "SUSTAIN," the FC4 model is used in the same manner the sustain pedal on an acoustic piano is used. Designed to work and feel just like an acoustic piano's sustain pedal, its specially designed rubber bottom grips the floor and stays put while you play.
The FC4 can also be utilized as an FS controller for synthesizers, tone modules and drum machines.
The FC4 features a 6-foot cable and standard 1/4-inch plug. Works with any keyboard utilizing a sustain pedal with a 1/4" connector.
What's in the Box FC4 Foot Pedal
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I didn't buy this, just want to warn you guys that it might be the Pedal only based on feature description, item weight and price. If that's true, they should change the product name and the picture.
This pedal board is plastic.It is also a medium grey color, matching part of the px-130 keyboard.The board itself is much flimsier than I expected.What I was expecting was veneered or, foil covered particleboard, the same material that the sturdy stand is made of. Well, its not.It does look more finished than the sustain pedal attached to a cord, but when compared to the px-130 which exceeded my expectations in most regards, and the stand, which was pretty much the Ikea quality I expected, this pedal board underwhelmed.Also, the pedals are short and relatively difficult to depress.I used them with only socks on, and they weren't very comfortable to use, and not at all like a real piano.In shoes, they might be OK. Anyway, I won't return it, because that would be more trouble than its worth.I would give it 2.5 stars if that were possible, since I view it as between "It's OK" and "I don't like it"Nevertheless, the whole ensemble, keyboard, stand and board are nice together.
Horrible - bought it because I needed the polarity switch, and even that's a kluge, you need sharp fingernails to get to it. Stepping on this pedal feels like stepping on a crunchy plastic box. Really should get zero stars.
This pedal is really worth the price. I can't imagine not having it. I use it with a Yamaha P70 digital keyboard. I grew up playing a normal piano, and was skeptical about how this would work. The control is very precise. It is indespensible for anyone who is used to using a pedal. At first I thought it was a little high of the ground, but I got used to it.
Growing up with an acoustic piano, I was uncomfortable with how the FC-5 Sustain Pedal felt.For me to tell when I was pressing the pedal or not, I had to take my shoes off.Unwilling to be an environmental hazard, I decided to purchase a pedal that has the feel of an acoustic piano's pedal.(Much better than buying that yellow tape to surround myself with...)
I had been using the 'pedal' which came with the keyboard for the Privia px-100 keyboard which is nothing like a pedal on a normal piano.I purchased the M-Audio pedal to replace it.