Modartt user forum - Problem with Expression Pedals controlling volume of manuals

Re: Problem with Expression Pedals controlling volume of manuals

2026-06-26T16:07:45Z

ddurkie wrote:

New to setting up Organteq. I am wanting to control the volume of the pedal and manuals. Expression Pedal 1 - control volume of both pedal and Great Manual, Expression Pedal 2 - Swell, and EP 3 the Choir. From what I can gather from the Organteq manual, you have to designate the 'stops' that you are using for the pedal or manuals and not the pedal or manual itself. As an example, whatever the stops are set for the Swell, the Expression Pedal 2 would control. Can you do that or am I missing something in the manual?? THANKS

Hello,
I discussed the problem of the expression pedals with a professional organist.
The preconfigured presets in Organteq emulate the way in which most pipe organs work, namely:
(1) Each expression pedal controls the volume of (a priori) all stops of a manual.
(2) The stops of the pedalboard are not controlled by any expression pedal.

Note however, that according to the same organist, a pipe organ usually has one, maximum two expression pedals, namely: the expression pedal which is closest to the crescendo pedal controls the stops of the Swell, whereas the second one (if it exists) controls the Great, and it should be positioned next to the first expression pedal, on its left.
Of course having the third expression pedal (for the Choir) is a useful additional feature, but it is not frequently available in pipe organs. So the third expression pedal will be very rarely used and should be the first from the left (most distant from the crescendo pedal) .

Therefore, taking into account these guidelines, I changed the assignment of the expression pedals in the Expression Pedal Settings as follows:

In the 3 manual presets I assigned the expression pedal X3 to the (stops of the) Swell, and the expression pedal X1 to the Choir. I let expression pedal X2 act on the Great.

In the 2 manual presets, I assigned the expression pedal X3 to the highest available manual, and the expression pedal X2 to the second one.

The organist who guides me was quite happy with these changes.

I will suggest Modartt to make this configuration standard in a future release.

Let me mention that Organteq gives the organist total control on the configuration of the expression pedals. One can for instance let an expression pedal act on only a selection of (not all) stops of each manual. Or on a selection of stops of different manuals. Or let an expression pedal control some (or all) stops of the pedalboard. Everything can easily be done in the Expression Pedal Settings. This is a very powerful software. Bach would be very happy with this.

Kind regards,
Andrei

P. S. You can see the organist who guides/helps me playing Bach in the videos I shared recently in an other post.

Re: Problem with Expression Pedals controlling volume of manuals

2026-06-26T08:37:01Z

What the manual is talking about is the ability control which--if any--stops are "under expression" and which are not. That's handled in a each presets "Expression Settings" (accessible by right click or command click on an expression pedal). That's useful for when you want to have a MIDI event control that virtual set of swell shutters for whatever stops their attached to (most of the stock presets keep things organized by division but that's because it's an historical practice--not a requirement or restriction). What Tim's describing is the ability to change the direct volume/gain of each division (which is not selectable within the division like the ability to selectively put a group of stops under expression), that is attachable to a MIDI event through settings or MIDI learn. Instead of changing the timbre of the stops to be quieter and more muffled, like an expression/swell pedal does, that setting simply turns the division's volume up or down by changing the slider value or a MIDI event (which can be further customized by what value range and step increment--sort-of--the setting should change by). The latter, which Tim describes, will generally be a global MIDI listen event that is shared between any preset that is open (even if that preset changes or is replaced with another) and will only turn off if the MIDI Mappings are changed--this can be changed but generally Action Mappings stay on by default (if my memory serves me as long as the MIDI mapping is cached as its own separate preset which the software loads by default or keeps between presets). Whereas altering the expression settings is on a preset by preset basis and can only be "globalized" through the Parameter Freeze tool/button.

Clear as mud?

Re: Problem with Expression Pedals controlling volume of manuals

2026-06-26T06:37:30Z

In general: what you want achieve is possible. You can do it in various ways:

1. Volume Control for each division is found under “Settings” - you could assign a midi controller (pedals, rotary knobs etc.) to the 3 individual “gain” faders and control the volume. I tried it here and it works.

2. If you are using Organteq with individual tracks for each division (within a DAW) you will be able to control gain indipendently, i.e. there are Templates in the forum post “Sticky note: DAW Templates)….I use the one with 4 stereo outs for each division….

3. Have several midi tracks which can be automated, muted, solo - in any way etc. to achieve to copple the manuals in any combination.

If questions pls don’t hesitate.

Problem with Expression Pedals controlling volume of manuals

2026-06-26T00:08:23Z

New to setting up Organteq. I am wanting to control the volume of the pedal and manuals. Expression Pedal 1 - control volume of both pedal and Great Manual, Expression Pedal 2 - Swell, and EP 3 the Choir. From what I can gather from the Organteq manual, you have to designate the 'stops' that you are using for the pedal or manuals and not the pedal or manual itself. As an example, whatever the stops are set for the Swell, the Expression Pedal 2 would control. Can you do that or am I missing something in the manual?? THANKS