Distributor: EGM Distribution | RRP: $569
I have seen my fair share of volume pedals over the past three decades, and I have seen more repair jobs on volume pedals in that time than I care to mention. It’s one of those pieces in the audio signal puzzle that often gets thrown in as an afterthought. Often, a cheap stopgap is employed because it’s ‘not that important’, and that rhetoric usually comes back to bite you. It’s funny how such a critical link in your audio signal chain is just brushed off, the results being signal degradation, future repairs and the guitarist’s greatest fear, tone loss. So, why cut your tone apart along the way, when you can ensure clarity, volume and ongoing reliability? That’s certainly what Lehle have gone for in their range of volume pedals that absolutely have the guitarist in mind for build and tone quality.
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We all know that moment – when your cheap volume pedal starts to give up the ghost. The potentiometer gets stiff, the movement becomes restricted, and that audible crackling in your signal path all become the early warning signs of a repair job. It’s only a matter of time until the signal gets cut off altogether and you’re up for a replacement pot, or worse, an entire pedal. We all want to avoid that inevitable process – and nobody more so than Burkhard Lehle, who set about designing a volume pedal that wouldn’t need a pot replacement, ever.
The Lehle Mono Volume pedal features magnetic sensor technology, using a German-made Hall sensor that accurately adjusts the VCA based on the measured strength of a calibrated magnet over the distance of the pedal’s movement. It’s so simple, yet so perfectly constructed, it could only be described as German engineering at its finest.
The pedal face houses the magnet, the casing houses the sensor, so as the pedal is moved up and down, the Hall sensor registers the distance and controls the Voltage Controlled Amplifier. For those who care about the little things – and the little things do matter – it’s an American-made Blackmer VCA. This delivers a more accurate adjustment of volume levels with less operating noise than a traditional mechanical potentiometer.
As no mechanical potentiometer is employed, the input and output impedance stays consistent across the entire control range, so what’s transferred through is a clean signal with a total dynamic range of 110dB. When you drop your heel, it pulls the signal back to -92dB, which in essence creates an audible muting of any signal. Pushing your toe all the way forward brings you back to 0dB, so your full volume is passed through. There is an optional +10dB boost that can be added via a separate potentiometer, found on the housing between the input and output connections.
On the front of the housing, the power connection, Input Jack, Output Jack and a separate Direct Out Jack can be found. The buffered Direct Out – intended for a tuner, recording, effects or an additional amplifier – bypasses the internal signal chain without affecting your sound. The Boost pot sits there too, keeping all connections and controls out of the way of your foot and nicely recessed within the outer frame to reduce any unwanted bumps.
As for the foot plate, it’s a good size, especially for someone with a big foot like me. With two rubber pads across the surface, your foot grips nicely with no chance of sliding around or missing the mark. It’s a generous throw across the full motion of the pedal, so you can neatly dial in to the level you’d like without worrying about shooting past too easily. In practice, that sweep feels confidence-inspiring – whether you’re rolling back for a slow swell or making quick, precise cuts mid-performance, the action holds exactly where you put it without any of the stickiness or dead spots you’d notice on a worn pot-based pedal.
The best way to describe the Lehle Mono Volume pedal is solid. It comes in at a little under 1.5kg, as one would expect with the decent footprint and robust metal casing. And that’s exactly how you’d want it to be. There are some serious components housed under the hood, so you want them built into a solid casing, especially given the workout it’s going to get underfoot. The weight doesn’t affect the movement in any adverse way either. It has a nice, smooth action that allows you to easily hold at any position and get moving again without any noticeable sticking at the startup of the sweep. Perfect for the fast-moving, dynamic user or the more subtle, delicate perfectionist.
Other models in the Lehle volume pedal range also implement the magnetic sensor technology for the same wear-free, smooth transition. Each has its own unique focus, taking care of a wide range of needs for all musicians. The Lehle Stereo Volume pedal offers signal passage from a virtually muted signal of -92dB up to 0dB with the added backing of their VCA for perfect transparency. This is ideal for keyboards, synthesizers, mixer outputs and a range of other uses.
The Lehle Mono Volume S pedal offers another unique take on a simple design with a discreet Class-A input stage and digital control, with MIDI implementation via USB-C connection. All that, and a boost of up to +12dB more gain, in a seemingly innocent little footrest.
So, if you’re looking to improve your signal path, achieve greater control over your dynamic range and not have to worry about pots wearing out underfoot anymore, get into your local Lehle dealer and check out these pedals. Your tone will thank you.
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