Keith McMillen Instruments SoftStep Reference Manual page 87

Appendix 87
we provide a 1/4" to 3.5mm TRS adapter with the SoftStep package. Use that. If you need a
replacement, just make sure it's a TRS (stereo) adapter, not a TS (mono) adapter.
Second, you should check and make sure you're actually using an expression pedal. It can be
tough because while the term "expression pedal" does have established standards, they're not
always followed. Some companies say "expression pedal" when it's actually a "volume
pedal" (there is a difference) — some do the opposite and call expression pedals volume
pedals. Sometimes the potentiometer (often shortened to "pot") inside has a different
resistance which can lead to different behavior between pedals. Some have a different
"taper" (or "curve") resulting in different values across the pedal's travel. At KMI we use Roland
EV-5 expression pedals without issue.
Third, check to make sure that your expression pedal operates on the correct voltage. All KMI
gear operates from 0 to +5 volts. If your expression pedal goes beyond that there will be a lot
of pedal travel that appears to do nothing.
Note: Volume pedals do not work with the SoftStep or any KMI controller with expression pedal input
— at least, not without some modifications... With some basic soldering skills a volume pedal can be
modified into an expression pedal. There are also some workarounds: http://www.strymon.net/
2011/10/10/strymon-tech-corner-3-volume-pedal-as-an-expression-pedal/ Also note that most volume
pedals use logarithmic tapered pots as opposed to linear pots — this will have an effect on the curve/
response of the pedal.
Does MIDI sent to the Expander's input get passed out the MIDI
Out? Like a MIDI Thru?
No, the MIDI Expander's input does not behave like a MIDI Thru (pass the input out the
output). The Expander's MIDI input is exclusively for getting MIDI into a connected computer
(like a MIDI interface) or for external control of the SoftStep.
MIDI notes are always an octave off in [insert software here]. Is
something wrong?
Nope.
There are actually multiple MIDI note number to note name conventions — different companies
follow different standards. KMI follows the C3=60 paradigm (as does Ableton, Logic,
MainStage, and more), while other companies follow the C4=60 paradigm (Native Instruments
and others). It's even possible to run into a C5=60 standard, but that is much more rare.
If all MIDI notes appear to be an octave off, it simply means there are two different note naming
standards involved. It's only the note number that matters — the name is irrelevant.
SoftStep only shows up as "USB Audio Device" when connected. Is
something wrong?
Nope, nothing is wrong — you're just using Windows XP. Windows XP lists any class-compliant
USB MIDI controller as "USB Audio Device", rather than the actual port name. The correct port
name should be displayed on Windows 7 and 8, as well as all versions of Mac OS.