Nord Pedal Keys 25 — 25-Note Wooden MIDI Pedalboard with EP30 Expression Pedal
Nord MIDI pedalboard with 25 wooden keys, two octaves from C to C, in an aluminum chassis. The EP30 expression pedal is included and mounts on the pedalboard. Powered over the MIDI cable with the Nord Organ 3.
Playing bass with your left hand means giving up a hand for the harmony. Organists have always known it: bass is played with the feet. The Nord Pedal Keys 25 is a MIDI pedalboard with 25 wooden keys, from C2 to C4, built into a rugged yet light aluminum chassis. Nord adds its EP30 expression pedal, mounted on top of the pedalboard, so both feet find everything they need in one place.
Highlights
- 25 wooden keys: two full octaves, from C2 to C4 (MIDI notes 36 to 60).
- Designed for heel-toe playing: Nord designed it for accurate, expressive footwork.
- Nord EP30 expression pedal included: mounted on the top panel with its dedicated bracket, right where your foot is.
- Adjustable resistance: the EP30's friction is set with a hex screw inside the pedal.
- Powered over MIDI with the Nord Organ 3: one cable does it all; a 9 V DC adapter is supplied for everything else.
- Works with any MIDI device: organ, stage keyboard, sound module or software.
Specifications
| Keys | 25, wooden |
|---|---|
| Range | C2 to C4 (MIDI notes 36 to 60) |
| MIDI transmission | Channel 3, fixed velocity of 64 |
| Expression pedal | Nord EP30 included, with mounting bracket; adjustable friction |
| Chassis | Aluminum |
| Power | Over MIDI with the Nord Organ 3; otherwise supplied 9 V DC adapter |
| Dimensions (pedal mounted) | 98 × 24.2 × 61.1 cm (W × H × D) |
| Weight | 15.5 kg |
| Included | Assembly manual, MIDI cable, 9 V DC adapter |
Who it's for
Organists first. With the Nord Organ 3, the pedalboard plays the pedal drawbars and the organ or synth basses, and it draws its power from the MIDI cable: no extra power brick on stage. Nord also lists it among the accessories of the older Nord C2D. Since it speaks standard MIDI, it also suits keyboardists who want foot bass on another instrument or in software. The pedalboard transmits on channel 3 at a fixed velocity: the receiving instrument has to listen on that channel.
Setup
- Assembly: the EP30 pedal attaches to the pedalboard with the supplied bracket; an assembly manual is included.
- Connection: the supplied MIDI cable runs from the pedalboard to the instrument's MIDI input.
- Power: nothing else to plug in with the Nord Organ 3; elsewhere, the 9 V DC adapter.
Alternatives from other brands
| Model | Keys | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|
| Nord Pedal Keys 25 | 25, wooden, C2 to C4 | EP30 expression pedal mounted on top; powered over MIDI with the Nord Organ 3 |
| Hammond XPK-250 | 25, B-3 style radial pedalboard | Integrated expression pedal; H-Bus connection for Hammond organs and 5-pin MIDI |
| Studiologic MP-117 | 17, wood-tipped | Velocity-sensitive pedals; transpose, program change; 7.5 kg |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Nord Pedal Keys 25 work with keyboards other than the Nord Organ 3?
- Yes. Nord states it is compatible with all MIDI-enabled equipment. It transmits on channel 3: set the instrument or software to receive that channel. Away from the Nord Organ 3, plug in the supplied 9 V DC adapter.
- Does it need to be plugged into the wall?
- Not with the Nord Organ 3, which powers it over the MIDI cable. With any other instrument, Nord supplies a 9 V DC adapter.
- Are the keys velocity-sensitive?
- No. Nord specifies a fixed velocity of 64: every note goes out at the same level, as on an organ pedalboard.
- Is the expression pedal really included?
- Yes. The Nord EP30 is in the box, with the bracket that fixes it to the pedalboard's top panel. Its friction is adjusted with a hex screw.
- How many notes does it cover?
- 25 keys, two full octaves from C2 to C4, MIDI notes 36 to 60.