A sustain pedal is a foot pedal that holds notes ringing after the keys are released, doing the job of an acoustic piano's damper pedal for keyboards, digital pianos and synths.
About Keyboard Sustain Pedals
A sustain pedal lets notes ring on after you lift your fingers from the keys, replicating the damper pedal of an acoustic piano. It is the first accessory most keyboard and digital piano players add, and essential for convincing piano parts, lush pads and expressive playing.
SWAMP stocks universal sustain pedals from JOYO, Alctron and Nektar with piano-style action and a polarity switch, so they work with most keyboards, digital pianos, MIDI controllers and synths regardless of brand. Setting up a practice space? Complete it with a keyboard stand and keyboard stool, or browse the full pianos and keyboards range.
Sustain Pedal FAQs
Will a sustain pedal work with any keyboard?
Most universal sustain pedals connect through a standard 1/4" jack and work with the vast majority of keyboards, digital pianos and MIDI controllers, including Yamaha, Casio and Roland models. Check that your instrument has a sustain or damper pedal input, and use the polarity switch if the pedal behaves in reverse.
What does the polarity switch on a sustain pedal do?
Keyboard brands wire their pedal inputs in two different ways, so a pedal suited to one brand can work backwards on another, sustaining when released instead of when pressed. The polarity switch flips the pedal's behaviour so it responds correctly on either type.
Is a keyboard sustain pedal the same as a piano's sustain pedal?
It performs the same job as the right-hand damper pedal on an acoustic piano. On a keyboard the pedal simply sends a signal telling the instrument to sustain the notes, and piano-style pedals recreate the feel of the real thing under your foot.
