Volume pedal on stage: Who controls the volume?

Yesterday I had an interesting phone call with a colleague who encountered an unexpected problem during a band rehearsal. The sound engineer asked him to leave his volume pedal at home, as he felt volume control fell within his job. This prompts me to explore the topic from a keyboardist's perspective while also considering the viewpoint of a sound engineer. I look forward to hearing about your experiences and comments on this subject!

The role of the volume pedal for keyboard players

I personally always use a volume pedal that can be flexibly controlled per sound in my software setup. However, I mainly use it to fade sounds in and out, rather than to adjust the overall volume. In a way, it serves as a kind of toggle switch or mute button, comparable to the key switch groups, Karma settings, or scenes in the Yamaha MODX.

I use the volume pedal specifically for organ sounds to make them more dynamic when I'm not working directly with the drawbars. It can also be helpful for solos, although I always make sure to provide the sound engineer with the loudest signal so they can work without any problems.

The sound engineer's point of view

The band in question is a tribute band with a dedicated sound engineer. My colleague is new to the band, which is why intensive rehearsals are currently underway. The engineer sees volume control for solos and general level adjustments as his responsibility. This perspective is certainly valid. Having a dedicated sound engineer actively working at the mixing console can be a tremendous help to the band.

I'm familiar with this from my own cover band; our sound engineer doesn't just set everything up once and then leave it to its own devices, but constantly adjusts levels and effects. Especially under changing conditions like different PA systems, bass amps, or varying audience sizes, the perceived volume can fluctuate significantly. Therefore, it can be advantageous if the sound engineer adjusts the volume of solo passages.

The balance between keyboard player and sound engineer

Nevertheless, the question arises: How much control should the keyboard player retain over their own volume? In a cover band without a dedicated sound engineer, I would say that volume control is the keyboard player's responsibility. The sound engineer cannot anticipate when a solo will be played longer or a passage will be adjusted. In such cases, it is essential that the musician controls the volume themselves.

Another argument for using a volume or expression pedal is that it's often not just used for volume control. Many keyboardists use it to control effects, wah-wah sounds, or similar parameters. In such cases, it's not simply a volume tool, but an essential creative aid.

Conclusion: Joint coordination is crucial

Ultimately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of who should control the volume. In bands with a dedicated and experienced sound engineer, it can make sense to leave the level adjustment to them, as they are better able to assess the overall balance from the audience's perspective. In other situations, volume control is more likely to remain the responsibility of the keyboard player. Clear communication within the band and with the sound engineer is crucial.

I'm interested in your opinions on this! Do you use a volume or expression pedal? What are your experiences with sound engineers in this regard? Let me know in the comments!