How to Use a Sustain Pedal
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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To use a sustain pedal, plug the 1/4 inch jack into the sustain input on your keyboard, place the pedal on the floor under your foot, and press it down to hold the notes. Lift your foot to let the notes stop. If the notes hold without pressing the pedal, flip the polarity switch on the side.
Plug the pedal into the sustain input
Plug the 1/4 inch jack into the sustain input on your keyboard. The M-AUDIO SP-2 comes with a 6 foot cable, the SP-1 has a 5 foot cable, the karmiero pedal has a 91 inch cable, and the UPELLA pedal has a 6.25 foot cable, so you can place the pedal where your foot rests. Turn the keyboard on after you plug the pedal in.
Set the polarity switch if the notes hold
If the notes hold after you plug the pedal in without pressing it, the polarity is reversed. Flip the polarity switch on the side of the pedal from NO to NC or from NC to NO, then press a key to check. The M-AUDIO SP-2 and SP-1, the karmiero pedal and the UPELLA pedal all have a polarity switch. Press a key after each change to see whether the notes stop when you lift your foot.
Place the pedal and press with your foot
Set the pedal on the floor under your foot, with the rubber pads or rubbers against the floor so it does not move. The M-AUDIO SP-2 has rubber pads on its underside, the SP-1 has a slip-resistant ridged footrest, the karmiero pedal has a non-slip rubber bottom, and the UPELLA pedal has 4 non-slip rubbers at the bottom. Press the pedal down to hold the notes, and lift your foot to let them stop.
Change the pedal when the notes change
Hold the pedal down while the notes ring, and lift your foot when you want them to stop. When the notes change, lift your foot and press again so the old notes stop before the new notes start. A quick lift and press keeps the sound from running together. The karmiero pedal uses a spring with soft resistance, and the UPELLA pedal uses a memory spring.
What you need
M-AUDIO SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal Classic Piano-Style
A piano-style pedal with a chrome foot pedal, a polarity switch and a 6 foot cable with a 1/4 inch jack.
- Polarity switch
- Piano-style pedal
M-AUDIO SP-1 Universal Sustain Pedal Compact Sustain
A compact pedal with a polarity switch, a slip-resistant ridged footrest and a 5 foot cable with a 1/4 inch phone plug.
- Polarity switch
karmiero Sustain Pedal for Keyboard Universal
An alloy pedal with a polarity switch, a non-slip rubber bottom and a 91 inch cable with a 1/4 inch jack.
- Polarity switch
UPELLA Universal Sustain Pedal for Digital Piano
A universal pedal with a polarity switch, 4 non-slip rubbers and a 6.25 foot cable with a 1/4 inch straight plug.
- Polarity switch
These come from our ranked list Best Sustain Pedal, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the notes hold without pressing the pedal?
The polarity is reversed. Flip the polarity switch on the side of the pedal from NO to NC or from NC to NO, then press a key to check. All 4 pedals here have a polarity switch.
What cable does a sustain pedal use?
A 1/4 inch jack. The M-AUDIO SP-2 comes with a 6 foot cable, the SP-1 has a 5 foot cable, the karmiero pedal has a 91 inch cable, and the UPELLA pedal has a 6.25 foot cable.
Will the pedal slide on the floor?
It should stay in place. The M-AUDIO SP-2 has rubber pads on its underside, the SP-1 has a slip-resistant ridged footrest, the karmiero pedal has a non-slip rubber bottom, and the UPELLA pedal has 4 non-slip rubbers at the bottom.
Ranked sustain pedals lists
More how-to guides
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