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A foot pedal

is a device that allows you to control audio with your foot, leaving your hands free to keep typing.  It is a highly recommended piece of equipment for active typists.  However, it is not recommended to purchase a foot pedal until after training has been completed and a contract has been offered. Other methods of controlling audio are available during training, which you can read about here. 

For information about ordering a foot pedal, visit the following page for foot pedal sources.

Install a Foot Pedal

• Plug the foot pedal into your computer’s USB port

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• Your computer

• may display a message that it detects a new device and is looking for drivers. When the process is complete, your foot pedal is ready to use.
• To operate the foot pedal, follow the instructions enclosed with your device

Customize the Foot Pedal

Many foot pedal functions can be customized within the TypeEasy program:

Log in to TypeEasy

• Click the TypeEasy icon (top left corner), and select Foot Pedal

Basic Default Settings

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Verifying Compatibility with TypeEasy

• With your foot pedal plugged in, open TypeEasy, go to the Settings tab and click Foot Pedal.
  
  
• Check the Status section to ensure your foot pedal is successfully connected and compatible with TypeEasy.  Press each pedal to ensure the corresponding pedal lights up in the display. 
  
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• If you see the message above, your foot pedal is not compatible with TypeEasy.  
  
  
  

Basic Default Settings

TypeEasy will automatically apply these default settings to the buttons on your pedal, but you can customize them from the Foot Pedal options. 

• Rewind with the left pedal
• Play/Pause with the center pedal
• Fast Forward with the right pedal

Change Default Settings: To change the settings of the pedals in TypeEasy, click the radio button of the desired function under the pedal you would like to assign it to

You can also adjust the number of seconds that it skips forward/back.  The default is 5 seconds, meaning if you tap either the left or right pedal once, it will skip back or forward 5 seconds.  

Snap-Back Seconds allows you to adjust how many seconds the audio "snaps back" when you press play.  When set to the default of 2 seconds, this means from wherever you paused the audio, it will go back 2 seconds and start from there.  This is helpful to allow you to re-hear the end of the last part before continuing. 

Operating a Foot Pedal

• Advance the audio by putting continuous pressure on tapping the Play pedal (usually the center pedalStop , but may vary depending on your settings).
• Pause the audio by removing your foot from the pedalTap Option: You can change the foot pedal to ‘tap’ the pedal to start or stop the audio. Go to TypeEasy Additional Settings and place a checkmark in the box labeled 1-Tap Play/1-Tap Stoptapping the pedal again.

Troubleshooting Foot Pedal Problems

• Pedal problems caused by static electricity can be resolved by placing an anti-static mat under the pedal. 
• Ensure Be sure your foot pedal is securely plugged in to the USB port on your computer
• If you are unable to complete the installation of your foot pedal, follow the steps below to test the pedal:
• Log in to TypeEasy. Once you are logged in successfully, click the TypeEasy icon in the top left corner, and select Foot Pedal
• Test the pedal using the diagram on the below. Step on the different pedals and watch the pedal(s) on the screen. If it appears in red, it indicates that the system is properly recognizing the pedal press.

• free of dust, debris, etc.  This can interfere with its ability to properly recognize the pedal presses. 
• Ensure your foot pedal is securely plugged in to the USB port on your computer.  If one USB port isn't working, try moving to a different one.