I have the same machine and I love it!! Do not use the foot pedal....takes a little bit to get coordinated!! To push the stop button on time, but I love it!! My foot can get to jumping around and then the speed control goes out the window!!!
I kinda got use to 'sewing without a pedal' when I got my first embroidery machine and have not even used the foot pedal on my 9960 or my L500!!!