ABY & Switcher Pedals

Switcher pedals is a catch-all term for pedals that do basic routing functions or send basic information to other pedals or your amp.

These utility pedals can really open up the creative potential of your guitar playing. It can also give you hands free control of your amp. ABY switches are a simple device which either turns one signal path into two, or two signal paths into one. This means that you could plug two guitars into one amp simultaneously or plug one guitar into two amps simultaneously. Playing through multiple amps at the same gives real breadth to your sound and opens up a world of stereo and “wet/dry” possibilities.

‘Loop’ switchers are simple devices that take a pedal out of your signal chain when you are not using them. This is so that you can have the shortest route from your guitar to your amp, reducing noise and signal loss. Another added advantage is this makes it much easier to control with your feet because all the switches are now in a row at the front of your board.

Pedals like a footswitch for changing channels on an amp or an external tap-tempo for a delay pedal don’t actually carry your guitar signal. Instead they send information to the amp or pedal via a special cable known as a ‘TRS’ cable.

What makes a switcher pedal different?