This is where effects switchers differ from multi effects devices. Then, when a certain sound is required, a simple tap on a footswitch activates that particular loop and the effects that are in it. The player decides which combination of pedals are required for which sounds and stores those combinations as loops. With an effects switcher, it’s possible to have all those pedals and changes activated simultaneously, with the push of one switch.Įffects switchers work by grouping pedals into loops.

The second sound needs an overdrive pedal, distortion pedal (and/or an amp channel change), a flanger pedal and a pitch shifter pedal.Ĭreating these sounds and toggling between them would require stepping on four, five or even more different devices. The first sound would need a clean amp channel, a chorus pedal, a phaser pedal and a delay pedal. Then, we need to go into an overdriven distortion sound with heavily flanged pitch shifting in another part of the song. Suppose we want a clean, chorused sound with phased delay for one part of a song. Using footswitches, the guitarist selects these combinations and ultimately, what devices process the guitar signal.Ĭontributed by Byron Struck for the Roland Australia Blog ANY SOUND, ANY TIME An effects switcher is a control device that allows a guitar’s signal flow to experience different pedal and effect combinations. Tap-dancing in a spider’s web of cables and boxes isn’t ideal when it comes to playing a guitar. Turning our pedals and effect devices on or off, changing amp channels, altering parameters, switching patches…it’s a lot to think about when you still have a guitar to play! In a live situation or being on the clock in the studio or rehearsal space, this can be an issue.

But it might take several devices, steps and gear changes to get the sounds we want. Sure, you can do practically anything on the guitar that you can think of now. However, it can be daunting to choose from such a tremendously vast palette. Whether it’s sticking with a classic stompbox/amp setup, integrating multi effects and guitar synths like the BOSS SY-300/GR/GK series, exploring MIDI or a combination of all of these elements, there’s certainly no shortage of possibilities for unique and brilliant sounds. Pedal boards are also exciting for the potential they offer, musically and creatively. Customised pedal boards allow players a varied scope and diversity of sounds.

The recent and dramatic increase in the amount of effect pedals and guitar processing equipment is tremendously exciting. Technology has reached a point where pedals, synthesis, amplification and effects can all work together to create sounds that were unimaginable until recently. As guitar players, our options for sonic possibilities are near infinite.

Programmable effects switcher