EarthQuaker Devices launches five Utility Pedals for routing and buffering

October 24, 2024 · 2 sources

EarthQuaker Devices announced a five-pedal Utility Pedals range on October 24, 2024, according to Gearnews. The line comprises the Flexi Loops Dual Effects Loop Switcher, the Passive ABY Box, the A/B Box, a Buffer/Splitter and a Buffer/Preamp¹. Guitar World reported the following day that the pedals come with a lifetime guarantee².

Gearnews described the range as boxes "designed to simplify more complex pedalboard setups," and said all five share a monochrome black and white patterned finish¹. Guitar World reported that the pedals are built with high-quality parts and that their small footprints suit pedalboards where space is limited².

The Flexi Loops uses the company's Flexi-Switch technology to manage two effect loops, and can also serve as a tuner out or mute¹. Guitar World said it uses soft-touch momentary switches and that pedals can be added to and removed from the signal chain on the fly². The Passive ABY Box sends one input to two outputs and lets the player choose between them¹; Guitar World said its inputs and outputs work in both directions, allowing two instruments into one input as well as one signal out to two amps². The A/B Box switches between two channels or instruments¹.

The Buffer/Splitter has high input and low output impedance and can split the signal to two destinations¹. Guitar World gave its input impedance as 1 Mohm and output impedance as 100 ohms, and said it can turn a mono signal into stereo or send one output through an effects loop and the other dry². The Buffer/Preamp performs the same buffering with one output, and both buffer units add what Gearnews called "a subtle push in the low end"¹.

The two outlets gave different US prices for three of the pedals:

Gearnews reported the full series as available at Thomann¹. Guitar World quoted the switch specification as being for "durability, quick action, and a lifetime of switching enjoyment"².