The American Loopers Aux Switch (2 Button Latching) With LED (In series) is a two button amp footswitch for standard amp switching. Depending on your amp, it will change channels, activate reverb, EQ, the FX loop and similar functions1. Both buttons are latching switches, meaning each press toggles a function on or off and it stays that way until you press it again, and each button has an LED that lights to show its state.
It sits in the switching family of gear rather than among effects pedals: it does not process your guitar signal at all, it just opens and closes contacts inside your amp over a cable1.
The switches and LEDs
The unit is a two button amp footswitch for standard amp switching, with its LEDs wired in series. A latching switch is the traditional amp footswitch type: press it once and the contact closes and stays closed, press it again and it opens. This is the behavior most channel switching and reverb footswitches that ship with amps use, and it is what this switch expects your amp to respond to1.
The LEDs are wired in series1. In practice this means the two indicator lights share one electrical path rather than each having its own, which keeps the wiring simple but ties the LED behavior to how the amp supplies power to the footswitch jack. That is the one thing to check before buying, covered below.
American Loopers builds its switching gear in the USA and ships worldwide12.
Cables and amp compatibility
The switch connects to your amp with a single TRS cable (tip, ring, sleeve), which you supply yourself1. A TRS cable carries both switching connections at once: one button works tip to sleeve, the other works ring to sleeve.
Your amp needs to work with latching tip to sleeve and ring to sleeve switching for this footswitch to suit it1. If your amp does not work with LEDs in series, the switch may or may not work, and American Loopers asks that you contact them before purchasing to make sure your amp will work with the pedal1.
That compatibility note is the practical heart of this product. Amp footswitch jacks are not standardized: some amps use latching tip to sleeve and ring to sleeve switching, others use momentary switching or different contact arrangements, and some cannot power series wired LEDs at all. If you are unsure whether your amp uses the tip to sleeve configuration, American Loopers asks you to contact them rather than guess2.
For comparison, American Loopers makes amp specific aux switches where the compatibility question is already answered, such as the Mini Aux Switch For Vox VFS-2 (2 button no led), which is listed as compatible with the Vox AC15CC and AC30CC2.
How it differs from the no-LED versions
American Loopers sells this switch alongside related models, and the differences come down to LEDs and cabling1:
| Model | LEDs | Cabling | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aux Switch (2 Button Latching) With LED (In series) | Yes, wired in series | One TRS cable | Amps that work with latching tip to sleeve and ring to sleeve switching and can drive series LEDs1 |
| Aux Switch With Double Output and Latching Switches (No LEDs) | No | Two mono cables, two separate jacks | Amps that give each function its own jack3 |
The double output, no-LED version is effectively two mini latching switches combined in one box, with each switch having its own separate jack3. It is useful when your amp lets you switch channels, reverb, FX loop and similar functions and each has its own respective jack3. The LED version on this page instead covers amps that put both switching functions on a single TRS jack and can light series wired LEDs.
Questions
What does an American Loopers Aux Switch do on an amp?
It is a two button amp footswitch for standard amp switching. Depending on your amp, the buttons can change channels, activate reverb, EQ, the FX loop or similar functions. Each button is a latching switch, so it stays in its state until you press it again, and the LEDs show which functions are engaged.
What does it mean that the LEDs are wired in series?
The two indicator LEDs are wired in series inside the switch rather than each having its own independent path. This matters because some amps do not work with LEDs wired this way. American Loopers notes that if your amp does not work with LEDs in series, the switch may or may not work, which is why they ask buyers to contact them first.
Do I need a TRS cable for this aux switch?
Yes. American Loopers states that you will need a TRS cable for this switch. A TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) cable carries both switching connections on one cable: one button works tip to sleeve and the other works ring to sleeve. The cable is not included with the switch.
How do I know if my amp uses latching tip-to-sleeve and ring-to-sleeve switching?
Your amp needs to work with latching tip to sleeve and ring to sleeve switching for this footswitch to be the right choice. If you are not sure whether your amp uses this configuration, American Loopers asks that you contact them before purchasing to confirm your amp will work with the switch.
What is the difference between the LED version and the no-LED version?
The LED version has indicator lights wired in series that show which functions are engaged, while the no-LED version has no lights. American Loopers also makes a double output version with two latching switches and no LEDs, which uses two separate mono cables and two jacks instead of one TRS cable, suiting amps that give each function its own jack.
Sources (3)
- American Loopers Aux Switch (2 Button Latching) With LED (In series), American Loopers (www.americanloopers.com)
- American Loopers Mini Aux Switch For Vox VFS-2 (2 button no led), American Loopers
- American Loopers Aux Switch With Double Output and Latching Switches (No LEDs), American Loopers
