The CNZ Audio AVP-1 is an active volume pedal, a treadle-operated pedal that sets your overall volume from the foot rather than the guitar's knob. What sets it apart, according to the maker, is its Magnetic Responsive Potentiometer, or Mag-Pot: a patent pending, non-contact pot that avoids the glitches and mechanical wear that traditional volume pedals develop, and creates what CNZ Audio describes as "a smooth, effortless glide over a full range of volume."1
Availability
As of 25 October 2026, the AVP-1 is listed as sold out on CNZ Audio's product page, so it is not currently available new from the maker.2
How it works: the Mag-Pot
Conventional volume pedals use a potentiometer that the treadle physically turns, and the pot's track wears with use. The AVP-1 instead uses a non-contact magnetic pot: the maker calls the Patent Pending, Non-Contact, Magnetic Responsive Potentiometer "a GAME CHANGER!" and says it is one of two things that set the pedal apart, the other being its independent level controls. Because nothing rubs, CNZ Audio says the pedal is noise free and maintenance free.1
Controls and connections
The AVP-1 keeps its controls simple, with two knobs that set the range of the treadle1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Minimum | Sets the minimum volume. Turned fully left, it gives a muted signal when the pedal is in the back position. |
| Maximum | Sets the maximum volume. At center, output volume equals input volume; any setting above center provides a Boost Effect. |
Connections are a single 1/4 inch input and two 1/4 inch outputs. The second output is the Fixed Gain Output, a bypass mode that CNZ Audio says can be used for a separate loop or for a Tuner Pedal, so a tuner can keep receiving a steady signal while the main output is turned down.1
Power
The AVP-1 runs on 9V DC with center negative polarity and draws 14mA, and it also has a 9V battery housing, with the battery compartment on the bottom of the pedal.1 If you power it from a supply, CNZ Audio makes its own isolated pedal power supply with signal buffer2. For more pedals of this kind, see the site's Volume Pedals page, which covers alternatives such as the Ernie Ball MVP and the Boss FV-500H.
Videos
Aaron J Livecchi
Olivia McGalla
Questions
What is a Mag-Pot in a volume pedal?
On the AVP-1, Mag-Pot stands for Magnetic Responsive Potentiometer, a patent pending, non-contact pot. Instead of a conventional potentiometer that a pedal's treadle physically scrubs, it reads the pedal's position magnetically. CNZ Audio says this avoids the glitches and mechanical wear that traditional volume pedals develop over time, and gives a smooth, effortless glide over a full range of volume.
Does the CNZ Audio AVP-1 take a 9V battery?
Yes. Alongside the standard 9VDC input, the AVP-1 has a 9V battery housing, with the battery compartment on the bottom of the pedal, so it can run on a battery when no power supply is at hand.
What does the Minimum knob do on the AVP-1?
The Minimum knob sets the lowest volume the pedal reaches. Turned fully to the left, it gives you a muted signal when the pedal is in the back position, which is handy for tuning or silencing the rig between songs.
What is the Fixed Gain Output on the AVP-1 used for?
The Fixed Gain Output is a bypass mode on the AVP-1. CNZ Audio says it can be used for a separate loop or for a tuner pedal, so a tuner can see a constant signal level while the main output is turned down.
Can the AVP-1 send a signal to a tuner?
Yes. The AVP-1 has two 1/4 inch outputs, and the second one, the Fixed Gain Output, is a bypass mode intended for a tuner pedal or a separate loop.
Is the CNZ Audio AVP-1 still available?
As of 25 October 2026, the AVP-1 is listed as sold out on CNZ Audio's own product page, so it is not currently available new from the maker.
Sources (2)
- AVP-1 | Active Volume Pedal | CNZ Audio, CNZ Audio
- Isolated Pedal Power Supply + Signal Buffer, CNZ Audio
