The Electro-Harmonix Switchblade Pro is a compact switching pedal, which the maker calls its deluxe switcher: a true bypass router with two effects loops, series or parallel switching and an adjustable volume boost on each input. It sits in the broader family of switching pedals, alongside the simpler Switchblade and Switchblade Plus. Electro-Harmonix announced it in April 2019 and it was shipping by late April that year12.
What it does
The Switchblade Pro features two loops, each with its own send and return jacks, so two groups of pedals can be switched in and out of the signal path independently1. A choice of series or parallel switching determines how those loops relate: in series, loop A feeds loop B; in parallel, they run side by side1. Three footswitches handle bypass, A+B (both loops together) and A/B (one or the other)1.
Each input also gets an adjustable volume boost with up to 6dB of gain, which lets the pedal double as a clean boost at the front of an amp or a chain of boost pedals1.
Dry Level and bass players
The control MusicRadar singled out for bass players is the Dry Level knob. As Michael Astley-Brown reported at launch, the "Dry Level makes it ideal for bass players by mixing in the dry and processed signals to keep the low-end clear and focused"1. Mixing dry and processed signals is a common need on bass, where effects that clamp or filter the signal can thin out the fundamentals; a dry blend keeps the low end intact.
Controls at a glance
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Loop A send/return | Connection for the first group of pedals |
| Loop B send/return | Connection for the second group of pedals |
| Dry Level | Blends dry and processed signal, keeping low end clear and focused1 |
| Boost (per input) | Adjustable volume boost, up to 6dB of gain on each input1 |
| Bypass footswitch | Takes the loops out of the signal path1 |
| A+B footswitch | Engages both loops together1 |
| A/B footswitch | Selects between loop A and loop B1 |
Guitar.com's Richard Purvis described the layout as keeping it "strictly utilitarian with just three knobs"4.
Power and practicalities
The Switchblade Pro runs on a 9.6VDC 200mA power adapter, which is included in the box3. Its stated current draw is 165mA3, so it needs a supply output that can deliver that much; a battery is not an option here.
With a 165mA current draw3, the Switchblade Pro needs its own adequate supply output. It ships with a 9.6VDC 200mA adapter from Electro-Harmonix3.
The pedal measures 4.9 x 4 x 2.25 inches3, so it takes a moderate footprint on a board despite doing the work of a loop switcher, a router and a boost.
What reviewers said
Coverage at launch focused on the routing flexibility. MusicRadar's report highlighted the two loops with send/return jacks, the series/parallel switching choice and the three footswitches for bypass, A+B and A/B1. Premier Guitar noted that Electro-Harmonix was shipping the Switchblade Pro as of 22 April 20192. Guitar.com's later mention of the pedal put it at $143 in the US and £120 in the UK, and noted the three-knob, utilitarian control layout4.
Videos
EHX
Pedal Experiments
Darren's Gear Hangout
Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix Switchblade Pro true bypass?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix specifies true bypass on the Switchblade Pro, and describes it as using true mechanical bypass with soft switching. That means the pedal's switching is handled mechanically rather than with relays or electronic switching, while the footswitches themselves use soft-touch circuitry rather than hard-click mechanical switches.
What power supply does the Switchblade Pro need?
The Switchblade Pro runs on a 9.6VDC power adapter rated at 200mA, and Electro-Harmonix includes one in the box. The pedal's stated current draw is 165mA, which is high enough that it is not a pedal to run from a battery or a low-output daisy chain output.
How many loops does the Switchblade Pro have?
Two. Each loop has its own send and return jacks, so you can place two groups of pedals under the Switchblade Pro's control and switch them in any combination using the A/B and A+B footswitches.
Can the Switchblade Pro run loops in series and in parallel?
Yes. The pedal offers a choice of series or parallel switching, so the two loops can be routed one after the other or run side by side. Running loops in parallel keeps their pedals from feeding into each other, which is useful when combining effects that do not stack well in series.
Is the Switchblade Pro mono or stereo?
Mono. Electro-Harmonix lists the Switchblade Pro's audio as mono, so it is built around a single input and output signal path rather than left and right channels.
Is the Switchblade Pro analog?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix lists the Switchblade Pro as analog with digital control, meaning the audio path is analog while the switching logic is handled digitally. The pedal also uses what the maker calls high quality and low noise buffers in its signal path.
Sources (4)
- Electro-Harmonix unveils Switchblade Pro switching pedal, MusicRadar, 2019-04-23
- Electro-Harmonix Delivers the Switchblade Pro, Premier Guitar, 2019-04-22
- Switchblade Pro, Electro-Harmonix (www.ehx.com)
- Horrothia Effects XYXO review, Guitar.com, 2026-07-13
