The Mesa/Boogie Switch-Track is an ABY switching pedal for players who run two amplifiers. It lets you send your guitar to amp A, amp B, or both at once, with a buffered input and transformer-isolated outputs that MusicRadar reported are there for consistent tone1. It sits in the wider family of Switching Pedals and was announced alongside its sibling, the Mesa/Boogie Head-Track1.
What it does
Gibson describes the Switch-Track as enabling "an either-or-both, ABY scenario for your two favorite amplifiers"2. In practice that means one press of the A/B footswitch moves you between amps, and the second footswitch handles A+B/mute, so both amps can run together or the outputs can be muted2. Switching can be triggered at the unit itself for pedalboard users, or via MIDI1.
Isolated outputs, ground lift and phase
Running two amps at once often brings hum from ground loops, and the Switch-Track addresses this in two places. MusicRadar's report lists a ground lift switch for isolating the A output1, and Gibson's product page notes that the B output's ground is default-lifted to eliminate ground loops2. A phase invert switch is also onboard, which matters when both amps run together and their speakers would otherwise cancel each other out of phase1.
Other features include a low-impedance tuner out jack, so a tuner can stay connected without loading down your guitar signal1.
MIDI control
For players with a MIDI controller or loop switcher, the Switch-Track takes switching commands over MIDI. Gibson lists MIDI IN and THRU DIN jacks, so the pedal can sit mid-chain and pass MIDI on to another device, plus a MIDI preset (program) STORE button for saving presets2.
Price and availability
MusicRadar reported the Switch-Track available now at $299 when the pair of switching pedals was announced on 2 May 2018, alongside the Head-Track at $3991. Gibson's current product page lists it at £349 including VAT for the UK2.
Videos
MESA/Boogie
Beau Monde Guitars
Guitar Bonedo
Questions
What does the ground lift switch do on the Switch-Track?
A ground lift switch separates the electrical ground of one output from the other, which stops the ground loops that cause hum when two amps are plugged into different outlets. MusicRadar reported that the Switch-Track has a ground lift switch for isolating the A output, and Gibson's product page notes the B output's ground is default-lifted to eliminate ground loops.
Can the Mesa/Boogie Switch-Track run both amps at once?
Yes. As an ABY switcher it offers an either-or-both scenario for two amplifiers, so you can play through amp A, amp B, or both together. The onboard footswitches cover A/B and A+B/mute, and the A+B/mute function also gives you a way to silence the outputs between songs.
Does the Switch-Track have a tuner output?
Yes. MusicRadar's report on the pedal lists a low-impedance tuner out jack among its features, so you can keep a tuner connected permanently and mute it from your signal path while you tune.
Can the Switch-Track be controlled by MIDI?
Yes. MusicRadar reported that switching can be triggered via MIDI as well as at the unit itself, and Gibson's product page lists MIDI IN and THRU DIN jacks along with a MIDI preset (program) STORE button for saving presets.
How much does the Mesa/Boogie Switch-Track cost?
MusicRadar reported a US price of $299 when the pedal launched in May 2018. Gibson's current product page lists the Switch-Track at £349 including VAT for the UK.
Sources (2)
- Mesa/Boogie reveals two new switching pedals for dual-amp rigs, MusicRadar, 2018-05-02
- Switch-Track Buffered & Dual Isolated ABY Switcher, Gibson
