The Morley AFX-1 is an all-analog multi-effects pedal from Morley that puts four of the company's classic circuits in one floor unit: a switchless optical wah, a two-channel distortion, a stereo chorus and a stereo echo, plus an effects loop. Morley introduced it in November 2022 as the Analog Multi FX, its first entry into the multi-effects market, at an MSRP of USD 49912. The pedal is now discontinued3.
What set the AFX-1 apart from most multi-effects units is that it is completely analog, with a simple user interface and no menus to dive through1. Each effect is a reissue of a vintage Morley circuit: the wah from the 2000s, the distortion from the 1990s, the chorus from the 1980s and the echo from the 1970s3.
What it does and how it is controlled
The AFX-1 runs its effects in a fixed order: wah first, then distortion, then an FX loop for other pedals or for use with your amp, then the stereo chorus and echo1. Each section has its own controls.
| Section | Controls | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wah | Treadle | Switchless: step on to activate, step off to bypass; always on, operated by the treadle35 |
| Distortion | High, Mid and Low frequency; Pre and Post gain; Hi Gain switch | Two footswitches, high gain and distortion, for two different gain levels32 |
| Chorus | Rate and Depth | Stereo3 |
| Echo | Delay Time, Repeats, Mix | 300ms of delay; produces massive echo in stereo34 |
The distortion is based on Morley's Diamond Distortion of the 1990s. Gearnews described it as having plenty of juice to stand alone while blending well with amps and other effects, and noted the two footswitches allow two different levels of gain2. The echo section, which Morley calls the Emerald Echo, uses New Old Stock Panasonic bucket brigade chips and offers 300ms of delay4. Its circuit is based on the 1970s Echo Chorus Vibrato1. The chorus circuitry comes from the 1980s Stereo Chorus Vibrato, which Morley called the Crystal Chorus1.
The switchless optical wah
The wah is the part of the pedal most rooted in Morley's history. Morley introduced switchless activation on its wah pedals, and the AFX-1 uses the same idea: the wah is always on, and you simply use the treadle5. Step on to activate, step off to bypass3.
The wah is optical rather than potentiometer based, which Morley says means it will not wear down or break the way a traditional potentiometer wah pedal can1. Gearnews made the same point from the player's side, calling it completely resistant to any scratchy pot issues and super easy to engage when you need it2.
Buffer and signal path
The AFX-1 is equipped with a premium buffer circuit that Morley says prevents signal loss and maintains tone, protecting against tone loss from long cable runs or many other effects in the chain31. Morley's general guidance on buffers is that a rig should have at least one to protect your tone from signal chain problems6.
The pedal also offers a stereo out and an FX loop, with the loop placed after the distortion so you can insert other pedals or connect it to your amp's front end14. MusicRadar described the AFX-1 as intended for stage and studio use, calling it unashamedly a greatest hits of Morley's effect designs5.
Build and origin
Each AFX-1 is hand spun at Morley's Illinois facility3. The enclosure is heavy-duty spun stainless steel, built like a tank, with a finish that pays homage to the famed chrome Morley finish of the 1970s, though without the fingerprints the original chrome picked up31. Power comes from a One Spot 9V adapter included with the packaging, and the pedal carries a one-year warranty3.
What reviewers said
Gearnews covered the launch and raised one practical criticism of the front panel: the black lettering on the stainless steel would be hard to see clearly under stage lights, and the reviewer would have preferred a darker background with white text for legibility2.
"I'm going to say that I think the black lettering is going to be hard to see clearly under stage lights."
In January 2023, Lee and Pete of Anderton's reviewed the AFX-1, putting it through its paces on video7. Joey Allen of Warrant also demoed the Analog Multi FX with his rig at Morley around the same time.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Sweetwater
Morley
News
Questions
Is the Morley AFX-1 discontinued?
Yes. Morley's product page for the AFX-1 now carries a discontinued notice. The pedal was introduced in November 2022 at an MSRP of USD 499 and was available through Morley dealers worldwide before production ended.
Does the Morley AFX-1 have a buffer?
Yes. Morley describes the AFX-1 as equipped with a premium buffer circuit that prevents signal loss and maintains tone, protecting against tone loss from long cable runs or many other effects in the chain. Morley generally recommends at least one buffer in a rig.
Is the Morley AFX-1 chorus and echo stereo?
Yes. The chorus and echo sections are stereo, and the pedal offers a stereo output. Morley says the chorus sounds massive in stereo, and the echo produces massive echo when used in stereo.
How does the switchless wah on the AFX-1 work?
The wah is always on and operated by the treadle. It uses Morley's switchless activation: step on the treadle to engage the wah and step off to bypass it. The optical design avoids the wear and scratchy noise of potentiometer-based wah pedals.
Where is the Morley AFX-1 made?
Morley says each AFX-1 is hand spun at its Illinois facility. The enclosure is heavy-duty spun stainless steel, a finish that pays homage to the chrome Morley pedals of the 1970s.
Sources (7)
- Analog Multi FX Press Release, Morley, 2022-11
- Morley AFX-1: Analogue MultiFX for players that hate menu-diving, gearnews.com, 2022-11-02
- Analog Multi FX, Morley
- Morley unveils the AFX-1, Guitar World, 2022-11-02
- Morley enters the guitar multi-effects fray with the all-analogue, retro-voiced AFX-1, MusicRadar, 2022-11-01
- BUFFERS VS. TRUE BYPASS, Morley
- Anderton’s Reviews the Analog Multi FX, Morley, 2023-01-28
