The Morley AFX-1 Analog Multi FX is an all-analog multi-effects pedal from Morley, announced in November 2022. It packs four effects into one floor unit: a switchless optical wah, a two-channel distortion, a stereo chorus and an echo, plus an FX loop for inserting other pedals and a premium buffer to protect your tone over long cable runs12.
Morley pitched it as a "greatest hits" of its own back catalog. Rather than modeling or digital processing, the AFX-1 uses reissued circuits from vintage Morley effects, which the maker traces back to the 1970s13. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley called it "unashamedly a greatest hits of Morley" and noted it was intended for stage and studio use2. The pedal is now discontinued3.
An all-analog multi-effects pedal with a switchless wah
The AFX-1 stands apart from most multi-effects units by being completely analog with a simple user interface, as Morley's press release put it1. Gearnews framed the appeal for players who dislike menu diving, describing it as an all-analog multi-fx "for players that hate menu diving"5. Each effect is brought in and out via its own footswitch, except the wah, which you control with the treadle2.
First in the chain is the Switchless Wah. Simply step on the treadle to activate it and step off to bypass it1. The wah is optical rather than potentiometer based, which Morley says means it "won't wear down or break like a traditional potentiometer based Wah pedal"1. MusicRadar described the optical wah as always on, with the treadle doing the work2.
The pedal is built into a heavy duty spun stainless steel enclosure that Morley says pays homage to the original chrome Morleys of the past, but without the fingerprints1. At 12" x 6.85" x 2.75" and 4 lbs, it is a substantial floor unit rather than a compact stompbox1.
A premium buffer circuit is built in. Morley says it protects your tone "from any mischief in your signal chain", with no tone loss from long cable runs or many other effects1. MusicRadar also noted the premium buffer2. For players comparing options, the buffer topic is covered in more depth on our buffer pedals page.
The controls and effects
The AFX-1's four effect sections each have their own control set, laid out across the top of the pedal. From right to left, MusicRadar described the optical wah first, with the other effects following along the chain2.
| Effect | Controls | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wah | Treadle (switchless) | Optical; step on to activate, step off to bypass1 |
| Distortion | High, Mid and Low frequency; Pre and Post Gain; Hi Gain switch | Two-channel135 |
| Chorus | Rate and Depth | Stereo; Morley says it sounds massive in stereo3 |
| Echo | Not specified in detail | Ranges from quick slap back to large hall echo; ping pong in stereo1 |
The distortion section is the most fully specified. Morley's product page lists High, Mid and Low frequency controls, Pre and Post Gain controls, and a Hi Gain switchable option3, and Gearnews reported the same control set5. For players weighing it against single-purpose boxes, our pages on distortion pedals and overdrive pedals cover those categories.
The echo, which Morley calls Emerald Echo, "delivers a Massive Ping Pong sound in Stereo and ranges from a quick slap back Echo to a large hall Echo"1. See also our delay pedals page for that effect type generally.
Beyond the four effects, the AFX-1 offers a stereo out and an FX loop4. The FX loop lets you insert other pedals from your board into the AFX-1's chain, and the stereo out feeds two amplifiers or a stereo recording setup.
Chorus circuit lineage
The chorus section has a specific pedigree. Morley says its circuitry comes from the 1980s Stereo Chorus Vibrato, known as the Crystal Chorus, and that it "delivers a Massive Sound in Stereo"1. Gearnews likewise reported the stereo chorus as based on the Chrystal Chorus of the 1980s5.
A notable detail from the press release: the reissue "uses the same coveted Panasonic chips from the original circuit, which have been stored in Morley's Secret Vault for decades"1. For players interested in the effect type itself, our chorus pedals page covers how chorus works.
More broadly, Morley describes the AFX-1's circuits as reissues of classic Morley circuits leading all the way back to the 1970s3. The maker's product page breaks the lineage down by era: a 2000s wah, 1990s distortion, 1980s chorus and 1970s echo3. Gearnews also tied the distortion to the Diamond Distortion of the 1990s5.
"Intended for stage and studio use, the AFX-1 might be a 21st-century product but it is unashamedly a greatest hits of Morley."
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Questions
Is the Morley AFX-1 fully analog?
Yes. Morley describes the AFX-1 as completely analog, with a simple user interface and no menus. Its wah, distortion, chorus and echo sections are reissues of classic Morley circuits, and the chorus uses the same Panasonic chips as the original 1980s circuit, which Morley says it had stored for decades.
Does the Morley AFX-1 have stereo outputs?
Yes. The AFX-1 has a stereo out, and its chorus and echo sections are built for stereo. Morley says the chorus sounds massive in stereo, and the echo delivers a ping pong sound in stereo that ranges from a quick slap back to a large hall echo.
Does the Morley AFX-1 have an effects loop?
Yes. The AFX-1 includes an FX loop, so you can place other pedals from your board into its signal chain. Guitar World highlighted the FX loop and the stereo out as notable features when it reported on the launch.
How does the switchless wah on the Morley AFX-1 turn on?
You simply step on the treadle to activate the wah and step off to bypass it. There is no footswitch for the wah. It is an optical design, which Morley says will not wear down or break like a traditional potentiometer based wah pedal.
Is the Morley AFX-1 discontinued?
Yes. Morley's product page for the AFX-1 now marks the pedal as discontinued. It was launched in November 2022 and was available at Morley dealers worldwide at launch, so remaining stock may still be found secondhand or at some retailers.
What was the launch price of the Morley AFX-1?
The launch street price was $499, as stated in Morley's November 2022 press release. Gearnews reported the MSRP as USD 499, and Guitar World said players could expect to pay around $499 from most retailers at the time.
Sources (5)
- Analog Multi FX Press Release, Morley, 2022-11
- Morley enters the guitar multi-effects fray with the all-analogue, retro-voiced AFX-1, MusicRadar, 2022-11-01
- Analog Multi FX, Morley
- Morley unveils the AFX-1, Guitar World, 2022-11-02
- Morley AFX-1: Analogue MultiFX for players that hate menu-diving, gearnews.com, 2022-11-02
