The Morley Lerxst ATWAS is a combination optical wah and volume pedal from Morley, built with Alex Lifeson and his Lerxst line of guitar effects pedals. Morley announced its release on January 22, 2026, naming it All The World's A Stage. The pedal combines what Morley calls its iconic optical Wah with ultra-smooth optical Volume control, and it is engineered, in Morley's words, to respond naturally to playing dynamics while preserving the player's core tone12.
A wah and volume pedal in one
The ATWAS does two jobs from one treadle. A dedicated Wah / Volume mode switch lets you select your preferred operation, so the pedal works either as a wah or as a volume pedal, not both at once. In Volume mode, Morley says the pedal offers a smooth audio taper suited to volume swells or straight volume control12.
At the heart of the pedal is Morley's optical circuitry. Morley describes it as proven, and says it eliminates the wear and tear associated with traditional potentiometers, the mechanical pots that wear out in conventional wah and volume pedals. The signal path also includes premium buffering, and Morley points to rock-solid construction as part of the design2.
Wah Boost and the mode switch
The pedal carries an onboard Wah Boost. The Boost knob allows up to 20dB of boost in Wah mode, and Morley describes the Wah Boost control as offering up to 20dB of additional gain, perfect for pushing solos forward without altering the fundamental character of the sound12.
Switching is silent, which Morley says prevents pops and noise when the pedal is engaged1.
Enclosure and construction
The ATWAS is housed in a cold-rolled steel enclosure with a chrome finish and Tel-Ray-style detailing. Morley states that, like all Lerxst pedals, it is proudly made in the USA2.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Morley Lerxst ATWAS use a potentiometer?
No. Morley says the heart of the ATWAS is its proven optical circuitry, which eliminates the wear and tear associated with traditional potentiometers. Both the wah and the volume functions are optical, and the pedal also includes premium buffering. That matters for players because a pot-based volume pedal can develop scratchy or dead spots over years of rocking the treadle, while an optical design has no physical wiper to wear out.
How much gain does the Wah Boost add?
The Wah Boost control offers up to 20dB of additional gain, according to Morley. The Boost knob works in Wah mode, and Morley describes it as a way of pushing solos forward without altering the fundamental character of the sound. It is an onboard feature of the pedal rather than a separate boost unit.
Who designed the Morley Lerxst ATWAS?
The pedal comes from Alex Lifeson and Lerxst, in collaboration with Morley. It is part of the Lerxst line of guitar effects pedals, and Morley announced its release on January 22, 2026, with statements from Bill Wenzloff, Alex Lifeson and Scott Fietsam.
Where is the Morley Lerxst ATWAS made?
Morley states that, like all Lerxst pedals, the ATWAS is proudly made in the USA. It is housed in a cold-rolled steel enclosure with a chrome finish and Tel-Ray-style detailing.
What is the warranty on the Morley Lerxst ATWAS?
Morley's product page lists a one-year warranty for the ATWAS Wah Volume pedal.
Sources (2)
- Alex Lifeson ATWAS Wah Volume, Morley
- All The Worlds A Stage (ATWAS) Wah Volume, Morley, 2026-01-22
