The Morley Lerxst ATWAS Wah Volume is a combination optical wah and volume pedal, designed by Alex Lifeson and Lerxst in collaboration with Morley and announced as released in January 2026. ATWAS stands for All The World's A Stage, and the pedal is part of the Lerxst line of guitar effects pedals12.
What it is and how it came about
Morley describes the ATWAS as combining the company's optical wah with an ultra-smooth optical volume control2. In an optical design, the treadle works by varying light reaching a sensor rather than by turning a mechanical pot, which is the approach Morley has long used across its wah and volume pedals. The press release announcing the pedal lists "Optical Wah, Optical Volume, premium buffering, and rock-solid construction" among its features2.
The case is a nod to Morley's history: the pedal is "decked out in Tel-Ray style look but in smaller pedal board friendly size," according to Morley's product page1. The press release describes it as housed in a cold-rolled steel enclosure with a chrome finish and Tel-Ray-style detailing2. Tel-Ray is the styling reference rather than a claim about the circuit; the pedal's electronics are Morley's current optical design.
"Alex Lifeson and Lerxst, in collaboration with legendary pedal innovators Morley, announce the release of the Lerxst ATWAS (All The World's A Stage) Wah / Volume Pedal."
Wah mode, volume mode and the Boost knob
A dedicated Wah / Volume mode switch lets you select the pedal's operation2. In Wah mode, the Boost knob allows up to 20dB of boost1. Morley's press release 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 sound"2, so it is a clean level lift for solos rather than a tone change.
In Volume mode, Morley says the pedal offers a smooth audio taper suited to volume swells or straight volume control1. Switching is silent, which Morley says prevents pops and noise when the pedal is engaged1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Wah / Volume mode switch | Selects between wah operation and volume operation2 |
| Boost knob | Up to 20dB of boost in Wah mode1 |
| Treadle | Controls the wah sweep or the volume level, depending on mode1 |
Features and power
Morley lists the following on the product page1:
- Custom inductor
- LED indication
- Cold-rolled steel housing
- Quick clip battery door
- Glow-in-the-dark treadle grip
- Buffer circuit that prevents signal loss and maintains tone
The pedal powers from one 9V battery or an optional Morley 9V adapter, and Morley says it is compatible with most 9V adapters1. There is no mention of a current draw figure or a center-negative polarity on the product page, so if your board supply is unusual it is worth confirming the adapter Morley specifies before wiring it into a daisy chain.
The ATWAS is built with a custom Inductor, LED indication, a cold-rolled steel housing, a quick clip battery door and a glow-in-the-dark treadle grip, per Morley's product page1.
Where it sits among Morley's volume pedals
The ATWAS sits in Morley's volume pedal range alongside pedals such as the Morley Volume Plus, the Morley Little Alligator Volume, the Morley Power Wah Volume and the Morley Volume Commander. Its hardware includes a custom Inductor, LED indication, a cold-rolled steel housing, a quick clip battery door and a glow-in-the-dark treadle grip1. For a wider view of the category, see the site's pages on Volume Pedals and Wah-Wah Pedals.
Videos
Reverb
Guitar Interactive Magazine
Alex Lifeson Official
Questions
Does the Morley Lerxst ATWAS use a battery or an adapter?
Both. Morley says the ATWAS powers from one 9V battery or an optional Morley 9V adapter, and it is compatible with most 9V adapters. A quick clip battery door makes battery changes straightforward, and the pedal also has LED indication so you can see when it is active.
How much boost does the Boost knob give?
In Wah mode, the Boost knob allows up to 20dB of additional gain. Morley's press release describes it as perfect for pushing solos forward without altering the fundamental character of the sound, so it is a level lift rather than a change to the pedal's core tone.
Is the Lerxst ATWAS an optical wah?
Yes. Morley describes the ATWAS as a combination optical wah and volume pedal, combining the company's optical wah with an ultra-smooth optical volume control. Optical designs use light and a sensor rather than a pot, which avoids the wear that dirt and dust cause on mechanical pots.
Does the Lerxst ATWAS have a buffer?
Yes. Morley says the pedal includes a buffer circuit that prevents signal loss and maintains tone, and the press release for the pedal lists premium buffering among its features.
Is the Lerxst ATWAS a signature pedal?
Yes. It is part of the Lerxst line of guitar effects pedals, designed by Alex Lifeson and Lerxst in collaboration with Morley. ATWAS stands for All The World's A Stage, and the pedal was announced as released in January 2026.
How long is the warranty on the Lerxst ATWAS?
Morley gives the ATWAS a one-year warranty, according to the pedal's product page.
Sources (2)
- Alex Lifeson ATWAS Wah Volume, Morley
- All The Worlds A Stage (ATWAS) Wah Volume, Morley, 2026-01-22
