The Morley Little Alligator Volume (model PLA) is a volume pedal from Morley. Instead of the potentiometer that most volume pedals use to control level, it uses Morley's electro-optical design: a shutter moves between an LED and a light-dependent resistor (LDR) as you rock the treadle, changing the volume without mechanical contact in the signal path. Morley says this "ensures smooth pedal control without unwanted noise typical with potentiometer (pot)" pedals1.
The pedal is designed to feel familiar underfoot. Morley describes it as having "a Familiar Linear taper but with Optical control"1, so the sweep behaves like a conventional linear volume pedal while the circuit itself works differently. It is suitable in front of the amp or in the FX loop, connected to the send and return jacks1.
How it works: optical instead of a pot
In a potentiometer-based volume pedal, the treadle physically turns a pot, and the signal passes through its wiper. Over time pots can wear and become scratchy, and their tracks can crackle as they age. The Little Alligator removes that component from the signal path. Rocking the pedal moves a shutter between an LED and an LDR; the amount of light reaching the LDR sets the volume. Because nothing mechanical rubs against a resistive track carrying your signal, there is no pot to wear out or clean1.
The taper is linear, which Morley chose so the pedal feels like the linear volume pedals players are used to1.
Controls and connections
| Control or jack | What it does |
|---|---|
| Minimum Volume Control | Used to create Rhythm and Lead volume settings, setting the level at the heel-down position1 |
| Power On/Off Indicator | LED above the Min Vol knob shows when the pedal is powered1 |
| IN | Input jack; plug your instrument in with a 1/4" guitar cable1 |
| OUT | Connect to your amplifier with a 1/4" guitar cable1 |
The Minimum Volume Control is the pedal's one knob. Setting a minimum level lets you keep a rhythm volume at heel-down and push to full for leads, rather than dropping to silence every time you rock back1.
Powering it
The Little Alligator runs on one 9V battery when no adapter is used, like all Morley pedals1. For adapter power, Morley specifies only its own 9 VDC 300 milliamp regulated adapter, with a center pin that is negative1.
The center polarity is negative1. The current draw is just 2.5 mA at 9 VDC1, low enough that the pedal is easy to accommodate on a shared power supply, but Morley's guidance is to use its own regulated adapter rather than a generic one.
Where it fits in your chain
Morley states the pedal is suitable for use in front of the amp or in the FX loop (send and return)1. In front of the amp it works as an instrument-level volume control; in the loop it can act as a master volume after your drive and time-based pedals. For comparison, other compact volume pedals in Morley's range include the Morley Mini Volume and the Morley Volume Plus, and the optical approach contrasts with pot-based pedals such as the Ernie Ball VPJR.
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Questions
Can I put the Morley Little Alligator in my amp's effects loop?
Yes. Morley states the Little Alligator is suitable for use in front of the amp or in the FX loop, connected to the send and return jacks. That makes it usable as a master volume control after your drive and modulation pedals rather than only as an instrument-level pedal at the front of the chain.
Does the Little Alligator Volume use a potentiometer?
No. Its volume control is electro-optical: a shutter moves between an LED and a light-dependent resistor as you rock the pedal. Morley says this design gives smooth pedal control without the unwanted noise typical of potentiometer-controlled volume pedals, and it removes the pot wear that causes scratchiness over time.
What taper does the Morley Little Alligator have?
The Little Alligator has a linear taper. Morley describes it as a familiar linear taper but with optical control, so the volume response under your foot feels like a conventional linear volume pedal even though the circuit works differently.
Does the Morley Little Alligator Volume take a battery?
Yes. Like all Morley pedals, it is designed to use one 9V battery when you are not using an adapter. A power LED above the Min Vol knob shows when the pedal is on, so you can see when the battery is being drawn on.
What adapter does the Little Alligator need?
Morley specifies its own 9 VDC 300 milliamp regulated adapter, with a center pin that is negative. The pedal draws only 2.5 mA at 9 VDC, so a single supply can easily run it alongside other low-current pedals on a board.
Sources (1)
- steve-vai-little-alligator-volume-manual.pdf, Morley, 2021
Steve Vai
