Everyone starts somewhere, and when you’re asking yourself what a footswitch is, you’re probably pretty new to guitar, or at least electric guitar. All questions are valid here, and you’ll never learn if you don’t ask. A footswitch is literally a switch or a collection of several switches that you operate by foot. Since a guitar player’s hands are always full, it only makes sense to use your feet. If you want to turn something on, off, or make a change, you can’t reach out and push a button while you play. Not with your fingers anyhow. Naturally, as many guitar players already perform standing up, putting in some buttons or pedals where you can step on them is the best way to handle mid-song transitions. Doing this allows the artist to be self-sufficient in making these changes. Moreover, it gives you a better range and the ability to keep playing even as you distort the music. I’ll walk you through the basics, so you understand how, when, where, and what type of footswitch to use.
What is a footswitch? A footswitch is a button on the floor that allows a guitar player to turn on or distort the instrument’s sound using your foot to engage or disengage the effect. Also known as a foot pedal, these clever devices came into use around the early nineteen sixties. Using a simple tap-on-or-off button, a musician can manually change the sound while playing.
What Does A Foot Switch Do
When you first begin playing guitar or talking to guitar players, there’s a lot of terminology to learn. Case in point, what is a footswitch? Well, technically, a footswitch is exactly what it sounds like. The footswitch is any switch you use your foot to activate.
You will almost always see these on the floor. If you’re watching a performance and a guitarist goes over and kicks something, then the music changes’ sound or volume; they used a footswitch. This is common for musicians because your hands are already full playing an instrument.
Amp foot switches tend to turn on the tremolo or reverb. If you play with yours on all the time, you may not need a footswitch at all.
A Fender Electric Guitar Amplifier Footswitch will let you turn your amp on or off hands-free. With battery-operated LED illumination, you can find your amp on the darkest stage. Plus, the hardwire bypass allows you to retain your natural tone without interference or signal loss. You’ll appreciate the durable metal construction onstage or at practice. Read the Amazon reviews for yourself by clicking here.
Do I Need A Foot Switch For My Acoustic
Unless your acoustic guitar has a pickup for an amp, you don’t need a footswitch. Since all footswitches are electric, you have to be plugged into something to use one. Hence, no footswitch.
If you see a ‘thing’ on the floor when an acoustic performer is playing, it’s either for an amp pickup, or it’s not what you think. Seated players often use a foot stand for easier playing. Having a rest for one foot allows better posture while seated.
The easiest way to tell the difference is to look for a cord. Some models may have a battery and lights, but generally, footrests don’t have either. These are merely small platforms for sitting comfortably with one leg elevated.
Types Of Foot Switch
What a footswitch does and how it’s set up vary from model to model. I will go over common types so you can identify them more easily. Keep in mind, most of these can have a single or multi-switch option.
Amp Switch
These switches often look like large buttons. Unlike the following, more complicated switches, these are only used to turn your amplifier on or off. This is the basic style you will probably encounter first.
Single Pole Single Throw
The SPST comes in two styles; momentary and latching. A momentary switch gives a temporary effect that lasts only when a musician is applying direct continuous pressure. Meanwhile, the latching variety makes a change that lasts until the switch is disengaged. These have two pins.
Single Pole Double Throw
The SPDT footswitch has three pins and can be used to replace the SPST. According to Friendly Musician, “… the middle pin (pin 2) is the common pin, the other pins (pin 1 and pin 3) are 2 sides of 2 separate switches. At a time, the common pin contacts to another pin of 1 side; the other side is in the open state. For the momentary-type SPDT, it has 2 sides: normal close (NC) and normal open (NO).”
Double Pole Double Throw, 3 Pole Double Throw, and 4 Pole Double Throw.
The DPDT, 3PDT, and 4PDT switches have six, nine, and twelve switches. Unlike a basis SPDT switch, these are more likely to control a host of sound distorting effects rather than an amp.
Most beginning guitar players will only use a single switch that turns an amp on and off. As your skill progresses, you may find that more switches and sound changes become part of your style.
The Vox VFS2A Dual Guitar Footswitch from Amazon is an easy on-off pedal. With both LED indicators and durable construction, you can easily turn your amp on as needed. Plus, you’ll love the integrated cord. To learn more, click here.
Can Any Foot Switch Be Used For An Amp
You cannot simply plug in any footswitch you see and control your amp. It entirely depends on what the footswitches do. Plenty of models make a basic electrical connection. These send an on-off signal, and most will be compatible with amps. However, other styles don’t work the same.
For example, some switches change polarity or create a voltage drop. Neither of these is useful for turning an amp on or off. More importantly, most footswitches are not universal. That means you will need a footswitch that works with your brand of amplifier. Always check for compatibility first.
I recommend starting with a simple model. You don’t need ten switches to turn your amp tremolo or reverb on. If anything, you need a light-up version so you can see it on a darkened stage. Peavey makes outstanding switches, but you need a Peavey amp as well.
A new HQRP 3-Button Guitar Amp Footswitch from Amazon is an ergonomic and easy-to-use option for your amplifier. LEDs help you see what you’re doing so you don’t have o guess in the dark. Plus, you can tell if the buttons are active or not. This model works with Peavey 03582650 Replacement fits 6505+ head. Have an HQRP delivered to your door by clicking here.
How Do You Plug In A Foot Switch
First of all, let us clarify some confusing terminology. A footswitch is also called a stompbox, effects pedal, or foot pedal. These all refer to the same basic sort of device. When you see them discussed or sold under these names, it’s all a foot switch regardless of the term used.
Your amp may come with a footswitch. In this case, it plugs directly into a port on your particular amplifier. Amp footswitches don’t have complex circuitry or controls. Instead, they plug right into the amp itself.
Effects pedals typically require a nine-volt battery. These do have internal circuits. To use these, you will need an AC adapter. Your guitar jack should plug into a port on this type of switch. A second cable goes from the pedal to the amp.
When Do You Need A Foot Switch
You need a footswitch when you’re ready to do more than plug and play with your electric guitar. Since the switch turns on or off functions like reverb, you may not start out using one. As you build your skills and learn new music, you will quickly come to recognize when a song requires this basic modification to sound right.
You may not need a footswitch right away, but you can always start with one, so you don’t have to learn later. I recommend an amp switch. After you’ve mastered that and some chords, you can move on to songs that use more effects.
Distortion Pedals Are Not Foot Switches
Some songs make it harder to identify when you need a footswitch. Using a distortion pedal instead of a footswitch can give a similar effect. The difference is what it distorts.
When you use a footswitch, you are changing the channel to a different, distorted channel. Meanwhile, using a distortion pedal modifies the sound on your current channel. Think of this as a more complex version of the latching versus momentary switch.
Final Thoughts
Without footswitches, modern rock and heavy metal would have a very different sound. However, these aren’t the only genres of music that make use of pedals and other distortion. By altering your sound, you increase your range and make new and different effects possible.
The number of buttons on your footswitch depends on your specific needs. Essentially, you can change the sound in a different way for every button. How you use them is up to you. Get creative and play with your sound. You never know when you’ll discover something amazing to play.
Though not all electric guitar players use food switches, it’s best to learn how regardless. As a well-rounded musician, every tool and trick gives you more range and makes you a more versatile and capable artist.