Advanced Tips for Using the Cosmic Loop FX Parallelarator
- Rich Cattell
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
The Parallelarator is already a powerful tool for unlocking new sonic possibilities—but once you've mastered the basics, there's a whole new level of creative potential waiting to be explored. In this post, we’ll dive into advanced tips and techniques to help you get the most out of your Parallelarator, from sculpting your parallel signal paths with precision to integrating unconventional effects in unique ways. Whether you're chasing richer tones, tighter control, or more experimental textures, these insights will take your setup to the next dimension.
1. Use the Footswitch as a Dry Kill / Dual Dry Level Switch
The Parallelarator allows you to creatively repurpose its footswitch to control your dry signal level—without needing any external switching devices. One particularly clever use is to treat Loop 3 as a "dry level preset", allowing you to toggle between two dry levels or even mute the dry signal entirely.
Setup Instructions (Mono/Stereo Rigs):
Connect Loop 3 Send directly to Loop 3 Return using a TS (mono) patch cable.
Switch Loop to mono.
Leave no effect in the loop—this is purely a signal passthrough.
Use the Loop 3 Level knob to set an alternate dry level.
Use the foot switch to activate or bypass Loop 3.
Result:
When Loop 3 is bypassed, the dry signal is set by the main Dry Mix control – if this is at zero, the footswitch acts as a dry kill.
When Loop 3 is engaged, the signal flows through Loop 3 and its level is determined by the Loop 3 Level knob.
If you set it lower or higher than the main dry level, the footswitch toggles between two dry signal levels.
Use Case Ideas:
Dry Kill Mode: Set Dry Mix level to zero to instantly switch to a fully wet mix for ambient or experimental sections.
Dual Dry Mix: Use a lower dry level for rhythm playing and a higher one for solos to cut through the mix—without changing any effects.
Foot-controlled blending: Adjust the Loop 3 Level for subtle or dramatic shifts in dry/wet balance at the tap of a foot.
2. The Left Output Jack Doubles as a Stereo TRS Output
The Parallelarator includes a clever output design that gives you more routing flexibility with minimal cabling. Specifically:
If nothing is plugged into the Right Output jack, the Left Output becomes a Stereo TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) output.
What This Means in Practice:
When only the Left Output is used, it carries both the Left and Right signals as a stereo TRS signal:
Tip = Left signal
Ring = Right signal
Sleeve = Ground
When a cable is plugged into the Right Output, the unit automatically splits the stereo signal into two separate mono outputs—Left and Right—on their respective jacks.
Why This Is Useful:
1. Compact Stereo Output
Use a single TRS cable to send a stereo signal to:
A stereo input on a mixer, audio interface, or stereo effects unit
A TRS-to-dual-mono Y-cable splitter for stereo amp rigs
A stereo DI box for live or studio setups
2. Cleaner Pedalboard Wiring
Save space and reduce cable clutter by running just one stereo TRS cable off your board—perfect for small or travel rigs.
3. Automatic Mono/Stereo Switching
Plugging in the Right Output automatically disables stereo TRS mode on the Left Output, making setup intuitive:
No need for switches or settings—just plug and go.
Pro Tip:
Use a TRS to dual TS (Y-split) cable if you're sending stereo from the Left Output to two amps or two channels on a mixer. It's a tidy way to preserve stereo imaging while using just one jack.
3. Use the Parallel Link Port to Add an Extra Loop or Connect Another Parallelarator
he Parallel Link port lets you expand the capabilities of your Parallelarator by adding an additional stereo loop or by chaining multiple units together. It integrates seamlessly into the internal parallel mixer and is designed for use with optional Parallel Link cables, available in two configurations.
Cable Types:
A. Input-Only Cable – Add a 4th Stereo Effect Loop
This cable adds an extra stereo input into the Parallelarator’s internal mixer via the Parallel Link port.
Ideal for adding a 4th parallel effects loop, especially for stereo pedals, multi-FX units, or even external instruments like synths or drum machines.
Note: The Parallelarator does not provide level control for this loop—set levels on the connected device to control its presence in the mix.
Use Case Example:
You could plug in a stereo ambient reverb or a stereo looper and blend it in alongside your main 3 loops for huge, layered textures—all output together in true stereo.
B. I/O Cable – Add Stereo FX Input + Dry Signal Output
This cable includes:
A Stereo TRS jack that connects to the output of an external stereo device, feeding it into the Parallelarator’s mixer just like the Input-Only Cable.
A Mono TS jack that provides a dry signal output directly from the input of the Parallelarator.
What This Does:
You get an extra stereo effect loop, just like with the Input-Only Cable.
Plus, you can tap a clean, unaffected signal from the Mono TS output—before any loops or processing.
Use Case Example:
Feed the dry output to a separate pedal chain or recording input for post-processing or reamping.
Use it as a source signal for another Parallelarator or mixer.
Key Points to Remember:
The Parallel Link port adds a 4th parallel loop, not a replacement for any existing loops.
There’s no onboard control over the level of the device connected via Parallel Link, so adjust it at the source.
The dry output from the I/O cable is always active and unaffected by the loop settings or footswitch state—ideal for routing clean/dry tone independently.
Pro Tip:
You can daisy-chain multiple Parallelarators using the I/O cable and Parallel Link ports to build an expanded matrix of parallel FX loops, each with its own set of blend controls.
4. Connect the Parallelarator in the FX loop of your main (centre) amplifier
The Parallelarator works well in the effects loop of your main amp. This position allows it to process the fully-amplified preamp tone rather than your guitar's dry signal. By connecting it here, you can create rich parallel effects chains that integrate seamlessly with your amp’s tone, offering studio-style flexibility in a live rig.
5. Enable the "Dry Kill" option on effects connected to the loops
When placing effects like delay or reverb into the Parallelarator’s loops, it's best to enable their dry kill or wet-only mode (if available). This ensures only the processed effect signal is returned to the mix. The Parallelarator will handle the blending of dry and wet signals, so eliminating the dry component from the effect itself avoids phase and timing issues that can muddy your tone.
6. Use the Dry Mix control to blend dry signal back in for wider stereo imaging
In wet/dry or wet/dry/wet rigs, a portion of the dry signal should always remain present in the centre to retain punch and clarity. The Dry Mix control on the Parallelarator allows you to dial in exactly how much of your core tone you want to retain. This is crucial for creating a spacious, stereo soundstage without losing definition or attack.
7. Use the Phase switch on Loop 3 to correct phase issues
Some pedals, especially older analogue ones or those with complex internal routing, can invert the signal phase. When blended in parallel, this can lead to phase cancellation—your tone might sound hollow or lose low-end. The Parallelarator includes a phase flip on Loop 3 to correct these issues. If you hear anything strange when activating Loop 3, flip the phase and listen for an improvement.
8. Use Loop 3 for ambient effects that need trails
Loop 3 is ideal for reverb or delay pedals that support effect trails—meaning the effect continues to decay naturally after being bypassed. If you control the loop with the Parallelarator's footswitch and leave the effect itself always on, you can turn Loop 3 on/off and preserve the decay when switching it off. This creates smooth transitions during playing, without abruptly cutting off echoes or reverb tails.
9. Place distortion/fuzz/overdrive effects before the Parallelarator
Gain-based pedals (distortion, fuzz, overdrive) generally sound and feel better when placed before any parallel processing. Running them into the dry input of the Parallelarator means the wet loops remain clean and unaffected by gain compression, allowing time-based or modulation effects in the loops to stay more open and detailed. This setup also preserves your picking dynamics and articulation.
10. Experiment with different series and parallel effect combinations
One of the Parallelarator’s greatest strengths is its routing flexibility. Try running reverb and delay in separate loops for a lush stereo spread. Or place modulation (chorus, phaser) in series with delay for swirling, evolving textures. Parallel routing keeps effects more defined and prevents them from muddying each other. Play with combinations to discover new sonic possibilities.
11. Use as an effect blender to mix extreme effects with your clean tone
Have a ring modulator, pitch shifter, or glitch pedal that's fun but overwhelming? Run it in one of the loops and use the mix controls to dial it in subtly. The Parallelarator acts as a precision blending tool, letting you add just enough of an extreme effect to enhance your tone without losing its character. Great for experimental textures or studio layering
12. Avoid placing noisy pedals in Loop 3
Because Loop 3 is left active for ambient trails or parallel blends, any noise from pedals in this loop can remain present even when the loop is bypassed from your board. Avoid using overly noisy vintage fuzzes or power-sensitive pedals here. Choose quiet, high-headroom pedals—especially for time-based effects—to keep your rig clean and noise-free.
Whether you're fine-tuning your live rig or pushing the boundaries of studio experimentation, the Parallelarator offers a level of flexibility that rewards creativity and curiosity. By exploring these advanced techniques, you can shape your sound with greater precision, discover unexpected textures, and make even the most familiar pedals feel brand new. Got your own Parallelarator tricks? We’d love to hear how you’re using it—drop us a comment or tag us in your setup shots. Until then, keep experimenting and stay cosmic!
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