Modern Guitarists Using Parallel Effects for Unique Sounds
- Rich Cattell
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Updated: May 3
How Parallel Routing Is Transforming Pedalboards
At Cosmic Loop FX, we believe in helping players unlock their most expressive, creative tones. One of the most exciting ways to do that is through parallel signal routing—a technique that separates your clean tone from your effects, opening up a whole world of clarity, depth, and control. It’s the kind of magic that powers advanced wet/dry/wet rigs, stereo ambient setups, and pro-level pedalboards.
And now, with tools like our Parallelarator, running effects in parallel is easier and more compact than ever.
Let’s take a look at how modern guitarists are embracing parallel routing to craft their signature sounds—and where the Parallelarator fits into their setups.
🎛️ What Is Parallel Effects Routing?
In traditional pedalboards, effects are connected in series—one feeding directly into the next. While this works fine for many situations, it can also lead to tone loss, especially when stacking multiple delay, reverb, or modulation pedals. Transients get smeared, EQ gets muddy, and you lose the punch of your dry tone.
Parallel routing solves this by splitting the guitar signal into multiple paths:
A dry path (typically untouched or lightly processed)
One or more wet paths with effects like delay, reverb, or modulation
All paths are recombined later, either summed to mono or panned in stereo
This approach keeps your dry tone clean and dynamic, while letting you dial in lush, spatial effects that don't interfere with your playing.
⚡ How the Parallelarator Helps
The Parallelarator from Cosmic Loop FX is a compact, all-analog utility pedal that makes true parallel signal routing simple and practical. It works as a:
Buffered signal splitter
Dual-path parallel mixer (mono dry & stereo wet)
Phase correction utility
Use it to:
Run a wet/dry or wet/dry/wet rig with minimal cabling
Keep your dry signal completely intact, while blending in time-based or modulation effects
Eliminate phase issues caused by certain pedals flipping polarity
If you're chasing pro-level clarity or studio-style tone control, the Parallelarator is your rig’s secret weapon.
🎸 How Modern Guitarists Use Parallel FX
Here are five influential players using parallel routing creatively—plus how the Parallelarator could enhance similar setups.
1. Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
Technique: Jonny often splits his signal into a dry path and a second, heavily processed chain—blending distorted verbs, lo-fi delays, and vintage tape echoes in parallel with a clean core tone.
With the Parallelarator: You could send your dry tone to your amp while routing wild modulation or ambient effects through a second path, blending them back together with phase-safe precision.
2. Nick Reinhart (Tera Melos)
Technique: Nick is a master of stacking crazy effects (ring mods, reverse delays) in isolated paths so they don’t disrupt the main tone. His dry signal stays articulate while chaos swirls around it.
With the Parallelarator: You can isolate those glitchy effects in a dedicated wet loop and dial in just the right amount—no more fighting between texture and tone.
3. David Maxim Micic
Technique: David’s rigs use three amps: one for dry, two for stereo wet. This gives him wide ambient depth without sacrificing note attack.
With the Parallelarator: A simple wet/dry/wet split becomes plug-and-play. One output to your dry amp, two to stereo wet chains—no loss of signal strength, no phase issues.
4. Yvette Young (Covet)
Technique: Yvette’s clean tone is central to her sound, even when drenched in delay and reverb. She often stacks ambient effects in parallel to avoid frequency smearing.
With the Parallelarator: Send your dry tone direct to your amp or interface, while stereo ambient effects are kept in their own cleanly blended loop. It’s ambient without mud.
5. Mateus Asato
Technique: Mateus runs delay in parallel to maintain his phrasing’s subtlety and dynamic range. His tone is always expressive—even when soaked in echo.
With the Parallelator: You can run delay in a parallel loop, keeping every pick and slide crystal clear while dialing in just the right trail.
🛠️ Building Your Own Parallel Rig with the Parallelarator
The Parallelarator simplifies the process of building a parallel effects rig by giving you everything you need in one unit. Here’s how you can set up your rig:
🌌 Wet/Dry/Wet and Stereo Ambient Rigs
Parallel mixing is especially useful for wet/dry/wet rigs, where the dry signal is sent to one amp while the wet effects are split across two stereo outputs. The Parallelarator makes this setup easy, and its Stereo/Mono switches let you use both stereo and mono pedals in the same rig. Here’s how to create a wet/dry/wet rig:
Guitar → Dry Input
Send/Return 1 → Stereo reverb
Send/Return 2 → Stereo delay
Send/Return 3 → Stereo modulation (foot-switchable)
Centre (Dry) Output → Centre amp (dry tone only)
Wet Outputs (Left B & Right) → Stereo amps or mixer channels for effects
Use the Stereo/Mono switches to configure the returns for both mono and stereo pedals
Dry Mix control adds your clean tone back into the wet blend
Footswitch Loop 3 for live toggling of ambient or dramatic effects
This setup is perfect for musicians who want rich, expansive soundscapes with precise control over their effects.
🔊 Why Parallel Routing Is the Future of Pedalboards
As guitarists get more experimental—and more aware of tone shaping at a fine level—parallel signal processing is becoming essential.
Whether you're layering shimmer, avoiding delay smear, or sending dry tone to the front-of-house while processing stereo verbs separately, parallel rigs give you total control.
And with pedals like the Parallelarator, there’s no need for bulky rack gear or overly complex loop switchers. You get phase-safe, high-headroom signal splitting and mixing in a compact box.
🔗 Ready to Parallel?
Whether you're a tone purist, ambient explorer, or touring pro, parallel routing can elevate your rig in ways traditional chains just can’t.
👉 Explore the Parallelarator and start building your perfect wet/dry/wet rig today.
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