Cosmic Loop FX's new Parallelarator is not just a Parallel Blender, but an ingenious Wet-Dry-Wet Gateway / Junction Box
My now good friend Rich Cattell came along at just the right time, as I was having issues with my TheGigRig Wetter Box at that very moment, and still somewhat in the market for a top-notch Parallel Blender.
Superficially those pedals look quite similar, but they’re quite different animals. The Wetter Box is an excellent Full Stereo (TRS) Parallel Blender - where everything can be Stereo - including the Main Core Input. All the Send & Return Loops are full stereo here in both directions - and can be mixed in any order. You’re basically blending in two stereo channels with the core signal - which can be stereo too!
For the Parallerator (Wet/Dry/Wet Parallel Effects Mixer) - it is very much a Wet-Dry-Wet gateway. This means the Dry Input is a Mono TS one, and that then gets passed through direct to the Centre Dry Output - all outputs are buffered, as well as to the 3 Loop Sends. Where the Send is always that Mono Dry Signal (TS), while the Returns can of course be full Stereo (TRS) - as selected by each Loop specific switch on the device (1-3).
As mentioned - while the Parallelarator and Wetter Box can look quite superficially similar, they are actually quite distinct pedals - each with its own strengths. The Wetter Box being able to blend all signals in Full Stereo, while the Parallelarator is the simplest and most elegant way you can go Full Wet-Dry-Wet. The Parallelarator has that distinct Mono / Stereo duality / separation, while the Wetter Box can be all Stereo. Also the Parallelarator has 3 loops compared to the Wetter Box’s 2, and both devices have a Phase Inverter on one of the Loops. Overall the ports are somewhat different, and the Wetter Box also has ports for Expression and Remote switching - which I wasn’t using anyway. The Parallarator’s Output is very distinct with its centre direct Dry Out!
Parallelarator Controls - Dry Mix (Dry Blend with Loops), LOOP 1 : Stereo TRS / Mono TS, Level 1, LOOP 2 : Stereo TRS / Mono TS, Level 2, LOOP 3 : Stereo TRS / Mono TS, Level 3,
Parallelarator Ports - 9-18V DC [-] 100mA, 1/8" Parallel Link (AUX), LOOP 1 } TS Send, TRS Return. LOOP 2 } TS Send, TRS Return, INPUT } TS Dry Input, OUTPUTS } TS Left Wet, TS Centre Dry, TS Right Wet, LOOP 3 } Phase Inverter, TS Send, TRS Return. [All Outputs are buffered for pristine signal preservation).
I think there is some sort of issue with the Mono/Stereo switch on my Wetter Box. While I encountered no issues at all when setting up the Parallelator.
There was a marked difference I had to contend with though - as for the Wetter Box I had the whole signal chain going direct into the front of that (Full Stereo), while as mentioned - the Parallelarator has a Mono Dry Input - so I needed to split my chain into Mono and Stereo Pathways.
The challenge for me is that I update the chain every week, and the transition point from Mono to Stereo will vary pretty much every week - so I will need to adjust the cables regularly as I continuously evolve that rig. The exercise of separating out the chain was totally painless though - I probably should have done it before - as I get even more clarity and articulation now. And this kind of fits with the Boss methodology too - where they always have their main Dry input as mono on those kinds of devices (IR-2, IR-200) - and then you feed the stereo effects through a loop - which is exactly what I’m doing here.
The below visual illustrates how the chain is ordered now and where the current transition points are. It was all a breeze rot setup eally - and worked perfectly on first attempt! Of course some tweaking was required to balance all the Levels - while that turned out to be pretty effortless also.
Key Featureses
- True Parallel Mixing : Effortlessly blend wet and dry signals for a wide, immersive sound
- 3 Stereo Effect Loops (1 Switchable) - each loop has a buffered mono send and a stereo return, using standard 6.35mm / 1/4" (TS/TRS) jack connectors
- Compact Design : Small enough to fit on any pedalboard, preserving space without sacrificing functionality
- All-In-One Solution : No external splitters/buffers, mixers, or special cables required
- Wet/Dry/Wet Outputs : Connect up to three amplifiers for full wet/dry/wet versatility
- Stereo/Mono Compatibility : Handles stereo or mono signals with ease, adapting to your setup
- High-Quality Buffers : Ensures transparent signal integrity throughout the signal chain
- Easy Integration : Designed to work with your existing effects units—no additional gear needed
- Expandable - Unique Parallel Link port enables the connection of additional Parallelators or external mixers (with a special cable) to expand the number of effect loops available
Final Thoughts and Alternative Configurations
Rich also recommended :
"In this instance, you are really just using it as a stereo mixer, but it (Parallelarator) could probably also replace the 2 x buffers that you have on your board – if you connect your dry guitar signal to the dry input and then use 2 of the sends (which are individual buffered outputs) to feed the inputs of your Dry (Mono) and Wet (Stereo) effects. If you use Loop 3 send for the wet effects then you can switch that buffer on/off using the built in footswitch – this would turn off the wet effects, while also allowing effect trails from time-based effects!"
As with everything do to with my signal chain, every decision is based on genuine real-life requirementssmf operational practicalities.
I really like my 2 x Sitek Crystal Buffers - which are fully footswitchable. My chain is a mix of an educational device and pedal showcase - in terms of how I use each of those 52 current slots. So it illustrates where each effect appropriately fits into the sequence - which is why and how the rig has expanded from initially 25 pedals, to the 52 ones that are currently featured. The Pedal Chain example is intended to be fully expansive - and to showcase as many pedals as is possibly and practical - hence we're not about to switch out those 2 existing buffers. There's also another practicality aspect to connecting a pedal at the end of the Chain (the Parallelarator) to one right at the start - which is about 2 metres distant. It would need a very long cable indeed!
Rich's siuggestion is a good tip - but it alas runs contrary to some of the key aims of the Pedal-Chain and Guitar Pedal X.
I consider all eventualities (never say never / a time may come...!) - while operational practicalities are obviously a key criteria. I'm currently not in a position to go full Wet-Dry-Wet as I kind of don't have sufficient space in my Music corner to accommodate a 3rd Amp. I might be able to squeeze one in eventuality - but then I run into a power supply issues - as all the sockets are already oversubscribed in their use - and in some senses - the pedal-chain operation is currently at the outer boundary of what is possible.
Regardless of whether I'm using the full extent of the Parallelarator - that pedal has nevertheless improved things for me no end - and can improve your rig too. If you're looking for an easy way to connect rot a Wet-Dry-Wet setup - then surely this has to be the most elegant solution out there, certainly the most elegant one for me!
I've had this pedal for only around a fortnight though - and it's been quite the revelation for me.
The Parallelarator is avilable for orders right now on the Comic Loop FX Wesbtore, where it goes for £285 (c.$369). This is a beautifully made pedal - using premium components throughout. Everything works flawlessly and noiselessly as such too - all the Loops come through very pristine!
I've loved using this pedal - and will no doubt have a long term report for it a few months on. For where I am now in my journey this was the perfect pedal for me at just the right time. Highly recommended indeed!
There are no demos for this pedal yet - while I'm sure there will be eventually. You don't really need a demo as this does't impact your tone - it more preserves your tone and give you better clarity and articulation. You should get a clear enough picture on what this device offers - from what I've covered here. I will of course update this feature when a demo or two finally materialises!
