The Electro-Harmonix Tri Parallel Mixer is parallel effects-loop pedal and also a mixer and a switcher, depending on how you're operating the pedal with your guitar or bass. You can use it creatively to achieve tones unavailable through connecting your pedals in series. You can also use the pedal to solve problems on stage such as switching among multiple instruments.

You'll note three different effects loops, each one selectable via footswitch. Each loop has its own control over Send Volume, Return Volume, EQ, and Phase. The Phase control is particularly useful if a parallel effect returns to the Tri Parallel Mixer out of phase, and needs a polarity flip to return fullness to the signal. Use the EQ control to give you more treble or bass if needed.

You can turn on these effect loops in AND mode, which allows you to turn on various combinations of all three loops. Or in XOR mode, you can select one at a time. In XOR mode, you'll automatically turn off all the other loops every time you select your independent channel. Both modes give you creative options to explore.

You can use this pedal to switch among loops, sending one instrument's signal to multiple amplifiers at once, switching among different amplifiers, or mixing/switching multiple instruments that feed one amp. Whether you want to send your electric guitar to three amplifiers, or send three different guitars to one amp, you'll find this pedal triply useful.

You'll find global controls such as Master Volume for overall level and Dry Volume to raise and lower the level of your unprocessed tone. The Tri Parallel Mixer comes with its own power supply.