Clicks of 3pdt vs dpdt vd spdt

[Max9999]

Dear Stompboxers,

I noticed that my MXR pedal footswitches have a lower click sound than 3pdt's. They are dpdt's.

Are all dpdt's generally lower in sound than 3pdt's? And would spdt's be even quieter than DPDT's?

[GGBB]

If a single switch (pole) makes a certain level of noise, then 2 or 3 of those will make more noise. So if all other things are equal, then yes, A 3PDT is louder than a DPDT which is louder than an SPDT. But all other things aren't necessarily equal. Some 3PDTs are louder than other 3PDTs, same for DPDTs and SPDTs. Therefore, there could be some 3PDTs that are quieter than some DPDTs and SPDTs.

[R.G.]

As GGBB says, more moving parts, more noise.
At a more fundamental level, it depends crucially on the mechanical design of the switch parts and how hard the contacts click together. I wonder if sticking some sound dampening stuff like Dynamat on the switch would quiet it a bit. Maybe even hot glue, etc. Another option is to use a quiet footswitch to switch an LED and a 14-pin-DIP size relay like the Kemet EA2 or Panasonic TQ2.

[stallik]

I've used some Gorva designed 3PDT foot switches which are mechanically quieter than the standard black and blue ones I normally get. Still not as quiet as a DPDT but close.

[amptramp]

I saw one pedal in a music store that was a general-purpose music processor at $425.  The switch on it was a lot quieter than any others I have seen and did not have the gritty feel of the usual 3PDT switches.  At the price, you could afford to spend a few more cents on a better switch.  My advice would be to go to an electrical switching system like those on Boss or Ibanez equipment that use a normally off SPST pushbutton.