A system and method for interfacing and controlling multiple musical instrument effects modules on a common platform. The system includes: a system processor; a backplane coupled with the system processor; a plurality of musical instrument effects modules removably inserted into the backplane, each of the plurality of musical instrument effects modules including an audio input signal interface and an audio output signal interface, at least one of the musical instrument effects modules including a programmable potentiometer and/or programmable switch to modify an audio output signal; and a user interface configured to enable a user to apply a desired setting on the programmable potentiometer of the musical instrument effects modules via the system processor and the backplane.