Guitar FX Pedals 101
If you’ve ever been to a live show or even set foot in a guitar store, you’ve likely seen a guitar pedal. Guitar pedals are little metal boxes that are arranged in a circuit formation on what is appropriately dubbed a “pedalboard.” Each guitar pedal is wired to create a special audio effect. In this article, I’ll be talking a little about pedals generally, different types of pedals, and how to assemble a pedal board.
1. Assembling Your Pedal Board
As the guitar creates a sound signal, the signal passes through the cable into one of the pedals--the input and output ends are labeled. Connect one end of a cable into your guitar and the other end into the “input” of the pedal. Then, connect one end of a mini cable to the output end of that pedal and the input end to another pedal. Continue this pattern until you have compiled a desired effect. On the last pedal, plug a cable into the output end and the amp. You can, of course, also only use one pedal at a time. It is VERY important to note that the order of your pedals matters A LOT.
The order in which the signal is processed greatly determines the sound. There are general rules to follow, like putting compressors and limiters at the end of pedal chains. But with the rest, there is great room for experimentation. This can be a really fun process and a way to help create a unique sound.
You will also need to get a power supply, to which all your pedals will connect. This provides a necessary source of electricity that allows your pedals to work. However, not all pedals need a power supply. Some also require a battery, so be sure to read your pedal’s manual and do some research beforehand.
2. Types of Pedals
Distortion: You know that crunchy sound that rock guitar has? That’s distortion.
Fuzz: A type of distortion that sounds, well, fuzzy rather than cracked we might say. Think grunge and shoegaze vibes.
Reverb: We could loosely define reverb as an echo sound, but perhaps more specifically I would say that it gives a dimension of space to sound. This can be an echo, but it can also have more of a cathedral sound, and numerous other qualities.
Delay: A loose echo sound closely related to reverb.
Chorus: A chorus pedal essentially inserts other tones into every note, literally creating a choral effect.
Compressor: A compressor pedal condenses the sound spectrum to make everything sound more precise and overall better.
3. Buying Pedals
Now that we’ve talked about what pedals are and their different types, let’s talk about buying them. Right off the bat, you do not need to break the bank to buy expensive gear. First, just understand which ones intrigue you. YouTube is a great source to hear pedals in use and get a better idea of what they do. It’s also really helpful when determining which ones to buy. Not all reverb pedals sound the same just like not all fuzz pedals sound the same just like not all compressor pedals sound the same. Find out which ones specifically peak your interest. Some guitar stores might even let you try them out in person. It is good to keep in mind that there are some REALLY cheap pedals out there, but many of them won’t last. I think around $50 is a good price point to get gear that will last but also is relatively affordable. Buying used pedals on websites like Reverb is also a really great way to get pedals for cheap.