Introduction to Guitar Effects Pedals
There is nothing more exciting than mastering the skills to play your first song on the guitar. Now your ready to move on and learn a song by one of your favorite artists.
You wonder how they create their signature sound, they use guitar effects pedals.
In this article we will give you an introduction to some of the types of popular guitar effects pedals on the market and give you a sample of the sounds that you can create while using them.
Distortion and Overdrive Effects
Overdrive Pedals boost the guitar signal to the amplifier creating unique sounds.
This is a T-Rex ToneBug Overdrive, an example of a very popular Overdrive Pedal.
Distortion
Distortion Pedals modify the guitar signal to the amplifier, creating unique distorted sounds.
This is a Pro Co Limited Edition Reissue ’85 Whiteface RAT, an example of a very popular Distortion Pedal.
Dynamic Effects
Compressors
Compressor Pedals control the guitar signal at a preset level so that soft and loud notes sound equal in volume.
This is a ModTone Lemon Squeeze, an example of a very popular Compressor Pedal.
Volume Pedals
Volume Pedals allow you to increase the volume for lead guitar sequences and lower it again for the rhythm section.
This is the Mini Morley Volume Pedal, big in performance but doesn’t take up alot of real estate on your pedalboard.
Reverb/Delay Effects
Reverb
Reverb Pedals are similar to Delay Pedals, in that they reproduce parts of the guitar signal to emulate sound in small or larger rooms.
This is the T-Rex Tonebug Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal, T-Rex has a reputation for quality products.
Delay
Delay Pedals duplicate parts of the guitar signal and repeat them to give the appearance of a fuller richer sound.
This is a ModTone Analog Delay Guitar Effects Pedal, an example of a very popular Delay Pedal.
Pitch modulation Effects
Chorus
Chorus Pedals create a doubling effect that sounds like there is more than one guitar playing at the same time.
This is a Rocktron Chorus Pedal, an example of a very popular Chorus Pedal.
Wah Wah Pedals
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Wah Wah Pedals shift a filter the tone of the signal to create a sweeping sound across a frequency range.
This is the Morley Classic Wah Guitar Effects Pedal, Morley has a reputation for quality products and offer many different Wah Pedals in different flavors.
Other Guitar Effects Pedals
The following items are not really guitar effects but are very popular items that you may see on a Guitar Effects Pedalboard.
Guitar Pedal Tuner
You may want to put a Guitar Tuner at the front of your Pedalboard to use before or during a performance.
The Peterson TurboStomp2 Pedal Tuner is one of the most popular Guitar Pedal Tuners on the market.
ABY Channel Switcher Pedal
An ABY Channel Switcher will allow you to quickly switch between different instruments or switch between different amplifiers.
This is a Morley ABY Channel Switcher Pedal, which is one of the most popular ABY Switches on the market.
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