Guitar effects pedals come in a wide variety but the fact is that most guitar effects are just variations on four basic themes: Distortion, Dynamics, Reverb/Delay, and Pitch Modulation. They also come in a variety of configurations which were initially, single effects built into pedals, called stomp boxes, which grew into multi-effects processors built into both floor pedals, rackmount, and tabletop units. Many also include drum machines and headphone jacks for practice purposes.
Distortion Effects Pedal
Distortion has three types of effects which are initially based on the sound of an overdriven tube amplifier and includes distortion, overdrive, and fuzz.
Dynamic Effects Pedal
In studio effects processing we find compressors and noise gates, but for guitars, we include gain and presence boosters, volume pedals, and tremolo and vibrato effects, which include rotating speaker effects too. Compressors and gates are also available as separate effects but are usually built into multi-effects processors.
Reverb/Delay Effects Pedal
Covering special effects, reverbs, delays, and echo. While these effects are built into guitar amps and come as separate rackmount units, they are also available in stomp boxes and are common in multi-effects processors. In the early days, delays used analogue tape loops to produce echo effects. Today, these effects are produced digitally and with modelling techniques.
Pitch Modulation Effects Pedal
Comprises of units that affect pitch such as flangers, wah-wah pedals, phase shifters, chorus, pitch shifters, and has grown to include resonance filters, envelope filters, ring and talk modulators, and has even grown into full blown synths controlled by MIDI guitars.
Stomp Box vs. Rackmount, Single or Multi-Effects
The big question here is whether inexpensive single-effect stomp boxes, which are generally quite noisy, are even necessary anymore. If you look in the racks of top guitarists who can afford whatever they like, you will find combinations of stomp boxes and high-end processors. There will be an individual guitar pedal, but in varying combinations that impart a desirable and characteristic tone. This is where an individual's personal taste comes in. You could go and get the same setup as your guitar legend, but that may prevent you from finding your own sound. There are also multi-effects processors that combine modelling with both vintage and modern effects in one convenient floor pedal that can give you the actual sound of your guitar hero coupled with a vast amount of other options to craft your own unique sound, which is why the ear dictates that the best guitar pedals are a personal choice.
Distortion Effects Pedal
Distortion has three types of effects which are initially based on the sound of an overdriven tube amplifier and includes distortion, overdrive, and fuzz.
Dynamic Effects Pedal
In studio effects processing we find compressors and noise gates, but for guitars, we include gain and presence boosters, volume pedals, and tremolo and vibrato effects, which include rotating speaker effects too. Compressors and gates are also available as separate effects but are usually built into multi-effects processors.
Reverb/Delay Effects Pedal
Covering special effects, reverbs, delays, and echo. While these effects are built into guitar amps and come as separate rackmount units, they are also available in stomp boxes and are common in multi-effects processors. In the early days, delays used analogue tape loops to produce echo effects. Today, these effects are produced digitally and with modelling techniques.
Pitch Modulation Effects Pedal
Comprises of units that affect pitch such as flangers, wah-wah pedals, phase shifters, chorus, pitch shifters, and has grown to include resonance filters, envelope filters, ring and talk modulators, and has even grown into full blown synths controlled by MIDI guitars.
Stomp Box vs. Rackmount, Single or Multi-Effects
The big question here is whether inexpensive single-effect stomp boxes, which are generally quite noisy, are even necessary anymore. If you look in the racks of top guitarists who can afford whatever they like, you will find combinations of stomp boxes and high-end processors. There will be an individual guitar pedal, but in varying combinations that impart a desirable and characteristic tone. This is where an individual's personal taste comes in. You could go and get the same setup as your guitar legend, but that may prevent you from finding your own sound. There are also multi-effects processors that combine modelling with both vintage and modern effects in one convenient floor pedal that can give you the actual sound of your guitar hero coupled with a vast amount of other options to craft your own unique sound, which is why the ear dictates that the best guitar pedals are a personal choice.
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