Looper pedals can be an invaluable tool for guitarists, bassists and all musicians. These units are regularly used to develop musical ideas beyond a single instrument track, as a tool in live settings for “one-man-bands” and even multi-piece groups, and as a learning tool in the practice room (among many other uses). What are looper…
Pitch-shifting pedals, and those pedals that utilize pitch-shifting, are among the most amusing to play through and can truly open a whole new realm of sonic and harmonic capabilities on guitar, bass and other instruments. What are pitch-shifting guitar pedals, and how do they work? A pitch-shifting guitar/bass pedal is a stompbox unit that affects…
Switcher pedals can unlock a whole new world of signal flow and controllability in our pedalboards. These utility pedals can become invaluable to complex pedalboard systems when used to their full advantage. What are switcher pedals, and how do they work? Switcher pedals are utility stompbox units built for guitar, bass and other instruments that…
Equalization (EQ) is one of the most important and commonly used processes in audio. It makes perfect sense, then, that the market would produce EQ pedals for our guitars and bass guitars. What are EQ pedals, and how do they work? EQ pedals adjust the relative amplitudes of the frequencies within a guitar or bass…
Compression is one of the most important and popular processes in audio, so it stands to reason that a compressor pedal in a board/rig would be fitting. What are compressor pedals, and how do they work? Compressors pedals reduce the dynamic range of the input guitar/bass signal. A compressor pedal will reduce the amplitude of…
Whether you’re looking to expand the sonic capabilities of your guitar, want a synth but can’t afford one, or trying to kick the synth player out of your band, a synth pedal could be for you! What are synth pedals, and how do they work? A synth pedal is an audio synthesizer in a stompbox format…
Reverb is one of the most popular effects for guitarists to have in a pedal. In fact, it’s one of the most common effects in music, period. We can find reverb units on pedalboards around the world. What are reverb pedals, and how do they work? Reverb pedals are [typically] digital and are designed to…
A single delay pedal in a guitarist’s rig can add numerous dimensions to his or her playing. It’s no wonder why delay pedals are so popular on pedalboards around the globe, spanning across nearly all genres of music. What are delay pedals, and how do they work? Delay pedals are stompbox effects units that cause…
There are plenty of amazing guitar pedals on the market today, thanks, in part, to the rise of boutique guitar manufacturers. Boutique guitar effects pedal brands have a tendency to push the envelope when it comes to functionality and creativity within pedals. With a market saturated with standard effects, many new brands must develop a…
Guitar pedals are key components in the rigs of many guitarists. The great thing about pedals is they can be utilized in pretty much any genre of music. Their effects also range from subtle improvements and alterations in tone to full-out non-guitar sounds. Whether you’re an amateur guitarist still learning the basics of the instruments,…
Guitar effects pedals can be a fantastic addition to anyone’s guitar rig. Let’s discuss what they are and how they work in this article. What is a guitar effects pedal, and how do pedals work? A guitar pedal is an effects unit designed to be controlled by a guitarist’s feet. These pedals affect the incoming…
Connecting a guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer, keyboard (and many other instruments) to their respective amplifier is often as easy as plugging one end of a patch cable into the instrument and the other end into the amp. If you’ve ever wondered how this simple setup works on a more technical level, this article is for…
