So, you’re beginning your collection of effects pedals and are wondering if it’s okay to leave them turned on when they’re not in use. Is it bad/damaging to keep effects pedals on when not in use? Keeping an effects pedal on/powered when it’s not in use is typically safe, though it may decrease its overall longevity….
So you’re wondering which effects pedal you should buy, rent or otherwise try out. In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we’ll go through everything worth considering before you make any decisions about an effects pedal. If you’ve found yourself asking, “Which pedal/stompbox should I buy?” this extensive resource is for you. Please feel free to jump…
Modulation effects (and modulation in general) are powerful tools when it comes to processing audio. There are plenty of distinct effects that fall into the great category of modulation that we should understand and have at our disposal when mixing audio or sculpting the perfect tone in our instrument. What are audio modulation effects? Audio…
Ring modulation is one of the weirdest effects a guitarist could add to their pedalboard. The intriguingly odd sounds we can get out of a ring mod pedal have likely sparked your interest and inspired you to check out this article, where you’ll learn how they work. What are ring modulation pedals, and how do…
No effect brings the funk quite as much as the envelope filter. The wah-wah comes close, but its “automatic” cousin reigns supreme. For both guitar and bass, the magic of the envelope filter can easily be found inside small stompbox effects pedals. What are envelope filters, and how do they work? An envelope filter pedal…
Wah is one of the most famous effects for guitar, and wah pedals are among the most expressive to play through. The sound of wah can be heard across many genres and on plenty of records, and wah pedals can be found on pedalboards and jam spaces around the world. What are wah pedals, and…
Flanger is one of the most recognizable effects at a guitarist’s disposal, thanks, in large part, to effects pedals. This “jet swoosh” effect has made its way onto countless records and is worth understanding! What are flanger pedals, and how do they work? Flanger pedals are stompbox-style units that affect audio signals (mainly for guitar…
Chorus is perhaps the most popular of all the modulation effects in terms of guitar (and bass) pedals. A nice chorusing effect can make our instruments sound larger than they are and demand the listener’s attention without being overly obnoxious. What are chorus pedals, and how do they work? Chorus pedals are modulation effects units…
Phaser is one of the most interesting audio effects in terms of its electronic design and effect on audio signals. Guitarists, bassists and other musicians can benefit greatly from a phaser pedal in their rig/pedalboard. What are phaser pedals, and how do they work? Phaser pedals are stompbox units designed for guitar and/or bass. Phasers…
Tremolo is an awesome effect that has the potential to really give a guitar or bass that extra character it deserves in a mix. This modulation/dynamic sort of hybrid effect can be easily accessed via a pedal. What are tremolo guitar effects pedals, and how do they work? Tremolo pedals are stompbox units designed for…
Vibrato is an incredible technique for a guitarist, bassist, vocalist (and many other instrumentalists) to have in their arsenal. This natural technique can be achieved in both natural and unnatural ways via electronics in a vibrato pedal. What are vibrato guitar effects pedals, and how do they work? Vibrato pedals are stompbox-style effects units designed…
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…
