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Electric Guitar Effects Pedals - 5 Commonly Used Effects Pedals

If you want to expand on your Guitar playing experience, then the most obvious course you will take is the use of Guitar Effects pedals.

Five very common Effects Pedals are as follows:

1. Compression Pedal

This pedal is the hardest to use and the least understood. However, it is an extremely useful pedal. Effectively the Compressor enables the guitarist to play over a wide dynamic range – from loud solos to soft rhythmic chords – while maintaining the same output volume of the Amplifier. This way the audience can not only hear those softer passages, but also the more dynamic lead work without drowning out the other musicians.

An effect put to good use, is the ability of the Compressor to enable long sustained notes, far beyond the natural ability of the instrument. Ideal for all Gary Moore type sustained notes which seem to last forever

Care must be taken when using a Compressor, as improper use can lead to the introduction of noise, or lead to a rather bland dynamic performance.

2.         Tremolo Pedal

A very popular Pedal used in the 60’s and is still used today. The Tremolo Pedal produces a vibrato effect to the chord or single note by changing the volume of the signal – the variation of which is determined by the user. The Pedal allows control of both the signal depth and rate of the speed variation, due to a sine wave which is applied to a Voltage-Controlled Amplifier. It’s the Frequency and Amplitude of the sine wave - which the controls alter – that affects both the rate and depth of the effect.

3.         Overdrive and Distortion Pedals

Overdrive and Distortion Pedals are used to amplify the guitar signal to the point where the sound produced is anything between a warm rich ‘clipped’ sound to a dirty or gritty tone. Depending on your budget, the number of controls, and hence the available tone variations, vary from pedal to pedal. These range from just a few simple pots and a footswitch, to more complex versions incorporating Tone Shaping facilities.

4.         Wah Wah Pedal

The Wah Wah produces an effect, which sounds similar to a human voice saying – yep you’ve guessed it ‘wah’. The effect is produced by a foot pedal in the form of a rocking treadle, and is great for enhancing your lead or rhythmic playing.

Being a bit technical again, the Wah effect is produced by a low-pass filter whose cut-off frequency is control by the foot pedal. Interestingly, this type of low-pass filter is used often in modern Dance or Trance type music where the high frequencies of the song are gradually filtered out until only a kind of muffled beat is left. As the high frequencies are restored the sound returns to normal.

5.           Chorus pedal

A Choir or Orchestra creates the chorus effect naturally in music, where all are singing or playing the same piece. This is due to the time variations and differences in timbre, which creates a ‘shimmering’ or ‘spatial’ effect. This effect is also created when double tracking is used in Recording Studios. In the case of a Guitar Chorus Effect, the signal is split and vibrato is added to one. The signals are then re-mixed, creating the effect of multiple guitars playing together. Altering the rate or depth of the vibrato controls the chorus effect.

Conclusion

Guitarist set up their effect pedals in two ways. By use of multi-effects Units that have various types of Guitar Effects in one ‘box’ - which range in price depending on the facilities available. Where most are now microprocessor controlled, many tone and parameter settings are available to the musician.

The other method is by the use of individual pedals which are ‘daisy chained’ together by short cables. Many guitarists have favourite individual pedals, therefore they adopt this method. Also, pedals can be bought separately if you happen to be on a low budget and added to the chain. The downturn is that the set-up time takes longer and more cables are involved (which always seem to go wrong at the gig).

About the Author

There are literally hundreds of types of each pedal mentioned, which can be a nightmare for the Guitarist looking to buy.

If you would like more information on what’s available on the market today please, plus some great YouTube videos on various pedal types, please visit Electric Guitars Effects Pedals for upcoming news, reviews and sales.

Used Boss Bcb60 Pedal Case $109.99 In Store Used USED BOSS BCB60 PEDAL CASE

BOSS Pedal Board Case $168.99 This pedal board case is a convenient way to set up and transport your compact effects and features a padded interior that can be customized to fit a range of gear.

Used Boss Bcb6 Pedal Case 323 91811 $99.99 In Store Used USED BOSS BCB6 PEDAL CASE 323 91811

Used Iron Cobra Sngl Pedal W/ Case $119.99 In Store Used USED IRON COBRA SNGL PEDAL W/ CASE

Used Mps Pedal Hard Case 421 050112 $134.99 In Store Used USED MPS PEDAL HARD CASE 421 050112

Boss Pedal Board & Case $169 The BOSS BCB-60 Pedal Board is a convenient way to set up and transport all your compact effects. The unique padded interior can be customized to fit a range of gear from BOSS compact and Twin Pedals to effects from other manufacturers. A convenient AC adaptor supplies power for up to seven devices.

SKB Professional Pedal Board with Hard Case - Black $274.99 Power your equipment with this pedal board that can power up to nine 9V pedals. Up to 6 different configuration options allow you to customize the pedal board to your needs. A hard case protects your equipment.

Motorguide / MotorGuide Wireless Foot Pedal & Handheld Remote Case / MGA505A1 $36.78 Motorguide - MotorGuide Wireless Foot Pedal & Handheld Remote Case - MGA505A1

Used Pearl Eliminator Double Kick Pedal W/Case $249.99 In Store Used USED PEARL ELIMINATOR DOUBLE KICK PEDAL W/CASE

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Used Tama Iron Cobra Single Pedal W/ Case $119.99 In Store Used USED TAMA IRON COBRA SINGLE PEDAL W/ CASE

Fender PT-100 Pedal Tuner $44.95 The Fender PT-100 Pedal Tuner has an easy-to-read LED note indicator. Its flat/sharp LEDs makes onstage tuning fast and foolproof. Dual outputs and on/off indicator. Fender quality, Rugged die-cast case and pro-grade accuracy make the PT-100 Pedal Tuner the one for you. Dual outputs: one sends signal constantly, one mutes when you hit the pedal so you can tune silently.Silver

Used Tama Speed Cobra Dbl Pedal W/Case 04.08.12 $299.99 In Store Used USED TAMA SPEED COBRA DBL PEDAL W/CASE 04.08.12

Used Tama Iron Cobra Jr Dbl Pedal W/Case $119 In Store Used USED TAMA IRON COBRA JR DBL PEDAL W/CASE

Used Iron Cobra Double Bass Pedal W/ Case Rel:051612 $199.99 In Store Used USED Iron Cobra Double Bass Pedal W/ Case REL:051612

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Used Pearl Demon Drive Sngl Bd Pedal W/ Case $169.99 In Store Used USED PEARL DEMON DRIVE SNGL BD PEDAL W/ CASE

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Used Pearl Demon Drive Single Kick Pedal W/Case $149.99 In Store Used USED PEARL DEMON DRIVE SINGLE KICK PEDAL W/CASE

Fender Pt-100 Pedal Tuner $44.95 The Fender PT-100 Pedal Tuner has an easy-to-read LED note indicator. Its flat/sharp LEDs makes onstage tuning fast and foolproof. Dual outputs and on/off indicator. Fender quality, Rugged die-cast case and pro-grade accuracy make the PT-100 Pedal Tuner the one for you. Dual outputs: one sends signal constantly, one mutes when you hit the pedal so you can tune silently.Silver

Boss Compact Pedal Board & Case $39.95 The BCB-30 is a convenient way for guitarists and bass players to transport and use their BOSS compact effects pedals. Made of high-quality molded resin, this case is perfect for small pedalboard setups.

Gator Cases Bone Pedal Board with Carry Case - Black $69.99 This pedal board features a hook-and-loop angled surface for easy pedal mounting and can accommodate up to 5 stomp boxes (not included). The included carry bag allows for easy portability and features an accessory pocket for easy organizing.

DW 9002PC Double Pedal $579.99 The DW 9002PC Double Pedal is just what you need for reaction and speed. To create incredibly smooth, gravity-defying action, the 9000's Floating Rotor is not permanently affixed on a conventional drive shaft but is mounted on a free-floating drive shaft using friction-reducing ball-bearings. In addition, the patented Rotor can be infinitely adjusted using the Infinite Torque Adjustment for a variety of positions from center (Turbo-style) to eccentric (Accelerator-style), achieving the desired balance of power and precision in any playing situation. Furthermore, by moving the location of the Floating Spring from the end of the hex shaft to the center of the pedal, the vertical alignment of the moving parts is maintained and the indirect transfer and loss of energy is virtually eliminated - further optimizing the pedal's speed and power and precision.In addition to Delta ball-bearings at the rocker, hex shaft, and hinge, the 9000 also employs friction-reducing ball-bearings in the rotor and spring connector while incorporating several of the 5000 Series' most popular upgrades such as a stackable heel plate, dual/side adjusting hoop clamp, 101 2-way beater, built-in spurs, and lightweight aluminum pedal plates and linkages. Includes a custom-designed, injection-molded case with special compartments for pedals, beaters, and accessories.Note that DW products are not available for further discounting online. For additional information, please call 866-226-2918.

Dw 9002Pc Double Pedal $579.99 The DW 9002PC Double Pedal is just what you need for reaction and speed. To create incredibly smooth, gravity-defying action, the 9000's Floating Rotor is not permanently affixed on a conventional drive shaft but is mounted on a free-floating drive shaft using friction-reducing ball-bearings. In addition, the patented Rotor can be infinitely adjusted using the Infinite Torque Adjustment for a variety of positions from center (Turbo-style) to eccentric (Accelerator-style), achieving the desired balance of power and precision in any playing situation. Furthermore, by moving the location of the Floating Spring from the end of the hex shaft to the center of the pedal, the vertical alignment of the moving parts is maintained and the indirect transfer and loss of energy is virtually eliminated - further optimizing the pedal's speed and power and precision.In addition to Delta ball-bearings at the rocker, hex shaft, and hinge, the 9000 also employs friction-reducing ball-bearings in the rotor and spring connector while incorporating several of the 5000 Series' most popular upgrades such as a stackable heel plate, dual/side adjusting hoop clamp, 101 2-way beater, built-in spurs, and lightweight aluminum pedal plates and linkages. Includes a custom-designed, injection-molded case with special compartments for pedals, beaters, and accessories.Note that DW products are not available for further discounting online. For additional information, please call 866-226-2918.