Tonebox Recommended Pedals
Keeley D&M Drive
The brainchild of Keeley maestro Robert Keeley and That Pedal Show’s Dan Steinhardt and Mick Taylor, the dual-channel D&M Drive is effectively two pedals in one. One channel acts as a boutique-level high-gain overdrive while the other channel is an independent, highly-tweakable, and stackable boost. Each channel has its own Level, Gain, and Tone controls, plus you can choose which goes first: Drive or Boost. Whether you just want some extra dirt, a sweet sustain-heavy solo, or full-on fuzz-style noise, the D&M Drive can do the job.
Pro Co RAT
The Pro Co RAT 2’s charm lies in its flexibility. Utilized as a main distortion, it is perfect for soaring leads and arena rock rhythm tones. It captures that sweet spot in which your tube amp goes from sparkly clean to warm overdrive. You can employ the RAT 2 as a boost for solos. It is capable of providing the extra punch you need. The RAT 2 features glow in the dark controls for distortion amount, volume level, and filter cutoff.
Wampler Plexi-Drive Deluxe
If you want to add a Marshall in a box to your pedalboard, look no further than Wampler’s Plexi-Drive Deluxe. This boutique overdrive guitar effects pedal packs all the tight, British-flavored crunch of a Marshall plexi while giving you unrivalled control over your tone. It features an active three-band EQ section, bass and bright boost toggles, and a soft click switch pre-gain boost voiced to emulate that classic screaming green drive stomp, the Tube Screamer.
Fulltone OCD
The Fulltone OCD Obsessive Compulsive Drive guitar effects pedal has ignited the obsession of many an overdrive enthusiast since it was first released in 2004. This small and simple stompbox packs some of the sweetest overdrive tones ever crafted. MOSFET clipping and a pioneering hard clipper configuration give the OCD unprecedented levels of picking sensitivity; once you’ve dialed in your overdriven tone, you can access a wealth of harmonic characteristics and dynamics simply by changing your picking attack.
HeadRush Pedalboard
Packaged in a sturdy, tour-ready steel enclosure with a cable route built into the bottom so your stage stays neat, the HeadRush Pedalboard boasts several well-thought-out features for utilization on stage. Everything about the Pedalboard is meant to make it intuitive, simple, and quick to jump right in and produce great sounding rigs instantly. It features a custom-designed quad-core processor, gapless preset switching with reverb/delay spillover, and more than 100 realistic FX, cab, amplifier, and microphone models.
Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork
Open up bold new dimensions for your sound with the Pitch Fork polyphonic pitch shifter from Electro-Harmonix. This compact guitar effects pedal lets you transpose your signal’s pitch by three octaves, plus you can choose whether you want the transposition to go up, down, or both simultaneously. Use the dedicated control dials to control your pitch-shifted tone or plug in an expression pedal for more precise sweeps and multi-octave jumps, all with glitch-free note tracking.
Drive Pedals
Fulltone OCD v2 CME Exclusive Limited Edition Black
This is a limited-run colorway for the Fulltone OCD V2 Obsessive Compulsive Drive guitar effects pedal made exclusively for the Chicago Music Exchange. Apart from swapping out the classic cream paint job for black, nothing else was changed. This OCD V2 variant still packs the same sweet, highly responsive tube-style overdrive of the original OCD while adding an output buffer, and enhanced JFET input section, and an internal switch that lets you choose between true bypass and Fulltone’s unique enhanced bypass mode.
ZVex Double Rock
Zvex’s dual channel Double Rock, which was originally designed for Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis, is actually two dirt pedals in one, and not because it’s basically a pair of Box of Rock pedals compressed into single stompbox form. You can actually turn either channel into a Super Hard On boost, meaning you get an amazingly wide array of dirt tones just by stacking the channels: two BoRs, two SHOs, a BoR going into a SHO, or vice versa.
Way Huge Camel Toe Triple Overdrive MkII
Way Huge has merged its Red Llama Overdrive with the Green Rhino Overdrive in an uncanny union to build the Camel Toe Triple Overdrive MkII pedal. The Red Llama circuit delivers an extensive gain range and enough output to push any amp into its red zone, while the Green Rhino side provides enhanced sustain and amp-esque grit. If you want anything from full-on distortion to subtle grind in one high-quality unit, the Camel Toe Triple Overdrive MkII is the way to go.
DOD Overdrive Preamp 250
The iconic analog DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 has been resurrected by popular demand, featuring more than four decades of history and experience. The 2013 version captures all the original’s signature tone and wild heart, without taming its performance. The DOD 250 boasts a smooth distortion that is fundamental for that mid-seventies guitar sound. Whether you are looking for an overdrive to boost your amp’s natural sustain or a mellow, tube-sounding distortion, the DOD 250 has it. Just crank up the gain for intense distortion with a lush, full sound.
Joyo AT Drive
Lurking beneath the JF-305 AT Drive’s tiny chassis is a smooth, versatile, and harmonically rich overdrive sound. It can do warm blues dirt, aggressive hard rock, and everything in between. With dedicated Volume, Drive, High, and Low control knobs you can fine-tune your tone to your specific taste. As part of Joyo’s Ironman line, the JF-305 AT Drive is small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover to keep its control dials safe.
Rowin Tube Pusher
The LEF-328 Tube Pusher is, as you may have guessed from the name, is another Tube Screamer-style overdrive pedal from budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin. It continues Rowin’s tradition of stuffing massive sound into tiny packages, serving up a warm tube-like overdrive that sports a very wide dynamic range. The LEF-328 Tube Pusher comes with a two-position toggle that lets you between the low peak and extremely transparent Normal mode and a louder, high peak Boost mode.
TWA Mini Morph
The Mini Morph dynamic waveshaper pedal is a minified and simplified version of Totally Wycked Audio’s DM-02 Dynamorph envelope controlled harmonic generator. It’s a unique dirt stomp that dynamically morphs the distortion tone’s EQ components via an envelope dependent drive circuit. You can create a wide range of bizarre sizzling dirt tones via the Drive, Morph, Gain, and Dry controls, plus there’s a Mode switch hidden on the left side of the chassis that lets you switch between two distinct overall EQ settings.
NUX HG-6
The NUX HG-6 Distortion pedal has silently established a reputation as strong as its virtually nuclear blast-ready pedals. It gives you an aggressive metal and rock distortion, valve amp sounds, and active mid-frequency EQ circuit. FET emulate a tube amp’s characteristic distortion. The HG-6 Distortion features an analog circuit (three gain stages), true bypass design, reduces tone loss, and allow you better control over your pedal. The HG-6 Distortion carries Tone, Scoop, Gain, and Level controls.
Xvive V13 Mini DI
The Mini DI direct input box from budget guitar effects pedal creator Xvive is the exact tool you need for plugging your guitar or bass directly into mixer or a club’s PA system. It’s designed to have ultra-low distortion so your core tone doesn’t get discolored, plus it has a built in cab sim that you can engage via an on/off switch. It also lets you boost or cut your signal’s gain by 20dB either way and comes with a ground lift function as well as balanced and ¼ unbalanced XLR outputs.
Carl Martin DC Drive
A Vintage series would not be complete without a simple yet ultra-versatile drive pedal. The DC-Drive by Carl Martin has some tricks up its sleeve. In addition to the usual Drive, Tone, and Level knobs, Carl has strategically included a clean boost after the drive section, as well as a Regular/Fat switch. The Regular mode gives you a clear and crisp drive perfect for anything that calls for a vintage drive, while Fat delivers a more up-to-date and thicker drive with more gain.
Pigtronix Aria Disnortion
Experience incredibly rich, musical distortion with the Aria Disnortion pedal from Pigtronix. It is a pedalboard-friendly stompbox leveraging a seamless diode-clipping architecture to give you as much smooth, harmonically-lush distortion as you desire. The Aria Disnortion also features tons of output volume, allowing you to drive your amp’s input hard. With the High, Mid, and Low knobs, you can tailor your tones nicely. The Aria Disnortion also carries Volume and Gain controls that are convenient to tweak on the fly.
REVV G3
Get Revv’s signature punch, clarity, and precision for any rig and budget. The G3’s voicing is based on Revv’s iconic Purple Channel. It lets you select from three aggression settings to modify the amount of gain. Middle, Bass, and Treble EQ knobs enable you to optimize the sound for virtually any kind of pickups. The G3 sounds exceptional whether you utilize it in its effects loop, straight into a cab simulator, in front of an amp, or with a modeler. It excels at contemporary metal tones and is versatile enough to cover other genres.
ZVEX Vexter Fat Fuzz Factory
The Fat Fuzz Factory from boutique guitar effects pedal maker Zvex is versatile enough to keep the fuzz traditionalists happy with everything from subtle fuzz to woolly, gritty hair, while letting the more experimental push the envelope with some of the wildest and most out of this world oscillating fuzz tones imaginable. Whether you’re the former or the latter, the Fat Fuzz Factory will let you dial in your own idea of the perfect fuzz and then tweak it whichever way you like, even on the fly.
Death by Audio Evil Fuzz/Filter
The Evil Fuzz/Filter from Death by Audio sounds great with your guitar, synth, or amplified skateboard. It is absolutely psychotic destruction with blooming inverted compression. The CV/Expression in lets you adjust the filter in sync with an arpeggiating synth or manage it using an expression pedal. The Evil Filter is a combination of fuzz/filter with chaos factor that surpasses the sum of its chaotic parts. While you can use filtering and fuzz individually, the two effects are sonic co-conspirators.
Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini
Featuring the same circuit as the classic JHF1, Dunlop’s FFM3 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini gives you that thick, smooth fuzz tone popularized by Jimi Hendrix within a compact pedal. Aside from classic Hendrix tone, this pedal features some advanced modifications, including a convenient battery door, AC power jack, and bright status LED for modern convenience. The FFM3 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini is the perfect choice if you are a fan of Fuzz Face or Hendrix.
Source Audio Kingmaker
The Source Audio Kingmaker Fuzz packs the sizzling tones of more than five decades of overdrive and fuzz technology within a compact chassis. It serves up three killer fuzz tones, including a responsive fuzz that cleans up beautifully with a lowered input signal, an extremely saturated yet pronounced fuzz for violin-esque lead tones and pummeling rhythm, and an octave circuit that delivers a yelling octave fuzz in the form of classic Octavio pedals. The Kingmaker Fuzz consists of Treble, Bass, Level, and Drive knobs.
Tom’sline Cream Distortion
The legendary fuzz tone of Electro-Harmonix’s well loved Big Muff pedal, packed into a stompbox that literally fits in the palm of your hand. Budget guitar effects pedal maker Tomsline’s Cream pedal is full of rich, creamy fuzz tones that you can shape with its three dedicated control pots: Volume, Tone, and Sustain. Dial in everything from a subtle peach fuzz to full on grit and hair. You get big, saturated distortion from a tiny but sturdy fuzz stomp.
Black Cat N-Fuzz
The N-Fuzz is another Black Cat legacy product first created in limited quantity from 2001 to 2003 and was offered only within the Asian market. The circuit was built on a customized Fuzz Face, with a toggle switch for low and high output. Similar to the original, the new N-Fuzz utilizes N-Channel (NPN) transistors. Black Cat replaced the toggle switch of the original N-Fuzz with a variable bias control pot to make the new version more versatile.
Mosky XP Booster
The XP Booster from budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Mosky Audio is a clean boost pedal based on Xotic California’s EP Booster–which itself was based on the preamp of the legendary EP-3 echo pedal. The XP Booster can juice up your guitar’s signal by up to 20dB of shimmering, full-bodied boost. The only external control knob is a level dial, but inside are internal DIP switches that let you control the XP Booster’s boost frequencies and EQ settings.
NUX Masamune
Compressor and Booster pedals are the secret weapons of gigging guitarists. You can now get both pedals within one convenient metal enclosure with selectable signal routing. The NUX Masamune Booster and Kompressor is a sound-crafter pedal. The Boost Section includes Hi-Cut, Boost Level, and Drive controls, while the Compressor Section features Sustain, Clip, Blend, and Komp Level controls. The Masamune also contains an external footswitch jack Input, and you can conveniently operate the unit through the additional remote switch.
Mad Professor Ruby Red Booster
The Ruby Red Booster is two boost pedals in one, with an extra switchable buffer on top. You can use this highly versatile Mad Professor creation as a treble booster, a clean booster, or even as an overdrive unit. You can even use it as all three, at once. The Ruby Red Booster’s Boost circuit is the standout here, providing up to 40dB of extra kick to push an amp from a subtle shimmer to heavy, aggressive dirt.
Xotic Super Sweet
Like its close cousin, the Super Clean buffer, the Super Sweet boost pedal from boutique guitar effects stompbox company Xotic is built around a top of the line preamp that harnesses the legendary power of a JRC4558 chip. It delivers up to 20dB of highly dynamic and extremely transparent clean boost that fully retains articulation even as it pushes your signal well above the mix. The Super Sweet also features four side-mounted dip switches that let you shape your tone further.
Mooer Flex Boost
The Flex Boost guitar effects pedal from budget stomp master Mooer packs a lot of extra gain in its tiny, pocket-sized chassis. Use it to push a clean amp into warm overdrive territory or use the extra muscle to push and overdriven amp’s front end even further down the road into full-on distortion. The Mooer Flex Boost also comes with its own Treble and Bass EQ micro knobs to give you even more tone-shaping options.
Xotic AC Booster
The AC Booster stomp from boutique guitar effects pedal maker Xotic is a boost pedal packing a gain range wide enough to push your signal past the drive threshold. The AC Booster delivers a warm boost that that can go from subtle and pleasant to breakup overdrive. Dial in the boost amount using the dedicated Gain knob than tweak your tone further via the Treble and Bass pots. Use it with another overdrive to really watch the sparks fly.
Xotic Bass BB Preamp
Boutique effects pedal company Xotic built the Bass BB Preamp to be one of the most versatile and tonally transparent boost and overdrive pedals ever created for bass players. With up to 30dB of boost juice, the Bass BB Preamp can deliver everything from a pristine clean boost to a rough and tough overdrive and all points between. You don’t have to worry about your tone getting muddy and individual notes becoming indistinguishable, either; the Bass BB Preamp is designed to preserve your core tone even when you crank it up.
MOOER 002 UK Gold 900
Mooer Audio’s Micro Preamp line of guitar effects pedals is all about giving shoestring budget shoegazers easy and affordable access to the legendary tones served up by classic and boutique amp models. The Mooer 002 UK Gold, in particular, replicates the warm tube-powered sound of a Marshall JCM900’s preamp section for true British-style grit. It comes with two switchable channels as well as volume, gain, bass, mid, and treble controls. It also features a cab sim on and off switch.
MOOER 015 Brown Sound
Mooer Audio’s Micro Preamp line of guitar effects pedals is all about giving shoestring budget shoegazers easy and affordable access to the legendary tones served up by classic and boutique amp models. The Mooer 015 Brown Sound, in particular, is based on the iconic Peavey 5150 that Eddie Van Halen used to create his legendary “brown sound.” It comes with two switchable channels as well as volume, gain, bass, mid, and treble controls. It also features a cab sim on and off switch.
MOOER 003 Power-Zone
Mooer Audio’s Micro Preamp line of guitar effects pedals is all about giving shoestring budget shoegazers easy and affordable access to the legendary tones served up by classic and boutique amp models. The Mooer 003 Power Zone gives you the amazing headroom and tonal versatility of the classic Kock Powertone amp. It comes with two switchable channels as well as volume, gain, bass, mid, and treble controls. It also features a cab sim on and off switch.
Radial Bassbone OD
Many players, including Bootsy Collins and Victor Wooten, rely on Radial for exceptional tone with or without an amplifier, and same goes with the Bassbone OD. It is a bass preamp pedal that provides you with two instrument input channels that feature passive EQ, level control, and low-frequency filter for sculpting your bass tone. Multiple outputs allow you to feed PA pre/post EQ, send a signal to a pedal, and connect to your amp on stage simultaneously with several instruments.
Voodoo Lab Giggity
The Giggity from Voodoo Lab is not your dime-a-dozen boost or overdrive pedal. Boasting unique Air and Body tone sculpting circuits, it can help you in fine-tuning your entire sonic footprint. Positioned before a clean amp and after your pedalboard, you may add some grind and beef up the bottom by adding Body. Put first in your signal chain, you may add Air to unleash the detail and high-end shimmer in your guitar’s pickups. You can dial in your ideal tone using the four-way sun to moon preamp voicing selector.
Walrus Audio DEFCON4
Underneath the wicked cool War Games-inspired ‘80s chassis design of the DEFCON 4 lies a super versatile preamp, three band EQ, and boost pedal that makes switching instruments mid-set a breeze. This collaborative effort from boutique guitar effects pedal maker Walrus Audio and musician Ryan Adams lets you cut and boost your low, mid, and high bands plus shape the mid cut even further with a parametric EQ. It also comes with up to 10dB of MOSFET-powered boost and internal mid EQ trim pots for even more precise tone sculpting.
Moog Minifooger Boost
If you are longing for that indescribable extra bump to pep up your tone, then the Moog MF Boost Minifooger might be the ingredient your bass, guitar, or keyboard rig is missing. You can use it as a dirty or clean boost pedal. Two selectable signal paths with natural compression provide you with exceptional tonal options. The MF Boost Minifooger is perfect for keyboards, bass, guitar, and more. It features true bypass switching that protects your tone and runs on an optional power supply or standard 9V batteries.
Donner Boost Killer
Often likened to the Xotic RC Booster, Donner’s Boost Killer pedal is arguably one of the most aggressive boost effects available. For a budget-friendly effects pedal, it loads plenty of heat, making it an attractive option. If you are looking to enter the world of boosters, the Boost Killer could be a great starting point. Even with its lightweight and compact enclosure, this pedal features a bit more generous controls than your standard booster design. It consists of Treble, Bass, and Volume controls along with a dominant Gain knob.
Morley Man FX Dual Boost Distortion
The folks at Morley know a thing or two about good guitar tone. They also know that sometimes some extra gain muscle is all that separates a milquetoast solo from a killer one during a gig. That knowledge and experience are evident in the Morley Man FX Dual Boost Distortion. a classic analog distortion pedal with two separate boost switches for cutting through the mix. The clean boost gives you up to 20dB of extra gain, while the distortion boost gives you another 15dB.
Danelectro BB-1 Billion Dollar Boost
The Danelectro BB-1 Billion Dollar Boost pedal not only increases your tone’s volume and responsiveness, but it also gives you enough EQ versatility to keep that boosted signal under your complete control. You get plenty of gain via the Volume knob, plus there are dedicated Treble and Bass knobs for controlling the mix. There’s also a two-way selector switch for Flat and Low Cut modes, the latter of which lets you drop the lower frequencies to add a subtle variation to your sound.
J. Rockett Archer Clean
The J. Rockett Archer Clean simulates the original Archer pedal’s magic but with less gain. Meaning, you can add Archer’s mythological midrange to your playing while keeping your signal clean. The Archer Clean is highly versatile, allowing you to tweak its Color control for more character or goose your amp with a transparent boost. It is easy to operate, thanks to its simple three-knob design. The Color knob controls the amount of midrange, Treble adjusts your high end, while Output sets the volume level.
Modulation Pedals
Keeley Seafoam Chorus
Keeley went above and beyond when developing the Seafoam chorus guitar effects pedal. It features what Keeley calls “True Chorus,” a new type of chorus effect that adds second and third voices that have a slight difference in timing and pitch characteristics from your original tone. This creates a more organic, more real-sounding chorus effect compared to a straight-up copy of your original signal. Add a touch of reverb with the Space knob and switch between modern and vintage voicings to explore new sonic soundscapes.
MXR Micro Chorus
Boasting a stunning analog tone and smooth operation, the Micro Chorus pedal joins the ranks of MXR Classics like the Micro Amp, Phase 90, and Dyna Comp. This 80s reissue gives you rich chorus textures ranging from sparkly watery shimmers to extreme rotating speaker simulation with a roll of the Rate knob. The Micro Chorus is built with classic bucket brigade technology and includes true bypass for an organic guitar tone when your pedal is off. Its durable hardware and components are packed into a space-saving Phase 90 sized chassis.
Lone Wolf Audio Viper
The Viper by Lone Wolf Audio is a mad warped chorus with added bit crusher sounding like your worst nightmare. The switchable bit crusher allows you to have only a bit crusher, a chorus, or both simultaneously. The Viper consists of several controls, including Toxicity (secret control), Melt (intensity of the effect), Booze (modulation speed), Spew (wave shape), Warp (how bent the sound is), Goo (depth) and the special Lorinz knob that controls how bit crushed your signal is.
Tom’sline ACH3S Michael Angelo Batio
Every shred head knows the name Michael Angelo Batio. While his signature Tomsline pedal, which is so innocuously named Chorus, won’t magically turn you into a speed demon, it will help you sound like one. This analog chorus pedal from budget guitar effects pedal maker Tomsline packs wide spectrum Depth and Speed pots for dialing in a multitude of chorus tones. The Chorus features Tomsline’s patented stop bar design to keep your foot from messing up the pedal’s settings when you stomp on it.
Rowin Ensemble
The LN-304 Ensemble chorus pedal serves up the classic sound of a vintage Roland Jazz Chorus thanks to a circuit based around an MN3207 bucket brigade device chip. Budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin managed to pack an impressive pure and warm chorus sound into the LN-304’s tiny chassis and even gave it two distinct voicing modes, Normal and Deep, which you can switch between using an integrated two-way selector toggle. The LN-304 Ensemble also features dedicated Level, Depth, and Rate pots for precise tonal control.
Boss CH-1 Stereo Super Chorus
The Boss CH-1 Super Chorus is arguably the best-selling chorus pedal on the entire planet. This guitar effects pedal offers up rich, clean, and shimmering chorus tones that can easily be sculpted to your exact tastes via its independent Effect Level, EQ, Rate, and Depth controls. From lush, spacious ambient tones to dizzying psychedelic swirls, you can get whatever chorus tone you’re looking for and more with the Boss CH-1 Super Chorus guitar effects pedal.
Dwarfcraft Devices Attack Release Filter
Dwarfcraft Devices’ Attack Release Filter (ARF) guitar effect pedal is packed full of envelope filter goodness. Prolonged swells? Abrupt jumps? The ARF’s got them. This momentary soft-stomp envelope filter features adjustable attack and release controls, letting you serve up everything from far-out synthy tones to more familiar wah-type sounds whenever you want. Stop relying on pick dynamic-controlled stomps that never work as you want them to; the ARF gives you all the control you need.
Chase Bliss Audio Condor
The Chase Bliss Audio Condor multi-effect pedal enables control over a broad range of effects, including tremolo, boost, overdrive, EQ, and filter tones. Boasting the ability to store presets and a potent parametric mids control, the Condor proves to be as majestic and powerful as the bird it is named after. This pedal also features a switchable overdrive circuit for shaping the guitar tone you want. The overdrive circuit complements stacking, so using it together with your favorite overdrive stompbox is recommended.
Xotic Robotalk RI
The Xotic Custom Shop Robotalk RI is a reissued and revitalized version of one of Xotic’s most popular pedals, the Robotalk envelope filter. The Robotalk RI may be smaller, but it actually packs quite a few more features compared to the original, including an enhanced arpeggiator that lets you go from strictly old school to crazy space age sound effects. Xotic also put a lot of sweat into further improving the Robotalk’s envelope and filter tones for even more random filtery goodness.
Electro-Harmonix Doctor Q
Small size, big funk tones. That’s what the DR. Q Nano envelope filter guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix is all about. Its intuitive control layout is dead simple. A single knob controls the range while a Bass toggle lets you give your signal a quick low-end boost for some added oomph. The Dr. Q Nano is very responsive to your picking dynamics and guitar volume; giving you different and unique sounds depending on how hard you attack the strings.
Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron
Elevate your sound to the funkiest of heights. The Micro Q-Tron Envelope Filter guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix dishes out some of the grooviest wah effects known to man. Its internal envelope follower analyzes your unique picking dynamics playing to sweep the center of the envelope filter, giving you wahs that change dynamically depending on your pick attack. Controls are simple and intuitive, with three dials to set the filter mode, filter bandwidth, and drive amount.
Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water
Fairfield Circuitry took simulation mathematics—or K-field math—theory and used it to create a stompbox capable of generating familiar but still unique tone modulation effects. The Shallow Water effects pedal creates a short time delay then randomly modulates the delayed signal to give it a sprinkling of unexpected pitch shifts. The Shallow Water might look like some simple aluminum box, but this versatile stomp gives you a wide range of chorus, vibrato, pitch-shifting, and other vintage tape-style effects with which to wash your signal.
TC Electronic Stereo Chorus+
The TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus+ Pitch Modulator and Flanger features three distinct effects—pitch modulation, flange, and chorus—with comprehensive parameter control that allows you to effortlessly dial in the very sound that fits your needs, from intense vibrato/tremolo effects to heavy-duty flanging to the ultimate clean chorus. It boasts a silkiness unrivaled by digital gear. It also has an onboard preamp/line driver that lets it work in a full range of applications and also helps minimize signal loss along lengthy cables. Other features include remote bypass and an overload LED.
NUX Flanger Core
The Flanger Core by NUX lets you pick between two kinds of flanger effect: Tape and Normal. It features a true bypass design, tone lock function for preventing incorrect operation and a preset save or recall. Effects like chilling vibrato, resonance modification, rotating speakers, jet sounds, and intensified studio flanging with two modes. The Flanger Core comes in an aluminum alloy enclosure, boasting solid construction. It consists of four control knobs: Feedback, Width, Depth, and Rate.
Alexander Pedals Wavelength
The Wavelength is a massively versatile digital modulation machine in one small, stompable package. The Wavelength has six distinct modulation engines—textured tremolo, bright chorus, eight-stage phaser, flexible flanger, photocell- and lamp-style vibrato, and resonant low-pass filter—all controllable via a customizable LFO. As a NEO pedal, the Wavelength can store up to four presets and up to 16 presets via a MIDI controller. Plug a foot switch into the multi-jack, and you can seamlessly sweep through two different effects settings.
Tom’sline Twister
The Twister is a versatile analog flanger stompbox from budget guitar effects maker Tomsline. Dial in everything from a subtle flange to a screaming jet engine fly by with the Color, Range, and Speed knobs. Use the two position toggle to switch from Normal mode to Freeze mode to give the flange effect a simpler, more vintage feel. The Twister features Tomsline’s patented stop bar design to keep your foot from messing up the pedal’s settings when you stomp on it.
Digitech Nautila
Create soothing rhythmic waves or unique tidal swirls with the DigiTech Nautila flanger and chorus pedal for your keyboard and electric guitar. It features Drift and Voice controls that let you add up to four flanger voices or eight chorus voices, and then combine and morph these waveforms at will. You can increase the modulation speed using the momentary footswitch. Individual Mix, Voices, Emphasis, Depth, and Speed controls shape your waves into soupy foam or clean curls. The Nautila’s rugged construction, stereo inputs and outputs, true bypass, and silent switching make it as practical as it is innovative.
Eventide H9 MAX
With 51 effect algorithms that include literally everything Eventide’s TimeFactor, ModFactor, PitchFactor, and Space pedals can do, the H9 MAX Harmonizer is basically an entire pedalboard in compact effects pedal form. It features reverb, chorus, delay, modulation, pitch-shifting, distortion effects, all of which can be tweaked and edited via an intuitive single-knob interface. The H9 MAX comes preloaded with 99 presets, plus you can get over 500 more for free via the H9 Control app.
Rowin Vintage and Modern Phaser
The innocuously named LEF-313 Phaser from budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin is a tiny, very affordable, and very versatile phaser pedal that can punch way above its price class. With two distinct phaser modes, it’s already head and shoulders above your bog standard phaser stomps. Use Vintage mode for a warm, old-school phaser inspired by ‘70s sounds. Flip a toggle and switch to Modern mode for a more modern, full-bodied phaser tone with added depth and dimension.
EBS D-Phaser
The DPhaser from EBS provides three distinct phaser effects. Choose anything from vintage 70’s sounds to contemporary swirling phasing effects. DPhaser users include Jamareo Artis (Bruno Mars) and Pete Griffin (Dr. John, Zappa Plays Zappa, and others). The DPhaser features three distinct modes of phaser effects. Wide delivers swirling flanger-like effects, Long highlights the effect, while Short is the classic phaser effects known from the ’70s. Hi, Lo and Off set the effect’s resonance while the two knobs adjust the rate and width.
T-Rex Tonebug Phaser
While delay and reverb pedals produce time and space effects, and distortion and overdrive pedals provide you with that great dirty edge, a phase shifter gives your sound a dynamic undulating dimension. The Phaser from T-Rex Engineering delivers anything you need for a dramatic phased sound with two simple controls: Depth and Rate. The T-Rex Phaser sounds fabulous regardless of your preferred setting, from a light watery shimmer to a deep, slow rotation. It carries a toggle switch that lets you choose between Vintage and Modern modes.
MOOER Phaser Player
Budget stompbox company Mooer gives the classic phaser pedal a unique spin with the Phaser Player guitar effects pedal. It features three different phaser sounds: a classic phaser effect; a repeating, sample and hold type of phaser; and a phaser with manual wah-like sweeping. Tiny as it is, the Phaser Player also acts as its own expression pedal. It actually has three activation modes: normal latching footswitch, momentary footswitch, and a hybrid mode combining the first two. Not bad for a stompbox you can put in your pocket.
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dweller
The Dweller Phase Repeater by Old Blood Noise Endeavors boasts the ability to remember, be it familiar vibe and phase sounds or resonant random step filtering, warm delays, and formerly unheard in-betweens. It is capable of infinite sonic textures with six modes and five controls. It carries toggle switches for choosing between three wave shapes (triangle, sine, and random step) and two phaser voices (eight stage and four stage). The Dweller also consists of Rate, Depth, and Regen controls for shaping the phaser’s sound.
Boss TR2 Tremolo
The Boss TR-2 Tremolo guitar effects pedal packs a high-quality, vintage tremolo wallop in its compact stompbox frame. The Boss TR-2 Tremolo pedal’s simple and easy to use three-knob interface gives you all the tone-sculpting tools you need to create mindbending tremolo effects. Use the Rate knob for precise speed adjustments, the Wave knob to go from a triangular LFO waveform to a square, and the Depth knob to control the strength of the tremolo effect.
Joyo Tremolo
The JF-09 Tremolo guitar effects pedal from Joyo is packed to the brim with optical tremolo sounds in the vein of old Fender amps. Dial-in everything from vintage trem effects to surf-style warbles with the JF-09 Tremolo’s simple and intuitive controls. The Intensity knob controls the volume fluctuations’ speed while the Rate dial takes care of overall dynamics. The LED status indicator also pulses in time to the modulation rate, giving you a quick way to check the actual rate speed before you start playing.
Supro SF1
Thanks to the SF1 footswitch from Supro, you can now easily manage the tremolo circuit of your Supro Coronado, Dual-Tone, and Black Magick tube combo electric guitar amps. It connects to your amp via an extra standard mono instrument cable. The SF1 is a single-button footswitch tremolo on/off remote compatible with any Supro combo amp and requires a mono instrument cable. It boasts a sturdy metal construction. Get extensive control of your tremolo with the SF1.
Morley Mark Tremonti Wah
Cut through the mix like you mean it with the Morley Mark Tremonti Wah pedal, a wah pedal that packs the riff god’s signature wah tone as well as a boost button that gives you up to 20dB of extra muscle for truly killer solos and bridges. As with a lot of Morley’s modern wah offerings, the Mark Tremonti Wah is outfitted with an electro-optical, switchless structure that eliminates the danger of worn out pots.
Danelectro BT-1 Filthy Rich Tremolo
The Danelectro BT-1 Filthy Rich Tremolo guitar effect pedal is a budget-priced stompbox that packs tremolo effects comparable to some of the more expensive boutique pedals. You get terrific musicality and high-quality trem sounds in both Hard and Soft mode, plus it has a trim pot that lets you give your signal a volume bump, so it doesn’t get lost in the mix. Drop the BT-1 after the reverb pedal in your signal chain and let those evocative tremolo sounds rip.
ZVex Sonar
Calling the Sonar tremolo pedal from boutique guitar effects pedal company Zvex “versatile” is an understatement. It does everything a more traditional tremolo pedal can do, but it also has some unique tricks up its sleeves. The Sonar can sound amazingly transparent but it can also chop your signal into absolute silence, slow down or speed up the tempo, and even duty cycle. This hand-painted version of the Sonar Tremolo comes with a lifetime warranty.
Eventide ModFactor
When it comes to modulation effects, Eventide’s ModFactor multi-effects pedal is the pinnacle. You get all the classics—Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Rotary, Tremolo, and Vibrato—plus a couple of unique Eventide effects. There’s the dreamy, pulsating Undulator, which combines two delays, two detuned voices, and a tremolo effect. Also included is a RIngMod effect that adds futuristic bell-like overtones to your sound. The ModFactor can hold up to 100 presets, has true analog bypass, and supports real-time control via MIDI or expression pedal.
Dunlop Uni-Vibe
The MXR Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato gives you classic tones and textures with a more compact footprint, straightforward three-knob layout, and true bypass switching. It delivers the exact rich, chewy textures that players have utilized since the late 1960s. Designed with today’s gigging players in mind, the effect comes in a regular MXR housing—a fraction of the weight and size of the original. The MXR Uni-Vibe consists of Depth, Level, and Speed knobs that let you dial in the effect to your liking.
Dunlop Univibe
The Jimi Hendrix Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato pedal from Dunlop gives you that signature chorusy, phasey, Leslie-sounding goodness utilized by Jimi in the late ’69/’70. It includes modern features such as a 9V power jack, true bypass switching, status LED, and pedalboard-friendly enclosure. The Uni-Vibe’s thick wash which permeates the landmark Band of Gypsys album is definitely among the most transcendent tones of all time. The Jimi Hendrix 70th Anniversary Tribute Series Univibe produces vintage tones at a fraction of the size of the Shin-ei unit used by Hendrix.
TC Electronic Viscous Vibe
The Viscous Vibe by TC Electronic is a marvelous vibe pedal that allows you to emulate the Shin-Ei Uni-Vibe’s iconic sound in a contemporary, portable piece of kit. It features spot-on accurate reproduction of the unique tones and dramatic swirls of the Shin-Ei Uni-Vibe plus the ease of a modern pedal. It is TonePrint-powered so you can beam beautiful signature tones into your pedal using the free TonePrint App. The Viscous Vibe comes in a durable die-cast metal chassis built for life on the road.
TC Electronic Dreamscape
Craft unique effects for your electric guitar with the Dreamscape John Petrucci Signature Modulation Pedal from TC Electronic. Leveraging TC Electronic’s revered TonePrint technology, John tailored six distinct tones for the Dreamscape. You get flanger, chorus, and vibrato effects, along with a custom voicing switch that provides you with the “dark” feel of John’s chorus sounds. Since it is a TonePrint unit, you may add new effects presets whenever you desire. It consists of controls for Speed, Depth, and FX Level.
Donner Mod Square
The Donner Mod Square is a modulation pedal that lets you have seven modulation effects, including Flanger, Vibrato, Rotary, Tremolo, Phaser, Chorus A, and Chorus B, to add musical color to your tone. It comes in an aluminium-alloy chassis consists of three function knobs (Rate, Depth, and E.Level) for setting the effect level. Use the E.Level control to adjust the effect level, Depth for the effect depth, and Rate to set the effect speed. Mod Square also features a true bypass switch and an LED indicator that displays the working state.
TC Electronic Brainwaves
Packing untold expression via a four-mode pitch engine and whammy-esque Mash switch, the Brainwaves Pitch Shifter by TC Electronic is your key to Scholzian harmony leads, Hendrician octave effects, and Morello-style pitch bends, all within one pedal format. It simplifies whatever number of single-guitar stage needs. It carries a pressure-sensitive Mash expression switch that yields pedal-steel pitch bends to crushing dive-bombs instantly. Boasting a TonePrint technology, the Brainwaves will find a place on your board.
EBS OctaBass Studio Edition
The EBS OctaBass Triple Mode Octave Divider identifies two to three-note chords and triggers the lowest note. It takes the vintage octave pedal and loads it with new features. Capable of adding a Korg-esque quality to the sound for dance-punk or sending a bass signal falling into stoner metal lows, this handcrafted pedal performs the job of three different octaves and plays nicely with other effects for more innovative sounds. The OctaBass can also work well with distortion.
Dwarfcraft Devices Wizard of Pitch
Featuring the same lo-fi glitchy sound of the Pitchgrinder but pushed up to 32 bits, Dwarfcraft Devices’s Wizard of Pitch is an excellent traditional pitch shifter that gradually starts to go insane once you start fiddling with the knobs and toggles. Crank up the Speed control and it’ll start crossfading between your wet and dry signals. Engage the Bender toggle and the pitch gets lower as your signal decays. The Steps toggle makes the effect snap to pitches instead of sliding, giving you a near-random arpeggio effect.
Mooer Pitch Box
The Pitch Box from the budget stomp masters at Mooer gives musicians a quick way to layer new harmonic elements into their sound. This pitch shifter guitar effect pedal has a shift range of ±2 octaves controllable via 16 optional parameters and comes with three effect modes. Harmony shifts your signal’s pitch and mixes it back in for a layered harmonic voice. Pitch Shift is a straightforward polyphonic pitch shift effect with precise tracking. Detune is a slight detune that, like Harmony mode, gets mixed back into your signal for a shimmering chorus effect.
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Reaper V2
EarthQuaker Devices’s Hoof Reaper double fuzz with octave up guitar effects pedal dumps a lot of fuzz power right at your feet. This unholy hybrid of the popular Hoof and Tone Reaper stompboxes already puts out massive levels of thick, meaty fuzz, and then EarthQuaker went ahead and added an old-school analog octave up function. Each effect can be used alone or in a series, plus in V2 the octave effect features Flexi-Switch technology so you can use it as both a latching and a momentary-type footswitch.
Pigtronix Octava Micro
The Octava Micro by Pigtronix is a revamped variant of the octave up found in the Disnortion pedal. This pure analog frequency doubler features an onboard low pass filter control which lets you capture singing octave up tones, wherever on the neck, sans tweaking the tone control of your instrument. For increased overall flexibility and more signal power, Fuzz, Drive, and Blend knobs have been incorporated to the original two-knob design. Use the Blend control to combine its fuzz, drive, and octave effects with your dry signal.
Timing, Dynamics & EQ Pedals
MOOER Ocean Machine
The Ocean Machine is the stompbox equivalent of a Swiss army knife. You get a 60-second looper, nine distinct reverb types, and two independent delays with a total of 17 different delay effects. This multi-effects monster is the brainchild of budget stompbox maker Mooer and self-confessed multitrack aficionado/metal maestro Devin Townsend, so you’ll definitely find some of the spaciest and craziest delay tones you’ve ever come across on the Ocean Machine. It’s a knob-twiddler’s dream instrument.
Source Audio Nemesis
Source Audio wanted to build a powerful yet compact and convenient to use delay pedal with unparalleled flexibility, tone, and style. The Nemesis Delay pedal is the culmination of three years of extensive study, listening, and engineering. It serves up 24 effect engines spanning from vintage tape and analog delays to sophisticated pitch-shifting, rhythmic delays, filter modulating, and reverse. The Nemesis Delay also boasts 128 presets, full MIDI control, multiple delay taps, deep editing functionality with the Neuro Mobile App, tap tempo, and many more.
Boss DM-2W Delay Waza Craft
In the Boss DM-2W Delay Waza Craft guitar effects pedal, Boss’s Waza Craft studio has resurrected the discontinued but still much sought-after BOSS DM-2 Delay pedal and added switchable sound modes and greater versatility for today’s music styles. With 100-percent analog circuitry, the DM-2W’s Standard mode nails original DM-2’s lush sound and 20ms to 300ms delay range. Custom mode, meanwhile, transforms the pedal’s tonal characteristics into a cleaner analog tone with up to 800ms delay time.
TC Electronic Prophet
The Prophet Digital Delay from TC Electronic provides you with convenient access to contemporary, perfectly-pristine digital delay tones sans added coloration—only repeats. That makes The Prophet suitable for cascading post-rock ambience, beefing up rhythm chord passages, or more contemporary rock and country genres. This studio-grade digital delay pedal boasts the famed TC Electronic algorithm. It features up to 1300 ms delay time and true bypass for supreme signal integrity. Designed and engineered in Denmark, The Prophet is packaged in a durable metal enclosure.
NUX Tape Core
The Tape Core pedal is a homage to the iconic tape echo with a compact size crystal clear, unimaginable ambient. This contemporary stompbox delivers vintage Tape Echo tone. Similar to the original, the NUX Tape Core incorporates three reproduction heads yielding seven delay sound combinations. All the organic sound, decay, modulation has been crafted with NUX’s TS/AC technology. The Tape Core is convenient, professional, and built to echo your vision. The Tape Core Deluxe carries a three-way toggle switch and controls for Repeat, Time, and Mix.
NUX Cerberus
The NUX Cerberus is an ultra-versatile effect pedal that you can utilize as a standalone device to ready your setup or with the four cable method. It comes loaded with innovative features such as IR loader, inside routing, analog overdrive, distortion and digital effects. The Cerberus also includes a MIDI control for organizing your effect pedals while also enhancing your effects control. NUX combined two analog drive/distortion pedals, delay & reverb effects, and modulation effects. These effects and sounds have been improvised from timeless and new gears.
Rowin Ocean Verb
The LEF-3800 Ocean Verb earns its name thanks to the watery reverberations it conjures up. This compact and extremely affordable stompbox from budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin is a versatile workhorse. It features a full complement of Mix, Tone, and Decay pots for shaping the reverb effect, of which there are three selectable via a three-way toggle switch: Room, Spring, and Shimmer. If you want to add depth and dimension to your tone, you won;t go wrong with the LEF-3800 Ocean Verb.
Seymour Duncan Dark Sun
The Seymour Duncan Dark Sun Digital Delay + Reverb was built based on Mark Holcomb’s favorite sounds from the Silver Lake Dynamic Reverb and the Andromeda Dynamic Delay. It blends a clean, warm digital delay algorithm and a rich Hall reverb, plus the ability to route both in virtually any configuration you desire. You may also sculpt the effect’s EQ, add saturation, or rich choral modulation, or utilize Dynamic Expression to adjust the effect’s mix with your playing.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Stain
The Holy Stain is notable for being Electro-Harmonix’s first true multi-effects pedal, and they really went all out. You get Room and Hall reverb, pitch shifting, and tremolo effects bolstered by analog overdrive and fuzz for creating a truly unique and rich sonic stew. The Holy Stain is like manna from heaven for true knob-twiddling aficionados, as all of its control dials dynamically interact with each other for an even wider range of custom tones and sounds.
Fender Tre-Verb
The Fender Tre-Verb puts individual reverb and tremolo effects at your feet within a portable, user-friendly pedal. Fender has incorporated vintage reverb voicings based on its famed ’63 and ’65 spring reverb units as well as several tremolo modes to ensure you can achieve your ideal sound for your music. A comprehensive set of tone-shaping controls makes the Tre-Verb sonically versatile, while stereo inputs and outputs guarantee it is convenient to connect to any amp or pedalboard.
Electro Harmonix Oceans 11
There’s no need for an elaborate heist plan to get the perfect reverb effect when you have the Oceans 11 guitar effects pedal in your pedalboard. This versatile reverb stomp from Electro-Harmonix features 11 reverb types. Aside from your typical reverb voices, there’s a brand new spring reverb algorithm that layers your tone in rich, complex reverb as well as a polyphonic reverb mode that has two pitch shifts working together on your pre-reverb signal.
Seymour Duncan Silver Lake
With a ton of innovative multi-reverb pedals available, it is refreshing to see one as beautiful-sounding and intuitive as the Silver Lake Dynamic Reverb pedal from Seymour Duncan. It is a powerhouse reverb workstation, combining sophisticated reverb algorithms with powerful tone sculpting options and dynamic control for a deep sonic experience—whether you want a wash of massive ambiance or subtle sounds. The Silver Lake Dynamic Reverb’s foundation is the proprietary Dynamic Expression control and a set of eight well-crafted reverb algorithms.
Xvive Bass Squeezer
High quality compressors are essential tools for any musician. The problem is that most of them are pretty complicated and quite expensive. Enter the Bass Squeezer, a dead simple compressor mini pedal that won’t require three masters’ degrees and a whole stack of user manuals to dial in the perfect compression settings for your tone. Xvive and designer Jamie Mallender crafted the Bass Squeezer to be practically idiot proof, so whether or not you’ve used compressors before you’ll be able to plug in, tweak, and play quickly.
MXR Super Comp
Taking the legendary Dyna Comp even further, the MXR Super Comp compressor delivers an invisible boost to intricate licks, giving life to your sound and allowing you to lock in like never before. With the Sensitivity and Output knobs, you can dial in the ideal setting to keep your parts in place. The new Attack Level knob retains your original volume without compromising sustain. It guarantees that initial bite and chunk are not squashed, so you can run searing pickups and hear your dynamics.
Marshall Edward Compressor
The ED-1 Edward compressor guitar effects pedal from Marshall gives you more level and sustain than you can normally wring out of your guitar. The ED-1 Edward features attack and compression controls for dialing in your perfect sonic settings precisely. A dedicated emphasis control also lets you choose whether you want to apply more compression to highs or to lows. The ED-1 Edward gives you full tonal flexibility, whether you’re laying down a rhythm part or screaming through a solo.
TC Electronic Spectra Comp
The SpectraComp Bass Compression by TC Electronic is a portable multi-band compressor specifically voiced for bass guitar. Spec’d from the famed MD3 engine from TC Electronic’s System 6000 processor, the pedal delivers transparent and musical compression to tame low-end woof and midrange bark without affecting your dynamics. One-knob compression will have your mind on the music as you perform. An arsenal of signature TonePrint algorithms will keep your creative juices flowing and tones fresh. The SpectraComp boasts studio-quality sounds and a True Bypass output for keeping your input signal clean.
Keeley Compressor Pro
The Keeley Compressor Pro guitar effects pedal offers maximum tonal control with minimal manual memorization. It’s basically a studio-grade compressor simplified and crammed into a compact, five-knob stompbox. You also get a choice between a sustain-heavy hard- and more natural soft-knee compression as well as an auto mode that follows preset attack and release times. There’s even a seven-segment LED display that acts as a visual compression and gain-reduction metering indicator. The Compressor Pro is an essential stompbox you will want to add to your pedalboard.
Seymour Duncan Vise Grip
The Seymour Duncan Vise Grip Compressor is a studio-quality compressor pedal built to improve the power, warmth, and punch of your tone without compromising musicality. It is transparent and works well with your 805 Overdrive pedal. It carries Attack, Blend, Sustain, and Volume knobs that give you the precision to boost low-level signals, tame loud volume peaks, and mix the amount of uncompressed and compressed signal. The Vise Grip Compressor is designed and made in Seymour Duncan’s Santa Barbara, California factory.
Caline 10 Band EQ
As its name suggests, the Caline CP-24 10 Band EQ gives you nigh-unprecedented tonal control over your instrument’s sound. This essential stompbox features a massive range of channels: 31.25Hz, 62.5Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1k Hz, 2k Hz, 4k Hz, 8k Hz, and 16k Hz. Apart from those 10 channels, it also has a Gain channel, plus each EQ slider has its own LED light, so you know exactly where you’ve set each channel.
Electro-Harmonix Knockout
The Knockout attack equalizer effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix is a one-two punch straight to the head for maximum carnage. It packs a seven-pole low-pass filter for shaping your mids’ low ends while a six-pole high-pass filter takes care of sculpting your mids’ top ends. The Knockout’s low-frequency cutoff is set at 85Hz while the high-frequency cutoff is at 6.5kHz, plus it comes with a Dry signal knob. Place it after your distortion pedal for a true knockout attack.
Tom’sline Guitar EQ
Budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Tomsline’s Guitar EQ stomp does exactly what it says on the tin: let you shape the overall EQ and tone of your guitar signal. The five EQ bands—100Hz, 250Hz, 630Hz, 1.6KHz, and 4KHz—can each be cut or boosted by up to 18dB. You also get a single Level pot for controlling the overall volume output. Use the Guitar EQ to brighten up your sound, build a heftier bottom end, or tame any unwanted frequencies in your signal.
Boss GE-7 7-Band EQ
The Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer is one of the most useful guitar effect pedals you could ever add to your pedal chain. It doesn’t matter what style of music you play, its seven-band EQ will give you complete and precise control over your sound. The Boss GE-7 7-Band EQ’s equalizer ranges from 100Hz to 6.4kHz with a boost/cut of +/- 15dB per band, making it the ideal equalizer for guitar signals. Place it after your favorite distortion pedal and you can drastically cut down unwanted feedback.
MXR Six Band EQ
Covering all the fundamental guitar frequencies, the M109S Six Band EQ from MXR has been revamped with brighter LEDs for improved visibility, true bypass switching, noise-reduction circuitry, and lightweight aluminum enclosure. Each slider is ready to provide +/-18dB of boost or cut for unparalleled control of your sound. The M109S Six Band EQ is capable of eradicating onstage feedback, adding natural-sounding warmth to a quack acoustic pickup, producing scooped-mid rhythm tones with massive low end, and many more.
Tech 21 Q-Strip
All the vintage warmth, grit, and punch you recognize from legendary ‘60s and ‘70s sounds, laid right at your feet in the form of the Q\Strip direct input (DI) preamp and EQ box from Tech 21. This compact, road-tough DI gives you all the studio-grade tone shaping power of a 100% analog MOSFET circuit and four bands of EQ inspired by the most highly regarded of console recording modules. Whether you use it onstage or in the studio, the Q\Strip will make you sound good.
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Utility Pedals
Rowin LT-901
A tuner is arguably the most important tool a musician can have in their arsenal. The tiny LT-901 mini chromatic guitar tuner from budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin is an ideal fit for those who want to make efficient use of space on their pedalboards. Short of a clip-on tuner, the LT-901 is one of the most inconspicuous and affordable tuners available on the market. Don’t let its small size deter you, though; it’s fast and has a large display so you won’t have to squint.
Koogo Magic Tuner
The Magic Tuner pedal by Koogo maintains high precision chromatic tuning. Perfect for broad range tuning, this chromatic tuner lets you experience fast tuning with one cent precision. It comes with a deluxe LED screen that displays clear, easy to read results of tuning. The Magic Tuner boasts an enhanced analog circuit, without loss of tune. You can use it with most electric instruments, including five-string bass or seven-string guitar. Enjoy your vibrant and fun life with the Magic Tuner.
Donner DT-1
The Donner DT-1 is among the most affordable and best tuner pedals for both live and solo situations. Despite its price range, this chromatic tuner includes a true bypass and insane visibility. At first, it looks faded since it is different from what other tuners give you. You cannot clearly read the letter from afar, but you may still tune your string and recognize when you have hit the right spot. The whole screen becomes green when you are at the perfect frequency. The DT-1 is very handy if you love wandering around the stage.
Korg Pitchblack Custom (Red)
Add a readable and precise tuner to your pedalboard with the Pitchblack Custom by Korg. It features a limited edition vivid red finish and sturdy, compact design that makes it convenient to incorporate into your setup. The Pitchblack Custom’s three-dimensional display is bright enough for daylight use, but its detail and spacing is also suitable for dim stages. It boasts extreme 0.1-cent precision that guarantees you get the closest tuning achievable. It also features four display modes: Regular A, Regular B, Strobe, and Half Strobe.
Boss TU3 Tuner
The Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner is the upgraded next-gen version of the TU-2, the gold standard of chromatic tuners. This pedalboard essential is accurate to +/- 1 cent and comes with a new Accu-Pitch Sign function and a 21-segment LED meter that give you visual verification when you hit the perfect tuning. The Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner also features Chromatic and Guitar/Bass tuning modes that support 7-string guitars and 6-string basses as well as a Guitar Flat mode for quick drop tunings up to six semitones below the standard pitch.
Korg Pitchblack Mini (White)
The limited-edition white Korg Pitchblack mini features a large, easily readable LED meter with a light-emitting surface for exceptional visibility at whatever setting from stage light to daylight to entirely no light. The incredibly smooth eleven-segment LED meter enables precise visual tuning from different angles. The Pitchblack mini lets you select from four display modes. Thanks to its large note name display, red LED that displays the on/off status, and a tuning guide that shows whether your instrument is flat or sharp, you can always tune precisely and immediately in any situation.
Chase Bliss Audio MOOD
The MOOD from Chase Bliss Audio is a dual-channel granular micro-looper/delay. Built to be immediate and playful, it is a study of interaction, and is designed to be “internally collaborative.” The MOOD enables audio to freely pass back and forth between its two sides—wet channel and loop channel, which were developed by Old Blood Noise Endeavors and Drolo FX respectively. The MOOD’s heart is a clock control that accelerates or slows both sides in harmonized steps.
Koogo Looper
With the portable Koogo Looper, you can improve your performance with the ability to record, overdub, playback, store, and upload pre-recorded tracks and sounds from a Windows-based computer. Click the footswitch to easily switch between modes and use as much as ten minutes of recording loop time. The Looper is designed for guitarists and can record what you last played before unplugging the pedal. Meaning, the music you produced is stored and available when necessary—be it in rehearsal, studio, or live performance.
TC Electronic Ditto Stereo Looper
The most exceptional and intuitive looper known to musickind has made a comeback. The Ditto Stereo Looper loads an abundance of stellar creative features that will see you jamming along with the best in music now through the revolutionary StarJam feature while producing multilayered masterpieces in seconds flat. With the Ditto Stereo Looper, TC Electronic takes some of the most legendary features of the bigger two-switch Ditto X2 Looper into a more compact enclosure without sacrificing the essential functionality that has made the Ditto Looper extremely popular.
Rowin Tiny Looper
Budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin’s LN-332 Looper is an extremely compact and jaw droppingly affordable looping pedal that lets you record up to 10 minutes of high quality audio, just like its just slightly bigger brother, the Rowin LEF-332 Looper. You can also store and upload pre-recorded audio onto the LEF-332 Looper via USB. Controls are easy; there’s a Volume knob and a single footswitch that controls recording, playback, and overdubs. Perfect for practicing or composing at home.
Rowin Twin Looper
Think of budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin’s LTL-02 Twin Looper as a looper pedal jacked up on stompbox steroids. This dual footswitch stomp is simple to use yet highly versatile and sophisticated. One footswitch controls the standard loop functions, while the other lets you take direct control and shape your loops to your liking. You can use it to stop, clear, or even manipulate the speed of a loop by using it alongside a dedicated Speed knob.
ammoon Mini Loop Box
The Loop Box Pedal addresses some typical signal path scenarios. It features an LED indicator light displaying the working status as well as RETURN and SEND jacks for other effects to get true bypass function. You can use the Loop Box pedal to split one signal to two amps and switch from several instruments. You can plug two instruments simultaneously—one into the IN jack and another in the RETURN. You can switch between them modestly and without needing to unplug instruments.
Two Notes Le Clean
The tube-powered Le Clean dual channel preamp turns to sunny southern California for its tonal cues. It sports a super clean A channel with a vintage voiced pre-grain EQ and a drive saturated B channel with higher gain levels and a post-gain EQ with mid sweep. These channels can be used independently, in parallel, or cascaded for extreme tonal versatility. Each channel also features its own dedicated control knobs and EQ sections for iron fisted tone tweaking.
Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl mkII
The Warped Vinyl mkII is an analog chorus/vibrato pedal built to emulate the sound of warped vinyl and more. It boasts a 100% analog signal path which may be dialed in to produce an infinite palette of chorus and vibrato. Warped Vinyl mkII includes some revisions, including an increased signal to noise ratio and tone knob for shimmery, transparent chorus/vibrato. Moreover, every switch and knob is connected to a digital brain while your guitar signal remains fully analog and not digitally processed.
Donner Alpha Force
The Alpha Force from Donner packs three types of guitar effects into a single chain, including Higain, Chorus, and Delay. It is capable of delivering intense distortion with a full-range response suitable for rock and metal styles. The Alpha Force comes in a convenient, sturdy, and compact aluminium-alloy enclosure adorned with a novel design logo. It is perfect for going out to play or practicing at home. You can take the Alpha Force anywhere you desire.
Source Audio Soundblox2 Multiwave Bass Distortion
The Source Audio Soundblox 2 Multiwave Bass Distortion repackages all the Soundblox Multiwave Bass Distortion’s low-end retaining fuzz and distortion tones into a portable, cast-aluminum chassis. It gives you 23 non-traditional and traditional synth-esque effects plus two user presets, a Clean Boost mode, individual Clean and Distortion Mix knobs, three-band tone control, three-level noise gate, universal bypass, and a multifunction input compatible with MIDI, Hot Hand, or the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal. The Soundblox 2 Multiwave Bass Distortion includes both single- and multi-band processing.
Rowin Booster
The RW-LEF-318 Booster from budget guitar effects brand Rowin is a solid boost pedal choice, especially if your wallet is hurting and your pedalboard is getting a little too crowded. It serves up a high headroom signal boost that’s surprisingly transparent. If any coloration still creeps into your tone, the Booster comes with dedicated Bass and Treble EQ knobs for fine-tuning your sound. This reliable clean boost will do well straight in front of an amp or behind another drive or dirt stomp.
Pigtronix Echolution 2
The Echolution 2 by Pigtronix serves up arguably the most sophisticated collection of delay effects ever. It gives you a delay line with as much as 12 seconds of delay and two taps that you can subdivide into several time divisions to produce cool rhythmical effects. An envelope, LFO, and innovative multimode analog filter allow you to create cool modulation effects. The Echolution 2 features a Halo mode that imparts sparkle to your sound. As if that were not enough, it boasts advanced control options, 60 killer presets, and much more.
Marshall P801
Every good pedalboard setup needs an amp footswitch or two. If you’re gunning your signal through a Marshall amp, then there’s no better fit than a Marshall footswitch. The Marshall PEDL-10008 or P801 single latching footswitch pedal gives you full control over your amp’s Channel signal. Run your guitar signal through the clean channel for softer passages, then use the P01 to seamlessly switch to the overdrive channel when it’s time to bust out a scorching-hot solo.
MOOER Micro ABY MKII
The Micro ABY MKII channel switch pedal from budget stomp maker Mooer is one of the most well-executed, versatile, and affordable channel switchers available on the market today. You get the standard AB/Y setup–send an instrument signal to both or either of two amps—but with an extra Mooer twist. See, the jack goes both ways, so you can also send two separate instruments into one amp individually (an electric for one song and an acoustic for another, for example) or simultaneously.
JHS Pedals Red Remote
The Red Remote footswitch from JHS Pedals is an extremely compelling device for unleashing the full hands-free potential of several of your beloved JHS effects pedals. Using your regular 1/4″ instrument cable, connect it to the respective input jack found on compatible JHS Pedals (Twin Twelve V2, SuperBolt V2, Double Barrel V4, Morning Glory V4) to remotely activate their onboard toggle switch with your foot. The Red Remote comes in a portable size that you can conveniently add on your pedalboard setup.
Boss MS-3 Switcher
The Boss MS-3 Multi-Effects Switcher takes the concept of multi-effects processors and pedalboards to a whole new level. Combining six internal pedal effects and seamlessly integrating with up to three external pedals, the MS-3 is both a multi-effects engine and a multi-pedal switch in one tiny, dedicated unit. The MS-3 also allows you to switch between different amp channels, adjust effects on the fly in real-time, connect compatible MIDI devices, and more without compromising for pedalboard space.
JHS Pedals Mini A/B Switcher
Get full A/B switching within a compact footprint with the Mini A/B Switcher from JHS Pedals. Perfect for live playing, this pedal is constructed in a sturdy metal enclosure that also loads a two-color LED (green and red) to show you which signal path you are utilizing. Whether you want to play through two amps simultaneously or are looking for an instant mute switch, the Mini A/B will prove to be a handy addition to your board.
ammoon Mini Loop Box
The Loop Box Pedal addresses some typical signal path scenarios. It features an LED indicator light displaying the working status as well as RETURN and SEND jacks for other effects to get true bypass function. You can use the Loop Box pedal to split one signal to two amps and switch from several instruments. You can plug two instruments simultaneously—one into the IN jack and another in the RETURN. You can switch between them modestly and without needing to unplug instruments.
J. Rockett Steampunk
Easy yet ultra-versatile, the J. Rockett Steampunk is an exceptional two-in-one Buffer Booster. The Buffer is great for addressing impedance issues caused by employing big boards and long cables. It will let you save your tone and recover any high end loss. An LED indicator watches the Buffer control while it is in phase. The Boost feature gives a clean 20+ Db push to your effects and amps. The Steampunk can also take perfectly clean tones and impart clarity and sustain.
T-Rex Nitros Hypergain
The Nitros Hypergain by T-Rex Engineering is capable of capturing a very punchy and scooped high gain distortion. As a highly tweakable dirt pedal, the Nitros Hypergain will make the “80s hair rock” sound to a T as well. Lower gain settings are perfect if you want Texas boogie-rock. By featuring an active three-band EQ, the distortion’s color is adjustable, and the EQ knobs’ range is extensive. The Nitros Hypergain features an aggressive and bold clipping circuitry.
ammoon Clean Buffer
Housed in a compact, heavy-duty zinc-aluminium alloy body, ammoon’s Mini Clean Buffer pedal sounds amazing no matter how many pedals you utilize. It includes 1/4” monaural input and output jacks, pure signal path, and ON/OFF LED indicator light. The Mini Clean Buffer pedal is the remedy for weak guitar sound resulting from using multiple pedals. It reduces the loss of guitar signal and tone efficiently. It addresses capacitance issues by delivering the perfect input impedance for your rig. You can now utilize effect pedals, long cable, and speakers with your guitar without experiencing signal degradation.
MOSKY PURE BUFFER
Buffer pedals are indispensable weapons in the constant struggle against tone suck. Budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Mosky Audio’s Pure Buffer is a tiny one, which makes it the ideal candidate for inclusion in compact and crowded pedalboards. The Pure Buffer helps eliminate the inherent issues of multiple daisy chained pedals and long cables, making your guitar signal’s core tone sound like you’ve plugged your instrument straight into an amp with a short cord.
TC Electronic PolyTune 3
The PolyTune 3 by TC Electronic is quicker, more intuitive, and more reliable than ever, featuring precision within 0.1 cents and a no-frills approach to the instrument and guitar tuning. Credits to its inbuilt BonaFide Buffer circuitry, the PolyTune 3 is now capable of enhancing your tone for lengthy cable runs. Meaning, you obtain the treble and transient response way closer to connecting straight to an amp. Alternate tuning modes enable you to explore different ways to create your art.
Fender Level Set Buffer
Whether you utilize several guitars in a set or a single guitar through a large pedalboard, your signal strength can be negatively affected. That’s why the Level Set Buffer from Fender is a must-have for any pedalboard. It allows you to change guitars sans disrupting your tone. Fender consulted with several guitarists on the design, producing a stompbox equipped with stage-ready functionalities. The Level Set Buffer consists of a Mute footswitch, Load toggle switch, as well as Hi-Freq and Level knobs.
MOSKY Noise Reduction
The Noise Gate is budget guitar effects pedal maker Mosky Audio’s offering to those musicians who are having headaches dealing with unwanted buzzes, hisses, and hums in their signal. It takes you guitar’s dry signal and eliminates the noise level by up to 26dB within your effects loop. You can set the minimum volume threshold where the pedal’s functions kick in via a dedicated Gate knob. Just dial in your preferred threshold, hit the footswitch, and enjoy noise-free playing.
Pigtronix Gatekeeper
The Gatekeeper from Pigtronix is a lightning-fast, studio-grade noise gate pedal that eliminates any unwanted noise from your rig. Carrying Threshold and Release time controls, the Gatekeeper gives you 100% attenuation with unparalleled response time, making it the most efficient and valuable noise gate pedal available. It leverages high-speed JFET circuitry to fully get rid of hiss, buzz, hum, and other non-musical sounds from your signal path. The Gatekeeper will let you crank up your volume without worrying about hearing the disgusting 60-cycle hum or white noise common to high gain rigs.
GOKKO KULT
Rein in unruly and unwanted signal noise with the Kult Noise Gate GK-28 guitar effects pedal from GOKKO. This budget- and pedalboard-friendly stompbox helps reduce the hums, hisses, and buzzes that invariably show up to pollute your signal when you have a lot of pedals, especially high-gain ones, in your chain. Use the sensitivity control knob to tell the noise gate when to kick in and use the two-way selector switch to choose between a soft, gradual volume cut or a hard and steep drop.
Alexander Pedals Defender
Don’t let the Defender Stargate Drive’s classic arcade game-inspired graphics fool you. This new stompbox from Alexander Pedals is a shapechanging beast that takes fuzz, distortion, and overdrive to intergalactic heights. The Defender allows you to create your quirky, clipped tones from various built-in modes. It offers several configurable options with preset storage and expression control. With simultaneously selectable “special effect” (PIT, SPC, FLT) and Distortion mode (OD, DST, FZ), it sets a course to marvelous guitar tone.
MXR Noise Clamp
Clampdown on excess noise and hiss with the Noise Clamp pedal by MXR. By sensing the dry signal of your guitar, it lowers the noise level in the effect loop, putting the kibosh on even your noisiest signal. A single Trigger dial lets you select the volume threshold at which the Noise Clamp is active, and a green LED tells you whether the gate is on/off. The Noise Clamp can trim noise up to 26dB, preserving riff definition at massive gain levels.
Electro-Harmonix The Silencer
Give unwanted signal noise a double-tap to the head with Electro-Harmonix’s The Silencer. This sophisticated noise gate pedal gives you Threshold, Reduction, and Release controls for precise fine-tuning that takes your gear and playing style into account. It doesn’t just help eliminate annoying buzzes and hums, either; the Silencer also expands your pedal routing options. You can use it as an inline noise gate or add it to an effects loop to kill noise from specific pedals.
BOSS DB-90 Talking Dr. Beat
Practicing alone becomes a whole new experience with the Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat, the flagship product of Boss’s Dr. Beat Metronome line. This monstrous metronome packs four great metronome sounds—including human voice!— as well as dozens of drum patterns in its tiny, lightweight frame. The Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat also comes with a Rhythm Coach function, a reference-tone tuning function, instrument and MIDI input, and other useful tools for making solo practice less mundane.
DigiTech SDRUM
The DigiTech SDRUM is an intelligent drum machine for bassists and guitarists. By merely scratching across your guitar strings, the SDRUM learns a kick and snare pattern which establishes the foundation of the beat you wish to hear. The SDRUM yields, according to this pattern, a professional sounding drum beat with different variations and embellishments to complement your beat. You no longer have to disrupt your creative flow when browsing through lists in a frustrating attempt to get your desired beat.
Singular Sound BeatBuddy Mini
The Singular Sound BeatBuddy Mini is a drummer within a guitar pedal enclosure. It provides entirely hands-free, creative control of the beat. No matter what instrument you use, you can easily transition from verse to chorus, insert fills, throw in drum breaks, add accent hits, and more to yield an unparalleled live drummer effect. Utilized in the music programs of Berklee College of Music and Frost School of Music, the BeatBuddy Mini is arguably the most efficient way to enhance your rhythm and master different genres while improvising and having a great time.
Joyo JAM BUDDY (Orange)
With its pair of built-in 2” speakers packing 4W of output each, the Jam Buddy is Joyo’s solution for musicians looking for a quick way to practice without having to lug along a big and heavy amp. Bluetooth connectivity also lets you connect your phone or media player to the Jam Buddy so you can play along to a song or rhythm track. This floor-based multi-effects unit also features clean and overdrive channels,
Joyo JAM BUDDY (Black)
There are a lot of guitar multi-effects processor units that have headphone jacks now. The Jam Buddy from Joyo one-ups them all by having both a headphone jack and built-in speakers. The Jam Buddy’s two 2” 4W speakers have enough power for a quick practice session without bothering the neighbors, and its rechargeable battery will let you extend the jam session to up to three hours. The Jam Buddy also features footswitchable clean and OD channels, a built-in delay, and Bluetooth connectivity for playing along to an audio track.
Mooer Micro Drummer
Rock, pop, jazz, R&B, funk, latin, metal, blues, reggae—whatever style of music you play, the Micro Drummer can serve up a pretty authentic drum track emulation for it. This digital drum machine guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox masters Mooer is packed with 121 different drumbeat patterns spread across 11 genres. Just pick a genre with the rotary selector, dial in your preferred volume, speed, and tone, and then use the tap tempo to get the beat you want.
Other Pedals
Morley PDW-II
The Morley Pro Series 2 Distortion Wah Volume gives you not two but three essential effects in one tank-tough pedal. You get the versatility fo Morley’s well-loved wah and volume combo pedals—a high Q wah and volume control with silky smooth audio taper—plus an independent overdrive circuit for when you need to really push your amp over the edge. Plug it into an overdriven amp or another distortion pedal to give your wah tones an aggressive growl.
Morley PBA-2 Dual Bass Wah
What’s better than one funky wah tone? Two funky wah tones, of course! That’s what Morley’s Dual Bass Wah pedal brings to the table: two distinct and memorable wah tones that let you get down, dirty, and groovy all night long. Traditional Wah mode features a straightforward classic wah voice, while Funk Wah mode puts the groove into overdrive to make your wildest, slappin’-est dreams come true. The Morley Dual Bass Wah features switchless operation, Electro-Optical design, and True Tone Bypass.
Caline Hot Spice
As two pedals in one, the Caline CP-31 Hot Spice Wah/VOL guitar effect pedal is even more budget-friendly compared to Caline’s other, very reasonably priced stompbox offerings. On the wah side, you get a funky, full-sounding wah effect based on the classic Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah’s sound. Flick a switch from Wah to Volume mode and you get a smooth action volume pedal that takes up way less space on your pedalboard compared to other expression pedals.
Morley Mini Wah
The Morley Mini Wah has the same classic wah tone and electro-optical sensor technology that made its bigger wah brothers famous, but it’s all packed into a small pedal perfect for crowded pedalboards. The Morley Mini Wah pumps out a traditional, full-bodied wah tone with a standard sweep and comes with a side-mounted on and off switch, a wah level control, and a LED indicator, all encased in road-tough cold rolled steel housing. Whether you plug in a guitar, a bass, or a keyboard, the Morley Mini Wah will definitely funk things up.
MXR MC404 CAE
Built by Custom Audio Electronics’ Bob Bradshaw and the Cry Baby design team, the MC404 CAE Wah boasts dual Fasel inductors with two different voices (low to mid resonance or high-end emphasis). It also includes an inbuilt MXR MC401 Boost/LineDriver which gives higher versatility. Select between inductors and turn the boost on/off via side-mounted kick switches. Vibrant LEDs on each side of the wah tell you the operation status. The MC404 features a long-life CTS potentiometer and true hardwire bypass.
JOYO MULTI-MODE WAH
Joyo’s WAH-II Multimode Wah and Volume pedal gives you two modes to choose from: a Wah with True Bypass and a combined Wah + Volume pedal. The Wah is pretty versatile; you can tweak the effect’s Q values, the sweep’s width, and the frequency range. The Volume side is comparatively more barebones, with just a dial for setting the minimum volume. It’s just barely larger than the average compact pedal, too, so you have more flexibility when choosing where to put it on your pedalboard.
JOYO Analog Chorus
The JF-37 Analog Chorus guitar effects pedal from Joyo comes packed with a classic bucket brigade device chip to give you that warm, analog chorus sound that digital chorus pedals can’t match. It’s quite similar to the iconic Boss CE-2, from the two-knob layout to the rich, lush chorus effects it can produce. The JF-37 Analog Chorus is a sturdy, budget-friendly alternative that can stand toe to toe against the tone of far more expensive chorus pedals.
Koogo Acoustic
The Koogo Acoustic pedal makes your electric guitar sound like an acoustic guitar. It also boasts the ability to transform an intermediate level electronic or acoustic guitar into an incredible sounding professional guitar. The beautiful sounds produced by each knob and switch make it suitable for virtually any style or player. The Acoustic pedal carries a toggle switch that lets you select between Jumbo, Standard, and Piezo modes. All three modes work well for various genres and effects.
Tech 21 Acoustic Fly Rig
The Acoustic Fly Rig from multi effects wizards Tech 21 is a complete set of acoustic performance-focused tools that you can carry around in your backpack. It comes with an effects section that packs built in delay, chorus, and reverb effects and a dedicated analog compressor section for more precise tonal control. Sandwiched between these two is Tech 21’s renowned SansAmp amp emulator, which serves up the warm, natural tones of some of the most legendary amplifiers ever built.
MOOER Slow Engine
Mooer has done all musicians a big favor by faithfully recreating the incredibly expensive Boss Slow Gear SG-1 guitar effects pedal and turning it into the Slow Engine, a budget-friendly pedal barely bigger than a roll of quarters. The Slow Engine silences the attack of your guitar signal to give you a classic volume swell effect that you don’t have to execute using your hands. The Slow Engine’s simple control layout features sensitivity and attack knobs, plus it comes with true bypass.
Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator
Want to dive into a soft and sweet acoustic ballad in the middle of a set but don’t have the slightest inclination to bring along a big and bulky acoustic guitar? The Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator lets you travel light. With its powerful Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) technology and four different acoustic simulation modes, you can turn any electric guitar into a variety of warm and bright acoustics using the Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator.
GOKKO SPANISHFLY
The GOKKO Spanish FlyGK-32 acoustic guitar pedal does double duty as a preamp and a direct input (DI) box. You get dedicated Treble and Bass knobs for tone shaping plus an Input dial for setting the input level. There’s also a cool Anti-Feedback footswitch with its own dedicated Antu-Feedback dial for cutting out volume feedback. And since the Spanish Fly is a DI box, you can use the XLR Out jack to directly connect your guitar to a mixer.
EBS Uni-Chorus
Suitable for bass, guitar, or whatever you play, the UniChorus by EBS provides you with a sort of quality modulation effects you would expect from an expensive unit of EBSOC studio gear. It makes dialing your sound a breeze. It carries a three-way switch that allows you the choice between low noise studio-quality Flange, Chorus, and Pitch Modulation effects, letting you craft effects ranging from surf rock vibratos to classic Hendrix-style flange. You only need two knobs to select the depth and rate of the modulation.
Donner Alpha Bass
The Donner Alpha Bass is a mini effects chain that features three types of bass guitar effects, including a rich chorus, a versatile bass drive, and an opto-voiced compressor. Distinguished by its user-friendly form factor, portable size, and remarkable tone, the Alpha Bass is perfect for any music style. It features an LED indicator displaying the working state, buffer bypass that offers a transparent tone, and classic-voiced bass drive with a broad tonal range.
Source Audio Soundblox2 Multiwave Bass Distortion
The Source Audio Soundblox 2 Multiwave Bass Distortion repackages all the Soundblox Multiwave Bass Distortion’s low-end retaining fuzz and distortion tones into a portable, cast-aluminum chassis. It gives you 23 non-traditional and traditional synth-esque effects plus two user presets, a Clean Boost mode, individual Clean and Distortion Mix knobs, three-band tone control, three-level noise gate, universal bypass, and a multifunction input compatible with MIDI, Hot Hand, or the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal. The Soundblox 2 Multiwave Bass Distortion includes both single- and multi-band processing.
Mooer Micro DI
The geniuses at budget stomp maker Mooer were making no bones about what the Micro DI does when they named it. This guitar effects pedal is a tiny direct input box that makes it easy to feed your guitar signal directly into a PA or mixing board without messing up its core sound. It comes with a ground lift switch, 20dB of gain cut or boost, and a built-in cab simulator. All this in a pedal you can literally carry around in your pocket.
Tortuga Basswolf
Tortuga Effects is keeping things simple with its Classic Series, a hand-made pedal line marked by simpler graphics, simpler effect names, and more affordable price tags. The tone of Tortuga’s Classic pedals, however, are anything but simple. Much like the what the Bassquatch is for the Sasquatch, the Basswolf is a bass-optimized version of the Werewolf dual channel drive and dirt stomp. The same versatile distortion of the Werewolf, but tweaked specifically for bass frequencies and works well with both basses and drop-tuned guitars.
Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi
The Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi is all about giving the beefy bottom ends of bass guitars some warm Muffy love. The Bass Big Muff Pi is actually based on two classic Big Muffs, taking the classic fuzz sounds of the Sovtek Big Muff Pi and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi and optimizing them to handle rib-rattling low frequencies. Dedicated tone, Volume, and Sustain knobs give you a wide range of control over your fuzzed-out tone, while a Bass Boost/Dry toggle switch lets you bump your low-frequency content up.
Ernie Ball 250k Mono Volume Pedal
Get complete and precise volume control right at your feet. The Ernie Ball 6166 250k Mono Volume Pedal is an excellent hands-free option for controlling your volume. It features a super-smooth sweep and has a micro taper switch that lets you choose between two different volume swell rates. It’s calibrated specifically for the perfect handling of passive audio signals and comes with an independent tuner output for unobtrusive onstage tuning. The 250k’s rugged aluminum construction means it can withstand the rigors of constant use.
Morley Volume Plus
Guitar, bass, keys, and whatever else—the Morley PVO+ optical volume pedal can handle any and all comers. This all-purpose pedal serves up two volume control modes. In standard mode, it works just like your typical full-range volume pedal. Switch over to audio taper mode and you can do violin-like volume swells. A switchable minimum volume control lets you set separate rhythm and lead tones while Morley’s famous electro-optical circuit design means you won’t have to worry about wearing down your pots ever again.
Donner Wah Cry
The Donner Wah Cry gives you an excellent Wah response as well as a Volume function. It comes in a tiny footprint, way smaller compared to a standard Volume or Wah pedal. Switch on the side for either Volume or Wah. The response in the WAH mode is based on the original Crybaby response. For the VOL mode, Donner crafted an active circuit which ensures retaining all the details of your sound. Donner has also included a volume range control for VOL mode. As a volume pedal, the Wah Cry is capable of catering to the demand of any guitarist.
Mission Engineering VM1-Aero Analogue Volume
Boasting Mission’s illuminated base, the VM-1 Aero from Mission Engineering is designed for utilization first in your signal chain with passive electric guitar pickups. The switchable tuner mute and the Aero design’s extended sweep make it an exceptional, all-round guitar volume pedal. The rear cutaway, as well as extended length curved surface, have been ergonomically designed for ease of use, whether you are sitting or standing. Visible from all positions, the transparent acrylic base lights up indicating the chosen mode.
Death By Audio Soundwave Breakdown
Now boasting an external volume control, the Soundwave Breakdown from Death by Audio turns the idea of a screaming fuzz pedal inside out. It leverages reversed matched transistors to achieve its bombastic sound. The very positions of the controls produce entirely different sounds ranging from grind, fuzz, and buzz to bleeps, synth sounds, and more. The Soundwave Breakdown grants you a massive universe of gnarliness and creates the alien to your amp. Be warned though as it is always only grizzled psycho fuzz.
Boss FV-50H
Boss has long been known for its durable, high-quality volume pedals, and if you’re looking for some of that Boss magic at a more affordable price point, then the FV-50 series of volume pedals is precisely what you’re looking for. The Boss FV-50H Volume pedal is the line’s high-impedance stereo model designed to be placed before other guitar effects pedals in your signal chain. It comes with a Minimum Volume knob that lets you set a minimum volume and a handy Tuner-Out jack for quick and easy onstage tuning.
Line 6 EX-1
Designed for utilization with Line 6 stompbox modelers and other pedals, the EX-1 expression pedal lets you morph seamlessly between any two settings of a model. For the AX2, it can be employed for volume or wah. Boasting durable construction, the EX-1 features custom wahs, pitch control, and two preset variations. The EX-1 is compatible with stompbox modelers (M5, M9, M13, DL4, DM4, FM4, MM4), POD HD400, POD HD500, POD HD500X, POD XT Live, POD X3 Live, and others.
Moog EP-3
The Moog EP-3 is your trustworthy and robust universal expression pedal built to work with any synthesizer, pedal, or keyboard with an expression or CV input. It boasts an advanced cam system with incredibly seamless performance and durability, a scalable output control for defining the musical range, and a polarity switch ensuring compatibility with non-Moog units. The EP-3 is designed to endure the severity of daily torturing and abuse while delivering the feel and action you need for dead-on musical expression. Pair it with Minitower or Moogerfooger analog effects to discover different dimensions of sonic possibilities.
Source Audio Dual Expression
The Dual Expression pedal from Source Audio delivers smooth action and precision response in a sturdy cast aluminum enclosure. Dual TRS expression outputs let you control two effects units at once. The Dual Expression works with any model or brand of effect that carries a TRS expression input. It consists of a Range Adjust control that establishes the bottom point of the expression range. A Sensor Output connects straight to any Hot Hand, Soundblox Pro, Soundblox 2, or Soundblox pedal for instant control over effect modulation, wet/dry mixes, filter sweeps, LFO speeds, etc.
Mission Engineering EP-25K (Black)
Housed in a sleek black chassis, the EP-25K by Mission Engineering is a professional quality, dual-channel pedal intended for utilization with equipment that favors a 25K expression pedal such as Moog, Strymon, TC Electronic, and Eventide. It features a 25K Ohm potentiometer instead of the 10K potentiometer found in the Mission EP-1. It incorporates two outputs that you may utilize to control two expression pedal devices at the same time. The EP-25K is also compatible as an input for the Expressionator.
Mission Engineering EP1-KP Kemper
Utilize the EP1-KP switching expression pedal from Mission Engineering to maximize your Kemper Profiling Amp. It incorporates a linear potentiometer that has been matched exactly to the specs of the Kemper Profiler for a natural and accurate response. It also includes a toe switch so you can turn effects on/off without needing a separate footswitch. The EP1-KP comes in black or green finish and is compatible with both the rack and head variants, as well as the Remote floor controller.
Zoom FP02M
Get a pitch bender, a wah pedal, and a volume pedal in one with the FP02M expression pedal from Zoom. Plug it into your bass effects device or guitar to add real-time command over the pitch, wah, or volume, as well as effect parameters like distortion gain, modulation rate, and reverb or delay level. Sturdy enough for the road, the FP02M comes in a metal enclosure and includes a ¼” to ¼” connection cable. It works with various Zoom effects processors.
Joyo Orange Juice
The Joyo JF-310 Orange Juice amp simulator guitar effects pedal serves up a great recreation of a British Orange amp’s classic sound. Don’t let its small size fool you; this mini stompbox can dish out huge helpings of highly-defined, aggressive overdrive tones while the Drive, Tone, and Voice knobs give you plenty of tonal flexibility. As part of Joyo’s Ironman line, the JF-310 Orange Juice is small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover to keep your control dial settings safe from stray stomps.
Tom’sline AC Stage
Much like the slightly bigger Acoustic, Tomsline’s AC Stage budget guitar effects pedal is a workhorse acoustic simulator pedal that gets the job done, giving your electric guitar the full-bodied resonance and natural woody sound of an acoustic. The Acoustic also features a three-way toggle that lets you switch between three voicing modes: Piezo, Standard, and Jumbo. The AC Stage features Tomsline’s patented stop bar design to keep your foot from messing up the pedal’s settings when you stomp on it.
Koogo Acoustic
The Koogo Acoustic pedal makes your electric guitar sound like an acoustic guitar. It also boasts the ability to transform an intermediate level electronic or acoustic guitar into an incredible sounding professional guitar. The beautiful sounds produced by each knob and switch make it suitable for virtually any style or player. The Acoustic pedal carries a toggle switch that lets you select between Jumbo, Standard, and Piezo modes. All three modes work well for various genres and effects.
NUX Solid Studio
The NUX Solid Studio IR & Power Amp Simulator has been designed and built to address the cumbersome transport reality of speaker cabinets/amps and limited gear availability. It is the pedal version of typical cabinet/amp scenarios including power amp tubes and microphones. The Solid Studio caters to the fundamental needs of sound technicians and discerning musicians. It delivers versatility, reliability, the convenience of use, and incredible audio quality. It is equipped with eight speaker cabinet simulations and eight microphone models you can use with any cabinet.
JOYO Clean Glass Mini
The JF-307 Clean Glass guitar effects pedal from Joyo brings the classic tone of blackface-era Fender amps straight to your feet. As its name suggests, this tiny stompbox does justice to Fender’s classic twangy and clear clean channel sound. There’s also a dedicated Drive knob for when you want to add saturated, sustain-friendly dirt. The JF-306 Night Train is an Ironman pedal, so it’s small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover to keep your control dial settings safe from stray stomps.
Joyo JF-310
Despite its tiny size, Joyo’s JF-310 Orange Juice amp sim pedal packs the full, in-your-face British-flavored power and attack of a vintage Orange amp. It perfectly captures an Orange amp’s dynamic, highly defined, and aggressive overdrive assault. Dedicated Drive, Tone, and Voice control pots give you plenty of built-in tone sculpting tools to dial in the exact tone you want. Whenever you need to layer some dirt onto you signal, the JF-310 Orange Juice will deliver.
Empress Effects ZOIA
Empress Effects’ ZOIA is loaded with a massive collection of modules to realize virtually anything you can imagine. LFOs, oscillators, bit crushers, filters, envelope followers are only some of the available modules which may be connected in almost any way you desire. Essentially a modular synthesizer in pedal form, the ZOIA offers the modules required to build a tremolo or delay from the ground up. It allows you to craft your custom effects, midi controllers, synthesizers, and digital pedalboards. Empress Effects has also developed modules for all your common guitar effects.
Electro-Harmonix Ravish Sitar
The lush harmonics and dynamic flexibility of a sitar is a first-class ticket to mystic city, and with the Ravish, you can make your guitar sound like one. This sitar emulator guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix features a polyphonic lead voice and tunable sympathetic string drones that are highly responsive to your pick attack. You can set the decay time for the former and create your own custom scales for the latter. You don’t have to buy a sitar and learn how to play it. Just plug into a Ravish.
Tom’sline Mario Bit Crusher
The aptly named Mario stompbox is a powerful bit crusher pedal from budget guitar effects pedal maker Tomsline that lets you reduce the sample quality of your guitar signal to make it lo-fi and degraded. Blend your dry and wet signals with the Mix knob and control the reduction of the sample’s rate and depth using the Bit and Crush pots, respectively. It also comes with a three-way toggle that lets you switch between low-pass, high-pass, and normal modes.
EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine V2
Lose yourself in the mesmerizing, mind-altering sounds conjured up by the Rainbow Machine from EarthQuaker Devices. Every sound you can dish out with the Rainbow Machine is frankly unnatural, making this polyphonic pitch mesmerizer the perfect tool for musicians who want to experiment and push the sonic envelope. V2 sports double the output level, longer delay times, and deeper chorus compared to the original. Both the Activate and Magic footswitches have also been upgraded to Flexi-Switches, so you can use them as both latching and momentary-type footswitches.
Sabbadius Mostro Synthesizer Fuzz Modulator
A significant fuzz pedal created using top-grade materials and silicon transistors. The Sabbadius Mostro Synthesizer Fuzz Modulator was designed and inspired by Dante Spinetta, who asked Nico if he could devise a pedal for his band, IKV, and said he wanted one that is capable of delivering an explosive fuzz sound yet very deformed. The Mostro Synthesizer Fuzz consists of Wah Wah Trick, Bias, Fuzz, and Synth Controller knobs, as well as a toggle switch that lets you select from Normal or Deform settings.
Korg Miku
Inspired by Japanese animation star Hatsune Miku, the Miku Stomp from Korg lets you change your guitar tone into vocal phrases, voiced by the iconic character. It features a Hatsune Miku graphic and eleven distinct phrases that are conveniently selectable using the one rotary control. It leverages an eVocaloid effect, built on Yamaha’s NSX-1 sound engine. With such a distinctive sound, you will either find yourself enjoying the Miku Stomp’s often humorous character or discover infinite inspiration as you conjure new sounds.
