Tonebox Recommended Pedals
Xotic EP Booster
Eric Johnson, Jimmy Page, and Eddie Van Halen are just some of the legendary guitarists who used the classic EP-3 echo effects processor’s preamp stage to create their signature tone. Thanks to boutique guitar effects pedal company Xotic, you can use that preamp too via the EP Booster, a boost pedal based on that very same preamp. The EP Booster can dish out up to 20dB of extra juice that you can use to hit your amp harder and make your signal soar above the mix.
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2
If you think Tech 21’s Bass Driver DI is just another direct input box, think again. This SansAmp-powered DI box can serve up everything from vintage tube amp sounds to bright modern slap tones. You get three different outputs which you can connect to power amps, mixers, PA systems, or to other effects pedals. For the Bass Driver DI V2, Tech 21 further enhanced the Bass Driver DI’s tonal versatility with a switch that lets it cover the lower frequency registers of five- and six-string basses.
Suhr Riot
As its name implies, the Suhr Riot is a high-gain distortion box ready to make a tiny clean tube combo sound like an angry stack. It will make you forget that you are playing via a pedal. It works with the amp to produce a full sound that does not sound overly electronic or artificial. The Riot features the touch sensitivity and sonic characteristics of a high-quality 100-watt tube amp. It consists of Dist, Level, and Tone knobs. Use the Dist to set the amount of gain added to your tone, bringing you from classic crunch to high-gain goodness.
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.
Way Huge Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkIII
The Aqua-Puss Analog Delay is renowned for its amazingly simple operation and bright, jangly repeats. Now, you can experience all that wholesome goodness in a Way Huge Smalls chassis that perfectly fits your pedalboard. The Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkIII serves up vintage delay tones and tape-based echo. Featuring 20ms to 300ms of delay time on tap, this marvelous unit is all about tone thickening and old school slap-back. It consists of controls for Feedback, Delay, and Blend.
Chase Bliss Audio Gravitas
The Chase Bliss Audio Gravitas is not your dime-a-dozen tremolo pedal. It can create a beautiful and unique tremolo sound that sits well in a mix. Boasting dual tremolo modes, discrete class A clean boost circuit, and famous Analog Devices AD823 op-amps for superior analog warmth and tonal clarity, the Gravitas is capable of things you have not heard a tremolo do. To control the boost circuit’s gain, adjust the DRIVE knob to your liking. You can run the Gravitas at 18V rather than the standard 9V if you seek more headroom and output out of it.
Drive Pedals
Behringer Overdrive Distortion
No pedalboard is complete without some type of overdrive or distortion pedal, and the Behringer OD302 2-Mode OverdriveDistortion pedal lets you have both in just one small stompbox. Keep the Mode dial to the left for pure overdrive, turn it all the way right for head-on distortion, or stay somewhere in the middle for the perfect blend of the two then use the Tone knob to dictate how much bite and brightness you want in your sound.
Electro-Harmonix Germanium OD
Classic ‘60s overdrive tones have never sounded sweeter than with Electro-Harmonix’s Germanium OD guitar effects pedal. A handpicked germanium transistor forms the backbone of this vintage-voiced overdrive pedal. For tone-shaping, there’s a Bias knob that controls the gain level and a Volts dial that lets you choose how much power goes to the germanium transistor. You can crank the latter to the max to pour the full 9V into the transistor or keep it powered down for that sweet starving battery overdrive effect.
Friedman Amplification Motor City Drive
Friedman Amplification didn’t mess around with your standard tube amp emulation methods when they made the Motor City Drive. They just went ahead and crammed an actual high voltage 12AX7A preamp tube into it. This gives the Motor City Drive a natural, compressed, and harmonically rich tube-powered fuzz unmatched by most other tube amp overdrive emulators available. From light overdrive to rich high-gain tones, you’ll get a lot of sonic mileage out of the Motor City Drive.
GOKKO OCTAVE FUZZ
The Octave Fuzz GK-31 guitar effects pedal from GOKKO gives you classic fuzz and octave up sounds for a very reasonable price. Dedicated Volume, Tone, and Fuzz control knobs let you explore a wide range of fuzzed-out sonic possibilities. There’s also a two-way selector switch that lets you choose between a normal tone and a mid-cut tone. The Octave Fuzz also features separate footswitches for the fuzz and octave up effects for total effect control.
Sabbadius Triple Trouble
If you are big on Stevie Ray Vaughan’s tone, the Sabbadius Triple Trouble pedal is for you! This box of killer tones loads the Texas Red Fuzz, 80 Overdrive Tone, and Mr. White. The Overdrive consists of a Tubescreamer clone with several adjustments to deliver a warmer sound evocative of the classic late 80s sounds, with a sharp Overdrive to move forward and flexible tone control. The Mr. White Booster features a booster pedal raising the MIDs to capture that SRV “color” sound. The Fuzz is a customized Fuzz Face equipped with silicon transistors that simulate germanium transistors.
Stone Deaf PDF-2
The Stone Deaf PDF-2 is the successor to the iconic PDF-1, with adjustable gain control, reduced noise floor, and dual footswitch for dirty and clean channels. This ultra-versatile pedal applies to various instruments. Besides these innovative features, it now incorporates an expression input control feature for a phaser, wah-wah, and manual tonal shifts as standard. It is touted as among the handiest pedal-based Boost, EQ, and Distortions available. The PDF-2, along with its unique parametric distortion filter, is a fresh take on what a drive pedal sound must be.
Carl Martin Dual Injection
The Dual Injection from Carl Martin is an innovative two-in-one boost pedal featuring two separate boosts and infinite possibilities. It incorporates the high quality, transparent boost from the Hot Drive’n Boost. Each boost has an individual level control and can be used independently or simultaneously. You may switch between Parallel and Serial modes using the toggle. The Dual Injection allows you four Boost settings—your usual set up, both Boost 1 and 2 engaged simultaneously, Boost 1 engaged to your preferred setting, and Boost 2 engaged to a different setting than Boost 1.
Koogo Holy War
Fully gaining and boosting the metal’s distortion degree. The Holy War pedal by Koogo possesses a distinct and powerful distortion effect. It consists of Dist, Tone, and Volume knobs, as well as a toggle switch that allows you to choose from Lo Boost, Boost Off, or Hi Boost mode. It boasts a well-built quality. Whole metal shell, durable and stable. The Holy War also includes an LED indicator that shows you the working state and true bypass that gives transparent tone.
Caline Red Devil
The Caline CP-30 Red Devil Distortion guitar effect pedal lives up to its name; this high-gain distortion stomp can serve up downright demonic levels of distortion that you can freely sculpt via its dedicated three-band EQ knobs. There’s also a two-position toggle that lets you switch between Vintage and Modern modes; the former is more on the smooth side while the latter gives you a more defined sound. The Caline CP-30 Red Devil Distortion also comes with a true bypass feature.
T-Rex Mudhoney II
The sweet and dirty Mudhoney has been acclaimed for its incredible tonal range and has set the benchmark for several T-Rex pedals to come. The Mudhoney II Dual Distortion is a new generation of that classic pedal, keeping and doubling everything exceptional about the original unit. The two vintage gain channels allow you to effortlessly switch between a beautiful edgy overdrive from one Mudhoney channel, a clean sound from your amp, and a thick warm distortion from another channel.
Amptweaker TightMetal Pro
The Amptweaker TightMetal Pro Distortion Effect Pedal is the dual-pedal version of the well-loved TightMetal. Since the TightMetal’s introduction in 2011, Amptweaker customers have requested for a two button variant. Amptweaker surveyed some users who were not pleased with the TightMetal to determine the necessary tone changes. The TightMetal Pro features a Midboost button, two Fat switches, and two Boost knobs. Other features include an adjustable internal input noise gate for more gating, High Gain switch for heavier tones, and Gain, Tight, and Volume controls.
Boss FZ-5 Fuzz
The Boss FZ-5 Fuzz guitar effects pedal is a modern machine spitting out a retro sound. Boss’s state-of-the-art proprietary Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) technology lets you recreate the fuzzy flavors of classic pedals like the Maestro FZ-1A, the Fuzz Face, and even Jimi Hendrix’s legendary Octavia, and then crank them up to a higher gear with the Boost knob. The Boss FZ-5 Fuzz gives you all the vintage fuzz tones you want and gives you a level of tonal control possible only with cutting-edge tech.
JHS Pedals Ruby Red
Designed alongside artist/producer Butch Walker, who is a JHS Pedals user himself, the Ruby Red squeezes a powerful boost and the renowned Super Bolt overdrive into a convenient pedal. The Ruby Red consists of Boost, Drive, Tone, and Volume knobs, as well as a + toggle and an order toggle for selecting the order of effects. Walker wanted a pedal that can do anything in the most convenient way possible, and with the Ruby Red, he owns one now.
Tortuga Bassquatch
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. The Bassquatch, as its name suggests, is a bass optimized version of one of Tortuga’s most popular pedals, the Sasquatch fuzz stomp. The same killer fuzz of the Sasquatch, but with a heavier, more aggressive low end that works well with both basses and drop-tuned guitars.
Death by Audio Robot
The Death by Audio Robot is a fun, lo-fi 8-bit pitch transposer without any emotion. It is purely synthetic and makes every input a puree of resynthesized robot jargon. The Robot consists of a Rotary Selector (Normal, Octave Down, Octave Up, and Arpeggiator) as well as Control and Volume knobs. Volume controls the master volume while the Control adjusts the pitch of the effect. The Robot’s four switchable modes will bring you through a set of synth-like freakouts.
Fuzzrocious Demon Med/High Overdrive
The Demon by Fuzzrocious sports a special Chicago Music Exchange orange and black finish. This low to medium-high gain drive with gate/boost mod and distortion-like capabilities dives into the gated fuzz range. The Fuzzrocious Demon includes controls for Feedback, Tone, Volume, and Drive. It is capable of the pushed amp sound at high drive settings or “just on the verge of breakup” stuff at low drive settings. It also features mono in and mono out.
Animals Pedal Rover Fuzz
Designed by legendary Fuzz master Marc Ahlfs of Skreddy Pedals, the Animals Pedal Rover Fuzz brings together a clear, clean tone and a hot, growling overdrive into a massive wall of vintage fuzz sound. The Wool knob provides all the tonal control you need to reach that classic Tone Bender-style compressed fuzz sound without compromising your original tone, while the Attack knob lets you play around with the distortion level and the fuzz effect’s sharpness. The Rover Fuzz features artwork by Jonas Claesson and comes with true-bypass switching.
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.
Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster
The Pickup Booster pedal from Seymour Duncan is for those instances when you need to slice through the mix with more clarity, be a little louder, or play a song with a unique humbucker tone on a single-coil instrument. It is crafted to boost your signal without affecting your sound’s character while letting you widen your tone using the Resonance Switch. This true bypass pedal boasts a class A, low-noise circuit design. It excels at highlighting your guitar’s organic tone while adding some beef and muscle.
Radial Regency
Compact yet powerful, the Regency by Radial is a dual-function pedal that gives you the perfect mix of drive, boost, and grit for any amp and guitar combo. You can use both of its channels individually or in tandem to add harmonics, punch, and sustain without compromising articulation. The Regency incorporates a class-A boost circuit that delivers up to +23dB of clean gain and simultaneously activates the inbuilt effects loop to serve up effects for soloing. Its overdrive circuit is rich and thick with the perfect amount of gain to make your amp a soul-crushing tone machine.
Xotic RC Booster-V2
As with all of boutique guitar effects pedal maker Xotic’s boost pedals, the RC Booster delivers some of the most transparent boosting power you’ll ever find anywhere. For the RC Booster V2, Xotic takes the pedal’s capabilities to the next level with the addition of an additional gain channel that’ll let you coat your tone in a whole new layer of fatness. Tone tweakers will also appreciate the dedicated treble and bass EQ controls, each of which can cut or boost by 15dB either way.
Amptweaker Pressurizer
The Amptweaker PressuRizer compressor is a powerful clean tone tweaker that provides sustain without compression. This mini pedal contains several switches and knobs, including Limit, Bloom, and Boost, all designed to provide you control over dry/wet blending, boost, as well as side-chain compression options. The PressuRizer boasts a 2-Step footswitch. Pressing and holding the switch locks the compressor on, while tapping it kicks in another boost knob, giving you a one-two punch with one button pedal.
T-Rex Tonebug Booster
The Tonebug Booster from T-Rex Engineering is the ideal solution for ensuring that your single-note lines and solos are loud enough without needing to adjust your amp while you are on the stage or compromise the tone on your rhythm parts. It is controllable using the subtle, tone-sculpting Scoop control and a Boost knob. While the Tonebug Booster is among the simplest pedals created by T-Rex Engineering, it is the one you will often reach for.
Xotic BB Preamp AT
The BB Preamp from boutique guitar effects pedal company Xotic is a boost and overdrive preamp stomp that boasts amazing tonal transparency. With up to 30dB of extra boost juice, the BB Preamp can deliver everything from a pristine clean boost to a gritty, crunchy drive tone—all while keeping your core tone’s unique characteristics intact. The BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition release still packs the same great tone but comes with a special paint job, white knobs, and a free Andy Timmons guitar pick..
MOOER Baby Bomb
The Baby Bomb guitar effects pedal from budget stomp maker Mooer lets you inject 30W of pure power to push your guitar speaker cabinet into warm, tube-style overdrive territory. Controls are dead simple; there’s a presence switch for choosing between a warm and a bright sound and a volume dial to control the output level. Pair the Baby Bomb with your favorite Mooer or another brand’s preamp pedal to serve up a wall of sound. The Baby Bomb will work with any cab with an impedance of 8Ohm to 16Ohm.
Walrus Audio Voyager
Whip up a full spectrum of overdrive tones with the Voyager preamp and overdrive pedal from Walrus Audio. The Voyager can dish out everything from soft and subtle drive to thick and heavy saturation without losing clarity or tonal transparency; even when the Voyager’s overdrive circuit is pushed towards its higher gain settings, your tone will still retain the clarity you need to make every note of your scorching hot solo sing out above the mix.
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.
MOOER 019 UK Gold PLX
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 019 UK Gold PLX, in particular, replicates the warm tube-powered sound of a British 1967 50W classic amp. It comes with two channels as well as volume, gain, low, mid, and high controls. It also features a cab sim on and off switch.
Tom’sline Dumbler
Dumble amps are among the rarest and most expensive boutique amps ever made. Fortunately for musicians who don’t have the cash to blow on a boutique amp, budget guitar effects pedal maker Tomsline has the Dumbler, a cab simulator that perfectly mimics the signature tone of a vintage Dumble amp. No matter your backline, you’ll be able to dial in your favorite Dumble sound with ease. The Dumble features Tomsline’s patented stop bar design to keep your foot from messing up the pedal’s settings when you stomp on it.
Danelectro The Breakdown
The deceptively innocuous Breakdown guitar effect pedal from Danelectro is basically a tiny six-stage gain booster that serves up everything from light, subtle dirt to smooth overdrive and further on to heavy, full-on distortion. Set the gain level with the Break-Up rotary switch and shape it further with the pedal’s Volume knob as well as your guitar’s own volume controls. This slim form stompbox doesn’t run on battery juice and needs to be connected to a compatible 9V power supply.
KHDK No.2
The No.2 is KHDK’s Clean Boost pedal boasting dynamic responsiveness akin to a tube amplifier without compression. Equipped with four control knobs for Bass, Volume, Treble, and Gain plus a Hi/Lo gain mini toggle switch, the No.2 lets the natural and transparent EQ controls completely sculpt your sound. It delivers a warm, tube-esque boost and works as a precision tool for shaping your tone. When the No.2 is engaged, two little LEDs glow in bright purple.
Mooer Pure Boost
If you’re looking for a boost pedal that doesn’t suck the soul out of your tone and just lets your pure, unadulterated sound shine through, then the Pure Boost guitar effects pedal is what you’re looking for. This boost favorite from the budget stomp maestros at Mooer is a truly transparent clean boost pedal that also helps you shape your tone’s bass and treble parameters even more precisely. The Pure Boost can boost your signal by up to 20db while the Bass and Treble knobs feature 15db worth of cut or boost.
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.
Suhr Iso Boost
The Suhr Iso Boost is an innovative pedal featuring a clean, transparent boost plus a transformer isolated buffered signal for cleanly driving your lengthy effects chain. Engineered by discerning musicians, leveraging the best components, and boasting durable construction, the Iso Boost is the ultimate line driver and boost pedal that drastically extends the range of your tube amp. It also incorporates unique features, including a battery monitor that alerts you to low battery conditions and remote on/off through the FxLink available in each Suhr pedal.
Radial Tonebone Texas Pro
Harness versatile overdrive with several tonal possibilities with the Texas-Pro from Radial. This incredibly powerful dual-function pedal gives you a flexible overdrive circuit and high output signal booster. You may utilize both features individually or together, providing you with a broad range of tonal options. The overdrive section features a three-way Range switch that tailors the response to create modern, vintage, and high-gain overdrive tones. It is followed by a discreet Class-A Boost circuit with variable level control which can deliver as much as +22dB of clean gain.
Modulation Pedals
TC Electronic Corona Mini
The Corona Mini Chorus from TC Electronic is an ultra-compact chorus pedal boasting inbuilt TonePrint technology to provide you with an incredible breadth of high-quality chorus effects within a convenient package. This TonePrint-enabled unit allows you to beam excellent signature tones into your pedal with the TonePrint App. Experience TC Electronic’s lush TriChorus along with other exceptional choruses you could need via TonePrints. The Corona Mini Chorus works seamlessly with your guitar and FX loop signals. Its tiny enclosure easily fits on your pedalboard.
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.
Behringer Chorus Space
Bring your sound to the 3rd dimension via the Behringer CD400 Chorus Space-D Digital 3-Dimensional Sound’s Real Sound Modeling (RSM) feature. By combining state-of-the-art digital signal processing (DSP) technology and highly-sophisticated algorithms to emulate lifelike acoustic environments, the CD400 takes your sound on a sonic journey without you having to take a single step beyond stomping on it. The CD400 features dedicated Level, EQ, Rate, and Depth control knobs for versatile and finely-tuned sound shaping.
Rowin Analog Chorus
The innocuously named LEF-304 Chorus pedal from budget guitar effects pedal brand Rowin is a versatile analog chorus reminiscent of an ‘80s and ‘90s sound. This is basically Rowin’s minified version of a Boss CE-2 Chorus Ensemble, which itself was a smaller, updated version of the CE-1. The Chorus is powered by an MN3007 bucket brigade device chip for true analog chorus and features true bypass switching. It’s hard to beat this compact unit in terms of tone and price.
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.
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.
Rowin Mod Station
A ton of high-quality modulation effects, all packed into a small, very affordable stompbox that you can carry around in your pocket. The powerful LEF-3808 Mod Station multi-effects stomp from budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin comes with eleven distinct modulation effects, all of which can be further tweaked via its dedicated Level, Speed, and Depth pots. Its footswitch is also multi-functional: pressing down twice will switch between fixed and non-fixed mode while holding it down will let you store a setting you like.
Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron Plus
Elevate your sound to the funkiest of heights. The Q-Tron Plus envelope filter guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix uses an innovative internal envelope follower to analyze your unique playing style and sweep the center of the envelope filter. You get auto-wahs that change dynamically depending on your pick attack. Plus, you can choose whether the sweeps go up or down. The Q-Tron Plus also features an effects loop and a Fast/Slow Attack Response dial.
Source Audio Soundblox2 Stingray Multi-Filter
The Source Audio Stingray Multi-Filter multi-effects pedal boldly forges a different path in filter modulation. With four filter modulation modes, 12 filter effects, full MIDI functionality, and onboard overdrive, the Stingray goes well beyond the usual approach of other filter effects pedals. Capture a different world of guitar tones, from super-funky envelope filter quack or swirling LFO psychedelia to synth-inspired fuzz. The Stingray features 12 flavors of high pass, low pass, phaser, multi-peak, and single-peak filter effects, each controllable using any of the four modulation modes: Hot Hand, LFO, envelope follower, or expression pedal.
Electro Harmonix Attack Decay
Electro-Harmonix’s original ‘80s-era Attack Decay Tape Reverse Simulator pedal has become a much sought-after stompbox due to the control it gave musicians over the notes they play. The new version of this classic guitar effects pedal faithfully recreates the tape reversing, volume swelling, and note-cutting capabilities of its predecessor, plus it introduces a new Poly mode that adds volume envelopes to each individual note you play. Also included are an expression pedal jack, three user presets, and more.
Electro-Harmonix Riddle
Few envelope filter effects pedals can come close to the tone-shaping power and precision that the Riddle: Q-Balls For Guitar brings to the table. This envelope filter pedal from Electro-Harmonix lets you dial in some truly expressive and funky tones using adjustable Q, sweep range, and filter type. Plug in an expression pedal and you get even more control over the Q frequency’s sweeps. There’s also a dedicated Distortion effect that can dish out everything from a subtle bite to an all-out crush.
CNZ Audio Flanger
The CNZ Audio Flanger pedal spices up your playing with a clean and crisp flanging sound while maintaining your distinctive guitar tone. It includes a Toggle switch that allows you to choose between two different settings for your electric guitar. It also carries three knobs—RANGE changes the depth of the flange effect, RATE controls the speed at which the flanger will modulate, while COLOR adjusts the signal amount that will be affected by the flange effect.
MXR EVH Flanger
It is common knowledge that the MXR Flanger was behind the timeless Van Halen tunes “And The Cradle Will Rock” and “Unchained.” You can already grab a piece of that iconic tone with the Eddie Van Halen Flanger from MXR. It boasts the exact bucket-brigade technology that gave the original’s sweeping, whooshing magic. It also carries an EVH Switch that immediately calls up Eddie’s Unchained sound with the similar Speed, Width, Manual, and Regeneration settings he utilized to achieve an iconic guitar tone.
MXR Flanger
The MXR M-117R Flanger provides you with an arsenal of wild sounds from short delay, vibrato, and chorus to a dynamic jet plane and cool space effects. You get full control over the filter so you can shape your sound to your liking. The M-117R Flanger consists of Regen, Speed, Width, and Manual knobs, as well as a footswitch. This mainstay of 70s funk and rock is back by popular demand, featuring dynamic and wild sounds. Use it with bass, keyboards, guitar, or vocals.
Koogo Mod Digital
The Mod Digital pedal from Koogo allows you to enjoy eleven distinct modulation effects—A.FILTER, B.TREMOLO, O.TREMOLO, PHASER, VIBRATO, U.VIBRATO, JET, S.CHORUS, T.CHORUS, P.FLANGER, and N.FLANGER. It is a fantastic pedal, leveraging a 32-bit high-performance DSP chip. Every tone is comparable. A range of modulation effects imparts musical color to your sound. The Mod Digital also consists of three function knobs labeled as Depth, Speed, and Level for setting the depth, speed, and level of the effect respectively.
Blackstar HT-Modulation
The Blackstar HT-MODULATION delivers all the musicality of standard vintage effects, from mild tremolo to roaring jet engine flange. For the convenience of use, the SLOW/FAST control allows you to set the modulation time of the eight modulation effects as you play. You may add harmonics and real tube compression through the SATURATION control. The SLOW/FAST mode footswitch allows seamless control. The eight modulation effects include Phaser 1, Phaser 2, Multi Chorus, Vintage Chorus 1, Vintage Chorus 2, Flanger, Rotary, and Tremolo.
Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress
All of the slithering, rippling modulation effects that made the original Electric Mistress a hit are once again being made easily available to flange-heads thanks to the Stereo Electric Mistress from Electro-Harmonix. This isn’t just a straight reissue of the classic analog pedal, though. The Stereo Electric Mistress still packs the same rich flange effects and the much-loved sound-freezing Filter Matrix mode but in a compact and pedalboard-friendly chassis that features truly independent stereo outputs.
MXR Phase 90
MXR’s Phase 90 has long been a staple on numerous pedalboards around the world. Regardless whether the instrument is bass, guitar, keys, strings, or vocals, or if the genre is metal, jazz, rock, worldbeat, or alternative, the Phase 90 is has been present through it all to inject its unique lush voice to a player’s tone palette. This little orange box boasts a rich warm analog tone. The Phase 90 can go from subtle, spatial shimmer to full-on high velocity swooshing. The classic phase shifter behind several Van Halen recordings.
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.
MXR ’75 Vintage Phase 45
The MXR Custom Shop’s ’75 Vintage Phase 45 reissue recreates the Phase 90’s elusive little brother to exacting details. Featuring two stages of phasing, the Phase 45 serves up its musical and subtle voice through a hand-wired circuit board and hand-matched FETs. Authentic tried-and-trusted components and hardware, including CTS pot, Switchcraft jacks, and a Carling switch. The limited-edition ’75 Vintage Phase 45 allows you to texture your tone sans overpowering your sound. It is suitable for far-out rhythms and groovy solos.
MXR ILOVEDUST Phase 90
For years, the MXR Phase 90 has been a staple on the pedalboards of numerous players worldwide, including the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Nancy Wilson, Josh Homme, and Dave Grohl. Now, MXR has released a limited-edition version of Phase 90 featuring exclusive artwork by revered UK-based design collective, ILOVEDUST. True to the original Phase 90 design, the ILD101 Phase 90 captures a variety of classic phasing effects with only one knob. It works nicely with keyboards, bass, guitar, and vocals.
Rowin Phaser
Budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin seems to be addicted to making their already tiny pedals even smaller. Such is the case with the LN-313 Phaser, the nano-sized version of Rowin’s LEF-313 Phaser. Like its bigger brother, the LN-313 Phaser packs more versatility and bigger phaser sounds than its size and price would suggest. It also features the same two switchable phaser modes: the warm, old-school Vintage mode and the more modern, full-bodied Modern mode.
Koogo Phaser PPH-1
The Koogo Phaser features an all-analog phase effect, plump and warm sound. It carries a Speed knob and a toggle that lets you switch between Modern and Vintage modes. The Modern mode allows you to gain more depth to contemporary plump phaser effect, while Vintage takes you back to the 1970s with classic phaser effect. The Koogo Phaser is housed in a sturdy zinc alloy enclosure. It includes true bypass for transparent tone and LED indicator that tells you the working state.
Rowin Trelicopter
An impressive, expressive, and wide-ranging optical tremolo effect packed into a stompbox literally small enough to put in your pocket. The Trelicopter from budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin manages to conjure up a gentle, natural tremolo that hews close to a classic Fender tremolo sound. Rowin also threw in a Bias pot that lets you adjust the clipping waveform’s hardness or softness. It also comes with true bypass switching to keep it quiet when it’s not in use.
Mooer MTR2
The MTR2 Varimolo guitar effects pedal from budget pedal company Mooer is a versatile tremolo stomp that features three different effect modes accessible via a three-position toggle switch. Normal mode gives you a classic tremolo sound, Filter is an auto wah-flavored tremolo effect, and Variable mixes things up with some extra rhythmic variations. The MTR2 Varimolo is part of Mooer’s Micro series, so all of its great sound and features are packed into a very small and pedalboard-friendly enclosure.
J. Rockett Josh Smith Dual Trem
Through cooperation with expert pedal builder Tim Jauernig and prominent blues artist Josh Smith, J. Rockett is delighted to announce the Josh Smith Dual Trem. Crafted to deliver that coveted tremolo effect produced by several iconic vintage amps, the Josh Smith Dual Trem will not disappoint with its extreme versatility and classic voice. It allows you the sonic flexibility to easily access two different trem effects with a single pedal. It includes two stand-alone tremolo sections, each sporting separate footswitch and knobs for Depth and Rate.
Joyo JF-09
With a photoelectric tube circuit identical to the ones that powered old Fender amps from the ‘60s and the ‘70s, there’s no question about the JF-09 Tremolo’s pedigree. This tremolo stomp from budget guitar effects maker Joyo is built to do both understated and full-blown psychedelic tremolo attacks equally well. Dial in your preferred trem tone with the Intensity and Rate pots then use the LED indicator, which flashes according to the modulation rate, to stay smack in the middle of the groove.
Chase Bliss Audio Gravitas
The Chase Bliss Audio Gravitas is not your dime-a-dozen tremolo pedal. It can create a beautiful and unique tremolo sound that sits well in a mix. Boasting dual tremolo modes, discrete class A clean boost circuit, and famous Analog Devices AD823 op-amps for superior analog warmth and tonal clarity, the Gravitas is capable of things you have not heard a tremolo do. To control the boost circuit’s gain, adjust the DRIVE knob to your liking. You can run the Gravitas at 18V rather than the standard 9V if you seek more headroom and output out of it.
MOOER Triangolo
The tiny and affordable Triangolo packs a bigger and more diverse tremolo punch than its size and price would have you believe. This digital tremolo guitar effects pedal from budget stomp maker Mooer features three highly nuanced and musical modes: Triangular, Square, and Sawtooth. You can adjust the tremolo effect speed using the dedicated Speed knob or tap tempo, then engage the Subdivision knob’s five tremolo rhythm patterns for chopped up varying time subdivision tremolo craziness.
Carl Martin Purple Moon
Carl Martin’s 2019 Purple Moon features the Uni-Vibe Level, Speed, and Depth controls of the old version. It retains the silicon Fuzz chip with Level and Fuzz controls which let you add mind-bending Fuzz to the sweeping Uni-Vibe. It remains the sole analog, true bypass Fuzz/Vibe pedal in the market. The new Purple Moon still brings you back to players like Anastasio, Gilmour, Trower, or Hendrix, but it is more compact. It is housed within a two-toned, anodized diecast case with top mounted jacks.
Keeley Monterey
A must-have for anyone on a quest to emulate Jimi Hendrix’s legendary tones. Keeley’s Monterey multi-effects pedal combines a number of Hendrix’s favorite effects into one roadworthy bag of tricks. You get a rotary speaker, a vibe effect, and an auto-wah, plus a heaping helping of thick, highly responsive fuzz and variable octave up and down functions. Got an external expression pedal? Plug it in for manual control over the wah or the modulation speed.
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.
Sabbadius Tiny Vibe
The Tiny Vibe from Sabbadius Custom Pedal Effects is a more compact variant of the classic Funky Vibe, which emulates the rotary Leslie speaker with four photo coupler. It lets you play the vintage sounds like Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and more. On top of that, you can also play your signature sound. The Tiny Vibe features a true bypass mechanical switch. This condensed version of Funky Vibe comes in a red chassis consists of white knobs.
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.
Amptweaker SwirlPool
The Amptweaker SwirlPool Tremolo/Vibe pedal is the brand’s first dive into non-distortion pedals. Highly requested by Amptweaker’s customers, the SwirlPool is a two-speed synchronized Tremolo/Vibe reminiscent of the circuits found in some vintage 60’s amplifiers. This analog pedal is capable of emulating various modulation tones and even inventing several new ones. The two footswitch buttons let you switch between two different Speed & Vibe settings while sharing one Tremolo control. The SwirlPool also features switches that help you fine-tune the pedal’s vibrato.
DigiTech Whammy 4
DigiTech’s legendary Whammy adds to your playing and produces new feelings, textures, and sounds. The Whammy 4 pedal is among the most acclaimed and versatile pitch/octave shifters ever existed. This compact red rectangle allows you full control of sending your sound piercing through the ceiling or plummeting through the floor. It boasts ten Harmony, six Whammy, and Shallow or Deep Detune modes. The Whammy 4 is a known favorite of Troy Van Leeuwen, Tom Morello, and Jack White.
Caline Big Dipper
The Caline CP-36 Big Dipper Pitch Shifter guitar effects pedal combines the modulation effects of a pitch shifter and an octaver into one sturdy, affordable stompbox. A simple three-position toggle switch lets you choose between Pitch Up, Pitch Down, and Detune modes, while a selector knob gives you a wide range of shifting modes, including one- and two-octave modes. Dedicated Wet and Dry knobs give you full blending control over your signal. The Caline CP-36 Big Dipper Pitch Shifter comes with a true bypass feature.
EarthQuaker Devices Tentacle V2
EarthQuaker Devices has released single-dial stompboxes before, but for the Tentacle analog octave up guitar effects pedal, they scrapped even that single control knob and left only a footswitch. It’s all that it needs, really; the Tentacle does one thing—give you direct standalone access to the octave up effect found in the Hoof Reaper pedal—and does it extremely well. Tentacle V2 introduces Flexi-Switch capability, meaning you can engage the octave up effect with a standard tap on the switch ala latching footswitches or hold it down and release like a momentary-type switch.
Behringer Ultra Octaver
The Behringer Ultra Octaver UO300 3-Mode Octaver guitar effects pedal puts your guitar on steroids, giving the notes you play some extra tonal muscle one and two octaves below their actual octave. The UO300’s Range knob lets you choose whether you want to beef up your high, middle, or low frequencies; the Direct knob lets you dial in how much of your original sound you want to shine through; and the Oct 1 and Oct 2 knobs control the lower octaves you wish to add.
Walrus Audio Luminary
With four octave options available, the Luminary quad octave generator from boutique guitar effects pedal maker Walrus Audio is a polyphonic force to be reckoned with. You can dial in any combination of the octave options, which range from -2 to +2, to create complex and dynamic textures. The Luminary can also store up to three presets; add in live mode and you have immediate on the fly access to four custom settings. Connect a compatible expression pedal and you get even more precise control over the effect sound.
MXR Sub Machine
First devised within the MXR Custom Shop, the Sub Machine unlocks the door to an unbridled and epic sonic exploration. This nasty tiny box combines the La Machine’s shaggy vintage tones with a growling sub-octave circuit, providing you with a one-way ticket to the sonic boundaries of heavy. It features the La Machine’s functions from its Tone, Fuzz, and Volume knobs to its exhilarating octave up mode. It also includes a vintage sub-octave circuit with level control so you can find the perfect blend of sub-octave and fuzz signals.
Timing, Dynamics & EQ Pedals
Joyo Analog Delay
If you’re looking for the warm classic sound of an old-school analog delay but don’t have room in your budget for a boutique pedal then look no further than the JF-33 Analog Delay guitar effects pedal from Joyo. Its three-knob control layout is as simple as they come but it’s extremely versatile; a bucket brigade-style circuit lets you serve up everything from quick slapback echoes to trippy, psychedelic delays that feed back into themselves, Ouroboros-style.
Pigtronix Echolution 2 Filter Pro
The Echolution 2 Filter Pro by Pigtronix couples the flagship Echolution 2 Ultra Pro unit’s comprehensive feature set with a streamlined user interface intended for stage use. The two remaining touch switches give you instant access to eight filter modes and the different subdivision as well as pitch-shifting options for the delay lines. The several bonus features found under the hood are controllable via MIDI or the E2 application. With the Echolution 2 Filter Pro, you get all the processing power and versatility of the Echolution 2 Ultra Pro.
EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2
You can play around with the Avalanche Run’s reverb and delay effects all day and not get bored. That’s how versatile this guitar effects pedal from EarthQuaker Devices is. Use it as a reverb pedal, a delay pedal, or just go ahead and combine the two into one gloriously atmospheric wash of ambiance. The Avalanche Run features tap tempo and six-time division settings, plus the V2 comes with an updated reverb algorithm and a cool new enclosure.
Way Huge Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkIII
The Aqua-Puss Analog Delay is renowned for its amazingly simple operation and bright, jangly repeats. Now, you can experience all that wholesome goodness in a Way Huge Smalls chassis that perfectly fits your pedalboard. The Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkIII serves up vintage delay tones and tape-based echo. Featuring 20ms to 300ms of delay time on tap, this marvelous unit is all about tone thickening and old school slap-back. It consists of controls for Feedback, Delay, and Blend.
Strymon El Capistan
The El Capistan dTape Echo by Strymon delivers three types of tape machine in one, each featuring three distinct modes. With ten parameters to tweak, you have comprehensive control of tone sculpting, tape quality, and machine health. The El Capistan allows you to go from the sound of a primitive, studio-grade tape machine to the intensely fluctuating sound of a machine needing service. Capture the full-bodied sound of new tape to the gnarled characteristics of old tape.
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.
Caline Ghost Rain
The Caline CP-41 Ghost Rain Reverb Delay guitar effects pedal gives you warm analog delay tones with a light splash of reverb. The Echo knob lets you set the effect level, the F. Back knob controls the number of repeats, and the Time knob lets you adjust the delay time from 25ms to 600ms. A light reverb effect is automatically added in to give your tone a subtle shimmering ambiance. The Caline CP-41 Ghost Rain Reverb Delay comes with a true bypass feature.
Marshall Original Footswitch
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 PEDL-10009 or P802 footswitch is a dual footswitch pedal; it’s basically the big brother of the P801. This musician must-have is built to work with both valvestate and tube amps and handles switching duties for your amp’s channels and reverb. It’s built to be road-tough, so you don’t have to worry about it conking out while you’re onstage.
T-Rex Fat Shuga
So you captured the heart of vintage—a beautiful tubey sound with the perfect amount of overdrive cream. You now need some classic ambience to establish the proper setting. The Fat Shuga boost and reverb pedal by T-Rex gives you that in abundance with an awesome-sounding inbuilt reverb. Inject a touch of hall or room ambiance, and experience the magic kick in, recapturing the best of the pre-digital world. The Fat Shuga comes in a compact, solidly built enclosure capable of enduring virtually anything you throw at it.
Mooer Reverie Reverb
The TRV2 Reverie Reverb guitar effects pedal from Mooer is a versatile reverb pedal for musicians on a budget. You get five chorus modes, each of which can be mixed and matched with eight modulation tones. You’re also able to save up to five of your favorite chorus settings as presets. It uses a high performance floating point DSP chip to prevent tone loss while the twin switch design makes it easy to switch between effects on the fly, even when you’re rocking out on stage.
MOOER EchoVerb
The EchoVerb guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox maestro Mooer combines two pedalboard essentials—in this case, digital delay and reverb—to create a tiny, budget-friendly, and versatile stompbox jam-packed with features. You can easily sculpt the delay and reverb effects according to your tastes via a user-friendly and intuitive interface with knobs that pull double duty for each effect. Mooer even threw in a tap tempo button so you have iron-fisted control over the delay tempo.
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.
Caline Pressure Tank
Compressor pedals sometimes get overlooked, but the more balanced sound, a beefier tone, and insane sustain they provide make them essential parts of any good pedalboard rig. The Caline CP-47 Pressure Tank Compressor guitar effect pedal does all of that at a very budget-friendly price. It’s easy to use, giving you full control over your guitar signal with only three dedicated knobs: Level, EQ, and Comp. The Caline CP-47 Pressure Tank Compressor also comes with a true bypass feature.
ammoon Mosky Electric Guitar
Every pedal board needs a good power supply. And an overdrive. And maybe a compressor. Ammoon combines these three essentials into one multipurpose floor unit: the Tone Bus + Power Supply. You get not one, but two overdrive effects. Overdrive 1 is voiced like the popular OCD stomp with a High/Low Peak switch while Overdrive 2 is more tube-style like the TS9 Tube Screamer. It also comes with a Dyna Comp-based compressor and can supply power to up to eight separate pedals.
MXR Bass Compressor
The Bass Compressor lets you take your beloved studio compressor to the stage. It boasts a full arsenal of controls— Input, Output, Release, Attack, and Ratio—that helps you fine-tune your sound, from mild peak limiting to hard-squashed compression effects. The Bass Compressor features a Constant Headroom Technology, which allows you massive headroom and smooth performance. It comes in a sturdy, Phase 90-sized, lightweight aluminum enclosure. It includes true bypass switching to keep your low end clean and tight.
JHS Pedals Steak & Eggs
The Steak Eggs is a compressor/overdrive pedal that loads two killer pedals from two pedal powerhouses. JHS Pedals has teamed up with Keeley Electronics to provide you with two must-have circuits and some delectable surprises within one pedal. Delivering the right combination of compression and overdrive, the Steak Eggs pedal boasts a tweaked Keeley Electronics Compressor circuit and modified JHS Pedals Morning Glory circuit. The Steak Eggs is arguably one of the best compressor/overdrive pedals ever existed.
Pigtronix Philosopher King
Redefine your dynamics with the Philosopher King from Pigtronix. It takes Pigtronix’s legendary Philosopher’s Tone design even further, incorporating a comprehensive arsenal of ADSR controls, including hold level, fade, swell, one-shot mode, selectable auto reset, speed range, CV i/o and expression pedals for swell as well as fade times. With Fade and Swell features switched off, the Philosopher King delivers transparent optical compression with infinite sustain on tap. Adjustable sustain, compression, and treble controls let you tailor the effect’s nature as you see fit.
Wampler Mini Ego Compressor
When it comes to boutique guitar compression effect pedals, nothing gets as much praise as Wampler’s Ego Compressor. If you want the same level of compression quality and transparency but don’t quite have the space for it on you pedalboard, the Mini Ego Compressor is what you need. This minified Ego Compressor drops the Tone and Attack pots in favor of smaller switches which let you choose between dark or bright and slow or fast, respectively. Complete compression control in a compact chassis.
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.
JOYO BAND EQUALIZER
Whether you shred or keep the bottom end tight, Joyo’s R-12 10-Band Graphic Equalizer will be a welcome addition to your pedalboard. The 10-band EQ sliders give you full control over the 31.25Hz to 16 kHz frequency bands for serving up subterranean lows, sparkling mids, and highs that break through the stratosphere. As a part of Joyo’s Revolution or R Series line of pedals, the R-12 comes with some cool switchable ambient LED effects.
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.
Mooer Graphic G
Budget stompbox master Mooer is touting the Graphic G as the world’s smallest guitar EQ pedal. It does everything that the Graphic B does for bass, only this time for guitar signals. You get a level control range of up to +/- 18 dB across five EQ bands: 62.5 Hz, 125Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, and 4kHz. It also features an independent Level control knob for even more precise tone tuning. You can also make it pull double duty as a booster.
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.
Utility Pedals
Korg Pitchblack Custom (Black)
The Pitchblack Custom by Korg contains the first vertical 3D visual meter on a pedal tuner. Handy display modes and three-dimensional lights provide you with an exceptional level of visibility. Aside from enabling ultra-high +/- 0.1 cent tuning accuracy, it boasts true bypass switching for avoiding any coloration of your tone. The Pitchblack Custom has been built to give you years of trouble-free operation. Its sturdy aluminum die-cast enclosure includes a DC output allowing parallel connection for powering effect 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.
Carl Martin Buff Deluxe
The Buff Deluxe is built to run alongside huge multiple effects boards with plenty of true bypass effects. The drawback of utilizing true bypass effects is that your guitar signal stays high impedance, leading to the loss of high note because of the several feet of cables running at the pedalboard, and not the slightest from board to amp. The Buff Deluxe features a Mute switch that directs your signal to the Tuner Out. That enables the removal of even the tuner from the signal chain as well as convenient and silent guitar tuning.
ammoon Mini Chromatic Tuner
It might not be the most glamorous of guitar effects pedals, but a good tuner is a must-have essential for any and all musicians. Whether you shred a six-string or slap a bass, you can make sure you always stay in tune with the Mini Chromatic Tuner from ammoon. Its big, bright LED display lets you know your exact tuning easily even when you’re playing on a dark stage surrounded by dry ice fog, and its true bypass switch means you won’t have to worry about your guitar signal getting corrupted.
Korg Pitchblack Custom (White)
Housed in a limited edition sophisticated white enclosure, the Pitchblack Custom delivers pinpoint precision and exceptional visibility at your feet. Versatile display modes and three-dimensional lights provide an unparalleled level of visibility. Besides enabling extreme +/- 0.1 cent tuning accuracy, it has true bypass switching which avoids any coloration of your sound. The Pitchblack Custom boasts unprecedented precision and visibility for bassists and guitarists. Its high-efficiency, long-life design enables about thrice longer operation compared to the earlier model.
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 RC-202 Loop Station
The Boss RC-202 Loop Station is the perfect weapon for always-mobile beatboxers, club performers, and electronic musicians. With powerful looping and multi-effect functions packed into a compact tabletop unit, this two-track version of the popular RC-505 Loop Station features four Input FX and four Track FX, the ability to save loops to memories in real-time, and expanded foot control and MIDI capabilities. The Boss RC-202 Loop Station gives you full creative freedom whether you’re on stage or off.
MOOER Pedal Controller L6
The L6 Pedal Controller works equally well whether you want to rein in over a dozen stompboxes or just want to control half that number of pedals without worrying about stray stomps. This switcher unit from budget stomp maker Mooer features two modes, Preset and Live. The former is for consummate shoegazers, giving you a total of 36 possible preset effect loop combos. The latter is more straightforward, with each footswitch simply engaging and disengaging its respective effect loop. The L6 comes packed with a tuner, too.
Boss RC-3 Loop Station
The grown-up version of the RC-1, the Boss RC-3 Loop Station retains the former’s easy to use stompbox configuration while enhancing its powerful looping features. The RC-3’s massive internal memory means you can now record up to three hours of high-def stereo audio and store up to 99 loops. The RC-3 also comes with a real drums rhythm guide with real drums and USB 2.0 compatibility for importing and exporting WAV audio to a computer.
NUX Time Core Deluxe
The Time Core Deluxe by NUX gives you unique modes that you can’t find in most delay pedals. It boasts incredible versatility in delivering up to eight types of delays (Digital, Tap, Analog, Pan, P.Pong, Reverse, and Mod) to the utmost ambiance. The Tape mode will add a vintage flavor to your classic sound. You may also preserve your natural sound using the Digital delay mode. Whether modern or classic, the Analog mode constructed with bucket-brigade (BBD) device makes your sound more extraordinary and warmer.
Electro-Harmonix Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai
Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews says that “Hazarai” means “all the extra stuff.” That’s exactly what they crammed into the Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai. This guitar effects pedal is a multi-tap delay pedal, an echo with a reverse function, and a looper with up to 30 seconds of loop time. It also features tap tempo, vintage tape echo filtering, and you can store and load up to eight programmable presets. Definitely everything but the kitchen sink.
Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper
Packing twice the recording length of the Nano Looper 360, the 720 Stereo Looper from Electro-Harmonix is the perfect looping tool for both in-studio recording and onstage performances. You can record up to 10 independent loops of high-quality, uncompressed audio thanks to the 720’s onboard 24-bit A/D/A converters. You also get unlimited overdubs, stereo in and out, a jack for an external footswitch, a loop fadeout mode, Reverse and Half-Speed effects, and more.
Source Audio Reflex Universal Expression Controller
The Reflex Universal Expression Controller from Source Audio serves as a standalone command center for your every expression pedal need. This programmable expression pedal can control DAW software via USB and connect to any rack system, effects pedal, or synthesizer with an expression or MIDI jack. Its outputs include a USB port, MIDI five-pin DIN in/out connectors, three 1/4 ” analog expression outs, and the proprietary 1/8″ Sensor Out. The Reflex is capable of sending six LFO wave shapes with expression control over the depth, beat division, or modulation speed.
Empress Effects Phaser
Leveraging an innovative VCA-based design, the Empress Effects Phaser delivers exceptional signal-to-noise ratio. It is the new generation in the advancement of digitally-controlled analog tech. It boasts a pure analog signal path but is managed by a microprocessor, enabling it to preserve its analog flavor and character while adding possibilities for adaptability and control. It is capable of very funky auto-wah, classic jet sounds, and ring modulators, as well as Univibe and vibrato sounds on tap.
Strymon Volante
With the Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine, you enjoy the full gamut of analog-esque echoes—reel-to-reel studio echo, tape echo, and magnetic drum echo. It also serves as a multi-head delay with separate vintage spring reverb and onboard looper. The Volante pedal lets you dial in the vintage vibe, from the organic saturation and soft clipping of overdriven magnetic media to machine speed, head spacing, wear, mechanics, and more. You can get full control over each parameter through MIDI.
Donner Giant Metal
The Donner Giant Metal is an invaluable, insane distortion pedal within an aluminium-alloy chassis. The Hi Boost gives you the most expressive metal sound. Showcasing a more flexible and sharper metal sound by selecting three mods and adjusting three sound buttons. That gives you abundant impressive metal sound conveniently. Three modes include Hi Boost, Boost Off, and Lo Boost. Improving the pedal’s high frequency makes the heavy tone-color and hard skills perform better. The Giant Metal enables you to design your unique guitar sound in various live performances swiftly.
Donner Jet Convolution
Get an outstanding flanger at a bargain price with the Donner Jet Convolution. A lot is going on in such a compact pedal. The Jet Convolution features true bypass and a toggle switch for selecting between Filter and Normal modes. In the Normal mode, the pedal acts like a regular flanger, while the Filter mode is what your manual mode would be. The Jet Convolution consists of a giant Rate knob plus smaller Range and Color knobs that are pretty intuitive to use.
Source Audio Soundblox2 OFD Guitar microModeler
The Soundblox 2 OFD Guitar microModeler by Source Audio gives you an extensive range of vintage and modern overdrive, distortion, and fuzz tones in a portable, stage-ready enclosure suitable for guitarists of any genre. Every effect was meticulously created to deliver naturally responsive and precise tones, from chunky, warm tube overdrive to exaggerated fuzz. The Guitar OFD serves up twelve noticeably natural tones modeled after favorites, including Mesa Boogie preamp overdrive, Big Muff Pi, Fuzz Face, Octavia, Pro Co Rat, Tube Screamer, and Marshall Amplifiers.
Rowin ABY Line
They might not be considered the stars of the show, but line selectors and channel switchers are definitely among the most essential workhorses of a good pedalboard. The LEF-330 ABY selector from budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin is a versatile selector pedal, letting your signal flow from A or B to Y or vice versa. You can connect two instruments—an electric and an acoustic guitar, for example—to one amp or use the LEF-330 ABY to throw your instrument’s signal to two separate amps for a true stereo attack.
Caline Blue Ocean
Getting great, natural-sounding delay tones doesn’t have to be expensive, and the Caline CP-19 Blue Ocean Delay guitar effect pedal proves it. You can dial in a delay time of anywhere from 25ms to 600ms with the Delay knob and then use the Repeat knob to control the delay signal’s repeats for slap back effects and classic delays. The Caline CP-19 Blue Ocean Delay comes with a true bypass feature and can be powered by a 9V battery or compatible power supply.
Big Joe B-406
The Big Joe B-406 A/B Switcher does one thing—let you switch between two different channels—and does it really well. It’s simple to operate, the switch is extremely quiet, and is all passive with virtually no additional overall noise. It also has two bright LEDs that indicate which of the two channels are active, so you don’t have to strain your ears to verify that the right amp is engaged while you’re in the middle of a gig.
DigiTech FS3X
The FS3X is a valuable addition to various DigiTech products, including Expression Factory, the JamMan, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and others. It boasts improved functionality and hands-free control of UP/DOWN choice of models, loop selection, mode adjustments, auto START/STOPS, as well as arms auto record where appropriate. Portable and compact, the FS3X’s mini footprint occupies minimal space inside your gig bag or on stage. The DigiTech FS3X features a durable three-button metal chassis construction and 10′ stereo TRS cable.
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.
EarthQuaker Devices Swiss Things
Tone-suck is a prevalent pedalboard problem, but with the Swiss Things pedalboard reconciler from EarthQuaker Devices, it’s practically a thing of the past. It lets you use as many pedals as you want without having to worry about loss of tone, bypass or engage all of your pedals with a single footswitch, give your pedals Flexi-Switch capabilities, and more. The Swiss Things junction box and loop switcher can act as the true beating heart of your pedalboard setup.
NUX Lacerate
A tiny pedal with a ginormous boost, the Lacerate FET Boost from NUX features two bypass modes (True Bypass or Buffer Bypass), two boost options, and a simple control-knob. Its surprisingly simple user interface comes from NUX’s intricate dual FET circuit design. It allows you the choice between two boosting modes: Clean and Crank. The Lacerate FET Boost pedal includes an integrated voltage-doubler that automatically converts 9V to 18V, providing you with massive headroom and dynamic.
Truetone Pure Tone
Before it changed its name to Truetone, Visual Sound had been making guitar effects pedals for two decades. Among the many innovations it created was the buffer circuit in its pedal releases. Now, under the Truetone moniker, that very same buffer circuit has been made available in pedal form. Put it first in your effects chain and the Truetone Pure Tone Buffer pedal will eliminate cable capacitance and tone suck, common headaches for musicians with long guitar cables.
Vertex Dynamic Distortion
The Dynamic Distortion by Vertex is a sonic mix of rock ’n’ roll’s two most legendary distortion pedals: the 80s TS Overdrive and 60s Germanium Fuzz. This iconic combination gives you unrivaled touch sensitivity and clean-up with your guitar volume control from sparkly clean to fuzz to overdrive while delivering the full-bodied woolliness of an old-school fuzz and the midrange cut of a vintage TS pedal. The Dynamic Distortion boasts all the benefits of mixing the tonal DNA of these iconic pedals without the drawbacks.
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.
Empress Effects Buffer
The Buffer from Empress Effects has been built to serve as the complete I/O interface for your pedalboard while preserving the highest fidelity of your guitar signal. For decades, guitarists have been struggling with signal loss resulting from long, unbuffered cable runs. The Buffer aims to erase that signal loss, making sure that your cables will never affect your tone. Moreover, it consolidates all your pedalboard’s connectivity to make the set up convenient and fast.
Wampler dB+
Tone suck—it’s what happens when you have too many cables between your guitar and your amp. Your tone suffers and loses those sweet natural high frequency notes, giving you a muddy overall sound. Wampler’s Decibel Plus solves that problem by delivering top of the line independent buffering and full frequency boosting without taking up a lot of space on your pedalboard. Not only do you get to keep those natural high frequencies, you also get a clean boost to make sure your guitar floats above the mix.
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.
Donner Noise Killer
The Noise Killer is arguably one of the most competitive noise gate pedals you can find on a limited budget. It delivers the core performance and features that are essential for a decent pedal of this kind. It lets you choose between Hard and Soft modes, which provide hard effect and soft effect of noise reduction respectively. The threshold range goes from -70dB to +10dB. The Noise Killer comes in an aluminium-alloy enclosure, and like many great effector pedals, it also features a true bypass function.
Behringer Noise Reducer
Cut all those annoying hums, buzzes, and unwanted noises out of your guitar signal entirely with the Behringer Noise Reducer NR300. You can dial in your perfect response using the Threshold and Decay knobs, use the send and return loop to reduce noise from your other pedals, or even cut out your signal entirely with a single stomp. If you love using guitars with single-coil pickups and high-gain amps but hate all those extra noises that clutter up your signal, this is the pedal for you.
Caline The Noise
Any noise in your guitar signal should only be limited to the noise you want to add to it. Cut out any unwanted noises and hums with the Caline CP-39 The Noise, a noise gate pedal that won’t take a big chunk out of both your wallet and your precious pedalboard real estate. Two main control knobs drive the CP-39: a sensitivity knob that dictates at what level the noise gate becomes active and a two-way toggle that lets you choose between a steep volume cut or a smoother, more gradual cut.
Mooer Noise Killer
Pop the Noise Killer at the end of your pedal chain and say goodbye to annoying buzzes, hisses, and hums. This noise gate pedal from budget stompbox maker Mooer ticks all of the important boxes: it’s tonally transparent, has a wide threshold range that goes from -70dB to +10dB, and has silky smooth gating. You can also set the gating to Hard or Soft with a two-way toggle switch. Set it, forget it, and enjoy a noiseless signal.
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Noisy signals are the bane of musicians the world over. That’s why noise suppressor pedals have become pedalboard mainstays, and the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor is one of the best options available. It uses a unique noise detection circuit that identifies and separates your instrument’s signal from the noise and hum components, eliminating the latter while letting the former shine through with its natural attack and sonic envelope perfectly preserved. You can dial in the precise amount of noise elimination and suppression via dedicated Threshold and Decay knobs.
Singular Sound BeatBuddy
Introducing a drum machine within a guitar pedal format—the BeatBuddy by Singular Sound. It allows you hands-free and creative control of the beat. You can conveniently insert fills, throw in drum breaks, add accent hits, shift from verse to chorus, and more, to produce an unparalleled live drummer effect—all in an iconic, natural 24-bit sound. The BeatBuddy is loaded with features for all kinds of musicians. A visual beat display makes it effortless to enhance rhythm or play with unusual time signatures.
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.
NUX JTC
When the NUX Mini Core pedals hit the market, NUX has received requests to include a loop pedal in the collection, so here comes the Jam Track Creator (JTC) Drum & Loop pedal. It is the tiniest 24-bit loop pedal featuring an auto-detection drum machine. The JTC Drum & Loop Mini allows you to select from 11 inbuilt drum rhythms. It gives you unlimited overdubs and up to six minutes recording in 24-bit high-resolution audio quality. Loop and Drum volumes are adjustable individually.
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,
Digitech Jam Man
DigiTech’s JamMan Stereo Looper boasts the ability to save 35 minutes of CD-quality loops within 99 internal memories and an SD memory card expansion slot that allows you to store more than 16 hours of material in an added 99 slots. It also includes reverse playback, true stereo looping, and a mic input making it suitable for DJ applications and backing tracks. The JamMan Stereo has USB connectivity and will sync to the JamManager XT software which organizes and records your JamMan Stereo loops to your Mac or PC.
Nux Loop Core
The NUX Loop Core is a turbocharged variant of the original and already the most versatile Looper in the market. NUX covered all the essentials in a Looper that lets you record and play back several layers, but now it incorporated a different level of goodies. Boasting 99 personal-user memories, 40 inbuilt drum patterns and now, a new range of well-thought-out user assists. Whether you compose, rehearse, or play live gigs, you will appreciate the innovative features of the Loop Core.
Other Pedals
ZVex Super Seek Wah
The Super Seek Wah is light years ahead of the iconic ’60s wah that redefined modern music. A juiced up 16 step version of boutique guitar effects company Zvex’s original Seek Wah sequencer, the Super Seek Wah is a powerful and flexible sequencer that you can use no matter the time signature you’re playing in simply by choosing between 1 to 16 steps in the sequence. The Super Seek Wah also features tap tempo control, MIDI sync, expression pedal compatibility, eight programmable memory banks, and delta speed control.
Morley George Lynch Dragon 2
Breathe fire into your sound with the George Lynch Dragon 2 Wah, the signature wah pedal of metal legend George Lynch. The product of close collaboration between Lynch and the wah masters at Morley, the Dragon 2 Wah comes with three wah modes. The first mode, Wah, is Lynch’s signature wah sound. The second mode, Wow, has extra gain to cut through the mix during a solo. The third and final mode is Wah Lock, which lets you park the wah in a static position without having to move the treadle at all.
Xvive V17 Singing Autowah
Xvive’s Singing Autowah is the perfect tool for adding both slow and fast staccato effects and funked out wah tones to your sound, whether you’re rocking a guitar or bass. You get a dynamic wah effect on your strums and funky twangs when soloing. Even better, it has a quick auto-reset envelope so you don’t leave the effect behind when you’re blazing through a solo. Its small size makes it ideal for crowded and go-bag style pedalboards, but that also means you need a compatible DC power supply to get this pedal going.
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.
Morley M2 Maverick Contour Wah
Vintage construction or modern convenience? Morley makes picking the right wah pedal even easier with the M2 Maverick Contour Wah, a wah pedal that marries the vintage pot-based wah approach with modern optical design. Apart from the switchable dual wah modes, the M2 Maverick features Morley’s famous Electro-Optical potless circuit design along with Audio 1000K slide pot for all your classic tone and Q shaping needs. The M2 Maverick also features switchless operation and True-Tone Bypass.
Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah
It’s Fulltone’s popular Clyde Standard wah pedal, but more versatile. The Clyde Deluxe Wah enhances the original Clyde’s Vox-style wah voicings and added a 10-step variable input level control pot and three new selectable modes. You get a Wacked mode, a Jimi mode that recreates the Clyde Standard sound, and a Shaft mode for fighting your way to the top of Funk Mountain. The Clyde Deluxe Wah also features true bypass and is powered by the most authentic and most quiet ’60’s Vox type inductor available.
Danelectro D-8 Fab Delay
The Danelectro Fab D-8 Delay guitar effect pedal dishes out up to 600ms of amazingly musical delay at an unbeatable price point. Proving that you can get a lot of flexibility out of a mere three control knobs, you can use the dedicated Delay, Time, and Repeat knobs to dial in anything from a quick and fast slapback effect to long, spacey delays. A worthy digital delay to add to any budget-conscious musician’s everyday pedalboard setup.
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.
Mooer Baby Water
The Baby Water delay and chorus guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox maker Mooer provides acoustic guitar players a pair of must-have effects in a very tiny, very affordable package. Even if you don’t have a pedalboard, the Baby Water is so small you can literally put it in your pocket and take it to gigs. It comes packed with delay and chorus effects that can be used either individually or in conjunction with each other, all selectable via a dedicated rotary dial.
Rowin Octpus
Budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin serves up a wide range of polyphonic octave pitch shift effects in the tiny and economical LEF-3806 Octpus, a straightforward yet versatile octave stomp. The Oct 1 and Oct pots control the output of the upper and sub octaves, while the Dry knob controls the amount of dry signal that’s blended into the mix. It also features a three-way toggle that lets you choose to go an octave up, an octave down, or both at the same time.
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.
Mooer Woodverb
The Woodverb from budget stompbox maker Mooer is a reverb guitar effects pedal tuned specifically for expanding the tonal palettes of acoustic guitars. The Woodverb comes with three reverb modes, all selectable via a three-position toggle switch. First is the classic, lush space of the pedal’s magnificent plate reverb. The second mode adds a subtle chorus effect to the reverb. The third and final mode adds mild filtering into the mix for a snappier attack.
Rowin Trill
An optical tremolo stomp that can literally fit in the palm of your hand. The LN-327 Trill nano pedal from budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin serves up a vintage Fender Twin-inspired pulsating tremolo tone that will add more dimension to your guitar tone. The LN-327 Trill is all undulating waves, whether you’re going for a classic surf rock tone or a more intense and mind bending photoelectric tremolo effect. The LN-327 Trill also comes with an EQ circuit for additional tone shaping options.
Electro-Harmonix Battalion
The rugged, versatile, and 100% all-analog Battalion Bass Preamp and DI is an essential addition to any bass player’s pedalboard. Its powerful tone-shaping features include a four-band equalizer with dedicated Bass, Lo Mid, Mid, and Treble controls; a compressor for extra fat sound and lengthy sustain; a noise gate with adjustable threshold control; a MOSFET distortion section that can dish out a wide variety of bass-optimized distortion effects and has its own footswitch; and more.
Xvive V15 Tone Shaper Equalizer
The Tone Shaper from budget guitar effects pedal maker Xvive is a two-band EQ stack in micro pedal form. Each of its two multi-pole sharp cutoff filters can provide up to 6dB of gain and works equally well with a with bass or guitar. It’s easy to use, too, with Lows and Highs micro pots as well as a Level knob for controlling the overall volume. Plug in, tweak, and play—it’s as simple as that.
MOOER Bass Ensemble Queen
The Ensemble Queen is an analog chorus effect pedal built specifically to handle the signature low frequencies of a bass guitar. This budget- and pedalboard-friendly compact stompbox from Mooer features a full complement of tone-shaping controls; you get dedicated micro knobs for Level, Tone, and Depth as well as a full-sized Rate dial. The Ensemble Queen also comes packed with a true bypass feature and can be powered by a standard Boss-style 9V DC adapter.
MXR Blowtorch
The Bass Blow Torch Distortion by MXR can go from a classic tube-esque growl to searing high-gain distortion with a three-position Mid Shift switch, active three-band EQ, and Blend knob to preserve your low end. By concentrating the overdrive in the midrange frequencies, the Bass Blow Torch allows you to maintain high end sizzle and low end thunder while distorted mids lead the way to even the densest mix. The Blend control enables you to balance your distortion and direct signal.
Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus
When you’re all about that bass, you need a chorus pedal that can keep up with your bottom end. The Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus is specially designed to handle the strictest demands of a professional bass player, applying rich chorus effects to higher frequencies while minimizing muddiness on the low end with a Low Filter knob. The Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus is the perfect stompbox for bassists who want a greater range of expression and a resonating, more compelling sound.
Mission Engineering VM-Pro (Red)
Housed in a fiery red chassis, the VM-PRO by Mission Engineering is the most sophisticated volume pedal you will find. It addresses several common issues with volume pedals, which result in mismatching and tone sucking problems. It works with your baritone, bass, electro-acoustic, or electric guitars. The VM-PRO is also compatible with other electric and acoustic instruments such as steel guitars, electronic keyboards, and instrument microphones. It incorporates compatibility switches for utilization with passive/active pickups as well as fuzz pedals.
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.
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.
Boss FV-30L
Built like a tank and small enough to save valuable real estate on your pedalboard, the Boss FV-30 series of foot volume pedals is the epitome of the workhorse volume pedal. These volume pedals built using 100-percent professional-grade, aluminum die-cast units with smooth pivot action that registers even the most subtle of volume changes. The Boss FV-30L foot Volume pedal is a low-impedance pedal with stereo input and output specially designed for other stompboxes and digital instruments.
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.
Dunlop Volume X
Keep your effect pedal parameters in check or produce amazingly smooth volume swells with Dunlop’s DVP3 Volume (X) Pedal. This amazing pedal is compact, solidly-built, and ready for the road. The Volume (X) Pedal manages volume and FX parameters, boasting an adjustable rocker tension and Dunlop’s patent-pending Low Friction Band-Drive for supreme durability—all within a pedalboard-friendly enclosure. Together with FX, Volume, and Output jacks, the DVP3 also includes a handy Tuner output for quiet tuning onstage.
Mission Engineering EP-25-Pro Aero Gold Carbon
Donning a beautiful gold carbon fiber graphic finish, the EP-25-Pro Aero Gold Carbon expression pedal is perfect for guitar, acoustic instruments, keyboards, and both studio and live use. It incorporates individual polarity switches for every channel. That enables compatibility with a broad range of pedals, modeling amps, MIDI controllers, keyboards, rack effects, and other expression controlled devices. The EP-25-Pro features a fully sealed 25K Ohm linear taper potentiometer for durability and smooth action. The all-aluminum Aero is half the weight of a regular Mission pedal.
Source Audio Reflex Universal Expression Controller
The Reflex Universal Expression Controller from Source Audio serves as a standalone command center for your every expression pedal need. This programmable expression pedal can control DAW software via USB and connect to any rack system, effects pedal, or synthesizer with an expression or MIDI jack. Its outputs include a USB port, MIDI five-pin DIN in/out connectors, three 1/4 ” analog expression outs, and the proprietary 1/8″ Sensor Out. The Reflex is capable of sending six LFO wave shapes with expression control over the depth, beat division, or modulation speed.
Ernie Ball Expression Tremolo
WIth its rocker-style pedal form, the Ernie Ball Expression Series Tremolo pedal gives you complete and precise control over its sweepable tremolo effects without requiring any extra expression pedal attachments. Choose from five different tremolo waveforms—Slow Rise, Slow Fall, Sine, Square, and Harmonic—and then use the treadle to control the tremolo depth and rate individually or both at the same time. Leave the treadle open in the zero position and you get an ultra-clear transparent signal that doesn’t color your core tone at all.
Korg EXP-2 Expression
Bring your keyboard playing to life with Korg’s EXP-2 Foot Controller. You can use this ultra-versatile foot controller as a compact and lightweight expression pedal when using OUTPUT-2 or a volume pedal when employing OUTPUT-1 and INPUT-1. You may set the minimum volume in a range from zero to about 50%. The EXP-2 works with most Korg keyboards, modules and effect processors. It features a selectable minimum setting through the side-mounted slide control and carries a three-conductor cable.
Donner Viper Mini
The Donner Viper Mini is a two-in-one Expression/Volume pedal with a super lightweight housing that gives you convenience. This mighty little pedal features an excellent Expression response as well as Volume function. The Viper Mini instantly detects and catches the output source (EXP/Vol) objective. It also includes a special analog circuit design and smooth taper that precisely responds to different parameters. The Viper Mini comes in a sturdy, hard plastic compact enclosure and works without a pedal power supply or battery.
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 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.
Two Notes Torpedo Captor 16
The 16 Ohm Torpedo Captor from boutique guitar effects pedal maker Two Notes is the minified version of the award winning Torpedo Reload reactive loadbox. Using Two Notes’ reactive technology, the Captor can mimic the impedance of a speaker perfectly, making you sound like you’re connected to a real amp cabinet even when you’re plugged straight into a PA, a mixer, a recording station, or even a pair of headphones. Use it with the Torpedo C.A.B.’s virtual cabinet collection for an even wider array of ampless tonal possibilities.
Joyo Rushing Train
The JF-306 Rushing Train guitar effects pedal from Joyo is all about big Vox sound, specifically that of Vox’s much-loved Night Train amp series. With four dedicated control knobs for tone shaping, you get pure British-flavored tube amp crunch that’s highly sensitive to picking dynamics. As part of Joyo’s Ironman line, the JF-306 Night Train is small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover to keep your control dial settings safe.
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.
Mooer Acoustikar
The Mooer Acoustikar does just what you’d expect a pedal with that name to do: give your electric guitar the strummy, woody sound of an acoustic. It shines at giving your guitar signal the shortened, glassy resonance that characterizes a good acoustic guitar. Of the Acoustikar’s three modes, Standard is pretty much your basic acoustic sound. The sound of a full-body dreadnought guitar is simulated by Jumbo mode. A Piezo mode rounds out the three voicings.
TC Helicon Talkbox Synth Pedal
The Talkbox Synth pedal from TC Helicon serves up new and vintage sounds to your arsenal. From wonderfully electronic talking robot effects to easily distinguishable talkbox hose-in-the-mouth sounds, picture yourself commanding attention at gigs and jams. Even while the effect is off, the Talkbox Synth is capable of drastically enhancing your core vocal sound with studio-quality reverbs, pitch correction, and Adaptive Tone. Designed and engineered in Canada, the Talkbox Synth comes in a sturdy, roadworthy chassis for years of reliable performance.
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.
WMD Geiger Counter Pro
This is the future of digital dirt. WMD’s Geiger Counter boutique distortion guitar effects pedal delivers a cornucopia of dirt tones, from the classic and recognizable to some insanely twisted, octave folded lo fi fuzz that brings to mind the irradiated wind that follows in the wake of a mushroom cloud. The Geiger Counter Pro is the evolved version of the Geiger Counter that crawls out of that radiation fallout. It ups the number of wavetables to 512 in total, has a wavetable morphing feature, comes with 16 switchable presets, and is even upgradeable via USB..
Dr. Scientist Bitquest
Dr. Scientist’s BitQuest is equipped with eight digital effects that work even sans an inbuilt digital fuzz. This innovative pedal has got you covered wherever the future takes you. It is arguably among the most exciting multi-headed beasts within the boutique world. The BitQuest packs Flanger, Infinite Reverb, Bit Crusher, High Pass and Low Pass Filters, Ring Mod, Notch Filter, Glitch Delay, and Pitch Shift into a single pedal. A simple interface enables seamless control of each parameter, paving the way to a previously undiscovered sonic territory.
EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander V2
The Bit Commander is EarthQuaker Devices’ love letter to old-school 8-bit beeps and primitive synth sounds. It features four octaves of vintage square wave synth tones which you can sculpt to sonic perfection by adding or subtracting octaves. The Bit Commander lets you easily make your guitar sound like a whole squad of analog synths with a single stomp. The V2 release builds on the original by adding soft-touch relay-based switching for truly silent operation.
Electro-Harmonix B9 Organ Machine
It’s always fun to make a guitar sound like a completely different instrument. If old-school organ tones are your thing, then the B9 Organ Machine from Electro-Harmonix is the perfect guitar effects pedal for you. It doesn’t just work with a guitar either; plug in a modern keyboard and you can make it sound like it came straight from a ‘60s recording studio. The B9 comes with nine classic organ-voiced presets, setting-specific modulation effects, and a dedicated control knob for percussive click sounds.