Essential Guitar & Bass Effects - Your Comprehensive Guide
Distortion, reverb, delay & more: an overview of the must-have pedals
What effects pedals are there and what are they good for?
On our website you will find many comprehensive comparisons of multi-effects pedals for guitarists and bassists. However, classic single effects pedals still have a place in many musicians' rigs. Whether you want to expand your multi-effects unit with specific single-effects pedals or build a completely customised pedalboard, the choice of pedals is huge and can be overwhelming, especially at the beginning.
In this guide, we'll introduce you to the most important types of effects pedals for guitar and bass. From distortion, reverb, delay and compressor to modulation modulation, wah-wah, equaliser and looper, you'll find out what each pedal is good for and which models are best for beginners. We also give you helpful tips on what to look out for when buying an effects pedal, so you can find the right one for your sound.
Distortion (Distortion & Overdrive)
The guide to the 5 best distortion pedals
Distortion and overdrive, often referred to as fuzz or screamer are among the most well-known and widely used guitar effects. Since the 1960s, these pedals have been essential for guitarists playing genres such as blues, rock and metal.
An overdrive pedal mimics the natural distortion that occurs when a tube amplifier is overdriven. This overdrive results in a phenomenon called clipping, where the waveform of the audio signal is cut off at the peaks. There are two types of clipping: soft clipping, where the waveform is rounded off, creating a dynamic, differentiated sound, and hard clipping, where the sound is more aggressive and clipped.
Distortion pedals tend to produce hard clipping, which results in a much harder and more brutal sound, ideal for metal and heavy rock players. Overdrive pedals, on the other hand, produce soft clipping and are ideal for softer blues and rock sounds.
If you want to learn more about distortion effects or buy a distortion or overdrive pedal, we have a special article on the 5 best distortion pedals to give you a good overview.
Our distortion pedal recommendation
Reverb (Hall)
The guide to the 5 best reverb pedals
Reverb, also known as Hall, is an indispensable classic among effect pedals. It adds depth and spaciousness to the sound and is appreciated by almost all guitarists. Especially in undistorted or slightly distorted passages, a reverb pedal gives a more epic sound by creating the illusion of playing in larger spaces.
With a reverb pedal, you can simulate different environments, from small rooms to churches or concert halls. Most reverb pedals have several fine tuning controls, the most important of which is the 'Size' control. This determines how big the simulated room should sound. In an effects chain, reverb is often used as the last effect to add reverberation to the overall signal.
No pedalboard should be without a reverb effect, not even a beginner's setup. Reverb is almost mandatory for undistorted genres, but a subtle reverb tail also adds depth to rock and metal.
If you want to find out more about reverb pedals or buy a reverb pedal, we have put together an article on the 5 best reverb pedals to give you a comprehensive overview.
Our reverb pedal recommendation
Delay (Echo)
Guide to the 5 best delay pedals
A delay pedal allows you to add an adjustable echo to your playing. Your sound is played back with a short delay, hence the name 'delay'. This effect gives the notes you play a longer sustain, making them stand out more in the mix. Reverb and delay both belong to the family of echo effects, but with reverb the echo is so short that it is inaudible, while delay creates a clear, audible echo. These two effects complement each other very well and can be used together to create complex soundscapes.
Do you always need a delay pedal? Not necessarily, but it's definitely worth considering as you expand your setup.
If you want to learn more about delay effects or buy a delay pedal, you can find a comprehensive overview in our article on the 5 best delay pedals.
Our delay recommendation
Compressor
The guide to the 5 best compressor pedals
Compressors limit the dynamic range of your sound by making soft tones louder and loud tones softer. This makes your playing sound more even and compact. A compressor is particularly useful if you are playing a clean part that is in danger of being lost in your band's mix. Compressors are usually placed at the beginning of the effects chain, often just after the guitar. Many compressor pedals also allow you to extend the sustain of your sound, which can add expression to your playing.
A compressor is not essential for beginners. We think it's worth investing in basic effects like distortion or reverb before adding a compressor.
If you want to learn more about compressor effects or buy a compressor pedal, you can find a comprehensive overview in our article on the 5 best compressor pedals.
Our compressor recommendation
Modulators: Chorus, Flanger, Phaser
Modulation effects change the waveform of the sound, creating a highly altered sound, often reminiscent of a synthesiser. The most common modulation effects are chorus, flanger and phaser.
Chorus adds slightly pitch-shifted copies to the input signal. The effect is similar to a human choir: because not every voice sounds exactly the same, a full, harmonious overall sound is created.
Flanger adds a variable delay to the input signal, which is then mixed with the original signal. This effect was particularly popular in the 1970s and is typical of the sound of that era.
The phaser shifts the input signal out of phase and mixes it back into the unaltered signal, making the sound seem to 'wander' - sometimes closer, sometimes further away.
Whether or not you should use modulation effects as a beginner depends very much on your musical taste. Many guitarists are better off starting with distortion/overdrive and reverb.
Our chorus recommendation
Wah-Wah Pedals
The guide to the 5 best wah-wah pedals
The wah-wah pedal is responsible for the legendary sounds of guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Eric Clapton and Kirk Hammett. This pedal is designed as an expression pedal, so you can control the effect continuously with your foot. In terms of sound, the Wah-Wah gives your sound an almost vocal character by switching between a low-pass and a high-pass filter. This change creates the typical 'weeping' sound that makes the wah-wah so distinctive.
Whether or not you should buy a wah-wah pedal as a beginner depends very much on your own musical tastes. However, as it is a very popular pedal, there is a good chance that it will become part of your pedalboard sooner or later. A wah-wah pedal isn't essential for beginners, but it's definitely a purchase you'll enjoy.
If you want to find out more about wah-wah pedals or buy one, you can get a comprehensive overview in our article on the 5 best wah-wah pedals.
Our wah-wah recommendation
Equaliser
You can use an equaliser to boost or cut certain frequencies in your sound. For example, you can brighten up a guitar with too little treble, or cut frequencies that are too dominant. An equaliser pedal is usually connected directly before the amplifier, where it can have a big effect on the overall sound. However, an equaliser can also be placed directly after the guitar in the effects chain if you want to adjust the basic sound of your guitar.
An equaliser pedal is not essential for beginners, as you can often control a lot with the guitar's tone controls and the amp's equaliser settings. In the medium term, however, an equaliser gives you enormous flexibility and will become an indispensable tool in your rig. If your budget allows, buying an equaliser is a good investment from the start. When buying an equaliser, look at how many frequency bands it can control - the more bands, the more control you have over your sound.
Our equaliser recommendation
Looper
A looper makes it easy to record and play back riffs and song parts. If you're a solo artist, it's a great way to build up your songs live, layer by layer, until you sound like a whole band - even if you're on stage alone. The principle is simple: you record an initial track and then gradually add more parts by overdubbing. A looper is not an effect in the traditional sense, but a versatile tool that expands your creative possibilities.
Although a looper pedal is not a must for beginners, it can be very helpful. Especially if you're new to the band and don't have any bandmates, a looper will help you develop a feel for the interplay between multiple tracks. It is also an easy way to record and develop song ideas without the need for complex digital audio workstations.
Practical: Many loopers also come with a drum machine to help you practice or perform.
To help you choose the right looper, we have put together a comprehensive comparison page with reviews of the best looper pedals.
Our looper recommendation
Volume and expression
A volume pedal brings one thing to your setup above all else: Convenience. Although both your amplifier and your guitar have volume controls, a volume pedal allows you to control the volume with your foot. Not only can you control the volume, but you can actively integrate it into your playing and turn it into a means of expression.
An expression pedal looks like a volume pedal, but has a different function. An expression pedal allows you to control the intensity of certain effects, such as the depth of a chorus or the speed of a phaser. However, an expression pedal is only useful in conjunction with a compatible effects unit.
In our experience, beginners do not need an expression pedal. A volume pedal, on the other hand, can be a worthwhile purchase, as it will make your playing more comfortable and dynamic. However, both pedals are not essential for beginners.
Our expression recommendation
Conclusion
We hope this article has been a useful guide to single effects pedals. If you're going for a classic rig and don't want to use a multi-effects unit, we suggest you start with a distortion or overdrive pedal (depending on your musical tastes), a reverb, a volume and possibly a wah-wah.
If you like the sound of the 70s, you might also consider a chorus, flanger or phaser. In the medium term, you will probably have at least one pedal from each of these categories in your setup.