Pedal Types

Here's a brief description of pedal types. This is by no means a complete list,
just a basic categories of effects pedals and what they can add to your sound.

Gain Pedals - Gain pedals include Distortion, Overdrive and Fuzz Pedals. Gain pedals take the guitar signal and then distort the signal waveform in various ways. Distortion pedals emulate an overdriven amp pushed to it's limit. Fuzz adds a vintage fuzz sound that recreates an overdriven amp with torn speakers. Overdrive provides more sustain than a distortion pedal and may contain less bass and may be preferred by blues players. Example of gain pedals are Divided by 13 Lift Boost, Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Overdrive, Keeley Time Machine Boost/Overdrive and the Rockett Boost.

Echo Pedals - Echo/Delay pedals take the guitar signal, copy it and then play the two signals with a slight delay between them creating an echo. A "slap back" pedal records a single copy with minimal delay. Echo Pedals offer multiple copies and/or lengthy delays. Some echo effects actually use tape to record the signal and create an echo ranging from a quick slap back to a 1 second delay. A Reverb creates the sensation of being in a large hall or auditorium. Many amps include reverb tanks which use a coiled spring to create the reverb effect. A Looper is the ultimate delay allowing you to store entire riffs and play them back later. You're not limited to guitar as you can record voice, drums and virtually any instrument. Examples include the Eventide Time Factor delay, HBE Mimic, T-Rex Room Mate Reverb, and the amazing Fulltone Tube Tape Echo.

Modulation Pedals - Modulation pedals include Phasers, Flangers, Chorus and Tremolo pedals. These pedals use many of the techniques of echo pedals although with much shorter delay times. They are used to add depth and phased movement to the guitars tone without adding a lot of distortion. The Chorus creates multiple voices which are slightly above and below the signal of the original input creating a fuller sound. Phasers split the guitar signal and take one signal path and shift the phase from 0 to 360 degrees out of phase creating a "swooshing" sound which varies with how the two signals interact. The Flanger is essentially a phaser with a more control of how the two waves interact creating a more heavy handed sound. The tremolo creates an even repetitive trembling warbling like effect where the user can change the frequency of the rise and fall of the tremble.

Equalizer Pedals - Equalizer pedals come in Graphic and Parametric flavors. Graphic equalizers provide slider controls to boost or town down specific frequencies in your signal. Parametric equalizers often feature dials rather than sliders and manipulate frequencies with more precise control of tone. The Compressor pedal is basically a volume control that evens out the overall volume of an instrument increasing the volume for quiet notes and decreasing volume for loud notes. It's also used to increase the sustain of a guitar. A compressor will have a dramatic effect on some pedals particularly distortion and overdrive pedals. Keeley makes excellent 2 and 4 knob compressors. An Envelope Filter creates sweeping Wah like effects without having to use a rocking foot pedal.

Wah Pedals - A Wah pedal is a foot operated filter which allows different frequencies to pass depending on the position of the pedal. Some wahs have other in-line effects to modify the signal before the wah filter. A Fuzz is a popular one to incorporate creating a Fuzz-Wah.

Multi-Effects Pedals - There are also Multi-Effects Pedals which incorporate many pedals into one box providing flexibility to add and subtract pedals from the signal to create thousands of effects. The 're great for players who don't want to mess with a pedalboard and miles of cables. The TC Electronic Nova pedals are an example of Multi-Effects Pedals.