Every guitarist wants to achieve perfection and get that one sound that will caress your ears. To succeed in the search, it is necessary to become the happy owner of the best guitar pedals. What you need to pay attention to when choosing a pedal, we will try to determine in this article.
The best manufacturers regularly offer new electronic devices and circuits that transform the signal from the guitar beyond recognition, revealing the limitless possibilities of this unique musical instrument.
Best guitar pedals in 2024 Reviews
ZOOM MS-50G
Zoom leads the market of musical equipment, delighting its admirers with unique novelties. Its main feature is a multi-effect (more than 50). It can play up to 6 variations at the same time. It is controlled by three regulators-buttons. The display shows the set options. The USB port gives the possibility to change the firmware.
Advantages:
- high emulation;
- Power is via the use of USB, 2 AA batteries, or a power adapter;
- There is a constant updating of the product;
- It is possible to control the energy consumption;
- small size.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult for beginners;
- USB causes third-party noise.
ELECTRO-HARMONIX NANO LOOPER 360
The American manufacturer’s device gives you the ability to transform any electric guitar into an electric piano. A compact looper that provides the ability to create a multi-layered backing to elevate the mood of the audience. You can adjust the volume level of the recorded pieces. There are 11 cells for recording. The weight of the device is 200g. The set includes a power adapter and user manual.
- Compact;
- Allows you to improvise;
- 11 memory cells;
- Presence of overdub.
- There is some dildo present when pressing undo-redo for a long time;
ELECTRO-HARMONIX B9
The American company produces a high-quality products. The power of the synthesizer is high, it has flexible settings with eight presets. The sounds are processed lightning fast.
- the body is made of durable metal;
- complete with power supply;
- low weight;
- There is a loop of effects;
- compact size;
- electric piano emulator;
- the ability to customize the presets to your individual vision.
- Not everyone can afford to purchase the product at this cost.
BOSS KATANA
A unique model that can equip the basic platform with additional sounds, features, and effects. It has five built-in effect groups, allowing you to quickly process signals in real-time. There is an extended functionality: multi-effects processor, input for modeling devices, updated program editor, and so on. Amplifier for 50 watts, 5 channels, the same number of sections. Eight memory locations for presets allow you to save settings of effects and amplifier.
- Produces amplified sound;
- Ability to adjust the degree of gain;
- There is an equalizer;
- It is possible to make a vibrato;
- You can play with attenuated sound without losing quality.
- Very expensive.
ISP Technologies Decimator II G String Noise Suppressor Pedal
The product is produced under the brand name ISP Technologies, the manufacturer is an American company. Purpose:
- For bass guitar.
- For rock.
- For metal.
- For electric guitar.
Power – 9 W, analog model, no expression output, switching presets are not provided.
- excellent functionality;
- Smooth noise clipping due to the use of new technology Decimator X;
- low weight;
- comfortable size.
- No significant disadvantages were identified.
NUX CHERUB TAPE-CORE-DELUXE
The model allows you to enjoy a compressed film echo and mesmerizing crystal-clear sound. It has three playback heads that can provide seven different combinations of dilation sound. The unique Nux TS/AS technology allows for modulation, attenuation, and natural sound. Main features:
- input impedance – 1 Mohm;
- Output resistance – 1 kOhm;
- nominal input level -20 dBu;
- Residual noise level – -93 dBu (min).
- compact;
- convenient;
- professional;
- Can inspire new achievements;
- amazing sound;
- low weight;
- reasonable price.
- Not identified.
JOJO R-08 CAB BOX CABINET SPEAKER SIMULATOR AND IP LOADE
Widely sought-after model with a user-friendly and simple interface, and complete configuration to simplify complex menu items on computers, amplifiers, and tablets. Equipped with four-tube powers, 20 cabinet models, and 128 memory slots. Works with 11 classic mic models, supports 16/24/32 bit IR files, sampling rate 44.1 kHz. There are LED backlights.
- multifunctional;
- convenient;
- small weight;
- small size.
- Substantial cost.
BEHRINGER EQ700 GRAPHIC EQUALIZER
If you do a review of graphic equalizers, you should pay special attention to this device. Multiband effects pedal from the Chinese manufacturer, very useful, has seven bands from 100 Hz to 6.4 kHz with attenuation/amplification of 15 dB, used to suppress feedback and sound transformation. The unit is quiet thanks to a top-notch electronic switch. LED indicator shows the battery charge and allows you to visually monitor the operation of the effect.
- silent;
- low weight
- small size;
- a wide frequency range;
- reasonable price.
- No AC adapter and batteries included.
DUNLOP M132 MXR SUPER COMP
The device is in great demand among professionals and beginners alike. Famous stars gather many millions of admirers to their concerts. The Super Comp console is released to reach new heights in the game. Updated regulator attack preserves the dynamics of playing.
- high-class American manufacturer;
- good design;
- The absence of gaps and backlashes;
- materials of manufacture pleasant to the touch;
- unique sound;
- excellent price-performance ratio.
- Significant has not been established.
Dunlop FFM3 Jimi Hendrix™ Fuzz Face® Mini Distortion
It differs from its counterparts by its round body. The pedal has the easiest to replicate electronic circuitry there is. But the sound is unique. There are two versions of the original product: with German transistors and silicon transistors VS108. The German models have a thick and warm sound, while the silicon ones have a harsh and bright sound. It is very popular among rock and roll fans.
- comfortable;
- practical;
- multifunctional;
- with excellent sound;
- high quality.
- No significant disadvantages were identified.
Best guitar pedals 2024: Buyer’s Guide
The traditional type of device is a small-sized metal box that sits around the guitarist’s feet. “Pedal” is called because the performer switches the action using his feet, as he holds the musical instrument in his hands. Equipped with toggle switches that allow you to adjust the intensity of the action used.
Along with pedals, the best musical instrument manufacturers offer guitar processors that allow you to combine many phenomena simultaneously.
Digital guitar conversions appeared in the early eighties. They were based on analog circuitry. Simply put, a clean signal was fed to the amplifier. In digital analogs, the designs converted the signal into a digital bitstream and only then changed to analog. And today there is no consensus on which one is better to buy. Digital ones, according to buyers, are considered to be of higher quality.
What is the criterion for choosing, besides the popularity of models? Idea and style! Analog devices are ready to surprise with clean, dense sound. But even the most expensive digital designs exhibit sound artifacts. However, you can’t discount such unqualified advantages:
- The versatility of performance;
- maximum precision.
This device is a carrier of a lot of action with a wide range.
How to choose the best guitar pedals 2024
You should not buy products at the same time as a guitar for learning. A beginner is not able to immediately realize the need for such a device and may lose interest in expensive equipment, abandoning it in the attic until better times. To realize the necessity of pedals, you first need to gain experience, and that will take a lot of time of intensive training.
As soon as the beginner will gain experience and skills, and decide on an individual style of play, the hour of purchase of such a product will come. It is possible for a long time to study descriptions, reviews, and advice from the experienced about the popularity of products, but there are no universal recommendations. The main point – there should be a record for listening, so it would be possible to analyze their own mistakes so that they would not commit them later.
If you nurture plans to buy several sets, you should pay attention to the pedalboard. This is a specially designed device designed to mount all the equipment in a particular sequence and connect them with wires. It helps to combine actions in the right sequence. It makes storing and transporting your equipment a breeze.
What electric guitar effects pedals are available?
The variety of merchandise is impressive. It varies in price, quality, brands, appearance, body design, additional functions, material, and characteristics. Among the huge number of offerings, some unqualified leaders are preferred. Also, don’t forget to buy the best guitar cabinet.
Wah-Wah
It differs from the others in that it produces a “triple sound” when pressed. It loses force as soon as the force of the foot pressure on the construction is reduced. This type is used when there is a need for expressive and dynamic playback. Such a unique transformation was used by the master of performance, Jimmie Hendrix.
All products on the hardware market, have a special, inherent only to them, sound, which sometimes makes it problematic to make the only correct decision. In order not to be disappointed in your purchase and to use the full potential of the product, you need to pay special attention to the presence of an element that allows you to adjust the parameters of playback.
Almost all designs, including inexpensive ones, have a regulator of attack time and cycle depth. Joe Satriani, for example, uses the VOX JS-WH BIG BAD WAH PEDAL, whose average price is $286.
Distortion
Among its admirers, it is considered a rock. When used, it cuts the signal by sharply limiting the amplitude. This method is mostly used in metal and rock performances. It is also used for bass guitar, as the standard “distortions” present there slightly spoil the sound, lowering the range of frequencies. The BOSS DS-1X DISTORTION is considered a leader among its counterparts. It can be purchased for an average of $218, but it is worth it.
Overdrive
This design attenuates the level of the sound signal in amplitude, and smoothness is obtained by rounding off the upper turns of the sine wave. This makes it possible to achieve dynamic playback by enhancing the strong beats. This type includes the BOSS OS-2, which has an average price of $140.
Booster
Thanks to it, a specific playback occurs. It quickly transforms the sound, so it is used as a signal booster. Its use allows you to increase overdrive already at the initial stage of amplification. This feature will come in handy for musicians who want to distort signals at low volume. Rather effective will be this design in the process of adding to the solo part. A booster is simply necessary for the circuit when the musician uses more than four effects and a large number of cables. The ranking of quality products is topped by the BLACKSTAR HT-BOOST, which can be purchased for $240.
Fuzzy
The basis of action is the non-linear transformation of the sound using transistors. They eliminate the envelope signal so that we hear an analog of the “organ” sound. It is mostly used in solo parts. A striking example is Jimmy Hendrix’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The classic fuzz pedal is the DUNLOP M173 MXR CLASSIC 108 FUZZ at $170.
Which company is better to buy the equipment, depends on the personal preferences of the person. Brand models have undeniable advantages. Quality and high quality mainly depend on how much the product costs. It can be ordered online in the online store or visit a specialized retail outlet, where you can buy the product you like.