Tonebox Recommended Pedals
Electro-Harmonix Op-amp Big Muff Pi
Op-Amp Big Muffs from the late ‘70s may be selling for about half a kidney right now, but you can still get that massive, crushing Big Muff sound for way less via the Op-Amp Big Muff Pi. This compact and affordable reissue uses op-amps rather than transistors to create that signature crunch popularized by Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and James Iha on the Siamese Dream album. Control the fuzz texture via dedicated Volume, Tone, and Sustain knobs and use the tone bypass toggle for maximum aggression.
Line 6 HX Stomp
Achieve the sound of Helix amps, effects, and cabs in a portable pedal with the Line 6 HX Stomp. You may utilize this professional-grade multi-effects processor as a super stompbox, an add-on tone expander, audio interface, backup or travel rig, or even a full bass or guitar rig. The HX Stomp leverages the same HX Modeling technology as Helix. It can run as much as six processing blocks simultaneously, making it the most versatile and powerful stompbox-sized multi-effects processor in the market.
Vertex Boost
Expertly built to be a buffer, clean boost, and volume pedal in one, the Vertex Boost will leave your tone unchanged while raising the level of your signal. It boasts an ultra-linear buffer for conditioning your line without any tonal coloration, even with a multitude of pedals in your chain. You also get full volume control by connecting the Boost to any EXP/volume pedal and setting your volume like you would with a standard volume pedal.
Keeley D&M Drive
The brainchild of Keeley maestro Robert Keeley and That Pedal Show’s Dan Steinhardt and Mick Taylor, the dual-channel D&M Drive is effectively two pedals in one. One channel acts as a boutique-level high-gain overdrive while the other channel is an independent, highly-tweakable, and stackable boost. Each channel has its own Level, Gain, and Tone controls, plus you can choose which goes first: Drive or Boost. Whether you just want some extra dirt, a sweet sustain-heavy solo, or full-on fuzz-style noise, the D&M Drive can do the job.
Dunlop Echoplex Delay
The EP103 Echoplex Delay from Dunlop comes in the size of Phase 90 and is capable of delivering the Echoplex EP-3’s iconic tones with a user-friendly control interface and hi-fi pure analog dry path. The Delay knob determines the time between repeats, Volume sets your repeats’ output level, and Sustain selects the number of repeats. You can also use the Age to modify the delay tone from clean and bright to saturated and dark. With stereo compatibility, high-quality analog dry signal path, and more, any guitarist will appreciate the EP103 Echoplex Delay pedal.
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.
Drive Pedals
TC Electronic Nova System
The Nova System by TC Electronic is a phenomenal compact processor that serves up a comprehensive floor-based guitar effects solution featuring six effect blocks and analog drive. You can easily craft studio-quality tones with six exceptional effect blocks ported straight from TC Electronic’s flagship G-System. The Nova System is a pure analog programmable overdrive and distortion section under preset and expression control which incorporates a range of effects taken directly from the master of floor-based processors.
Big Joe B-301 Tube
A must-have for blues and rock guitarists, the Big Joe B-301 Tube guitar effects pedal is an overdrive pedal with a vintage tone profile reminiscent of a screaming tube amp. The Gain knob controls the level of overdrive while the mid-sensitive Tone knob improves signal clarity and tonal responsiveness to help your true tone shine through despite the amount of overdrive dirt you layer onto it. The Big Joe B-301 Tube pedal features true bypass switching.
Carl Martin DC Drive Overdrive
Carl Martin’s DC Drive lets you enjoy two distinct overdrives in a single pedal. This simple yet highly versatile pedal consists of Drive, Tone, and Level knobs plus a Reg/Fat switch. The Reg setting gives you a standard overdrive sound that is super quiet and does not color your tone. You may crank it right up to full saturation or merely add an edge to your sound. Meanwhile, the darker, more modern Fat setting delivers so much more—more sustain, natural compression, bass, mids, and drive!
Keeley Filaments
The Filaments guitar effects pedal fills the role of high-gain tube amp-style overdrive and distortion stomp in Keeley Electronics’ pedal lineup. With a full complement of wide-range EQ control knobs and three toggle switches for precise and flexible tone shaping, the Filaments will work well with whatever amp and guitar you’re currently using. And it can dish out enough gain and nuanced tone to handle whatever kind of metal you play. The Filaments is so metal you’ll automatically grow long hair once you stomp on it.
Source Audio L.A. Lady
The L.A. Lady Overdrive pedal from Source Audio boasts the archetypal tones of well over five decades of fuzz and overdrive technology. It gives you three exceptional overdrive tones, including a punchy drive synonymous with modern Texas blues, the coveted “Marshall in a box” sound, and a tube amp inspired engine yielding a range of drive levels, from chunky and warm low gain to squealing lead gain. The L.A. Lady Overdrive consists of Treble, Bass, Level, and Drive knobs.
KHDK Ghoul Screamer
Devised within the dark depths of Kirk Hammett’s brain, a legendary circuit has been tweaked to perfection and armed with five switches to allow you supreme control of your tone. The Ghoul Screamer by KHDK is a multipurpose device capable of drastically enhancing your sound palette. The incredible versatility of controls spans from a clear boost to intense overdrive. Besides the three standard controls (Volume, Drive, Tone), KHDK incorporated five tiny toggle switches offering enhancements for Body, Bass, Highs, and two variations of Compression.
Animals Pedal Tioga Road Cycling Distortion
Built in collaboration with master pedal builder Matthew Holl from Wren and Cuff, Animals Pedal’s Tioga Road Cycling Distortion introduces fatter lows to the classic “rodent-style” distortion tone from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. With knobs controlling Volume, Distortion, and Tone as well as a toggle switch that lets you cycle through three gain modes, the Tioga Road Distortion is an extraordinarily versatile and dirty distortion pedal. The Tioga Road Distortion features artwork by Jonas Claesson and comes with true-bypass switching.
T-Rex Nitros Hypergain
The Nitros Hypergain by T-Rex Engineering is capable of capturing a very punchy and scooped high gain distortion. As a highly tweakable dirt pedal, the Nitros Hypergain will make the “80s hair rock” sound to a T as well. Lower gain settings are perfect if you want Texas boogie-rock. By featuring an active three-band EQ, the distortion’s color is adjustable, and the EQ knobs’ range is extensive. The Nitros Hypergain features an aggressive and bold clipping circuitry.
Creation Audio Labs Mark 4
Tap into that classic Mesa Boogie Mark IV amp tone with the Caline CP-16 Mark 4 Distortion guitar effect pedal. Two gain stages with separate control knobs give you unprecedented control. Use the Gain 1 knob to dial in as much treble distortion you want for a hard and sharp attack, then use the Gain 2 knob to control the bass distortion and fatten and round out your sound. The Caline CP-16 Mark 4 Distortion comes with a true bypass feature.
Electro-Harmonix OD Glove
In terms of sonic attack, the OD Glove guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix is like a glove filled with sharp rocks. You get a biting, overtone-laden sound that doesn’t get muddy. Onboard MOSFET semiconductors give you a harmonically rich sound that goes from a subtle clean boost to saturated high-gain distortion, while a Shift switch gives your mids a boost for additional punch. There’s also an internal 9V/18V switch that lets you pick between a looser or a more focused tone.
Amptweaker TightFuzz
The Amptweaker TightFuzz Distortion Effect Pedal is sure to incorporate some vintage flavor to your arsenal. Unlike most vintage fuzz boxes with limited controls, the TightFuzz features a Tone control that tames fuzzy edges and Tight control that varies the pick attack from thick and smooth to aggressive and tight. That is especially helpful for tweaking your fuzz tone as some tend to be very flubby on the low end. While most modern fuzz boxes decided to make excessive fuzz tone, Amptweaker chose to create something with several flexible yet usable tones.
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 Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker
When it comes to fuzz pedals, the Big Muff is the stuff of legend. The Big Muff Pi reissue from Electro-Harmonix lives up to that venerable legacy, packing some of the sweetest harmonic distortion and creamiest sustain ever produced. And with the new Tone and Wicker toggles, you can smash through to a whole new stage of fuzzed-out sonic bliss. Use the Wicker switch to open up three high-frequency filters for extra top-end bite and use the Tone toggle for full-frontal fuzz assaults.
Walrus Audio Janus
The Janus tremolo and fuzz stomp from boutique guitar effects pedal maker Walrus Audio is a stompbox oddity. Instead of control pots for Tone, Speed, and Depth, it features Tremolo and Fuzz joysticks. The former controls the tremolo effect’s speed and depth while the latter lets you dial in the fuzz effect’s tone and depth. There’s nothing gimmicky about its sound, though; the Janus can dish out both throbbing tremolo and thick, heavy fuzz. You can use both effects independently or together for a wild mix.
Caline Clear Veil
Taking the best characteristics of both fuzz and overdrive pedals and mixing them together into one crunchy blend, the CP-32 Clear Veil Overdrive/Fuzz pedal lets you serve up warm and smooth overdrive tones at lower levels and gets dirtier and fuzzier as you crank it up further. No worries about getting too muddy, though; the Tone knob does a great job giving you full control over a wide range of sound characteristics at both the min and max settings of the Fuzz knob.
Empress Effects Fuzz
The classic-sounding Empress Fuzz provides you with a smooth, lush sustain and great note definition suitable for full chords and single notes. It leverages true bypass, so you can be confident that it will not affect the signal when disengaged. It boasts a tight low end and works nicely on bass. Housed in an approximately 4.5″ by 2.5″ by 1.5” enclosure, the Empress Fuzz features Output control, two EQ bands, and Gain control that let you tweak the sound to taste.
Vick Audio Black Russian
The Vick Audio Black Russian classic reproduction series features slightly less sustain and is smoother compared to its American cousins. It is prized among guitarists and bassists looking for a smooth, refined fuzz with an incredible low-end response. The Black Russian consists of controls for Sustain, Tone, and Volume. It also carries a switch for three midrange selections scooped (stock) as well as boosted and flat mids. The Black Russian comes in a powder-coated aluminum chassis.
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.
Carl Martin Hot Drive and Boost
The Carl Martin Hot Drive’n Boost creates tones ranging from crunchy blues to hard rock. It was thoroughly designed to emulate the sound of an old-fashioned distorting Tube-Amp. Most guitarists utilizing distortion as a significant of their sound seek a crisp and clear distortion with long sustain, exceptional tone and is desirable for chords not merely single notes. Carl Martin created the Hot Drive’n Boost to be an invaluable addition to your system to improve the sound from any tube amp.
Fulltone 2B
As tiny as it is, the Fulltone 2B Boost pedal is a true pedalboard workhorse. This single-channel boost pedal spun out of the Full-Drive 3 overdrive and features the same transparency and high headroom that the FD3’s JFET-powered boost channel was known for. The 2B also features a unique unity-gain JFET amp that keeps your signal buffered when the pedal is turned off. You don’t need two boosters–one to set unity gain and another to do the actual boosting. It can handle both jobs by its lonesome.
Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff
As you can tell from its name, the Metal Muff with Top Boost distortion pedal from Electro-Harmonix was built to do one thing: wreak massive metal mayhem. The unique Top Boost feature boosts your signal’s high end, letting you go from rib-rattling rhythm to full-on shred mode with a single stomp. The Metal Muff packs a three-band EQ for shaping your low-end, mids, and top-end just the way you want them, plus it comes with true bypass.
Fulltone Full-Drive 2 V2
Juice up your sound with the natural, classic tube-style overdrive tones of the Fulltone Full-Drive 2 V2 guitar effects pedal. Powered by a JRC4558 chip and Fulltone’s classic ’90s Full-Drive circuit, the Full-Drive 2 V2 has enough tone-sculpting power to let you dial in your personal perfect overdrive sound. You get five control knobs, two clipping mode switches, and an extra channel that has its own dedicated Drive and Volume dials and lets you add more gain to what you’ve already set on the first overdrive channel.
Emerson Custom Pomeroy
Emerson Custom’s Pomeroy loads a highly customizable overdrive and powerful boost into a pedalboard-friendly, pure analog stompbox. Its overdrive side features six clipping options so you can tweak it to your liking, while the boost side is capable of up to 24dB of clean, full-range gain. The Pomeroy is an excellent choice because of its massive headroom and handy options. You may use the overdrive and boost circuits individually or together. Regarding flexibility, comfort, and power, the Pomeroy is tough to beat.
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.
EarthQuaker Devices Bows
Germanium transistors have long been the go-to transistors for guitar effects pedal makers who want to create truly vintage sounds. EarthQuaker Devices went one step further with the Bows preamp booster by basing it around the rare, low-noise NOS black glass OC139 germanium transistor. Using it is dead simple. Select Treble for a brighter tone or Full for a more bass-heavy sound using the two-way toggle switch and then dial in an output level with the Level knob.
Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp
Many guitar pickup systems can’t quite reproduce an acoustic guitar’s warmth and depth, covering them instead in harsher-sounding tones. That’s where the Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp guitar effects pedal comes in. Whether you’re onstage or in the studio, you can draw out more of your acoustic-electric’s natural and woody tones with a twist of the Acoustic Resonance knob. You can also use the Ambience knob to add reverb and cut annoying feedback noise using the Notch dial.
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 018 CUSTOM 100
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 018 Custom 100, in particular, replicates a boutique Plexi-style served with a heaping helping of sweet natural overdrive. 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.
MOOER 003 Power-Zone
Mooer Audio’s Micro Preamp line of guitar effects pedals is all about giving shoestring budget shoegazers easy and affordable access to the legendary tones served up by classic and boutique amp models. The Mooer 003 Power Zone gives you the amazing headroom and tonal versatility of the classic Kock Powertone amp. It comes with two switchable channels as well as volume, gain, bass, mid, and treble controls. It also features a cab sim on and off switch.
Darkglass Vintage Ultra
Enjoy broader sonic options for live and studio applications with the Darkglass Vintage Ultra V2 pedal. At the request of players, the Vintage Ultra V2 has an individual switch for the overdrive section, letting you toggle it without changing your other settings. Every mid control includes a three-way toggle switch for six distinct mid-emphasis settings in total. The Master volume control allows you to adjust your signal. Boasting a switchable impulse-response cabinet emulation for realistic direct tone, the Vintage Ultra V2 serves as a one-stop shop for an awesome bass tone.
Pigtronix Class A Micro Boost
If you are in the market for a very simple yet powerfully effective Class A boost, look no further! The Class A Boost Micro from Pigtronix is capable of boosting and beefing up whatever you feed it. Its unbelievably straightforward design leverages discreet JFET transistors in a single-ended Class A configuration to give you the warmest possible tone. The Class A Boost Micro serves up as much as 20db of clean boost and stays effective with line and instrument level signals.
Lone Wolf Audio Outsider
The Lone Wolf Audio Outsider is an advanced take on the very rare and iconic Systech Harmonic Energizer. As seen on Matt Pikes (Sleep, High on Fire) and Dweezil Zappa pedalboards, the original has been employed and mastered by Frank Zappa. The Outsider has been customized and tuned to the strictest detail. It carries a Gain control that adds as much as 35DB of transparent gain which when placed in front or after a distorted signal unleashes an entirely new range of tones. The Bandwidth knob determines how wide the Frequency control could adjust your signal.
Mosky Dec Mini
The Dec Buffer Booster from budget guitar effects pedal brand takes its circuit design and tonal cues from the Wampler Decibel+ buffer and boost pedal. It packs two essential pedalboard problem solvers into one compact pedal: excellent, stable signal buffering and a pristine clean boost. Controls are dead simple; you get one knob that controls the gain level and one footswitch. THe Dec Buffer Booster knows what it’s supposed to do and does it well.
Tech 21 BST-D
Looking for big, tight, aggressive distortion? That’s exactly what you get with Tech 21’s Boost Distortion guitar effects pedal. Dial in your perfect dirt tone with the dedicated Level, Tone, and Drive knobs then use the unique Sag pot to control the distortion effect’s dynamic pick attack response. The Boost Distortion doesn’t just add dirt to your signal, though; a separate Boost section gives you up to 21dB of punchy, crystal clear signal juice to take your signal over the edge.
TC Electronic Spark Mini
Drive your guitar amp into glorious overdrive with the Spark Mini Booster from TC Electronic. You may also utilize it as a clean boost for a mild volume increase during solos. Either way, this innovative pedal boasts premium analog circuitry that does not degrade your tone. Additionally, you can utilize the Spark Mini Booster in two ways—hold the footswitch for a momentary boost or kick it on/off like other pedals. It comes in a compact footprint that easily fits on your pedalboard.
Fulltone Full-Drive 2 V2
Juice up your sound with the natural, classic tube-style overdrive tones of the Fulltone Full-Drive 2 V2 guitar effects pedal. Powered by a JRC4558 chip and Fulltone’s classic ’90s Full-Drive circuit, the Full-Drive 2 V2 has enough tone-sculpting power to let you dial in your personal perfect overdrive sound. You get five control knobs, two clipping mode switches, and an extra channel that has its own dedicated Drive and Volume dials and lets you add more gain to what you’ve already set on the first overdrive channel.
Modulation Pedals
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.
Ibanez Chorus Mini
It is difficult to match the sound of a true analog chorus for giving vibrant lushness to your guitar tone, and the Chorus Mini pedal from Ibanez provides it in a tiny package that can go on any pedalboard. Speed, Level, and Depth knobs let you dial anything from subtle shimmering clean tones to intense warbles. The all-analog signal path keeps the tonal essence of your guitar, while true bypass switching eliminates the effect from your signal path. The Chorus Mini is perfect for adding real analog chorus to your rig.
Maxon Ambient Stereo Chorus
The ASC10 Ambient Stereo Chorus from Maxon comes in a compact chassis with a straightforward control interface that belies its spacious sound and flexible operation. Its chorusing effect is set particularly wide in the stereo spectrum, giving you a rich tonality that sounds like two guitars playing simultaneously. The Depth and Rate controls’ extended operation range conjure up anything from punch-drunk rotary speaker spins to beautiful 12-string simulations. The ASC10 is aggressive on distorted tones and stunning on clean sounds.
Lone Wolf Audio Viper
The Viper by Lone Wolf Audio is a mad warped chorus with added bit crusher sounding like your worst nightmare. The switchable bit crusher allows you to have only a bit crusher, a chorus, or both simultaneously. The Viper consists of several controls, including Toxicity (secret control), Melt (intensity of the effect), Booze (modulation speed), Spew (wave shape), Warp (how bent the sound is), Goo (depth) and the special Lorinz knob that controls how bit crushed your signal is.
ZVEX Vexter Instant Lo-Fi Junky
Boutique guitar effects pedal company Zvex built the Instant Lo-Fi Junky to replicate the crazy low fidelity sounds of the Lo-Fi Loop Junky in real time. That in itself is impressive enough, but the Instant Lo-Fi Junky actually ups the ante by giving you full control over the dry and wet signal blend. Zvex’s Vexter line of silk screened pedals feature the exact same tone, feature set, and internal parts and circuits as their hand-painted counterparts. The only differences are the painting process and the price.
Electro-Harmonix Tone Tattoo
The Tone Tattoo has the versatility, power, and amazing sound to match its awesome looks. This analog multi-effects pedal combines three of Electro-Harmonix’s most popular analog stompboxes—the Memory Toy delay, the Neo Clone chorus, and the Metal Muff distortion—into one compact and easy-to-use unit. Each effect gets its own dedicated footswitch and control knobs for maximum tone-sculpting pleasure, plus there’s a new built-in noise gate for cutting down on the unwanted buzzes, hisses, and hums.
Source Audio Soundblox Pro Poly-Mod Filter
The Source Audio Soundblox Pro Poly-Mod Filter gives you all the functionality and power of the iconic Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter with specially voiced effects, suitable for keyboard and guitar. This carefully engineered “stompbox supreme” delivers unparalleled control, sonic diversity, and versatility, catering to all your wah-wah, envelope filter, and dubstep needs. The Poly-Mod Filter features 23 filter effects, including 2- and 4-Pole Low Pass, Peak & Notch, Single Peak, Triple Peak, and Phasers. It consists of a Wet/Dry Mix control featuring Source Audio’s low-end preserving algorithm Lo-Retain.
Dwarfcraft Devices Grazer
The crazy-cool Grazer Granular Repeated guitar effect pedal from Dwarcraft Devices serves up some weird sonic insanity by sampling tiny snippets of your input signal and then repeating them as you play. You can set the size of the micro samples (or “grains”) via a dedicated control knob or with an external expression pedal. There’s also a Pitch knob that lets you push the grain pitch up high for crazy computer beeps, a Mix knob for dialing in how much you want the dry and wet signals to blend, and a toggle that controls forward and reverse playback.
Source Audio Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter
The Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter by Source Audio is a revision of its famed predecessor, the Soundblox BEF. In this Pro variant, you can select from four distinct modulation sources, including a passive expression pedal, selectable LFO waveforms, the Hot Hand motion-sensing ring, and standard envelope filter sweeps. You may use the expression pedal input to control filter modulation similar in a standard wah pedal or various parameters including effect selection, sweep range, LFO speed, etc.
Keeley Neutrino
The Neutrino guitar effects pedal from Keeley Electronics is one trippy envelope filter. Give it a spot on your pedalboard and you can serve up psychedelic leads, incredible vowel sounds, and responsive, dynamic auto-wahs—all of which are made rich and warm by its classic optocoupler design. The Neutrino features Gain and Peak control knobs, a three-position filter type selector, Low/High frequency range switch, and a side-mounted wah direction toggle for full and flexible tone control.
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.
Death by Audio Evil Fuzz/Filter
The Evil Fuzz/Filter from Death by Audio sounds great with your guitar, synth, or amplified skateboard. It is absolutely psychotic destruction with blooming inverted compression. The CV/Expression in lets you adjust the filter in sync with an arpeggiating synth or manage it using an expression pedal. The Evil Filter is a combination of fuzz/filter with chaos factor that surpasses the sum of its chaotic parts. While you can use filtering and fuzz individually, the two effects are sonic co-conspirators.
EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids
EarthQuaker Devices built an absolute beast of a flanger pedal when it crafted the Pyramids stereo flanging device. Five presets and eight flanger modes are backed by a multifunction Modify control knob, a positive and negative Feedback dial, and a variable Mix control for an extremely wide range of sweeps, warbles, roars, and jet engine screams. The Pyramids stompbox also comes with tap tempo and tap subdivision features as well as mono and stereo input and output jacks.
JOYO VISUAL MODULATION
With modulation effects up the wazoo, the R-09 Vision guitar effects pedal from Joyo is bound to be an instant shoegazer favorite. It features two separate channels, each with its own set of highly tweakable modulation effects, that you can mix and match in parallel or series. Use a chorus on Channel A and an optical trem on Channel B. Phaser on A, Vibrato on B. It’s a giant sonic sandbox for you to play in. The R-09 Vision is an R Series pedal, meaning it also has cool ambient LED effects built into it.
Empress Effects Nebulus
The Empress Effects Nebulus lets you enjoy exceptional flanger, chorus, and vibrato effects within a compact pedal. Each effect has three variations to expand the tone range further. You can conveniently access such flexibility through a preset system capable of recording as much as eight presets. The flanger setting features a 70’s negative feedback type flanger, classic tape flange, and thru-zero flange. The chorus mode gives you a rich and warm sounding chorus, unique tremolo’ed chorus, or dreamy and fluid multi-chorus. The vibrato sub-modes include a rotating speaker effect, classic vibe sound, and standard vibrato.
TC Electronic Stereo Chorus+
The TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus+ Pitch Modulator and Flanger features three distinct effects—pitch modulation, flange, and chorus—with comprehensive parameter control that allows you to effortlessly dial in the very sound that fits your needs, from intense vibrato/tremolo effects to heavy-duty flanging to the ultimate clean chorus. It boasts a silkiness unrivaled by digital gear. It also has an onboard preamp/line driver that lets it work in a full range of applications and also helps minimize signal loss along lengthy cables. Other features include remote bypass and an overload LED.
NUX MOD Core DELUXE
The Mod Core Deluxe from NUX is a pro-quality modulation effects pedal featuring eight modulation effects (Phaser, Chorus, Pan, Flanger, Tremolo, U-vibe, Rotary, and Vibrato) with two kinds of algorithms suiting the needs of every musician for sound enhancement and colorization. Add-in Depth and Rate controls to adjust the primary parameters and Tweak knob to set relevant parameters for every effect, and you get more tone-sculpting possibilities compared to other modulation pedals. The Mod Core Deluxe includes a tone lock function to prevent improper operation.
Mooer E-Lady
The Eleclady serves up a classic analog flanger sound and comes packed with a filter mode as well as oscillator effects. This guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox maker Mooer features two separate effect modes; Normal gives the effected signal a light, subtle sweep while Filter cranks the effect up for more dramatic sonic changes. The Eleclady may be tiny, but its versatile flange sound and full metal shell make it a roadworthy addition to your pedalboard.
Electro-Harmonix Stereo Polyphase
The Stereo Polyphase analog optical envelope and LFO phase shifter gives you cascading stereo phase shifts that are out of this world. This Electro-Harmonix XO unit uses optocouplers for a smooth, liquid tone and features selectable LFO and envelope follower modes. Tone sculpting is made easy by user-defined start and stop ranges as well as a feedback resonance control switch, plus the Stereo Polyphase’s optical circuitry makes it very responsive to most hot instruments, including keyboards.
MOOER Mod Factory MKII
If modulation effects are what you’re looking for, you won’t go wrong with the Mod Factory MKII guitar effects pedal. This tiny wonder from budget-priced stomp creator Mooer packs 11 distinct modulation effects into its tiny, pedalboard-friendly chassis. It lets you dial in everything from a watery chorus to a dynamic auto wah and through to an extreme envelope ring effect. Three control knobs give you enough flexibility to create a wide range of lush sonic soundscapes for each effect mode.
Donner Pearl Tremor
The Pearl Tremor from Donner boasts a pure analog phase effect and produces a plump and warm sound. It carries a toggle switch that lets you choose between Vintage and Modern. It also features an LED indicator that shows you the working state and true bypass, which gives a transparent tone. The Pearl Tremor is packaged in a sturdy, aluminum-alloy chassis. It should not be used in direct sunlight, high humidity, high temperature, or subzero environments.
JOYO Vision
The R-09 Vision guitar effects pedal from Joyo is a modulation maniac’s dream pedal. It features two separate channels, each with its own set of highly tweakable modulation effects, that you can mix and match in parallel or series. Use a chorus on Channel A and an optical trem on Channel B. Phaser on A, Vibrato on B. It’s a giant sonic sandbox for you to play in. The R-09 Vision is an R Series pedal, meaning it also has cool ambient LED effects built into it.
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dweller
The Dweller Phase Repeater by Old Blood Noise Endeavors boasts the ability to remember, be it familiar vibe and phase sounds or resonant random step filtering, warm delays, and formerly unheard in-betweens. It is capable of infinite sonic textures with six modes and five controls. It carries toggle switches for choosing between three wave shapes (triangle, sine, and random step) and two phaser voices (eight stage and four stage). The Dweller also consists of Rate, Depth, and Regen controls for shaping the phaser’s sound.
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.
Danelectro BT-1 Filthy Rich Tremolo
The Danelectro BT-1 Filthy Rich Tremolo guitar effect pedal is a budget-priced stompbox that packs tremolo effects comparable to some of the more expensive boutique pedals. You get terrific musicality and high-quality trem sounds in both Hard and Soft mode, plus it has a trim pot that lets you give your signal a volume bump, so it doesn’t get lost in the mix. Drop the BT-1 after the reverb pedal in your signal chain and let those evocative tremolo sounds rip.
Maxon Overdrive Extreme
For well over three decades, Maxon’s iconic 808 overdrive circuit has become a fundamental component to creating an exceptional guitar tone. The 808 in its various incarnations has been heard on more recordings and in more rigs than anyone would bother to count. Maxon’s Overdrive Extreme is a tweaked variant of the legendary OD808 Overdrive. Increased frequency response enhances note definition and clarity. It features a buffered bypass switching and harder clipping that yields more aggressive amp-esque distortion.
Big Joe R-409 Tremolo
The Big Joe R-409 Tremolo is an all-analog, vactrol-based optical tremolo guitar effects pedal. You can control the pedal’s modulation effect from 1Hz to 10Hz using the Speed and Depth knobs, while the Shape knob lets you go from a square waveform to a triangular one for amp tremolo sounds emulating everything from a vintage Vox to a classic Fender. The Big Joe R-409 Tremolo features true bypass switching and supports 9V to 18V power supply units.
Joyo Molo-Trem
Yes, the Joyo Ironman JF-325 Molo-Trem guitar effects pedal is cheap, but that only applies to its price tag. The rich, highly musical tremolo effects this tiny pedal dishes out can compare to that produced by pedals twice its price and size. Tone shaping is a breeze thanks to its highly intuitive controls, plus there’s a Wave knob that lets you dial in everything from a smooth, undulating tremolo effect to a sharp, choppy wave.
Strymon Mobius
The Strymon Mobius packs twelve iconic modulation effects into a convenient guitar effects pedal. Handcrafted from the best components available, it brings together twelve of the most expressive, versatile, and organic modulation effects ever existed. Each vintage effect has been painstakingly emulated and then expanded upon to enhance versatility and broaden sonic possibilities. The Mobius is equipped with 200 inbuilt presets enabling the perfect modulation sound to be recorded and recalled at any time. That function is also controllable by a MIDI foot pedal to streamline the process.
Mooer 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 Mooer manages to conjure up a gentle, natural tremolo that hews close to a classic Fender tremolo sound. Mooer also threw in a Bias control knob that lets you adjust the clipping waveform’s hardness or softness as well as a true bypass function. Small, versatile, and highly musical; a great addition to your pedalboard.
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.
Electro-Harmonix Good Vibes
The Good Vibes analog modulator guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix combines selectable iconic chorus and vibrato effects ripped straight from the ‘60s with 21st-century conveniences. Taking a page from the original Uni-Vibe, the Good Vibes creates rippling, undulating chorus and vibrato effects by way of photocells. The Good Vibes also features boosted power rails for extra definition, an always-on speed indicator, and expression pedal support for more precise control over the Speed and Intensity settings.
Sabbadius Funky Vibe
The Sabbadius Custom Pedal Effects Funky Vibe pedal emulates a rotary Leslie-like rotary speaker and works with four photocells as well as an incandescent light. Used by several prominent musicians, it consists of four controls (Speed, Depth, Volume, and Bias) plus two footswitches (Vibrato/Chorus and On/Off Effect). The Bias control helps you craft your distinct sound. You can tweak it to achieve the best performance. The Funky Vibe pedal comes in a Colonia bronze chassis with custom handmade chicken knobs.
Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl HiFi
Improving on the fan-favorite mkII version, the Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl HiFi is the answer to all of your vibrato and chorus concerns. It features various updates from the earlier versions, including a redesigned tone circuit, a lag knob for rich chorus tones, lower noise, and opportunities for brighter and more transparent tones. The newly created hold, tone, and lag controls allow you to produce brighter, lusher, more shimmering chorus and vibrato tones than ever before.
JOYO Vision
The R-09 Vision guitar effects pedal from Joyo is a modulation maniac’s dream pedal. It features two separate channels, each with its own set of highly tweakable modulation effects, that you can mix and match in parallel or series. Use a chorus on Channel A and an optical trem on Channel B. Phaser on A, Vibrato on B. It’s a giant sonic sandbox for you to play in. The R-09 Vision is an R Series pedal, meaning it also has cool ambient LED effects built into it.
MXR JIMI HENDRIX UNI-VIBE
The UniVibe Chorus/Vibrato’s thick wash which pervades the landmark Band of Gypsys album is undoubtedly among the most transcendent tones ever recorded. Boasting a chorusy, phasey, Leslie-sounding goodness, Jimi Hendrix had summoned surprisingly lush textures that sound like you can spoon them out of the speakers. The UniVibe pedal gives you those vintage tones in all their stellar analog glory and at a portion of the size of the original Shin-ei unit utilized by Hendrix. It sports a colorful, iconic artwork from rock artist Gered Mankowitz.
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.
Dwarfcraft Devices Pitchgrinder
With the Pitchgrinder, Dwarfcraft Devices crushes its first foray into digital effects. This lo-fi monster of a pitch-shifting sequencer lets you set your sequence length from one to eight steps and precisely adjust each step’s pitch through eight dedicated control knobs. Speed can be controlled via a tap switch, which can also be held down to freeze the current sequence. And when you’re ready to jump into full-on weird sonic soundscapes, engage the Glide function to simulate an analog synth’s glide controls.
Electro-Harmonix HOG2
Electro-Harmonix broke new sonic ground with the original HOG, but with the HOG2 Harmonic Octave Generator, they’ve punched right through to a completely different auditory dimension. Not only do you get 10 customizable harmonic intervals and seven expression modes, the HOG2 sports updated algorithms that improve the quality of the HOG’s 10 generated octaves and harmonics as well as full MIDI-based parameter and preset control. The HOG2 comes packaged with an external expression pedal while an optional foot controller lets you save and load up to 100 presets.
TC Electronic Sub ‘N’ Up Mini
The Sub ‘N’ Up Mini Octaver by TC Electronic takes the mammoth-sounding tones of the original Sub ‘N’ Up and squeezes them into a pedal footprint that can fit on even the most crowded pedalboards. It allows you access to loading your favorite TonePrint, providing you with a tonal platform for discovering your unique sound. Dry, Sub, and Up knobs combine the three signals to taste. Whether you want to rock the stage with massive sub octaves or are seeking a ringing top end, you will love the Sub ‘N’ Up Mini Octaver.
Joyo Voodoo Octave
Trippy octave-up fuzz sounds for a fraction of a boutique pedal’s price. The JF-12 Voodoo Octave guitar effects pedal from Joyo is a budget-minded fuzz-head’s dream come true. Thick, full-bodied fuzz with all the snarls and grain you’d expect plus endless sustain–and that’s just the fuzz section! Engage the independent octave up function over the fuzz and you can serve up some interesting alien-like broken tones. The JF-12 Voodoo Octave also features a two-position toggle that lets you scoop out the mids.
Top Categories
Timing, Dynamics & EQ Pedals
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.
Eventide H9 Core

Eventide H9 Core
The H9 Core acts as the entry-level version of Eventide’s monstrous H9 MAX multi-effects pedal. It comes with 25 presets from the original glitch-heavy, pitch-shifting H910/H949 Harmonizers, plus for a fee, you can augment its effects arsenal via the H9 Control app. You can pick and choose the effects you purchase to make an H9 Core that’s truly unique to your needs, or just go all out and turn your H9 Core into an H9 MAX.
T-Rex Replay Box
The Replay Box Delay from T-Rex Engineering boasts sophisticated technology that yields an extremely studio-esque delay. It carries stereo in- and outputs, so you can maximize those stereo modulation boxes you occasionally step on. It also consists of a tap tempo footswitch, subdivision switch, and controls for Volume, Mix, Repeat, and Tempo. The Replay Box Delay comes in a relatively small form factor. It features up to three seconds of delay and analog dry signal. It yields a clear and pristine sound.
Rowin Delay
With a delay time range of 20ms to 620ms, the tiny LEF-314 Delay is a highly usable and very affordable delay pedal ideal for shoestring shoegazers with an already crowded pedalboard. Budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin crammed an extremely versatile classic tape / echo delay into this baby. Note that while it’s advertised as an analog delay, this pedal is actually digital; it uses a CD2399GP chip to emulate the sound of a true analog delay.
DOD Rubberneck
The DOD Rubberneck boasts twice the features with a neat double-wide chassis. It delivers more than a second of warm and musical all-analog repeats you desire, together with tails, tap-tempo, and subdivisions. Double concentric knobs provide you with individual control over the Modulation Rate and Depth as well as Tone and Gain of the delay. Double footswitches enable additional features such as momentary control of the dizzying pitch sweep of “Rubbernecking” and adjustable momentary control of oscillation. These extended functionalities are controlled by separate knobs that also serve as multi-color LED status indicators.
Electro-Harmonix Tone Tattoo
The Tone Tattoo has the versatility, power, and amazing sound to match its awesome looks. This analog multi-effects pedal combines three of Electro-Harmonix’s most popular analog stompboxes—the Memory Toy delay, the Neo Clone chorus, and the Metal Muff distortion—into one compact and easy-to-use unit. Each effect gets its own dedicated footswitch and control knobs for maximum tone-sculpting pleasure, plus there’s a new built-in noise gate for cutting down on the unwanted buzzes, hisses, and hums.
Electro Harmonix Grand Canyon
Twelve different effect types and a robust looper function put the Grand Canyon Delay and Looper Pedal from Electro-Harmonix in the upper echelon of similar multifunction delays and loopers. Comprehensive tone-sculpting controls let you create effects ranging from vibrant echos to animated reverbs. The Grand Canyon’s looper can hold up to 16 minutes of recorded audio that won’t disappear until you clear it, even if you turn the pedal off. The Grand Canyon is a delay and looping aficionado’s wet dream come true.
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.
Alexander Pedals Sky 5000
The next evolution of Alexander Pedals’ Sky FI Delay and Reverb Pedal, the Sky 5000 Reverb Delay’s delay and reverb engines let you break through the sonic stratosphere with torrential waves of echoes, delay, and shimmer. Its onboard digital delay engine is crystal clear, with a tone filter that lets you tailor it precisely to your taste. Its reverb engine, meanwhile, is a no-nonsense nod to classic digital rack units from the ’80s and ’90s. These two engines run in parallel to keep your guitar signal from getting muddy.
Dr. Scientist Mini Reverberator
The Mini Reverberator by Dr. Scientist loads nine different reverbs into one compact box. This incredible sounding stompbox takes an all analog dry signal, 24-bit A/D/A conversion, and adjustable decay time to the plate and does it so well. The Mini Reverberator features three plates, three rooms, two halls, and a rotary speaker setting that will let any reverb fan sit and meddle for days on end sans repeating a sound. The dry signal stays analog from input to output and is adjustable using the Mix control, so your instrument’s base tone is never modified or colored.
EarthQuaker Devices Dispatch Master V3
Rich, cavernous reverbs and lush, shimmering delays are a single stomp away with the Dispatch Master digital delay and reverb guitar effects pedal from EarthQuaker Devices. The Dispatch Master lets you serve up delays that don’t degrade despite ultra-long repeats, versatile reverb tones that go from tight to super spacious, or a highly musical and unique combination of the two. V3 bolsters the silent switching added in V2 with EQD’s Flexi-Switch, giving you access to both latching and momentary-style footswitch modes.
Fender Tre-Verb
The Fender Tre-Verb puts individual reverb and tremolo effects at your feet within a portable, user-friendly pedal. Fender has incorporated vintage reverb voicings based on its famed ’63 and ’65 spring reverb units as well as several tremolo modes to ensure you can achieve your ideal sound for your music. A comprehensive set of tone-shaping controls makes the Tre-Verb sonically versatile, while stereo inputs and outputs guarantee it is convenient to connect to any amp or pedalboard.
NUX Sculpture Compressor
The Sculpture Compressor by NUX sharpens your signals on top and bottom edges and gives you a steady volume output level. Once you begin picking your guitar, the Sculpture Compressor will clean the loud (peak) notes and raise sustain by increasing the level of decaying (quiet) notes. It also adds to the signal foundation fed into the remainder of your effects chain. The Sculpture Compressor consists of Blend, Level, and Sustain knobs. It lets you select between two clip modes—Clip Mode and Clean Mode.
Origin Effects SlideRIG Compact Deluxe MK2
The revamped SlideRIG Compact Deluxe Mk2 by Origin Effects adds more levels of adjustability to the SlideRIG design. With a single knob, you can simultaneously set the response of each compression stage, altering the initial transient of every note from percussive and glassy at one extreme to uniform and smooth at the other. The control’s range has been meticulously tuned to prevent any unwanted distortion artifact and optimize signal-to-noise ratio, so you don’t have to be a studio technician to achieve exceptional dual-compressor tones.
Caline Hot Mushroom
Built on the classic Dyna Comp compressor pedal design from MXR and enhanced with Caline’s own unique twist, the Caline CP-10 Hot Mushroom Compressor guitar effects pedal gives budget-conscious musicians a reliable compressor pedal that doesn’t break the bank. Its simple two-knob interface lets you go from a soft, subtle compression effect to full-on heavy compression. Boost quiet parts and even out loud spikes for rock-solid tone. The Caline CP-10 Hot Mushroom Compressor comes with a true bypass feature.
Friedman Amplification Sir-Compre
The Friedman Amplification Sir-Compre is a meaty compressor pedal with some extra crunch, marrying super-transparent optical compression with smooth overdrive to give you the tools you need for epic guitar tone. Compression forms the meat of the pedal, with dedicated Volume, Treble, Compression, and Tight knobs for precise and powerful tone sculpting. The yummy, sizzling fat on top comes courtesy of a Gain control that lets you shape your tone further, from ultra-clean to semi-overdriven.
MXR Script Dyna Comp
The Dyna Comp Compressor is well-known for its first-rate, no-frills approach to producing full-bodied sustain and tightening up your guitar signal. Similar to the Phase 90, this tiny red gem is a standout among its kind. The pedals introduced during the mid-70s are valued for their distinctive sound and performance. The Script Dyna Comp Compressor takes that vintage sound and adds several updates for modern gigging ease. It is built around the elusive CA3080 “metal can” integrated circuit that delivers greater transparency, more silent operation, and broader dynamic range.
MOSKY Compressor
Budget guitar effects pedal brand Mosky Audio’s Dynamic Compressor is a bit of an upgrade to its red-painted cousin, the Dyna Compressor. Instead of a single Comp knob, its control layout hews closer to the classic MXR Dyna Comp with the paired Output and Sensitivity knobs. The way it tightens up your guitar signal and enriches your sustain is also reminiscent of a classic Ross Compressor from the ‘70s. What all this means is the Dynamic Compressor is one hell of a workhorse compressor that’s not only small but also budget friendly.
Amptweaker Curveball Jr
The Amptweaker Curveball Jr 3-Band EQ boasts dual Boost functions and can be utilized as a clean channel preamp. The Curveball Jr is a convenient but potent tool for tweaking your pedalboard, boosting your amp, or shaping your tone. This 3-band active EQ is flat when set halfway and can emulate different classic passive guitar amp EQs. The Mid switch allows you to select the mid frequency for Thrash, UK, or US style of midrange. You can use the Curveball in front of distortion to increase the gain while tailoring the thickness and attack of your distortion.
Joyo 6-Band EQ
The JF-11 6-Band EQ from budget guitar effects pedal company Joyo is a true workhorse graphic equalizer: versatile, unobtrusive, and essential to getting the exact tone you want. With six EQ sliders, each of which can cut or boost by 18dB, the JF-11 6-Band EQ can supercharge your high end with more harmonic articulation, keep your mids firmly in the mix, or let you dial in earth shakingly subterranean lows. Use it as an always-on pedal or engage the EQ for precise and specific frequency boosts.
Caline 10 Band EQ
As its name suggests, the Caline CP-24 10 Band EQ gives you nigh-unprecedented tonal control over your instrument’s sound. This essential stompbox features a massive range of channels: 31.25Hz, 62.5Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1k Hz, 2k Hz, 4k Hz, 8k Hz, and 16k Hz. Apart from those 10 channels, it also has a Gain channel, plus each EQ slider has its own LED light, so you know exactly where you’ve set each channel.
Orange Two Stroke
Two Stroke is Orange’s take on the classic clean boost pedal, boasting increased flexibility. With an active dual parametric equalizer coupled with up to 12dB of output boost, the Two Stroke serves as an exceptional tool for fine-tuning your sound or driving the front end of your amp with unparalleled control. The dual-parametric active EQ enables anything from wide, mild cuts and boosts to narrow dips or peaks. The Two Stroke also features transparent buffered bypass and internal charge pump.
Aguilar Tone Hammer
The Aguilar Tone Hammer preamp/direct box allows you to take full control of your tone. It is an invaluable addition to every bassist’s toolbox. Built on the OBP-3 preamp, the sturdy Tone Hammer boasts wholly sweepable midrange frequencies, treble, and bass controls. This powerful combination places multiple sculpting capabilities at your fingertips, and you may directly connect it to a live sound system or your recording rig. The Tone Hammer is rocking the Adaptive Gain Shaping circuitry, allowing you to dial in anything from serious overdrive to vintage tones.
Utility Pedals
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.
Nux HD Pitch
The NUX HD Pitch is an accurate tuner consists of full-colored LED screen and HD visuals. It is suitable to be first in your signal chain. When you disengage the HD Pitch pedal, it functions as a signal buffer (in Buffer Bypass mode). This tiny pedal tuner is a new breed, built and developed with NUX’s most advanced technology yielding a quick response time and unparalleled precision tuning. The HD Pitch features two bright LED screens that show you the calibration, tuning, notes, and bypass mode.
JIM DUNLOP JHM9
The JHM9 pedal is built to give you a dynamic tonal sweep identical to that of the original Italian-manufactured Thomas Organ wah utilized by Jimi Hendrix—the distinctive wah sound you can hear on Hendrix classics such as Little Miss Lover, Voodoo Child (Slight Return), Up From the Sky, and Still Raining, Still Dreaming. The JHM9 comes in at half the footprint of a regular wah pedal with a black gator base and sleek chrome top rocker.
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.
Digitech DROP
The DigiTech Drop pedal allows you accurate and quick pitch shifting. You can drop your tuning from one semitone to a whole octave. You only need to step down on your Drop pedal to achieve your desired tuned-down chunk with the playing action you want. The DigiTech Drop pedal features nine settings. The first seven offer one to seven semitones of downward pitch shifting, while the other two settings give octave downshifting with or without dry signal.
Caline Tuner Power
The Caline CP-09 Tuner-Power may not serve up any bizarre, mind bending guitar effects, but it can serve as the literal heart of any pedalboard rig by acting as both a tuner and a power supply device. In Tuner mode, you get a sensitive and stable chromatic tuner with am easy-to-see LED display. Switch it to Power mode and you can power up to six standard 100mA effects pedals and up to two 500ma power guzzlers.
GOKKO Repeater
The GOKKO Repeater Looper GK-27 guitar effects pedal is a workhorse loop stomp at a price that’s very hard to beat. You get one control dial, one footswitch, and a lengthy 10 minutes of available loop time to craft your own highly intricate, multilayered tracks. Recording a loop and adding unlimited overdubs is simplicity in itself; press on the footswitch once to turn the LED red and you’re recording. Step in it again to turn the LED blue and that marks the end of the loop. Rinse, repeat, and enjoy.
MOOER Groove Loop
Budget pedal maker brings together the Micro Looper and the Micro Drummer into one affordable, pedalboard-friendly guitar effects pedal. The Groove Loop makes for the perfect portable jamming companion, letting you use its looper and drum machine features either independently or simultaneously. The looper features 20 minutes of recording time and can sync automatically with the drum track. The drum machine comes with eight groove styles, each of which has two variations for a total of 16 different grooves.
Digitech TRIOPLUS
The DigiTech Trio+ is among the most impressive performance, writing, and practice tools for guitarists. This simple-to-use guitar pedal is built on DigiTech’s famed Trio technology which listens to your playing and instantly plays drum and bass accompaniment. The Trio+ gives you five additional genres for achieving the perfect feel. You select a genre and style variation, then start playing. The Trio+ pedal also includes three bass line modes that will fit any style of music you are playing.
ammoon Looper
The ammoon AP-09 Nano Loop Electric Guitar is a great budget clone of the venerable TC Electronics Ditto Looper Pedal, but with twice the maximum recording time. The AP-09 Nano Loop lets you record up to 10 minutes and comes with unlimited overdubs, undo, redo, and delete functions. Using it is as simple as stepping on a switch and turning a knob, of which it only has one to control the volume. You can also download and upload loops to the AP-09 Nano Loop via its integrated USB port.
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.
Electro-Harmonix Nano Looper 360
Taking its name from its recording time of up to 360 seconds, the Nano Looper 360 is a powerful looping device housed in a small and compact enclosure. The Nano Looper can store up to 11 loops and features an intuitive interface with only one footswitch handling record, overdub, undo, redo, and erase duties. No worries when it comes to loop quality, either; Electro=Harmonix kitted out the Nano Looper with 24-bit digital converters for high-quality sound.
Source Audio Soundblox Pro Multiwave Distortion
The Soundblox Pro Multiwave Distortion by Source Audio caters to sonic explorers, those musicians seeking unique sounds. It serves up 23 distinct and highly customizable effect types spanning from traditional to distinctive and aggressive synth-esque distortions. It incorporates a seven-band graphic EQ, MIDI input, six programmable user presets, and an expression pedal input that lets you smoothly morph from a preset to another. Programmability, versatility, and a bold sense of adventure make the Multiwave Pro an invaluable tool for both stage and studio.
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.
Caline Overdrive
Use the Caline CP-18 Orange Burst Overdrive as a subtle volume booster or crank up the Gain for a warm, mild fuzz. Dedicated Treble and Bass dials let you precisely control your guitar’s overdriven tone, cutting and boosting the high and low ends as needed for more versatility. Power it with a 9V battery or a compatible power supply unit and get ready to go to overdrive town with the Caline CP-18 Orange Burst Overdrive.
Two Notes Le Clean
The tube-powered Le Clean dual channel preamp turns to sunny southern California for its tonal cues. It sports a super clean A channel with a vintage voiced pre-grain EQ and a drive saturated B channel with higher gain levels and a post-gain EQ with mid sweep. These channels can be used independently, in parallel, or cascaded for extreme tonal versatility. Each channel also features its own dedicated control knobs and EQ sections for iron fisted tone tweaking.
Two Notes Le Lead 2-channel Tube Preamp
The Le Lead dual channel preamp pedal from Two Notes is a tube-powered beast, capable of unleashing everything from a subtle drive crunch to in your face metal and over the top fuzz. Use channel A for the crunch, then switch to channel B for a modern high gain sound. These channels can be used independently, in parallel, or cascaded for extreme tonal versatility. Each channel also features its own dedicated control knobs and EQ sections for iron fisted tone tweaking.
Chase Bliss Audio MOOD
The MOOD from Chase Bliss Audio is a dual-channel granular micro-looper/delay. Built to be immediate and playful, it is a study of interaction, and is designed to be “internally collaborative.” The MOOD enables audio to freely pass back and forth between its two sides—wet channel and loop channel, which were developed by Old Blood Noise Endeavors and Drolo FX respectively. The MOOD’s heart is a clock control that accelerates or slows both sides in harmonized steps.
Carl Martin Match Box
The Carl Martin Match Box addresses the issues you encounter when utilizing two instruments through one amp. It is an A/B Switch with individual Gain controls for the instrument inputs. You can plug two instruments into Input 1 and Input 2, connect the Output either directly into your amplifier or pedalboard, and adjust the Gain controls on the Match Box so both instruments deliver a similar Output Gain to the pedalboard or amp. That eradicates the need to reset Gain levels on the amp when changing guitars and lets you switch instruments conveniently and quickly during your performance.
Carl Martin Route Box
Have you ever find yourself out on a gig playing both electric and acoustic guitar and utilizing two amps but just one pedalboard? Then Carl Martin has a simple solution for you! It understands that musicians sometimes need to supply more gear to satisfy the demands of a show. Its Route Box is a dual A/B box that allows you to route two guitars to either of the two amps. The Route Box features an amp select footswitch keeping the two amps, two instruments, and one pedalboard dedicated and routed.
Pigtronix Infinity Remote
Level up your looping capabilities and add new functionality to your Infinity Looper with the Infinity Remote from Pigtronix. It is a dual momentary switch created to complement your Infinity Looper pedal. Unlocking the full potential of the Infinity Looper pedal, this portable remote switch gives you access to reverse, redo, and undo functionality along with several other hidden features. The Infinity Remote enables REC-overdub-play and instant clear of individual loops. It consists of Reverse and Undo buttons.
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.
Boss AB-2 2-Way Selector
Make changing between different outputs and inputs a breeze with the Boss AB-2 Two-Way Selector. With a single stomp, you can switch between two different guitars, amps, or guitar effects pedal setups. Plug in a tuner and you can easily check your tuning while in the middle of a gig without having to worry about stray notes messing up your group’s performance. You can also use the Boss AB-2 Two-Way Selector as a quick kill switch.
Boss OC3 Super Octave
The Boss OC-3 Super Octave guitar effects pedal is more than your average octave stompbox. It comes with three modes: one that recreates the classic sound of the old OC-2 Octave Pedal, a Drive mode that adds a crunchy distortion to your signal, and finally a new Polyphonic Octave mode that can be adjusted to play only within a specific note range. The Boss OC-3 Super Octave also comes with dedicated input jacks for guitar and bass, making it an even more versatile stompbox.
Orange Amp Detonator
Running two amps is an accepted way of capturing bigger tones in the studio and on stage. No matter if it is changing between two amps for their characteristics or employing them simultaneously for vast walls of sounds, professionals have been using this setup for years. The Amp Detonator by Orange is arguably the tiniest active, wholly functional, buffered ABY pedal available. The transformer output was painstakingly engineered to become as transparent as possible, while the two outputs are buffered with a low-noise, linear circuit. Drive lengthy cable to your amplifiers without clarity loss and change quietly between them.
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.
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.
Mission Engineering VM-PRO
Not your dime a dozen volume pedal, the VM-PRO by Mission Engineering is a multi-output, buffered, adjustable volume pedal that is ready for action. Imagine it as an excellent starting point for your signal chain. Suitable for your acoustic-electric guitar, bass, and electric guitar, you can set the VM-PRO’s input jack for active or passive instruments. The buffered output guarantees proper frequency response via your pedals and lengthy cable runs. The VM-PRO volume pedal can handle whatever rig you are running.
Suhr Buffer
Modern players demand reliability, quality, and exceptional tone. The Suhr Buffer leverages only top-grade components, including a machined billet aluminum chassis, Glass Epoxy PCB, and low noise audiophile Op-Amps, to guarantee that your tone investment is preserved across your signal chain. Regarding reliability and quality, Suhr designed the Buffer with the same attention to detail as its other award-winning products. It is equipped with two individual outputs and comes in a portable, solid, aluminum enclosure.
TC Electronic Bonafide Buffer
Joining TC Electronic’s renowned collection of mini pedals, the Bonafide Buffer is another essential tone tool that will help you win the battle against treble loss due to massive pedalboards and lengthy cable runs. This no-frills pure analog buffer provides you with a 1K ohm output and 1M ohm input so your instrument’s signal can flow freely through your chain. You get an unaltered and transparent tone just like you would when you connect directly to your amp. The Bonafide Buffer serves as your natural gateway to a strong tone.
MXR Noise Clamp
Clampdown on excess noise and hiss with the Noise Clamp pedal by MXR. By sensing the dry signal of your guitar, it lowers the noise level in the effect loop, putting the kibosh on even your noisiest signal. A single Trigger dial lets you select the volume threshold at which the Noise Clamp is active, and a green LED tells you whether the gate is on/off. The Noise Clamp can trim noise up to 26dB, preserving riff definition at massive gain levels.
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.
Xvive Noise Gate
The innocuously named Noise Gate from budget guitar effects pedal creator Xvive is a wide range noise suppressor that packs an excellent amount of dynamic response. It features 100% attenuation when gated and makes great use of ultra-high speed circuitry to get rid of all the unwanted noise lurking in your signal. Perhaps best of all, it doesn’t require a manual to get the settings right. The Naoise Gate is easy to use, compact, road-tough, and comes with true bypass switching.
Carl Martin Noise Terminator
The Carl Martin Noise Terminator is designed to maintain the original tonal characteristics while eliminating unwanted noise occurring from using multiple effects. It outperforms traditional noise gates by allowing you to switch between two threshold settings—Hard when more radical settings are necessary or Soft with less noisy equipment. Using the remote jack, you can connect the Noise Terminator to an external midi switching system that lets you go between Hard and Soft settings conveniently. The Noise Terminator is a 9V-battery-powered pedal featuring an AC adapter jack.
ZVex Loop Gate
Noise gates are infinitely useful, but gating becomes a lot more challenging when you’re facing a pedalboard full of sonically complex effects such as fuzz boxes and delay stomps. The Loop Gate is boutique guitar effects company Zvex’s answer to that conundrum. It acts as a loop switch with an excellent built-in high headroom noise gate with zero distortion and hiss. You can switch effects loops in and out at will, plus you can even crossfade them using the Mix knob and deliver tremolo-style effects in Chop mode.
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.
Joyo GEM BOX III
The Gem Box III is Joyo’s flagship entry in the guitar multi-effects processor arena, and it packs quite a punch. The Gem Box III features 61 preamp models, 157 effect types, and 300 preset tones. It also comes loaded with 26 impulse responses, to which you can add your own via Joyo’s Studio software. For playing solo, the Gem Box III’s drum machine with 40 presets and 10 metronome rhythms will come in handy along with the 52-second looper. And when it’s time to hit the stage, this sturdy unit will hold up to the rigors of the road.
MOOER Groove Loop
Budget pedal maker brings together the Micro Looper and the Micro Drummer into one affordable, pedalboard-friendly guitar effects pedal. The Groove Loop makes for the perfect portable jamming companion, letting you use its looper and drum machine features either independently or simultaneously. The looper features 20 minutes of recording time and can sync automatically with the drum track. The drum machine comes with eight groove styles, each of which has two variations for a total of 16 different grooves.
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.
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,
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.
JOYO O.M.B
Joyo’s OMB Looper and Drum Machine turns you into a one-man band with a single stomp. This single pedal can act as a looper, a drum machine, or a combo looper plus drum machine. The looper function lets you record up to 40 minutes of audio and features unlimited overdubs, auto-align, and count-in. You get seven drum patterns and seven drumbeats in drum machine mode, plus you can add fills to the patterns and use a tap tempo function. The OMB is an R Series pedal, meaning it has cool ambient LED effects built into it.
Other Pedals
EBS Stanley Clarke Signature Wah-Wah
Achieve bass legend Stanley Clarke’s signature tone with the EBS Stanley Clarke Signature Wah/Tone Filter. This ultra-versatile wah-wah pedal does not affect the whole frequency range and lets you choose from four distinct pre-shape pass modes (Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass, and Boosted Band-pass). It also provides controls to set the Width and Range of the effect span. It features a unique pedal design that meets Stanley’s high standards with the best wah-wah effects possible. It is the first time EBS has launched a signature product.
Morley Bad Horsie 2
Steve Vai’s signature wah, the Bad Horsie, has become one of the most legendary wah pedals today—not to mention Morley’s best selling wah ever. Now, Morley has gone and enhanced the Bad Horsie with an all-new Contour Wah mode that lets you alter the pedal’s wah frequency and output via dedicated control dials. If you’re still hankering for the classic Bad Horsie wah tone, don’t worry. Switch the Bad Horsie II over to Bad Horsie Wah mode and you’ll get the original’s Vai-approved wah tone.
Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Cry Baby
The Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Cry Baby wah pedal boasts some cool and unusual circuitry tweaks. It is voiced by a vintage-style Halo Inductor for more harmonic content and growl. It also features an internal switch for non-true bypass or true-bypass operation and an output buffer which prevents impedance mismatch. The Joe Bonamassa Signature Cry Baby is among the most expressive wahs, with customized circuitry and vintage appointments. It comes in a lightweight aluminum chassis, copper top with a black body.
Morley Maverick Mini Switchless Wah
The modulation masters at Morley have outdone themselves with the Mini Maverick Switchless Wah. It’s smaller than the average wah pedal, which instantly makes it a much better proposition for those concerned about pedalboard space, but it also packs an impressive variety of both vintage and modern wah tones into its small, road-tough chassis. Whether you use it with a guitar, bass, or keyboard, the Mini Maverick Switchless Wah will serve up all the funk you need.
Vox V847 Union Jack
Vox’s limited-edition V847 Union Jack advances on the V847’s legendary design with improved functionality and dynamics, credits to some design changes. A revamped inductor takes the new pedal’s specs way closer to that of the original. The input buffer prevents impedance loading of the signal to keep your instrument’s tone in bypass mode. By remaining true to the feel and tone of the 60s Vox wah while broadening its legacy, the V847 Union Jack provides you with a contemporary update on a classic.
TWA Wah Rocker
Totally Wycked Audio’s Wah Rocker stomp resurrects the legendary Guyatone Wah Rocker “Duck Box,” a funk machine that has lent its distinctive sound to such greats as Lenny Kravitz and David Torn. The TWA Wah Rocker is based on Guyatone’s original WR3 circuit and adds a host of mechanical improvements including TWA’s Shortest Send Switching (S3) true bypass function. Tone-wise, it’s pure Wah Rocker funk; all the squawky, slippery, and souped-up grooves of the original, minus the vintage price tag.
Donner Alpha Acoustic
Distinguished by its remarkable tone, user-friendly form factor, and compact size, the Donner Alpha Acoustic is an effects chain combining three effects in one, including a hall reverb, acoustic preamp, and dreamy chorus. It features an LED indicator that shows you the working state and buffer bypass that gives a transparent tone. The Alpha Acoustic consists of a Reverb module with natural decay and rich spaciousness, Preamp module for tonal improvement, and Chorus module for making the natural sense of space.
JOYO D-SEED
The Joyo D-Seed guitar effects pedal is a dual-channel digital delay that serves up a bevy of highly musical delay tones. You get 17ms to 1000ms of delay time plus four delay modes. First is Copy, which just plays back the notes you play without any additional effects. Analog emulates the warmth of an analog BBD delay pedal and Modulation adds a splash of chorus to the delay effect. Finally, there’s Reverse for when you want to get really weird and trippy. Great delay effects at a similarly great price.
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.
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 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.
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.
MXR M282
The MXR Dyna Comp Bass compressor gives you the most iconic compression sound, customized and tuned particularly for bassists. Built upon the CA3080 “metal can” integrated circuit for broader dynamic range, silent operation, and superior transparency, the Dyna Comp Bass is complete with fundamental controls for sculpting that sweet Dyna Comp swish. Regular Dyna Comp compressors tend to squash bass signal dynamics, depriving bassists of the transparency necessary to make the low end fundamental shine. The Dyna Comp Bass includes Clean and Tone knobs for preserving low end integrity and tonal dynamics respectively.
Dunlop Cry Baby Bass
Designed by bassists for bassists, the Dunlop 105Q Cry Baby bass pedal allows you new ways to groove. It concentrates on the top end and midrange of your tone, keeping your lows solid and intact so your sound remains powerful and thick. It also features an adjustable Q that allows you to set how extreme the wah effect is. This amazing pedal is used by acclaimed bassists such as Robert Trujillo, Doug Wimbish, Flea, and several others.
Darkglass Vintage Microtubes Deluxe
The Vintage Microtubes Deluxe from Darkglass serves up the Vintage Microtubes’ signature warm, tube-like tones and includes a four-band active EQ, balanced line driver, and parallel output. It gives that natural dynamic response and organic compression of vintage tape machines and tube amplifiers, cramming four decades of iconic tones within a unit that fits inside your gig bag. The Vintage Microtubes Deluxe features controls for Blend, Drive, Level, Hi Mids, Low, Low Mids, and Treble, as well as Attack and Grunt switches.
Xvive W2 Overdrive Fuzz
The Fuzz Overdrive from Xvive delivers a tube-style drive that goes from subtle dirt to a screaming, highly compressed edge of breakup tube amp sound. It packs an insanely long sustain fuzz while giving you plenty of iron fisted tonal control. The Fuzz Overdrive also features impressively enhanced picking dynamics that you don’t usually hear in normally compressed fuzz and drive boxes. You can mix and match the Fuzz Overdrive’s effects any way you want.
VOX StompLab 1B
Vox’s StompLab series includes impressive contenders that load exceptional sounds into portable, sophisticated looking metal enclosures. Sound variations are classified by style, like a ballad, blues, and rock, making it convenient for newbies to recall the preferred sound. The feature-laden StompLab IB is suitable for those who want plenty of tones in a tiny space. Leveraging a similar sound engine as ToneLab multi-effects units and VT+ amps, the StompLab delivers 100 gig quality presets for virtually any music style.
Tech 21 VT Bass DI
Tech 21 has taken their renowned SansAmp system and used it to create the Character Series pedals, stompboxes designed to emulate some of the most highly respected classic amp tones ever heard. These effects pedals aren’t just for guitarists, either, as exemplified by the VT Bass DI. Much like the original VT Bass, the VT Bass DI serves up a massive full-stack SVT sound, with the added versatility of a direct input function that lets you plug straight into a mixer or PA.
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.
Caline Hot Spice
As two pedals in one, the Caline CP-31 Hot Spice Wah/VOL guitar effect pedal is even more budget-friendly compared to Caline’s other, very reasonably priced stompbox offerings. On the wah side, you get a funky, full-sounding wah effect based on the classic Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah’s sound. Flick a switch from Wah to Volume mode and you get a smooth action volume pedal that takes up way less space on your pedalboard compared to other expression pedals.
MOOER Free Step
The Free Step is an innovative little guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox masters Mooer that pulls double duty as a vintage analog wah and a versatile volume pedal while being less than half the size of a regular expression pedal. You can shape the wah tone to you liking via the side-mounted Q dial. In volume mode, you can set the minimum volume from 0% to 50% using the Min. Vol. dial located on the pedal’s side.
CNZ Audio Active Volume
The CNZ Active Volume Pedal is constructed with a sturdy steel housing, weighted knobs, and a golden CNZ Audio logo. It holds up under an overzealous volume controllers and intense heavy-footed players. This volume pedal is easy to use, making it an ideal choice for beginners. Just plug the pedal in and you get complete control of your volume. The CNZ Active Volume Pedal also boasts boost capabilities and adjustment knobs that advanced players will enjoy.
Boss FV-500L
The FV-500 series takes Boss’s industry-standard volume pedal designs into the future. Tank-tough with a stylishly designed high-grade aluminum body and packing silky smooth action, the FV-500 line of volume pedals were created to go above and beyond the needs of even the most hard-touring and demanding musician. The FV-500H is the line’s stereo low-impedance model with a convenient tuner-output jack and an Expression output for use with expression pedal-compatible amps, synthesizers, and other effects pedals.
Mission Engineering VM-PRO Carbon Print
Featuring a beautiful carbon print, the VM-PRO from Mission Engineering is the most sophisticated volume pedal available. It resolves typical volume pedal issues, which result in mismatching and tone sucking problems. The VM-PRO works with your baritone, bass, electric, or electro-acoustic guitars. It is also great with other electric and acoustic instruments, including steel guitars, electronic keyboards, and instrument microphones. It incorporates a sparkle control, isolated tuner out, onboard buffers, and compatibility switches for use with fuzz pedals and active/passive pickups.
Mission Engineering EP1-KP Kemper
Utilize the EP1-KP switching expression pedal from Mission Engineering to maximize your Kemper Profiling Amp. It incorporates a linear potentiometer that has been matched exactly to the specs of the Kemper Profiler for a natural and accurate response. It also includes a toe switch so you can turn effects on/off without needing a separate footswitch. The EP1-KP comes in black or green finish and is compatible with both the rack and head variants, as well as the Remote floor controller.
DOD Mini Expression
Useless to worry about not having enough space for an expression pedal, the DOD Mini Expression perfectly fits your pedalboard—and budget! Gear drive, non-slip rubber base, and sturdy all-steel enclosure mean it is capable of enduring severe gig abuse. This compact pedal boasts the same throw and feel as other pedals double its size. The Mini Expression carries a TRS/TS/RTS selector that makes it versatile to work with virtually any gear with expression pedal inputs.
Zoom FS01 Expression
Unleash the full potential of your Zoom equipment with the FS01. This momentary footswitch for bass effects devices and guitar lets you bypass effects, mute the delay input, enable the delay hold function, and turn the tuner on/off. The FS01 is the perfect accessory for a variety of Zoom products. It is compatible with RFX2000, RT123, RT323, RT234, MRS1044, and several other Zoom products. Zoom has made a killing from manufacturing budget-friendly multi-effects processors and recording devices.
Mission Engineering EP1-KP
Get the most out of your Kemper Profiler and Remote with the EP1-KP from Mission Engineering. This switching expression pedal features a linear potentiometer matched precisely to the Kemper Profiling Amp’s specs for a natural and accurate response. Even better, the EP1-KP carries a toe switch that you may connect to your Kemper Profiling Amp to turn effects on/off without needing a separate footswitch. Right down to its beautiful green finish, the EP1-KP pairs nicely with your Kemper amp.
Line 6 EX-1
Designed for utilization with Line 6 stompbox modelers and other pedals, the EX-1 expression pedal lets you morph seamlessly between any two settings of a model. For the AX2, it can be employed for volume or wah. Boasting durable construction, the EX-1 features custom wahs, pitch control, and two preset variations. The EX-1 is compatible with stompbox modelers (M5, M9, M13, DL4, DM4, FM4, MM4), POD HD400, POD HD500, POD HD500X, POD XT Live, POD X3 Live, and others.
Boss EV-30 Dual Expression
Every pedalboard owner knows space is a premium. Boss kept that in mind when designing the Boss EV-30 Dual Expression Pedal, giving it a small form factor and big expression features that rival that of any full-size expression pedal. The EV-30 comes with isolated dual expression outputs so you can control two separate effects with a single pedal, independent pedal range adjustments for each output, and a polarity switch that makes it compatible with most pedals that support an external expression pedal.
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.
Carl Martin Rock Bug
The Rock Bug by Carl Martin is an amp/speaker simulator and headphone rehearsal unit running on a single 9v battery. Simply plug your guitar into the unbalanced 1/4″ input of the headphone amp, connect your favorite headphones to the unbalanced 1/4″ output, and off you go. You can choose between closed and open cabinet simulation through the mini-toggle switch, adjust your guitar’s volume using the Guitar knob, and wail away thanks to the privacy of your headphones.
Mooer TresCab
The TresCab lets you plug directly into a soundboard without sucking the life out of your tone. This speaker sim from budget guitar effects pedal maker Mooer even helps make your tone sound full by way of five different cab type sounds: small 1×8″ and 1×10″ combo amps, open 1×12″ and 2×12″ cabs, and a closed-back 4×12″ stack. You also get two additional modes for fine-tuning: EQ mode for sculpting high and low frequencies and Mic mode for adjusting the mic placement.
Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble
The rotary speaker has long been a staple of the classic sound of many legendary guitar heroes. With the Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble twin pedal stompbox, Boss lets you add that same vintage effect to your arsenal. Powered by Boss’s Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) technology, the RT-20 accurately reproduces the classic sound of a spinning, swirling rotary cabinet. The Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble also features onboard overdrive effects, adjustable transition times, and a virtual rotor display.
Joyo Boogie Master
The JF-309 Boogie Master guitar effects pedal from Joyo is a Mesa Boogie amp sim that gives you that trademark “roided-out Marshall” sound without having to spend over a thousand bucks on an actual Mesa Boogie amp. Crank the Drive knob up for a high-gain Mesa sound or stay clean to hew closer to a Boogie. The JF-309 Boogie Master is an Ironman pedal, so it’s small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover to keep your control dial settings safe from stray stomps.
Joyo 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.
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.
Keeley Synth 1
The Synth 1 guitar effects pedal from Keeley is a monophonic synth pedal that reads your signal’s pitch and doubles it using simple synth waveforms. Dial in anything from an instant synth effect to volume swell-style layering using the Filter and Attack knobs, then use the Blend dial, the three-position wave shape selector, and the fuzzed-out Chaos switch to create cool and unique sounds you can use to great effect. Connect an expression pedal for even more control.
Boss MO-2 Multi Overtone
The Boss MO-2 Multi Overtone guitar effects pedal is among the vanguard of Boss’s next generation of stompboxes. Powered by the magic of Roland’s innovative Multi-Dimensional Processing (MPD) technology, the MO-2 generates harmonically rich overtones that complement, enhance, and thicken your guitar or bass sound, whether you’re playing clean or distorted. Three unique modes and a dedicated Detune knob let you add all-new dynamic resonance textures to your sound, ranging from shimmering multi-string sounds to organ- and synth-like voicings.
Pigtronix Mothership2
Transform your bass or guitar into a three-voice analog synthesizer with the Mothership 2 pedal from Pigtronix. It consists of five custom dual-concentric knobs that give you incredible control over synth parameters, including separate level controls for square wave, triangle wave, and sine wave oscillators. Paired with your clean guitar tone, you have a massive synth voice capable of covering three octaves. It accurately tracks your instrument’s pitch and amplitude. The Mothership 2 will unlock a different world of creative potential for your bass or guitar.
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.
WMD Geiger Counter Civilian Issue
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 Civilian Issue is a stripped down version of the original, featuring 32 preset sounds and a far less complicated control layout.



















































































































































































































