johntaylorspain There are lots of different types of guitar pedals types, each with its own unique set of controls. Whether you’re looking to add a bit of character or polish your tone, there are some essential pedals that every guitarist should have.
Demystifying Guitar Pedals: Understanding Their Functions and Uses
Volume Pedal
If you’re playing with a band, you might want to use a volume pedal to help control your own volume as well as the band’s. These pedals let you control your guitar’s volume by using a foot pressure pedal, making them ideal for fade outs and ins, or for a whole song’s worth of volume swells.
Drive Pedal
A drive pedal can take your normal guitar sound and give it more volume or even change its harmonic structure. They’re also sometimes known as a “boost” pedal, and they can be used for a variety of purposes – to cut through the mix during a solo, or to give your riffs more depth.
Chorus Pedal
A chorus pedal can create some very psychedelic-sounding effects by creating an array of phased sounds, giving you a more complex and atmospheric sound than just plain single notes. They’re often associated with psychedelic music of the ’60s and ’70s, but they can be used to make some truly awesome guitar sounds in any genre.
Octave Pedal
Similar to the wah pedal, an octave pedal lets you play notes that are either one or two octaves higher or lower than what you’re playing. These are best used with single notes rather than chords, and they can be very cool when combined with other pedals like a fuzz or distortion pedal.