If you’re a musician, investing in a couple of effects processor pedals is a great way to expand your creative possibilities, whether on stage or in the studio. Since there are a myriad of options available on the market, we thought it would be helpful to list our favorites, from powerful distortion pedals to multi-effects processors for vocals and acoustic instruments.
Overdrive and Distortion Effects
For budget-conscious musicians in search of an 80’s style rock or heavy metal sound, the Heavy Metal HM300 from Behringer is an impressively capable option. Delivering thick, unapologetic distortion with sustain effects, you’ll get the kind of effect that’s typically only available from high-gain amplifiers. With a two-band EQ, level controls, and super easy operation, this model is a no brainer for guitarists looking for an accessible, yet powerful distortion pedal.
Looking for a convincing recreation of the Klon Centaur overdrive sound from the 90’s? Check out the Centavo Overdrive Pedal from Warm Audio. Turn the gain down and crank up the output up to get a clean boost and add some edge. Or make it dirty with a paired British style amp. And if you just want a clear overdrive sound, tweak the saturation to retain the integrity of your amp and guitar.
Reverb & Delay
For a vintage style reverb, check out the UAFX Golden Reverb from Universal Audio. The pedal offers three different reverb effects. Spring 65 is inspired by classic 60’s American guitar amps. Plate 140 emulates the German plate reverbs of the legendary Record Plant studio, and Hall 224 is modeled after iconic reverbs from the late 70’s.
The well-established brand, Eventide, has produced a myriad of classic effects processors that have been famously used on tons of records. The TimeFactor, which is a twin delay effects processor, sports two inputs and two outputs, giving you flexibility in how you use the pedal. The two delays can work on independent inputs and outputs, or the delays can be fed from the same inputs and the delay outputs combined. Amongst the generous features, you’ll get twenty users presets, tap tempo, and MIDI clock sync, as well as support for line level instruments.
Tremolo
If you’re searching for an easy-to-use pedal with classic tremolo effects, take a look at the Tremolo TR-2 from BOSS. You’ll get a vintage flavor with dedicated Wave, Rate, and Depth knobs for precise effect design. Use a 9V battery to stay untethered to a power source, or invest in an optional PSA-Series adapter, so you don’t have to worry about losing power on stage.
Compressor and Limiter
For those looking for a studio style compressor and limiter with no tonal coloring, the Pico Platform from Electro-Harmonix is a great choice. You can choose between hard or soft knee compressions and use the Blend control knob to adjust the wet/dry mix. The pedal also provides a sustain knob to adjust the compression ratio, allowing you to decide how much gain reduction is applied once the signal goes beyond your threshold level.
Loopers
One of the most popular looper effects pedals on the market is the Ditto Looper from TC Electronic. Compact and easy to use with its single knob and switch operation, this cute pedal can record up to a 5-minute loop with unlimited overdubs in 24-bit digital audio. Use the undo/redo feature to delete or recall an overdub so you can get your loop just right as you record it. The pedal features an analog dry-through that lets your unlooped signal pass through without digital conversion, allowing you to retain the purity of your signal. Finally, the Ditto Looper also has true bypass feature to preserve the original tone of your instrument.
Multi-Effects Processors
We don’t want to leave out any vocalists in this article. And the V6-SP Multi-Effects Vocal Processor Pedal from Zoom is actually one of the most fun pedals on this list. Designed specifically for live performance, this thing is loaded with vocal effects and preloaded patches, as well as a harmony generator, looper, formant shift pedal, and preamp. It even acts as a USB audio interface for recording.
While there aren’t a ton of pedals designed for acoustic guitars, we don’t want to leave anyone out. The A1X Four, again from Zoom, is a great way to open up the possibilities for acoustic instruments. It offers 90 effects in total, with 35 effects specifically designed for acoustic instruments. In addition, it has premium guitar emulation engine that delivers a highly realistic alteration of your guitar tones. For sure, this feature rich multi-effects pedal punches way above its price point. Run and chain up to five simultaneous 32-bit effects or activate the built-in looper for up to a 30 second loop. The pedal also has a chromatic tuner to get your guitar sounding just right, as well as an expression pedal that’s programmable. And you’re not just limited to guitars. Brass can sound fantastic too. Whether you’re looking for a gritty sax or an Auto Wah sound effect for your trumpet, the possibilities are virtually limitless.
For more information about the effects pedals listed, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out our detailed product pages.
