Pedals 101
Source: Walrus Audio Effects Instagram
Is there anything better than buying your first guitar?! Perusing all of the options, connecting with your perfect match, and walking out of the store like a rockstar. Watch out world - nothing's gonna stop you now.
It’s a great feeling. BUT. There actually is something better than buying that first guitar, and that’s buying your first guitar pedal. If choosing the first guitar sets you on the path of a musical journey, acquiring a guitar pedal is the thing that unleashes your creativity and shifts your journey into an adventure of unlimited possibilities.
Dipping your toe into the world of guitar pedals can feel overwhelming due to the sheer volume of options. Let’s make sense out of the musical menagerie.
The Basics
Chances are that you got into guitar based on music that inspired you. Undoubtedly, you admired the specific sound of guitars in certain songs. Pedals are tools that help you to imitate these sounds and, ultimately, for you to create your own unique sonic personality.
A pedal is a piece of equipment that affects the sound of your guitar. There are many effects that can be used to create different sounds. Each guitar pedal attempts to do just that, hence the wide variety of pedals on the market today.
There are a few types of pedals that are great starting points as you start exploring effects:
Tuner Pedal
A tuner pedal is a quick and easy way to tune your guitar without messing with handheld or clip-on tuners. You simply turn on the pedal and tune your guitar right there!
Distortion Pedal
Distortion pedals change the sound of the guitar by giving it a heavier “crunchy” tone. Think “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones.
Reverb Pedal
Reverb pedals create the feeling that your sound is bouncing around a space. It helps to simulate the acoustics of a venue as sound echoes back to you. Check out the chorus of “Ready to Let Go” by Cage the Elephant to get a feel for this effect.
Delay Pedal
Delay pedals are time-based and allow you to repeat a sound or riff after a determined amount of time. This can help produce a more layered sound. An iconic example of using a delay pedal is Guns ‘n Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.”
Chorus Pedal
Chorus pedals create a watery sound, giving vibes like Nirvana’s “Come As You Are.” These pedals take the original sound and duplicates it so that it sounds like more than one instrument is playing.
Looper Pedal
Looper pedals allow you to record a piece of music and then to play it back on a loop. This allows you to create layers of sound in real time with minimal instruments. Watch this video of KT Tunstall performing “Black Horse & the Cherry Tree” to get a feel for the power of this pedal.
Source: Earthquake Devices
Choosing a Pedal
Though you may start out by trying to imitate a musical legend, the end goal of using pedals is for you to play with sound and to discover your own musical passion. Here’s some advice as you move towards those first few pedals purchases.
Research Sounds
Most pedal companies will have recordings of their specific pedals on their websites; however, another useful source of information is YouTube. Type in the pedal you are researching and let the magic of the internet do its thing. You can often find not only recordings but also reviews of pedals, which can be helpful when deciding between a few different ones. Check out the YouTube channel for Earthquaker Devices for some great demos and info! If you feel intrigued, remember that Rock 101 students get a 20% discount at Earthquaker Devices using code Rock10120
Watch the Pricetag
Pedals do not have to be pricey to be effective. Although you can definitely find some amazing high cost boutique pedals, you can also find great quality in lower priced items. Check out the Fundamentals Series by Walrus Audio. These are a cost effective way to explore sound without breaking the bank. Great news - Rock 101 students get a 25% discount at Walrus Audio. Use code WalrusLovesRock101 at checkout.
Used pedals are also a great option! Buying used lowers the price and might drop some higher models into your price range. Don’t forget that Music Go Round here in Albuquerque has a wide variety of used equipment!
Have Fun
If details start getting the better of you, remember that the whole point is to have fun! Music is an exploration and pedals provide one path of discovery. Try things out. Experiment. Create your own musical signature. Mozart said, “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” So true, love it. But also…music is in the notes. Let pedals make your notes unforgettable.
- Danielle Parker