Best electric guitar effects pedals for 2020

Electric guitar for many it acts as a coveted item that they would gladly buy. To become a member of the group and eventually become famous as the most outstanding guitarist, every second man in the street who dreams of a purchase amuses himself with such thoughts. Dreams are fueled by such famous guitarists who have achieved success as:

• Steven Seagal with his successful album Songs From Crystal Cave.
• Keanu Reeves, who released 3 albums as part of the group until 2000. She later, unfortunately, broke up.
• Hugh Laurie, starring in the phenomenal TV series Dr. House. He is a professional pianist and a member of the jazz band, with which the actor performs in between filming.
• and how can you not remember Jared Leto. The leader of the popular 30 Seconds To Mars band, which gathers millions of fans at their concerts.

What does a beginner need to get high-quality surround sound?

Those who, having gathered their courage, have acquired the coveted instrument, may notice that its sound is far from the desired one. The problem is that you need to purchase vital equipment for the electric guitar. Which include:

• Guitar amp. It not only makes the sound louder, but also affects the structure and timbre of the sound.
• Effects processor. An electronic device that modulates the sound of certain amplifiers (existing on the market and designed by the manufacturer).
• Effects pedals. An electronic device that processes the sound of an electric guitar and acts as an intermediate link between the instrument and the amplifier. It distorts clear sound and thanks to it you can hear the familiar and well-recognized sound.

Guitar effects pedals open up a limitless field of possibilities for the beginner. They qualitatively transform the original sound and make it almost unrecognizable. With their help, musicians discover new possibilities. In skillful hands, they create completely new sounds and emphasize certain moments in the song.

The instrument is a small metal box placed at the feet of the guitarist. The devices were nicknamed pedals due to the fact that switching on and off is carried out by stepping on a metal button with your foot.

In addition, there are volume and intensity controls for one specific effect (reverse, chorus, etc.). In rare cases, there are models that reproduce a specific melody (chorus with flangers, vibrato with tremolo). In this case, the compressor switches to expander mode. Multi-spectacular only digital devices.

Due to modularity, they combine different sounds in a derived order. There are certain rules about placing distortion and overdrive in a chain, but avant-garde artists even neglect them in their experiments.

To power the pedal, a household power supply with a voltage of 220 V is sufficient, having previously connected an adapter that reduces the indicator to 9 V. An option with the use of batteries of the "Krona" type is allowed.

The use of a power supply reduces the cost of purchasing batteries with frequent use (especially if there are several of them). The only advantage of batteries is their portability. This is true if the rehearsals are taking place away from the mains.

Due to the large assortment of guitar effects, it is difficult to make a choice and understand what exactly is lacking in an electric guitar. It is not always possible to listen to a seemingly correct option before buying. In order to avoid mistakes, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the main types presented in online stores and on shelves at specialized points.

What are they?

1. Bay-bay. The effect gets its name from its characteristic sound. The guitar makes a triple sound when pressed. It fades out when the pressure on the pedal decreases. Similar to a harmonica. One of the most popular among musicians. A classic effect with a variable frequency and known to the world since the 60s of the last century. Since then it has become a constant companion in rhythm and blues. The famous musician Eric Clapton contributed to this popularity. Used as musical inserts for many series of those times. The pinnacle of dynamic sound was achieved with virtuoso guitarist Jimi Hendrick. There are numerous models on the shelves with their own unique sound. This greatly complicates the choice. First of all, you need to pay attention to models equipped with adjustments for sound, depth, cycle and time. Automatic adjustments for this effect are available for purchase, so you don't have to constantly press the pedal.
2. Overdrive. The choice of many musicians. For its generation, the supplied sound signal is changed using an amplitude limiter. The process runs smoothly, removes the upper turns of the flat curve and rounds it. In other words, proportional distortion is obtained, which can be judged by the dynamics of the sound. Its strength is influenced by the degree to which the guitarist strikes the strings. It is allowed to use overdrive pedals as amplifiers of pure sound; for this, Drive is turned to a minimum, and OutPut to a maximum.
3. Fuzz. The classic solution. Applies to the aggressive electro-acoustic sound that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. As a rule, it is used to emphasize the solo part of the guitarist. In other cases, he will only spoil the joint composition.
4. Distortion. A radical limiter used by hard rock performers. The signal is clipped with a hard amplitude limiting. However, it should be understood that the standard effect will only spoil the bass sound. It must be chosen correctly. Only in this case they achieve a beautiful sound. Not a single generation of guitarists and listeners is crazy about him.
5. Booster. Its task is to amplify the signal supplied at the input to the amplifier. This makes it possible to properly overload, in other words, play at low volumes. It brings clarity to a guitar solo. An invariable component of the guitarist's arsenal with at least 4 effect pedals.
6. Metal. If you study the modulation principle in detail, it becomes clear that not even a separate effect, but distortion and overdrive turned to extremely high settings, a heavy metal background cannot be replaced for performers in the style of New Metal, Industrial, Hardcore.
7. Bluesdrive. Gives the velvety color to the guitar, which was characteristic of performers in the 50-70s.

Analog or digital?

The early 1980s saw the advent of digital guitar effects. Before that, they were all based on an analog circuit. In other words, a clean signal went to the amplifier. In digital, the pedal converts the signal into a digital bit stream and then changes it to analog.

Since then, there have been endless discussions about which is better. There is no single answer to this question. Many professional performers use digital.

Style and idea should be the determining factors. Analog effects have a clear, dense sound. While even the most expensive digital models show sound artifacts. But it should be noted that they have two unconditional advantages, maximum accuracy and versatility. One device includes a large number of effects with a wide range of settings.

How to choose?

Initially, you should postpone the purchase of effect pedals. This is due to the high risk that after a few lessons the beginner will abandon them, and the guitar, along with expensive equipment, will go to the attic or garage.

It takes time and experience to figure out which pedals are required.

Gradually, the beginner will acquire certain skills, experience and playing style. Only then will it be time to start thinking about effects pedals. There are no universal selection guidelines. The only thing to pay attention to is the ability to record for listening. This is necessary for error analysis.

If you are planning to buy multiple pedals, consider a pedalboard. It is a special device on which all equipment is fixed in the required sequence and is connected to each other by wires. With its help, effects are combined in the required sequence. Facilitates storage and transportation.

Best Effects Pedals for 2020

Yerasov FS-10 FOOTSWITCH

Passive foot device with simulator speaker function and headphone amplifier. Made in a cast silumin (aluminum-silicon alloy) case. The model is equipped with four connectors, the sound from which is output depending on the selected mode. It is bi-directional, which means that if the signal goes to A, then given the position of the mode adjustment, it will still be fed to B or C.

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BEHRINGER DR600

A unique model in some respects is in no way inferior to the high budget processors used in studios. The digital reverb effect pedal, in other words, simulates sound that is in an enclosed space and repeatedly reflected from the surface caused an amplified echo. And as if it calms down gradually, being absorbed by the walls and air. In addition, the BEHRINGER DR600 has a wide range of options. these kinds of effects are in demand by musicians of all kinds. Convenient knobs allow adjusting the equipment with the maximum level of comfort

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TC Electronic Fangs Metal Distortion

A good solution for the enthusiast who is just getting started on the path of becoming an electric guitarist. It features ultra-fine tones with high gain. Intuitive controls will not raise questions. It is quite simple and does not require any special knowledge.

The model is enclosed in a compact metal case. He is able to withstand minor physical impact. Fits comfortably in a backpack when traveling and on a pedalboard.

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Nux mod force

Versatile pedal equipped with 14 effect models. The function of using two of them at the same time is available. Allows creating 9 profiles with different settings and manual mode.

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Digitech Mosaic

A unique device that simulates the received signal into the sound of a 12-string instrument.With it, individual notes and whole chords acquire a completely different sound, striking the polyphonic chorus, contributing to the musician's achievement of new heights. The pedal is housed in a sturdy metal case with a true-bypass switch. There are two controllers on board to adjust the level of modulation of the signal and give the overall brightness to the effect.

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Dunlop M132 MXR Super Comp

Product from a company that needs no introduction. Dyna Comp has established itself on the positive side and has long been popular with eminent stars who gather whole stadiums at their concerts.

The Super Comp prefix indicates that the model has been updated to reach new heights. The new attack control allows you to maintain the dynamics of playing.

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Electro-Harmonix Key9

With the new effects pedal, the musician can turn his instrument into an electric piano. The powerful synthesizer is equipped with flexible settings with 8 presets. The minimum processing time for sounds, while it comes out without any delays.

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Zoom MS-50G

Zoom has once again delighted us with a novelty on the musical instrument market. Its main feature is multi-effect (over 50). In this case, simultaneous playback of up to 6 is allowed. Control is carried out by means of three regulators, which can also work in the button mode. The display shows the selected options. The USB port allows you to update the firmware.

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The models presented in the top will facilitate the search for the necessary tool. All of them have a large percentage of positive reviews and have established themselves as the best on the market. Here are options that cover the entire price segment, and if desired, everyone can find something to their liking from a well-known brand.