Guitar pedals are important for any musician who hopes to achieve interesting tonal textures. They are great for live gigs but are also extremely useful when recording music in a studio.
Instead of relying heavily on music editing software like Soundtrap and Audacity, you can use guitar pedals to enhance your sound during recording sessions.
There are many types and brands of guitar pedals to choose from, and in this post, we look at some models you should consider adding to your pedalboard.
#1 Wah pedal: Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby
The wah pedal was originally planned to be marketed to trumpet and brass players. However, it was marketed to guitarists instead and has become one of the most recognizable sounds in music.
The wah pedal also called the wah-wah pedal, got its name from the sound it produces when used.
Dunlop’s wah pedals are among the best in the industry, particularly the Cry Baby line. The Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby is a classic wah pedal, used by rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix and David Gilmour.
Its Hot Potz potentiometer can quickly produce a wah sound with its 100K Ohm unit. Coupled with its versatility and solid construction, this is a wah pedal you should definitely consider.
#2 Compressor pedal: Boss CS-3
A compressor is a must-have effect for electric guitars.
This is because, despite the electric guitar’s large dynamic range, it can sometimes sound better when restricted to a small dynamic range.
Compression is a subtle effect, but the process can be quite complex. Fortunately, there are compressor pedals that have been made to be more user-friendly.
The Boss CS-3 isn’t the simplest one out there, but it gives you more control over the compression process.
Boss pedals in general are known for being compact and simple, and are among the most reliable pedals in the industry. As such, the CS-3 is also an industry standard that you can consider as a safe bet.
It doesn’t have any cool tricks or features, but it will do great whether you’re using it as a limiter or as a sustainer.
#3 Distortion and Overdrive pedal: Behringer Overdrive
Distortion is one of the most popular and versatile effects.
It can completely transform your sound and bring it into a new tonal landscape.
It’s typically known for its extreme sounds used by metal and rock guitarists. Overdrive is technically a kind of distortion, but it’s milder, making it great for a blues guitarist.
They typically make musical-sounding harmonics and overtones. However, overdrive pedals can also produce sounds that range from subtle tube breaks to a big amount of crunch.
Behringer is a “kitchen-table startup” that is now one of the largest pro-audio companies in the world.
Behringer’s overdrive and distortion pedals are staples for home recorders because they’re budget-friendly and are packed with features. For instance, the Behringer Overdrive Distortion covers all of the bases.
It can give you the classic sound of a tube amplifier, or an edgier, modern crunch.
#4 EQ pedal: EarthQuaker Devices Tone
EQ isn’t exactly an effect – it stands for “equalization” and is used to cut or boost your guitar tone’s frequencies. However, you can also use it as an effect.
You’re probably familiar with the lo-fi effect that imitates the sound of an old radio from the 1950s. With an EQ pedal, you can completely pull down all low-end frequencies 200Hz and below.
You can also experiment with the mid and treble sliders to make a spiky-looking EQ curve.
The EarthQuaker Devices Tone is designed around a stereo preamp, so it covers a lot of frequencies. This means it lets you enhance your tone as much as you want.
It can boost and cut up to 20dB and can post a signal up to five times the input.
Once you’ve assembled your pedalboard, you’re ready to start recording. Whether you’re a first-timer or a pro, we give you some tips on how you can get ready to record your tracks.
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