Do you feel that your music is missing something, like that little extra "oomph?" Maybe it's because your band is terrible or it could be that you're missing out on a world effects. An effects pedal, also known as a stomp box or effects unit, is a device that can affect the sound that your guitar (or other instruments) make. A single effect pedal, as opposed to a multi-effects pedal, creates one specific effect. However, you can alter the frequencies of the sound, thus further altering the effect. To turn the effect on, you "stomp" on the pedal and then stomp again to turn it off.
Types of Effects
Depending on the style of music you play and the sound you are looking for, there are a number of different effect pedals you can buy. (If you have multiple pedals, you should invest in a pedalboard so that all of your pedals are connected to the amp, making them easier to use when performing live.) Popular brands include Behringer, Boss, DigiTech, Electro-Harmonix, and MXR. Here are the most common effects:
* '''Distortion/Overdrive''' making it sound "dirty" in a sense. It's a very popular sound used in just about every genre of rock. It's almost a requirement for metal players.
* '''Wah Wah''' - Also known as the original Crybaby. This pedal was widely used in the 60s and 70s and pretty much became a staple of classic rock music. You can hear its beauty in Cream's "White Room."
* '''Delay''' - A delay pedal will play back the guitar after a set period of time, usually no more than 2 seconds. A very trippy effect but can be used by any genre.
** '''Echo''' - Somewhat similar to a delay, it will echo the notes played.
* '''Reverb''' - When a sound is produced in an enclosed room which causes echoes to build and then slowly fade.
* '''Chorus''' - It creates a doubling effect of the sound, like a choir of singers. The result can be a very ambient sound.
* '''Flanger''' - Two signals are mixed together but one is either sped up or slowed down which produces a sweeping sound, like a plane landing.
* '''Phaser''' - Lies somewhere between a flanger and a chorus pedal. It creates a "groovy swirling sound." It was made popular by Eddie Van Halen but you'll often hear it in funk music.
* '''Talk Box''' - Talk through your instrument! I'm sure everyone knows the infamous Peter Frampton song "Do You Feel Like We Do." For the younger generation, it was also used in Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion."