Whether you just want some extra tonal shaping or to bend the fabric of time and space, you can find just about any kind of function in a pedal from Reverb. Let’s have a look at 10 of our favorite pedals and effects.
Walrus Audio and Polychrome Analog Flanger
Not only is this an exceptional flanger, but it also comes with blending abilities that let you mix the flanged, dry and vibrato-affected signals, creating all kinds of crazy time-based effects. It uses true-bypass technology so clean really does mean clean. The Polychrome flanger is a really cool tool that allows the colors of time base modulation effects.
It works by putting a delayed signal up against the original signal and the way that they interact gives that metallic flanged sound. The Polychrome flanger is all analog and allows you to modulate the delayed signal line with different shapes using a shapeshift switch. The textures and possibilities are endless with this unique piece of audio wizardry.
Strymon Deco Tape Saturation and Double-decker Effects Pedal
Everything sounds better with tape – it’s just a fact of life. The Strymon Deco Tape Saturation pedal is a fantastic recreation of the sound of tape. It was created using a detailed recreation of two vintage studio reel to reel tape decks. The saturation controls include saturation and level knobs while the double tracker allows three tonal shaping options. This little box is a great addition to any chain and adds a smoothness to the tone that can only be done with this kind of tape saturation and compression. You can put this box on the end of literally any chain, in some configuration, and it will sound good.
Moog Minifooger MF Flange
Here is a quality analog flanger from a company that is better known as a heavyweight manufacturer of synthesizers. The Moog Minifooger MF flange is available on Reverb, and while we already mentioned a fantastic flange, the Minifooger MF Flange represents an entire lineage of pedals that you should be watching out for. Each of the Minifooger pedals is an absolutely solid, warm, analog-characterized pedal and for that the Minifooger MF Flange earns a well-deserved place in our top 10 pedals list.
The sounds that you will get out of this are indescribable as they are varied. These pedals are a bit of an investment, but they will get years of experimentation out of them.
Line6 DL4 Delay Modeler
Line6 has a fantastic unit that is available on Reverb. It is just over $300, making it a very accessible choice for guitarists looking to learn about how to use different delays in their sound. As it is a modeler, it is a digital delay designed to emulate the sounds of classic delays like the Roland Space Echo or the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man.
Even if you are fortunate enough to own those kinds of classic pieces of gear – you likely wouldn’t want to gig out with them. A modeler delay such as the Line6 DL4 serves as a solution with the sounds of the classics programmed in. An extremely useful piece of kit, and a staple for any guitarist with a diverse range of effects.
Caline DCP-01 Artemis Compressor / Boost
This is a neat invention from Caline. The Artemis compressor/ boost pedal is a hybrid of a gain booster and a fairly transparent compressor. Boosting your gain allows you to push out a bit more volume, even add some grit to the tone. This box does a nice job of driving the gain on the boost side, and even has an EQ knob that attenuates certain frequencies.
This allows you to balance your tone and grit without necessarily overpowering the rest of the band – unless you want to. The compressor has a clear and natural sound until it is turned up to punch out the part. This is useful for adding some power to those power chords or solo.
Tone Workstation
This is a tone station in a box – as the name would imply. It is designed as a simpler alternative to a complex pedalboard. Featuring Red Dirt overdrive selection, a drive boost, and compression, this is a tonal one-stop shop. Each of the components mentioned has a dedicated level, tone, and drive knob giving the guitarist full tonal control in 1 simple, concise pedal. A life-saver on the road and in the studio, without a doubt.
Electro Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress
Another flanger? Kind of, but don’t worry – this is a classic! The Electric Mistress is available on Reverb and is instantly recognizable to many guitarists. This pedal is not just a flanger, it is also a chorus. It features two truly independent stereo outputs and allows the flanger and chorus to be used individually or together. One really unique and interesting feature of the Electro Harmonix Stereo Electric Missus is the filter matrix mode. This is some incredible math that allows you to manually sweep the flanger, for unprecedented flange control!
Line6 Helix HX Stomp
When it comes to modeling technology – Line6 has been on the leading edge for decades. The Helix HX Stomp is a programmable 3 pedal stomp-box that allows each of the 3 buttons to be set to one of over 300 different effects. The Helix HX stomp is basically the only pedal you’d ever need to buy if you could only choose one. But then again, who would want to just buy one?
Death by Audio Reverberation Machine
Sometimes simple is best. This machine takes the complete rabbit hole that is setting reverbs and boils it down into three knobs and two switches. Will we be serving dark sounds, or light today? Set your reverb via the percentage knob and dial in your input. Reverb, made easy, available on Reverb.com.
Dunlop MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
When it comes to simplicity, Dunlop shows us how beautiful it can be. This pedal features 3 knobs and one footswitch. Regen, Mix, and Delay are all set by the three knobs and the distinctly analog character that comes next is all courtesy of the M169. For three knobs, the range of sound that this little pedal offers is mind-boggling, – from subtle slap-back delays (16thnot) to accentuate your reggae off-beat chords, to massive, spatial techno delays. This little emerald box packs an enormous number of beautiful sounds for such a compact package.
Conclusion
Trying to discover your unique sound can seem daunting considering how many options are available. But, knowing what your options are allows you to do your own research on the differences between similar pieces of gear. This way, you can make an informed decision and get closer to achieving your favorite tones!