Pedal Effect Definitions

[UncleMonkey]

Hey guys. I've been looking to change the tone of my guitar by adding pedals but I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. There are hundreds of pedals available and all do the different things and/or the same thing differently but there isn't really a list of what certain pedals do. So here is my list of pedals and the effects that they do. Please feel free to add or explain the effect better.

Pickup
A Pickup Simulator gives the thick tone of a humbucker pickup from a guitar with single coil pickups, or the bright edgy sound of a single coil pickup from a guitar with a humbucker.

Wah
Wah is an effect controlled by an expression pedal making the guitar sound as if it’s saying “Wah.”

Compressor
A Compressor is used to automatically limit the dynamic level of the guitar signal. It controls the amount of compression (ratio and sustain) and ranges from slight compression through maximum sustain

Amp/Cabinet Modeling
Amp Modeling is a technology that applies the tones of several popular modern and vintage amps and acoustic guitar simulation. Eg. Fender ’59 Bassman or Fender ’65 Reverb pedals

EQ
Equalization is used to shape the tonal response of your guitar signal. The EQ is similar to the tone knobs on an amplifier.

Noise Gate
A Noise Gate is designed to eliminate noise while you are not playing. The AutoSwell setting creates a volume pedal effect automatically with varying attack times. Different guitars and pickups require different threshold settings. Choose a setting that fully mutes the sound when you are not playing for the lowest setting.

Chorus
A Chorus adds a short delay to your signal. The delayed signal is modulated in and out of tune and then mixed back with the original signal to create a thicker sound, and stereo image.

Flange
A Flanger uses the same principle as a Chorus but uses a shorter delay time and adds regeneration (or repeats) to the modulating delay. This results in an exaggerated up and down sweeping motion to the effect.

Phaser
A phaser splits the incoming signal, and changes the phasing of the signal. The signal is taken in and out of phase and mixed back in with the original signal. As the phasing changes, different frequencies get canceled resulting in a warm sort of twisting sound.

Tremolo
A Tremolo effect modulates the volume of the signal at an even rate.

Panner
An Auto Panner modulates the sound from left to right at an even rate.

Vibrato
A Vibrato effect modulates the pitch of the incoming signal at an even rate.

Rotary Speaker
Rotary Speaker is an emulation of a device that included a spinning horn and woofer. The rotation of these two speakers produces an interesting combination of sound panning from side to side with a slight pitch change produced from the speed of the sound coming towards, and then going away from the listener.

AutoYa
An AutoYa™ combines the characteristics of a Wah and a Flanger together creating an almost human vowel characteristic as if the guitar were saying “Yah.” The AutoYa™ provides animation to the sound based on string attack.

Envelope Filter
The Envelope Filter is a dynamic Wah effect that alters your sound based upon how hard you play.

Detune
A Detuner makes a copy of your incoming signal, takes the copied signal slightly out of tune from the original, and mixes the two signals together. The result is a doubling type of effect as if two guitars were playing the same part together.

Pitch Shift
The Pitch Shifting copies the incoming signal, and shifts the pitch of the copy to a different note. The shifted note is mixed back with the original signal sounding as if two guitars were playing different notes.

Whammy™
Whammy™ is an effect that uses an Expression Pedal to bend the pitch of the
incoming signal, or add a bendable harmony with the original signal. As the Pedal is moved, the note bends either up or down.

Delay
Different delay types, Mono (D), Analog (A), and Ping Pong (P), each with seconds of delay time available.

Reverb
Using reverb in recorded program material gives the listener a sense that the material is being performed in an actual room or hall. It is this similarity to actual acoustic spaces that makes reverberation a useful tool in recorded music.

Loop
Makes a digital copy of what you are playing and then repeats it as you play giving a layering effect.

[TeaForTwo]

Ah, now I know why I can't tune while my stereo chorus is on.....

( Nice thread, thanks O.P. )

[CodeMonk]

Not really an addition, just a uhm...well...read it anyway...

An EQ pedal is probably one of the most overlooked, yet more useful "effects" pedals out there.
After a Tuner, I would probably recommend an EQ pedal as your second pedal.
The Danelectro Fish N' Chips is a low cost, yet useful EQ pedal. About $30 US.

Here's more info...

Boost Pedals.
These come in many flavors/variations and are probably one of the most made pedals out there. Within each of these categories, there can be several different sub categories. I have 6 boost type pedals on my own pedalboard ( Your Effects Pedalboard !!! Pics !!! ). A complete listing of boost type pedals could easily fill up this servers storage. This is only a partial listing. A compressor can also roughly be set to act as a type of boost pedal as well (Sort of)
We have (Going from no (or mild) gain (Or "dirt") to maximum gain):

• Clean Boost: Just pushes your amp harder. Sort of like having your volume knob going to 11 without adding "dirt".
• Overdrive: Adds a little "dirt" to your signal, but can also add a lot of dirt, or none (or very little). Some people set the gain (Dirt) control to zero and max out the volume control. Used in this way, it acts a bit more like a clean boost. There are low gain, 1/2 gain, and high gain overdrives. Along with Fuzz, it is probably the most built, purchased, and popular effects pedal type. A treble booster can be considered a type of Overdrive.
• Distortion: Next step up from an Overdrive. Also adds different harmonic content as well as more control over the EQ of your signal. Comes in many "flavors" including, but not limited to, Basic Distortion, Grunge, Metal, and many other types.
• Fuzz: Again, up there as far as popularity goes, as well as many different types of Fuzz. The basic types of Fuzz are generally: Fuzz face, Octave Fuzz, Big Muff. Circuit-wise, a Tonebender is basically a Fuzz Face type with an extra gain stage. Each fuzz type can have Many, many variations or flavors.
  A Fuzz Face type fuzz is generally a little rougher.
  Muff type fuzz is usually a "smoother" type of fuzz. Often with a little more bass to the signal.
  An Octave Fuzz adds an extra tone, generally an octave above the primary tone.
  Component-wise, a Fuzz pedal will often have the lowest parts count.

LPB-1, a clean boost has 8 parts (including the volume control) : http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/schematics/lpbschem.gif
Bazz Fuss, is the simplest Fuzz out there (6 parts including the output control) : Bazz Fuss fun
A treble booster (Rangemaster) has about 9 parts (depending on which popular mods are done to it) : http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/rang...rschematic.gif
Distortion pedals usually have the highest parts count out of all the boost pedal types.



I guess this is an addition. Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.
More to come later. Maybe. This has probably already been done here somewhere.
Call it my take on it if so, I guess

[UncleMonkey]

Good points.
Boost pedals are always evolving. For example "grunge" pedals came after the music not before. Musicians had to make do with what they had to get those sounds. The pedals came after as short cuts

If you use your guitar tone controls like mentioned in
How to Use the Controls on a Les Paul
with the addition of even an overdrive you get some great distorted tones.