Did you know that some of the most iconic guitar tones you’ve ever heard rely on a single pedal that’s never turned off?
Welcome to the world of “always on” pedals, the hardest workers of many guitarists’ rigs.
Personally, I’ve found that having one of these pedals constantly engaged—whether it’s the shimmer or depth of an always-on reverb or the tight dynamics from an always-on compressor—makes all the difference in creating a consistent, polished, professional-sounding tone.
I find it fascinating how something so simple can add an entirely new layer to your sound.
In this guide, we’ll look at why guitarists swear by their always-on pedals and how the right one can quietly transform your playing.
Key Takeaways
- Always on pedals stay engaged throughout your playing, providing a consistent, reliable foundation for your tone.
- Popular always on pedals include reverb, compression, overdrive, gain, EQ, and tuners, each serving a unique role in shaping your sound.
- The right always on pedal doesn’t just enhance your tone—it can quietly transform and define it, becoming a key part of your sound.
Table of Contents
What is an Always on Pedal?
“Always on” pedals are an essential part of many guitarists’ pedalboards. These pedals are unique because, unlike others that you switch on and off as needed, they remain engaged the whole time you’re playing, providing a consistent tonal foundation.
Whether it’s a subtle reverb or a well-dialed compressor, the aim is to add a touch of character or life to your guitar’s natural sound without overpowering it.
You can use many types of pedals as always-on pedals, such as reverb, compression, gain, or equalization. These “always-on” pedals are typically set and forgotten, allowing you to focus on playing rather than adjusting pedals mid-performance.
For example, the best always-on compressor pedal might smooth out dynamic inconsistencies. Whereas an always-on gain pedal might be used to give your tone a slight edge-of-breakup sound across all volume levels.
The key is finding the balance between improving your core tone and keeping it natural.
Why Are Some Pedals Essential
Some pedals earn the always-on spot on a pedalboard because they provide an essential function that enhances tone, performance, or both.
For example, the tuner is a popular always-on guitar pedal. Now, a tuner pedal isn’t going to shape your tone directly, but it’s crucial for staying in tune and allowing silent tuning during a performance.
When it comes to shaping the tone, pedals like compressors—such as the Keeley Compressor+—are favored for evening-out dynamics and delivering a smoother, more polished sound.
Many players use overdrive and boost pedals, like the iconic Klon as an always on pedal to add warmth and subtle drive, helping to push their amp’s natural tone without overpowering it.
An always-on reverb pedal is often used subtly to add depth to the tone, enriching the overall sound and creating a fuller overall sound. These pedals are essential because they improve the guitar’s natural tone, ensuring consistency and clarity across different playing environments.
5 Popular Types of “Always on” Guitar Pedals
1. Tuner Pedals
An always on tuner pedal, such as the Boss TU-3 or Polytune 3, are, in my opinion, the most important pedals for any guitarist’s rig. They ensure that you can keep your guitar perfectly in tune throughout a performance (or as perfectly as possible), and their added functionality—like silent tuning—makes them invaluable on stage when you need some silence.
Many guitarists prefer to keep an always on guitar tuner pedal, allowing for real-time adjustments without interrupting their playing.
2. Compressor Pedals
Compressors, like the Keeley Compressor+ and Origin Effects Cali76, can be essential tools for evening out the dynamics of your playing. Compressor pedals help create a more balanced and polished sound by boosting softer notes and subtly controlling louder ones.
Many players always leave their compressor on because it delivers a consistent output that enhances sustain and clarity, particularly in clean tones.
3. Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Overdrive pedals are key to shaping a guitar’s tonal character. Many players swear by always on drive pedals like the JHS Morning Glory and Fulltone OCD to add a bit of character and harmonic depth to their sound.
These pedals are usually set with low gain, which helps maintain clarity in your tone and allows you to easily stack additional pedals on top of them.
Boost pedals can also be used in a similar way. Pedals like the Xotic EP Booster lift the guitar’s presence in the mix, making solos stand out or rhythm parts sound fuller. Recently, I’ve been loving the Xotic Effects RC Booster for this, too.
4. Reverb and Delay Pedals
There’s no better way to add dimension to your guitar tone than by subtly using always on reverb or always on delay.
Reverb pedals simulate the reflections of sound in various environments, enhancing the fullness of your tone without overpowering it. So, using a little reverb can create a subtle ambient space around your playing, making your tone feel bigger and more immersive.
Similarly, the infamous MXR Carbon Copy delay pedal is seen as the best always-on delay pedal by many guitar players. It adds gentle echoes that create texture and complexity, perfect for ambient soundscapes or layering intricate solos.
5. EQ Pedals
If you’re looking for want precise control over their sound, an EQ pedal like the MXR Ten Band EQ or Boss GE-7 is essential to your rig. These pedals allow you to fine-tune your tone by boosting or cutting specific frequency bands, making them especially useful for tailoring your sound to different environments or guitars.
Many guitar players always keep an EQ pedal to compensate for room acoustics, amp characteristics, or even tonal inconsistencies in their setup. It’s especially useful if you’re not fully familiar with the amp you’re using, for example, at a band or open mic night.
To Sum Up
The truth is, while an always on effects pedal might seem like a background player, it’s anything but passive. The subtle magic these pedals can add to your tone—the warmth, the depth, the clarity—is the kind of thing that’s felt, not always noticed.
Personally, I’ve found that the right always on guitar pedal can be a game-changer. It’s not always the flashiest pedal on my board, but it’s the one that gives my tone that extra bit of character that makes everything come alive. Whether it’s how a compressor smooths out my dynamics or how a subtle drive pedal adds warmth, these little touches make the biggest difference.
So, take a moment to think about what you want your tone to sound like—not just in a single riff, but in the overall feel of your playing. Whether it’s the shimmer of a reverb, the dynamic control of a compressor, or the subtle drive that adds character to each note, it’s your choice.
If you haven’t found it yet, maybe it’s time to experiment until you do. But remember: the right always on pedal doesn’t just enhance your tone—it defines it.
FAQs
What does an OCD pedal do?
An OCD pedal adds dynamic overdrive, delivering rich, tube-like distortion that ranges from light crunch to high-gain, while preserving the guitar’s natural tone.
Where to put always on boost pedal?
You might want to put an always on boost pedal early in the signal chain, typically after compression but before overdrive or distortion, to enhance overall tone without altering gain. But you must experiment and find what works for you.
Where to place always on overdrive?
You might want to place an always on overdrive pedal early in the signal chain, typically after compression and before modulation effects, to add warmth and subtle drive to your tone. But you must experiment and find what works for you.
