Have you ever wondered why your guitar just doesn’t sound quite like your favorite record? It’s not just about skill. Effects pedals play a huge role in shaping many professional guitar tones.
Learning how to use a guitar pedal might seem daunting at first, but it’s the secret weapon behind those iconic sounds that make your favorite riffs stand out.
Guitar pedals can do everything from adding a dreamy shimmer to clean chords to turning up the heat on a blazing solo.
And hey, you’re not alone if you’ve ever felt confused by that knobs and switches.
Even seasoned players and the pros once faced the same confusion. But with the right approach, you’ll unlock a whole new world of tonal possibilities.
So, where do you start?
As you begin your journey into the world of guitar pedals, I want to help you hit the ground running. This guide will explain the essentials of using guitar pedals, from the basic gear you need to tips for creating a great sound.
Table of Contents
What Do You Need to Use a Guitar Pedal
Guitar and Amplifier
Almost any working electric guitar will do for now. If your guitar is old or hasn’t been played in a while, it’s a good idea to take it to your local music store for a restring and setup—think of it like servicing your car. This setup usually isn’t too expensive and can make a big difference in how your guitar feels and sounds.
Your amplifier is just as important because it’s the final stage in your signal chain. It’s what makes your guitar and pedal effects audible. For beginners, practice amps are a great option. They’re affordable and more than capable of handling your early experiments with pedals. The large amps you see at concerts mainly offer more power, which isn’t necessary when you’re just starting out.
I recommend finding a nice, clean sound on your amplifier to get the best out of your pedals. This clean tone will serve as a solid foundation for the effects your pedals will create. To find this, keep the gain knob on your amplifier (if there is one) set low—around 3 or 4 is usually about right.
Cables and Power
You’ll need at least two decent-quality instrument cables: one to connect your guitar to the pedal and another to link the pedal to your amp. It’s worth investing in good-quality cables, as they help ensure the best signal transmission and reduce unwanted noise.
For powering your pedals, you have two main options:
- Batteries: Many pedals run on 9V batteries, which are easy to replace. However, batteries can run out at inconvenient times, so keeping spares is a good idea.
- Power Supply: A dedicated power supply unit can power multiple pedals at once, saving money on batteries and making the system more reliable for longer sessions.
For more details on powering your pedals, check out our article How to Power Guitar Pedals.
Which Guitar Pedals Do You Need
You don’t need any one specific pedal to get started when learning how to use a guitar pedal. But I do recommend starting with one or two pedals to get a feel for how they work. Some popular choices for beginners include:
- Overdrive or Distortion Pedals: These add grit and character to your sound, perfect for rock and blues.
- Delay Pedals: These create echo effects, adding depth and rhythm to your playing.
- Reverb Pedals: These add space and ambiance, making your guitar sound bigger and more immersive.
The key is to start small. There are loads of different types of guitar pedals out there, but begin with just one pedal and gradually expand your collection as you become more comfortable using effects.
Input and Output Jacks: Pedal Basics
Before connecting your guitar pedals, it’s important to understand how the signal flows through each pedal.
- Input Jack: This is where the signal enters the pedal. It receives the signal from your guitar or from the previous pedal in the chain.
- Output Jack: This is where the signal exits the pedal. It sends the processed signal to the next pedal or directly to the amplifier.
Always use the correct jacks to ensure proper signal routing. Plugging cables into the wrong jacks can lead to unwanted noise, signal loss, or even potential damage to your equipment.
How Do You Use a Guitar Pedal: Connecting them together
Follow these steps to connect your guitar pedals to your amp:
- Gather Your Cables:
- You’ll need at least two instrument cables and patch cables to connect multiple pedals.
- You’ll need at least two instrument cables and patch cables to connect multiple pedals.
- Connect Your Guitar to the First Pedal:
- Take an instrument cable and plug one end into the output jack of your guitar.
- Plug the other end of this cable into the input jack of your first pedal. Usually, this is labeled as “Input” on the pedal.
- Connect Pedals to Each Other:
- If you’re using multiple pedals, use a patch cable to connect the first pedal’s output jack to the next pedal’s input jack in your chain.
- Continue this process by connecting each pedal in the order you prefer.
- Connect the Last Pedal to Your Amplifier:
- Take another instrument cable and plug one end into the output jack of your last pedal in the chain.
- Plug the other end of this cable into the input jack on your amplifier.
- Power On Your Pedals:
- Ensure each pedal is powered by either inserting 9V batteries or connecting them to a power supply.
- Turn on your amplifier and test the signal by playing your guitar.
- Activate and Deactivate the Pedal:
- To activate a pedal, press down on the footswitch located on the pedal. When activated, most pedals will have an indicator light that turns on to show that the effects pedal is engaged.
- To deactivate the pedal, press the footswitch again. The indicator light will turn off, and the pedal will be in bypass mode, meaning your guitar signal will pass through without being affected by the pedal.
What Order to Put Guitar Pedals In
When you’re learning how to set up guitar pedals, starting with a logical order that enhances the natural flow of effects is important. A common beginner setup might look like this:
Tuner → Overdrive → Modulation → Delay → Reverb
This order allows each effect to build upon the previous one naturally. The tuner should be placed first, where it receives the purest signal from your guitar, ensuring accurate tuning. Overdrive comes next, shaping the core of your tone, followed by modulation effects, which add movement and texture. Delay and reverb are typically placed last to create depth and space.
Don’t worry if you only have one or two of these pedals to start with—you can still create a great sound. As you become more comfortable with this basic setup, feel free to experiment with different orders to find the tone that best suits your style. The only pedal you should avoid moving around is the tuner, as it typically works best at the beginning of the chain.
Guitar Pedal Tips
Start with a Clean Slate
Begin with a clean, unprocessed guitar tone to clearly hear how each pedal affects your sound. Set your amp to a neutral, balanced setting that can act as a solid foundation for your effects.
Fine-tune Your Settings
Start with all knobs at 12 o’clock and adjust one at a time. Small tweaks can make a big difference, so take your time. For more detailed guidance, check out this article to learn How to Set the Levels on Your Effects Pedals.
Consider Your Guitar and Amp
Your guitar and amp play a huge role in how effects sound. A bright single-coil pickup might need less treble boost than a darker humbucker, and a tube amp’s natural overdrive interacts differently with distortion pedals. Experiment to find what works best for your setup.
Trust Your Ears
Don’t rely solely on settings you’ve seen online. Trust your ears and tweak until you find a tone that inspires you. Every player’s ideal tone is unique, so focus on what sounds good to you.
Start Playing, Stop Worrying
So, how do you use a guitar pedal? The real answer goes beyond cables and settings. It’s about sitting back and enjoying the journey of sound exploration.
Pedals are fantastic tools for shaping your tone, but here’s some advice: don’t get too caught up chasing the perfect sound in the early stages. It’s a rabbit hole where countless guitarists have gotten lost over the years – me included.
Instead, keep things simple.
Find a tone that makes you happy and run with it. Play as much as you can, experiment with different settings, and enjoy the process. The most important thing is to keep practicing, keep exploring, and, most of all, keep making music.
FAQs
Should beginner guitarists use pedals?
Yes, beginner guitarists can definitely use pedals! While it’s important to focus on mastering the fundamentals, experimenting with pedals can also inspire creativity and make practice more enjoyable.
Just start simple—try one or two pedals to enhance your sound without overwhelming yourself. As you build your core skills, you can gradually explore more effects and find the tones that suit your style.
Are guitar pedals necessary?
Guitar pedals aren’t strictly necessary, but they can really elevate your sound and open up a world of creative possibilities.
While you can absolutely play without them, pedals give you the tools to shape your tone, add effects, and explore different styles.
