Psychedelic Rock Pedals: The Essentials

Psychedelic Rock is a genre of music that was popularized in the late 1960s. It is characterized by distorted guitars, feedback, and other sonic effects. Psychedelic Rock pedals are designed to recreate these sounds. In this blog post, we will recommend five essential Psychedelic Rock pedals.

Introduction

Psychedelic music came to prominence in the 1960s and has since made its way into every corner of rock music. One of the key ingredients in a psychedelic sound is the use of effects pedals to create sonic textures that are otherworldly and mind-bending. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the essential pedals that every psychedelic musician should have in their arsenal.

delay pedals are perhaps the most essential ingredient in a psychedelic sound. By repeating and decaying the signal, they create an ethereal wash of sound that can take the listener on a journey to another place. The classic Boss DD-3 is a great entry-level pedal, but for something with more control and flexibility, check out the Strymon DIG.

reverb pedals add space and depth to your sound, making it seem like you’re playing in an enormous temple or an endless cavern. For a classic spring reverb sound, try the Boss FRV-1, or for something with more control, take a look at the TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2.

modulation pedals can be used to create all sorts of wacky sounds, from spinning phasers to soaring flangers. If you’re looking for something that’s sure to turn heads, try the Earthquaker Devices Rainbow Machine. For something a little more subdued, check out the MXR Carbon Copy Bright.

EQ pedals can be used to shape your overall tone or boost certain frequencies to make them stand out. For general tone shaping, try the MXR 10-Band EQ, or for targeting specific frequencies, check out the Boss GE-7 Equalizer.

No matter what type of psychedelic rock you’re into, these essential pedals will help you get the sound you’re looking for. So get ready to take your music on a trip – down the rabbit hole and back again!

Fuzz

Fuzz is one of the most essential psychedelic rock pedals. A fuzz pedal will give you that thick, grungy sound that is essential for classic rock and metal. If you want to add some extra grit to your sound, then a fuzz pedal is a great choice.

There are many different types of fuzz pedals on the market, so it’s important to choose one that will suit your needs. If you’re looking for a vintage fuzz sound, then you should check out the Big Muff Pi from Electro-Harmonix. This pedal is capable of producing a wide range of sounds, from classic rock to metal.

If you’re looking for a more modern fuzz sound, then the ZVex Box of Rock is a great choice. This pedal has a more aggressive sound that is perfect for modern metal and hard rock.

No matter what type of fuzz sound you’re looking for, there is a pedal out there that will suit your needs. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different pedals until you find the perfect one for your psychedelic rock setup.

Overdrive

An overdrive pedal takes the signal from your guitar and “clips” it, making the sound more intense. Imagine if you took a fuzz pedal and turned it up to 10. That’s what an overdrive pedal does. It gives you a distorted, but clean, sound that can be used to play any style of music.

The first overdrive pedal was the Ibanez Tube Screamer, released in the late 1970s. The Tube Screamer is still one of the most popular overdrive pedals today, and has been used by everyone from Stevie Ray Vaughan to John Mayer.

There are two main types of overdrive pedals: tube and solid state. Tube overdrive pedals use vacuum tubes to amplify the signal, while solid state overdrive pedals use transistors. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to tube or solid state; it’s simply a matter of preference.

Here are some of our favorite overdrive pedals:

-Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9/TS808
-Maxon OD808X Overdrive Pro+
-Boss OD-1X Overdrive

Distortion

Any electric guitar player worth their salt knows that distortion is an essential part of the psychedelic rock sound. And while there are plenty of ways to create that signature sound, the easiest way is with a great distortion pedal.

There are a lot of different types of distortion pedals out there, so it can be hard to know which one is right for you. If you’re looking for a classic psychedelic sound, you can’t go wrong with the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi. This pedal has been used by some of the most iconic psychedelic acts of all time, including Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead.

For a more modern take on the psychedelic sound, the EarthQuaker Devices Transmisser is a great option. This pedal creates a huge, wall-of-sound style distortion that is perfect for creating those mind-bending sonic textures that define psychedelic rock.

No matter what style of pedal you choose, remember that playing with distortion is all about experimentation. So don’t be afraid to crank up the gain and see what kinds of sounds you can create!

Chorus

The chorus pedal is one of the most essential pedals in a psychedelic rock guitarist’s toolbox. A good chorus pedal can help create the lush, ethereal soundscapes that are iconic of the genre.

Chorus pedals work by splitting the guitar signal into two parts and then slightly detuning one part. This creates a subtle “wobbling” effect that can make lead lines sound much fuller and more complex.

While there are many different chorus pedals on the market, some of our favorites include the MXR Carbon Copy, the Boss CH-1, and the electro-harmonix Small Clone.

Delay

Delay pedals are an essential tool for psychedelic rock guitarists, allowing them to create textural rhythms and soundscapes that would otherwise be impossible. There are many different types of delay pedals available, each with their own unique capabilities. Here are a few of the most essential delay pedals for psychedelic rock guitarists:

-Analog Delay: Analog delay pedals use analog circuitry to create their delay effects, which gives them a warm, organic sound. The iconic Boss DD-3 is one of the most popular analog delay pedals on the market.

-Digital Delay: Digital delay pedals use digital circuitry to create their delay effects, which gives them a clean, precise sound. The TC Electronic Flashback is one of the most popular digital delay pedals on the market.

-Modulation Delay: Modulation delay pedals add modulation effects (chorus, vibrato, etc.) to the delayed signal, which can give it a pulsating, psychedelic sound. The MXR Carbon Copy is one of the most popular modulation delay pedals on the market.

Reverb

Reverb is an essential psychedelic rock pedal. It creates a sense of space and depth in your sound that can make your guitar playing feel more expansive. There are many different types of reverb pedals available, so it’s important to choose one that will suit your needs.

The most basic type of reverb pedal is the spring reverb, which uses metal springs to create a natural-sounding reverberation. Spring reverbs are great for creating a “retro” sound, but they can be on the expensive side. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, digital reverb pedals are also available. These pedals use digital algorithms to create a variety of different reverbs, including spring-type, plate-type, and hall-type sounds.

Reverb pedals can be used to create both subtle and dramatic effects. For example, you can use a light reverb to add some ambience to your sound, or you can crank up the effect to create a “ washed out” sounding solo. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to using reverb, so feel free to experiment with different settings until you find the sound that you’re looking for.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are the three essential pedal types for psychedelic rock: fuzz, reverb, and delay. While there are many other great pedals out there that can help create a psychedelic sound, these three will give you the foundation you need to get started. Experiment with different combinations and settings to find the sound that best suits your needs.