Using a multi-effectis not just the easiest but maybe the cheapest way to bag a mass of different electric guitar sounds all in one go. Once you’ve got one multi-effect unit, the idea is that you won’t need any more pedals, a pedalboard or even an amplifier. Or do you? Here, we answer all of your most frequent multi-effect themed questions.
Traditionally, you’d always had to plug an electric guitar into a guitar amplifier, whether it’s a combo amp or a stack, and place one or more effect pedals between your guitar and your amp. For decades now, this is how guitarists have shaped their sound, whether it’s clean, sparkling, dirty, screaming, funky or atmospheric and, while a lot of guitarists still stick to tradition, more and more guitarists are stepping over to a multi-effect unit. These all-in-one widgets can either partly or completely replace the amp-and-pedal setup, so using a multi-effect doesn’t just save space and money, but is also much easier to lug around.
A lot of beginner guitarists go for a simple multi-effect pedal so they can quickly get to know all of the different effects that are out there and what kind of sounds they can make with their electric guitar. More experienced guitarists tend to go for more advanced models loaded with studio-quality sounds and effects and a broader array of setting options. These models can be so advanced that you barely notice any difference between the multi-effect and the sound of normal pedals and amplifiers.
If you want access to every effect under the sun, then sure. Otherwise, no. Most players will use at least two different guitar sounds: a more chilled ‘clean’ sound and a more raw and high-octane rock or metal sound. What kind of gear do you need to get those sounds? Here are your options:
Most beginner guitar amplifiers will have at least one clean sound and one rock/metal sound, so that will give you enough to start off with.
Then there are headphone practice amplifiers that you can use to play in silence. Most headphone amps will also feature a couple of different sounds, but you can only use them with headphones.
If you want more sounds and more setting options, then a multi-effect unit will be your best bet. You can plug them into a guitar amplifier and you have the option to plug in a set of headphones. See Question 4.
More adventurous guitarists use an audio interface so they can connect their guitar to a computer, phone or tablet and use an app to create different sounds.
If it’s more your thing, then you could always do what guitarists have been doing for decades already and collect a few separate effect pedals, arrange them on a pedalboard and hook it all up to an amplifier. See Question 7.
Even a cheaper multi-effect unit will have all of the essential sounds and effects on board, so you don’t even need to spend too much to get one. But if you can spend more, you get a lot more.
One of the biggest differences between a cheap and expensive multi-effect unit is the controls. A more extensive model is usually much easier to tweak and adjust both between songs and while you’re playing, so you can quickly switch up your sound and mess with effects in real-time.
More expensive models often have a lot more effects to choose from as well, and that’s next to better sound quality; more setting options; and other perks like a touchscreen and more connection ports.
There are also a few multi-effect pedals that just include a couple of the most common guitar effects, basically cramming a few effect pedals in one housing. This kind of model is perfect for the more no-nonsense guitarist.
You can plug your electric guitar into a multi-effect unit using a normal jack lead. A standard 3 metre long jack lead will do the job for most beginners, but if you want a little more freedom to move around, then you could get one that’s 4.5 metres long, or 6 metres long, or more.
If you need maximum freedom, then you could just replace your jack leads altogether with a wireless guitar system.
You can plug a pair of headphones into pretty much any multi-effect unit.
If you don’t want to play with headphones, you can use a jack lead to connect the unit to a guitar amplifier. A lot of multi-effect units can also be directly hooked up to a PA sound system in a live venue or rehearsal room, or an audio interface so you can record to a computer (see the bit about USB connection in Question 6).
If you go for a really extensive multi-effect unit that features speaker simulations, then you might also want to add a special FRFR speaker to the setup instead of a normal guitar amplifier so your sound is as neutral as possible. This kind of rig allows guitarists to mould out exactly the guitar sound they’re after without being hindered by the natural colour that’s usually added by a standard guitar amp.
With a multi-effect unit, you’re often building your sound by combining different effects and maybe amplifier and speaker emulations. The more extensive the multi-effect model, the more variation you’ll be able to get out of it.
Effects: Hundreds of effect pedals have been developed throughout guitar history, and they all sound different. To know more about different types of guitar effects, see our Effect Pedal Buyer’s Guide.
Amplifiers: Traditionally, you would plug your electric guitar into an amplifier, and every amplifier has its own kind of sound. Most multi-effect models are now able to mimic the sound of a range of different amplifiers.
Speakers: An amplifier takes a signal from a guitar and literally amplifies it before the sound comes out of one or more separate or built in speakers. You might not think it, but different speakers also have their own specific sound. These days, multi-effect units are also able to imitate the sound of various different speakers.
6. What kind of functions do multi-effect units have and what do I need to know?
Expression/volume pedal: This is accelorator-style pedal that you can use to control a wah effect, create volume swells by fading the sound in and out with your foot, or even shifting the pitch of your sound. It’s not essential but it really helps bring the vibe.
Display: The bigger the display screen, the more detailed it's going to be and the easier it's going to be to tweak any settings.
Footswitches: These are the switches you can hit with your foot to change up effects while you’re playing. The more footswitches you have, the more control you get over your sound while you play.
Buttons and knobs: Having a mass of buttons can look complicated but they make it easier to change settings without having to scroll through any menus.
USB: The function of a USB port isn’t the same for every model. Sometimes, you can use the USB port to create presets on a computer before uploading them to your multi-effect, or to record to a computer. You can also always record without a USB port using an audio interface.
7. Why Go for Separate Effect Pedals Instead of a Multi-Effect?
A full stack of separate pedals will really suit guitarists who are looking for something properly unique.
Custom sound: Because there are literally thousands of different versions of the distortion pedal, delay pedal, reverb pedal and so on, you can build the sound that really speaks to you. Also, because a lot of stompboxes are analogue, they have a really unique sound.
More control: Because the control panel of every pedal is laid out in front of you, you have a clear overview of everything, and easy access to all of the knobs and switches of every effect. Most effect pedals have a control knob for every parameter, so there’s no need to scroll through a menu to find them.
A unique feel: Another plus is the fact that working with a stack of physical effect pedals feels like nothing else. Each pedal will bring its own visual and sonic character to the mix and, because you can simply pick them up and move them around your pedalboard, you’re in total control of the layout.
8. What Kind of Multi-Effect Can I Use for a Bass or Acoustic Guitar?
If you plug an electro-acoustic guitar or bass into a normal multi-effect unit that’s designed for electric guitars it won’t necessarily sound terrible, but it won’t sound great either. The unit has been designed for processing the specific frequencies of of an electric guitar, so if you don’t what your bass-sound to be stripped of the bass and you want your acoustic guitar to sound rich and sparkling, then we recommend looking for a multi-effect unit that’s been specifically designed for acoustic guitars or bass guitars.
