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Express Yourself 2! Further Smart Compact Solutions to Expression Control

Chase Bliss AudioCooper FXCryBabyDunlop EffectsExpressionGPXLeems IndustriesOld Blood Noise EndeavorsPedal BrainzRainger FXSeafoam PedalsUtility+-
2022-GPX-Express-Yourself-2-V5-700.jpg

This is another article that has been a long time coming - mostly impacted by recent updates to some of those featured pedals. Fortunately we are now in a stable position and able to do a rundown on these most handy of Expression pedals - each no larger than compact enclosure - and ranging in price from $49 to $325. Funnily the most complex and potent of these is also one of the smallest.

 

I’m of course a huge fan of handy sized pedals, and for utility types some of those can really take up ...

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32 of the Best Mini Fuzz Pedals - 2022 Ultimate Selection

AnalogWise PedalsBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzDeadFXDecibelicsD-SoundDunlop EffectsEl Músico Loco FXEWS EffectsFeaturedFortin AmpsFree Fall DiverFunction F(X)FuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGated and Velcro FuzzGermanium FuzzIbanezJHS PedalsKO AmpsLovepedalMaestro Style FuzzMalekko Heavy IndustryModulated FuzzMXRMythos PedalsNFYFXOctave FuzzOddball FuzzOneControlOpAmp FuzzOscillating FuzzPigtronixRainger FXRat Style FuzzSilicon FuzzSuper-Fuzz StyleTone Bender Style FuzzWamplerZvex+-
2022GPX32MiniFuzz700.jpg

Much like with the recent 32 of the Best Compact Overdrive Selection I now own all these Mini Fuzz Pedals featured here. Actually where the Decibelics The Reverend (Mini Expandora) has yet to be officially released - I should be receiveing the latest prototype any day now, and judging by Guillem Vilademunt’s previous Mini Masterpieces we have every reason to look forward to that one.

 

Other than that - everything is now in the collection - while this larger quest is nowhere near complete yet...

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32 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types - Preferred Compact Pedal per Type : 2022 Edition

Acoustic SimulatorAlexander PedalsAmp and Cab IR SimBecos FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionBufferCatalinbreadChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorCrazy Tube CircuitsCryBabyDelayDemedash EffectsDigital DelayDigital ReverbDigiTechDistortionDOD EffectsDr ScientistDriveDryBell EffectsDual-DriveDunlop EffectsElectro-HarmonixEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQFeaturedFlangerFlower PedalsFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGlitchGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar Synth and SequencerJackson AudioJAM PedalsJHS PedalsKMA AudioLooperMarshall Style DistortionModulationMulti-DriveMXRNoise GateOverdrivePastFXPedalboard and Pedal-ChainPeterson TunersPhaserPigtronixPitchPlutoneium EngineeringRedbeard EffectsReverbRing ModulationRotary SpeakerSilicon FuzzSinvertekSonic ResearchSource AudioSubdecay EffectsTC ElectronicToneQuestTremoloTunersUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVolumeWalris Audio+-
2022AfBlg32CompactPedalType700.jpg

NOTE - this article is too large (108 videos) to work properly on Mobile devices - make sure you view on Desktop or Laptop!

 

This is my largest ever article - and it will unlikely be repeated in this fashion - as this takes so long to compile - and the 108 Pedals / Videos included just take a little too long to load up on the screen. In any case it’s a pretty exhaustive run-down in rough order of preference of my favourite Compact Enclosure Pedals of Each Type.

 

For a few here there are ...

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28 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types - Preferred Medium Enclosure Pedals per Type

Acoustic SimulatorAll-PedalAmp and Cab IR SimAnalog DelayAnalog.ManBecos FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionCarl MartinChorus and VibratoCompressorCooper FXCryBabyDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDouble TrackingDriveDrive WorkstationDrolo EffectsDSM & HumboldtDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveDunlop EffectsElectro-HarmonixEmma ElectronicsEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQFeaturedFlangerFulltone EffectsFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGFI SystemGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerHorrothia EffectsHot Cake Style OverdriveKlone and Transparent OverdriveKorgLooperMarshall Style DistortionMeris EffectsMetal DistortionModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXNoise GateNux FXOCD Style OverdriveOctaverODR Style OverdriveOverdrivePete CornishPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingPladask ElektriskRed Panda LabReverbReverb WorkstationRock Fabrik EffectsRotary SpeakerSilicon FuzzSitek Guitar ElectronicsSpaceman EffectsStrymonTC ElectronicTech 21 NYCThorpyFXTimmyTone ElectronixTremoloTubescreamer Style OverdriveTunersTweed Style OverdriveTX PedalsUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVolumeVox Style DistortionWah and Fixed WahWalrus AudioWMD Devices+-
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It was about time I did my roundup of favourite and preferred Mid-Size enclosure pedals. This means we’re covering Medium-Slim, Medium-Tall and Medium-Square enclosures - depending on my prevailing mindset - the Horizontal / Medium-Stout types I often group with ’Large’. For my Pedal-Chain in particular - space is very tight - and I really cannot accommodate anything beyond Medium-Square on those slots.

 

The thought process is deciding between Compact and Medium box solutions involves your ...

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MXR's Formidable Mini Guitar Pedal Range

Analog DelayBest of BrandsBoostBoost and OverdriveCompressorDelayDunlop EffectsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzGermanium FuzzKlone and Transparent OverdriveModulationMXROctave FuzzPhaserSilicon FuzzTimmyTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeUtility+-
2021GPX23MiniMXR700.jpg

Of the Big 3 Pedal Makers - Boss, Electro-Harmonix and Jim Dunlop (CryBaby / MXR / Way Huge) - only Dunlop / MXR really has gone down the Mini Pedal route. Admittedly there are a couple of EHX Minis - the 2020 Tuner, and the Cntl Knob - but certainly none for Boss.

 

MXR now has a core of 8 really great Mini Pedals - 12 with the relatively recently discontinued Jimi Hendrix ’69 Psych Series with beautiful enclosures designed by UK design crüe ’ILOVEDUST’.

 

I first featured that quartet in ...

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Paul Gilbert 2021 Pedalboard Dynamics and Essential Tone Components

ArtistArrayBoostBoost and OverdriveChorus and VibratoCompressorCryBabyDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDriveDunlop EffectsFulltone EffectsJHS PedalsKlone and Transparent OverdriveLoop-SwitcherModulationMXRNeo InstrumentsOneControlOverdrivePower SuppliesReverb WorkstationRotary SpeakerTC ElectronicUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVoodoo Lab+-
2021GPXPaulGilbertPedalboard700.jpg

I have long been a fan of the highly convivial Paul Gilbert - with his Racer X Scarified fretboard workout being a particular favourite of mine. Paul is one of the most naturally gifted players out there and can pretty much play anything in any style. He’s a big fan of the Beatles and can play near enough their whole back catalog off the cuff.

 

There’s certainly plenty to admire about Paul - a lifetime Ibanez Artist with a few signature guitars and pedals to his name. What I particularly ...

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2021 February Pedal-Chain Update - Episode II - A Typical Transitional Lull

Big Ear PedalsBoostBoost and OverdriveChorus and VibratoCryBabyCustom Audio ArtDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDunlop EffectsElectro-HarmonixFlangerFuzzGated and Velcro FuzzKlirrton ManufakturMetal DistortionModulationOverdrivePedal ChainPettyjohn ElectronicsPhaserPitchSilicon FuzzWah and Fixed Wah+-
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I would like to start by apologising to those builders who didn’t get a pedal featured in Wednesday’s final 32 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types article. Know that I hold you all in the highest of esteem - and that said overview is/was simply a somewhat temporary and fleeting snapshot of my current preferences on that day - with a particular emphasis towards versatility and variety delivered by a single pedal. So some pedals are typically more narrowly focused and specialist, while others are ...

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32 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types - Preferred Compact Pedal per Type

Acoustic SimulatorAmbient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimAnalog DelayBeat MachineBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionBufferChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorCrazy Tube CircuitsCryBabyDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDouble TrackingDr ScientistDriveDrive WorkstationDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveDunlop EffectsEchoverbElectro-HarmonixEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQFlangerFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGated and Velcro FuzzGermanium FuzzGlitchGranular DelayGuitar Synth and SequencerJackson AudioJAM PedalsJHS PedalsKlone and Transparent OverdriveLo-Fi DelayLooperMaestro Style FuzzMarshall Style DistortionModulated FuzzModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXNoise GateOCD Style OverdriveOctave FuzzOctaverOddball DelayOddball FuzzODR Style OverdriveOpAmp FuzzOverdrivePeterson TunersPhaserPitchPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbRat Style FuzzReverbReverb WorkstationRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSinvertekSource AudioSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbSuper-Fuzz StyleTape DelayTC ElectronicTimmyTone Bender Style FuzzTremoloTubescreamer Style OverdriveTunersTweed Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVolumeVox Style DistortionVS AudioWah and Fixed WahWalrus Audio+-
2021AfBlg32CompactPedalType700.jpg

It was only natural that the Compact Format Preferred Versions feature should follow the Mini examples. Again largely inspired by the recent ’12 Degrees’ projects. 

 

Once more I’ve had a change of mind on some of the candidates and the preferred examples are slightly different to those previous references. Obviously new pedals have arisen, and priorities and preferences can shift fairly regularly based on prevailing mood.

 

That said, most of these are long-term perennial favourites which ...

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2020 Best of New Modulation, Pitch and Utility Pedals for the Year

Alexander PedalsAnasoundsBeat MachineBecos FXBest in ClassBig Ear PedalsBitcrushing and Lo-FiBossChorus and VibratoCompressorCooper FXCoppersoundDedalo FXDr ScientistDunlop EffectsElectro-HarmonixEmpress EffectsEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQFlangerFlower PedalsGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHamstead SoundworksHarmonizerHologram ElectronicsJAM PedalsLooperModulationModulation WorkstationMXROctaverOddball ModulationOld Blood Noise EndeavorsPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingRock Fabrik EffectsRotary SpeakerSlicer and StutterSpaceman EffectsTC ElectronicTremoloUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVS AudioWah and Fixed WahWalrus Audio+-
2020GPXBestOfYearModulationEtc200.jpg

This is the fourth of the preliminary roundups - before I reveal the 25 or so ’Best of the Best of 2020’ - it covers most other pedal genres not yet feature - including in particularly modulation and utility types. Note though that there will be a couple more surprises in the final reckoning!

 

Unlike the Delay and Reverb category I actually own a few of these, while other outstanding ones are very high on the priority list for next year.

 

I own 7 of these all-told - the Anasounds Ages ...

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12 Degrees of Transmogrification : 2020 Key Modulation Categories Edition

12 Degrees of SaturationA/DA AmpsAlexander PedalsAnasoundsBitcrushing and Lo-FiBossCatalinbreadChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCKK ElectronicsCoda EffectsCrazy Tube CircuitsCryBabyDawner Prince EffectsDigiTechDOD EffectsDryBell EffectsDunlop EffectsElectro-HarmonixEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFeaturedFlangerFlower PedalsFunction F(X)IbanezJAM PedalsJHS PedalsKeeley EngineeringLovepedalMad Professor EffectsMalekko Heavy IndustryModulationMooerMr Black PedalsMu-TronMXRNative AudioNeo InstrumentsOneControlPhaserPigtronixRetro-SonicRotary SpeakerSentimental Bob ElectronicsSource AudioStone Deaf EffectsSubdecay EffectsSwindler EffectsTC ElectronicTone CityTremoloUni-Vibe and VibeVS AudioWalrus AudioWMD Devices+-
2020GPX12DegreesOfTransmogrification700V2.jpg

This is the 4th of my recent ’12 Degrees’ Series - this time moving beyond the boundaries of gain / saturation into the area of modulation. There are of course many more than the 12 modulations I have selected here - there are aliasing, ring modulation and lo-fi signal degeneration effects as well as more complex multi-combo effects, splicers and complex pattern modulators - including for instance the excellent recent Big Ear Albie. Of course the more obscure the category of ...

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