MusicRadar Basics: how to set up a pedal board for your guitar effects

MusicRadar Basics is brought to you in association with Boss.

Once you start using more than a couple of pedals you will need to consider the order in which they are laid out as this will have an effect on your overall tone.

Pedals react differently depending on what’s coming into them, whether that's your pure guitar signal or the signal from other pedals, so we have to take this into account when lining up our pedals. This is often referred to as signal chain.

You won't damage your pedals if you put them in the wrong order, and there's no right or wrong way, but when you're starting out we'd recommend following this basic order:

Guitar
Tuner
Wah/EQ
Distortion/overdrive
Modulation effects (eg, chorus/flange)
Time-based effects (eg, reverb/delay)
Amp

If you're using multiple pedals then a pedal board would be a wise investment too. They come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs and most come either built into a hardcase or with a soft bag for easy transportation.

Whichever option you go for make sure you buy one that's big enough to fit your existing pedals comfortably and will accommodate more if you have plans to expand your set-up.

Once you're happy with the order of your pedals and they're securely in place, you'll need enough short patch cables to connect your pedals together, plus two longer cables to connect between your pedal board and guitar and between your pedalboard and your amp. Buy the best you can afford to get the longest life out of your cables.

When running multiple pedals you can, of course, power with batteries but you'll eat through them quickly. Alternatively you might want to try a multi-output power supply that will keep things simple and tidy. There are many standalone options, or you can opt for a pedal board with a power supply built in.

There's also the option of building your own pedal board from scratch at home. This can be a fun and satisfying way of getting your 'board set-up just how you want it and there are plenty of tutorials that show you how online.

Whatever works for you, a pedalboard is great way to keep your effects organised.

[jamowie_]

All these videos with over the top American accents, finally one in my mother tongue! BRUMAYYYY!

[Jhhhhhhhhhhhh]

"Once you start using more than a couple of pedals, you're gonna need to consider the yoddler lay dow daint"

[Freedomisreal]

Brill, thanks so much. I'm trying to build a board for my hubby's pedals and you have given me some good things to consider before I start. Great video.

[Terrysoddy]

Man by far the best instructional videos I've saw on YouTube, and I love the accent

[VM]

hmm. cool that, despite the video showing off a flash Boss pedalboard, and the video being sponsored by Boss, they still encouraged people to look into building your own from scratch. fair play Boss!

[chrisdaviesguitar]

I like the way this is a suggestion, rather than try to force an opinion. Nice one, thank you.

[timchurchill]

Great video I've been searching for a video that's nice and simple to understand but couldn't find one, and stumbled upon this by accident, nice and short gets to the point in 2.39 I wish more videos were like it brilliant thanks alot

[Mujcanal]

Simplicity of boss pedals is great as it’s tones. Thanks

[kyzor-sosay]

The Boss Blues Driver, is an excellent pedal.

[fredthebasspro]

When he said" Yordle a neesstu consikwita assin affex de oberdall turim" *I felt that*

[MultiRockmeister]

I have almost the same chain, the difference; switching wah+tuner. gate. i think this sounds best for me. the wah sounds better :)

[fredthebasspro]

HOLY SLURRRR - WHAT THE FUCK. As soon as the video started I thought I had somehow suddenly suffered massive brain trauma and just didn't know it yet...

[urwholefamilydied]

hmmmm... just put my overdrive pedal last (well, reverb pedal last) after my other FX and it sounded so much better in my ears. My overdrive going into my phaser seemed to fuck with the phase pedal. I'm liking overdrive at the end of the chain. I only have 5 pedals but I'm liking: tuner, phaser, echo dream (with the fuzz up a tad), overdrive, reverb. Sounds nice.

[BrokenRealityYT]

I ordered an sd 1 and an rc1 I already have a ds 1 so, sd1 rc1 ds1 what order should I use

[musiceschete]

I see u run delay after reverb. I do reverb last because it would reverberate the delays

[aww]

Gday mate! Great video. You are awesome!

[mendozaruvalcabaalejandro]

I don't know but I like putting analog delay and mudulation effects before distortion :D

[gpuviani]

Love the video, mega useful! What patch cables are these?

[harleypackermusic]

Does a boss AW-3 dynamic wah go in the same spot as a dunlop cry baby would?

[mrtambourineman]

Where do people normally put a loop pedal or drum machine type thing?