Our top pick for the best free guitar pedal plugin is TSE808 2.0 Lite, a software recreation of the legendary Ibanez Tube Screamer 808—the overdrive pedal that has launched a thousand solos.
For metalheads who think "gain" is just a suggestion, Mercuriall Metal Area takes the crown for best metal guitar pedal plugin. This beast emulates the infamous BOSS Metal Zone, loved and loathed in equal measure.
If you’re after dreamy, swirling textures, Mercuriall Chorus WS-1 is a fantastic choice, bringing the legendary BOSS CE-2 Chorus Ensemble to your DAW.
Here’s our list of the 7 best free guitar pedal plugins:
All of these plugins offer high-quality emulations of legendary guitar pedals—for the unbeatable price of free! Whether you want creamy overdrive, skull-crushing distortion, or a chorus that would make The Police jealous, these plugins will take your tone to the next level—without breaking the bank.
Tried any of these? Let us know in the comments! Got a favorite we missed? Share your secret weapons!
What if I told you that building the perfect pedalboard isn’t just about pedals and power supplies, but about perseverance and persistence?
A little over a year ago, I embarked on a journey to create the ultimate pedalboard—a journey filled with surprises, setbacks, and problem-solving. What I thought would be a straightforward build quickly turned into a challenge, testing my patience and creativity at every turn.
In this post, I’m going to condense that year-long quest into a step-by-step guide. Whether you're building your first pedalboard or looking to upgrade your current setup, you’ll likely encounter some of the same challenges I did. Hopefully, my experience can save you time, money, and frustration along the way. Let’s dive in.
The Vision and the Challenge
When I set out to build my pedalboard, I had a few key goals:
Sparkly clean tones
Textured, wide ambient swells
Maximum creativity
Versatility to cover a wide variety of sounds
Sounds simple, right? Well, I quickly realized this wasn’t a plug-and-play project. After testing various pedals and board configurations, I finally landed on a setup that would give me the most tonal flexibility without compromising audio quality.
Once I had a general idea of my pedal choices, the next challenge was finding the right board. I needed something affordable, durable, and capable of clean cable management. Thankfully, I discovered the Rockboard Board Configurator, an online tool that allowed me to visualize my layout and anticipate potential snags. It helped me determine:
What size board I needed
What kind of power supply to use
Minimum cable lengths for my setup
Using this tool was a game-changer, but as I’d soon find out, nothing is perfect on paper.
Pedal Selection and Signal Flow
Here’s the lineup I decided on, in order of signal flow:
Behringer FC600 Volume/Expression Pedal – A heavy-duty volume pedal with an expression function and a side input for a tuner.
Rockstock Nano Tuner – A compact yet highly visible tuner, hooked up via the volume pedal’s side input.
Donner EQ Seeker – A 7-band graphic EQ, perfect for shaping tone and boosting signal.
Wampler Ego 76 Compressor – A high-quality compressor with blend control for natural dynamics.
JET Pedals Unity 6 Looper/Switcher – The brain of my board, featuring a touchscreen, MIDI control, and six rearrangeable analog loops.
Caline Pure Sky Overdrive – A transparent overdrive pedal that enhances natural amp tone.
Lamb Overdrive – A versatile overdrive with warm, tube-like characteristics.
ARP-87 Delay – A multi-mode delay pedal with tap tempo and modulation control.
Tonex Amp Modeler – My virtual amp and pedal modeler with 150 tone captures and stereo outputs.
X-Space Reverb – A high-quality stereo reverb with 16 algorithms and MIDI connectivity.
Slöer Ambient Reverb – A dreamy reverb with multiple modes and infinite sustain capability.
Finally, my stereo outs travel to the Rockboard MOD 3 patchbay, keeping everything clean and organized.
The Setbacks Begin
Problem #1: Space Constraints
My dream setup was just a bit too ambitious for the board I ordered. While the online tool helped, I didn’t account for the difference in cable sizes—some of my non-Rockboard cables took up more room than expected. This led to a tough decision: something had to go.
Instead of removing pedals, I got creative. The EQ and compressor are “always on” pedals, so I decided to mount the EQ under the board to save space. Problem solved… or so I thought.
Problem #2: A Pedal That Wouldn’t Auto-Power On
I quickly realized that my EQ pedal wouldn’t turn on automatically when power was supplied. If I mounted it under the board, I’d have to flip everything over to press the power button—not ideal. After some research, I discovered a solution: modding the pedal.
Using a multimeter, I found the switch contacts that controlled power. I soldered a jumper wire to bypass the manual switch. At first, it worked—but then the pedal’s microcontroller reset the bridge after power loss. After more troubleshooting, I found another bypass method using a 1k transistor, finally getting the pedal to stay on when powered. Victory!
Overcoming Power and Cable Management Challenges
To ensure everything powered up smoothly, I used an isolated power supply with inline adapters for tricky pedals. Proper cable management was also crucial. I secured everything with Velcro and zip ties, keeping the underside clean and minimizing interference.
The biggest breakthrough came when I rearranged my signal flow. Placing the EQ up front gave me better tonal control, while keeping delay and reverb last ensured clarity.
The Final Assembly and Testing
After hours of mounting, wiring, and adjusting, it was time for the moment of truth. I plugged in the power supply, flipped the switch, and watched as each pedal lit up one by one. Everything powered on correctly, signal flow was clean, and—most importantly—the board sounded incredible.
Final Thoughts
Building a pedalboard isn’t just about choosing the right gear. It’s about problem-solving, creativity, and the satisfaction of crafting something that’s uniquely yours. If you’re planning your own build, here are some takeaways from my experience:
Plan ahead – Use online tools to map out your layout before purchasing.
Test fit everything – A “dry fit” before securing pedals can save headaches.
Expect the unexpected – Issues will arise, but creative solutions exist.
Invest in good cable management – A clean setup is easier to troubleshoot and maintain.
Have you faced any challenges while building your pedalboard? Let’s discuss in the comments!
For guitarists of all levels, pedals can unlock new sonic possibilities, turning a simple guitar riff into a masterpiece of tone and texture. However, diving into the world of guitar pedals and pedalboards can be overwhelming without a clear understanding of what’s essential, what’s optional, and how to bring it all together. This article answers some of the most common questions about guitar pedals and setups, helping you navigate this often complex but rewarding world.
*Clicking the blue words will take you to suggested products
What Is the Typical Guitar Pedal Setup?
The term "typical" guitar pedal setup can vary based on the genre, player preference, and intended use. However, most setups follow a logical signal chain that ensures each pedal performs at its best. Below is a general order for arranging pedals:
Tuner The tuner pedal should always come first in the chain to receive the cleanest signal from the guitar. This placement ensures accurate tuning without interference from other effects.
Dynamic Effects (Compressors, Wah, Volume) Next in line are pedals that affect dynamics or tone shaping, like compressors or wah pedals. Compression helps even out the volume of your playing, while wah pedals add a sweepable EQ effect.
Overdrive, Distortion, and Fuzz Gain-based pedals such as overdrive, distortion, and fuzz come after dynamics. They amplify and clip the signal, creating those iconic dirty tones.
Modulation Effects (Chorus, Flanger, Phaser) Modulation pedals add depth and movement to your tone. These effects are best placed after gain pedals to process the already-shaped signal.
Time-Based Effects (Delay, Reverb) Delay and reverb pedals typically go at the end of the chain. They create ambient textures and echoes that sound best when applied to the fully processed signal.
Loopers Loopers should usually go at the very end of the chain. This placement allows you to capture and layer the entire processed signal, including all effects.
While this order is a standard starting point, experimentation is encouraged. Some players prefer placing modulation effects before overdrive for a unique sound, or they might add multiple overdrive pedals to stack gain stages.
Do You Need a Pedalboard for Guitar Pedals?
The short answer: No, you don’t need a pedalboard, but you probably should have one.
If you only use one or two pedals occasionally, you can get by without a pedalboard. However, as you add more pedals to your collection, a pedalboard becomes essential for several reasons:
Organization A pedalboard keeps your pedals in a consistent, logical arrangement. This organization is especially important for live performances, where quick adjustments may be needed.
Cable Management A pedalboard helps reduce cable clutter by neatly routing power and patch cables, reducing the risk of signal loss or noise interference.
Transportability A pedalboard makes it easier to transport your pedals between practice sessions, gigs, or studios. Most pedalboards come with a carry case for added convenience.
Durability Pedalboards protect your pedals from wear and tear, especially during transport. Many boards have a durable frame and secure mounting options to keep pedals in place.
Without a pedalboard, you're likely to face challenges like tangled cables, inconsistent setups, and increased setup time. There are a ton of options out there but here is my personal favorite here!
How to Choose a Guitar Pedalboard
Selecting the right pedalboard depends on several factors, including the number of pedals you own, the space you have, and your specific needs as a guitarist. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you choose:
1. Determine Your Pedal Count
Small Setup (1–5 pedals): A compact pedalboard like the Pedaltrain Nano is ideal.
Medium Setup (6–10 pedals): Look for a mid-sized board such as the Pedaltrain Classic 2.
Large Setup (11+ pedals): Opt for a large board like the Temple Audio Trio or Pedaltrain Pro.
2. Consider Power Requirements
Each pedal requires power, so you’ll need a power supply that can handle your setup. Look for pedalboards with integrated power supplies or space to mount one underneath.
3. Plan for Future Expansion
Even if your current setup is small, you might add pedals in the future. Choose a pedalboard with enough room to accommodate growth.
4. Evaluate Portability
If you frequently travel or gig, prioritize lightweight, portable boards. Consider a board with a hard or soft carrying case for added convenience.
5. Assess Build Quality
Ensure the pedalboard is made of sturdy materials, such as aluminum or steel, to withstand regular use.
6. Cable Management
Some pedalboards have built-in cable management systems, which can simplify setup and reduce noise.
7. Aesthetics and Customization
Some pedalboards, like those from Temple Audio, allow you to customize the layout and color. While not essential, aesthetics can make your rig more enjoyable to use.
What Pedal Should Every Guitarist Have?
While every guitarist’s needs differ, some pedals are universally useful. Here are a few that most players consider essential:
Overdrive is one of the most versatile effects, ranging from subtle warmth to full-blown crunch. Popular options include the Ibanez Tube Screamer and the Fulltone OCD.
A volume pedal gives you dynamic control over your signal, useful for swells and gradual fades.
Putting It All Together
Building the perfect pedal setup takes time, experimentation, and a clear understanding of your musical goals. Here's how to get started:
Start Small Focus on essential pedals before expanding your collection. For most players, a tuner, overdrive, delay, and reverb are a solid starting point.
Experiment with Placement While the standard pedal order is a good guideline, experiment with different arrangements to find what works best for your style.
Invest in Quality Cables High-quality patch cables and power supplies can make a big difference in tone and reliability.
Maintain Your Pedals Keep your pedals clean and check for loose connections regularly to ensure they perform at their best.
Upgrade Gradually As your skills and needs grow, invest in higher-quality pedals and accessories.
For a stress-free way to know exactly what you need for your pedalboard build I suggest using the RockBoard "Board Configurator! Here's an introduction to this amazing tool and how to use it.
Conclusion
A well-thought-out pedal setup is a cornerstone of a guitarist’s sound. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, understanding the basics of pedal arrangement, the benefits of a pedalboard, and how to choose the right gear will help you unlock your full potential.
Remember, the journey to finding your signature tone is as rewarding as the destination. So, take your time, experiment, and let your creativity shine. Whether you're chasing shimmering clean tones, crushing distortion, or atmospheric soundscapes, the right pedals can bring your vision to life.
JUNIOR: I guess a little fun snippet here is that jet pedals is my initials rearranged. So my 1st name is Edwin and since Junior is my middle name then my initials are E.J.T. So rearrange that and you get JET Pedals.
ROBERT:Interesting! So, how did the pedal company come about? What was the process that led you to wake up one day and say, "I'm gonna start a pedal company"!
JUNIOR:Yeah, and so it never really started out as I'm going to create a pedal company. So I have been an electrician pretty much all my life. And now there is some similarities between electrical engineering and electrician, dealing with electricity.
Anyway, so I've been an electrician and I tinker around with all kinds of stuff. I love programming and I've built quite a few things over the years. I've been a musician my whole life, but not a guitar player always. So when I started playing guitars, like, hey, I want to figure out how guitar pedals how effects work.
And so I just, tinkered a little bit and built some things, start off with some overdrive, real simple stuff that, probably most people do. But I really didn't think of it as. a company until really one day a friend of mine said, you know, it would be great if. We had a pedal that sounded like the Big Sky, but in a much smaller format with a whole lot less features.
So I'm thinking, I guess I'll give that a shot, you know, did some research, kind of did my own thing and figured out how we get close to that. Let me be honest here. The Big Sky is an amazing pedal and our "Revelation" is no way is an attempt to replace that pedal.
It's just something that a friend of mine had asked if I could get that kind of sound. So, I built that pedal. He really liked it. And I thought, if he likes it, maybe other people will. So we start a website and we start out with 50 pedals. I made 50 pedals and eventually it took a little while to sell out. But that's kind of how the company started. Just out of an idea that came from a friend, and then my curiosity of building effects. I'm a worship guitar player at our church, and I think that helps as well in the ideation stage of things.
ROBERT:That's a great answer. I love all the backstory and the fact that, you know, you're actually using the pedals yourself, dude, that's huge. So it's not just someone who's kind of in a vacuum creating stuff, you're in the trenches, so to speak, as a worship leader, as someone who's in a worship band, actually using those pedals. So, I think that actually puts you in a better position to know what the customer base would want, what your audience wants.
JUNIOR:Yeah, anything in life when you're creating, a business, product, or a service, if you're solving a problem, then you're solving a problem for yourself. And it's pretty obvious that that's going to be a problem for other people. That's a good recipe for success and that's where most of our designs have come from. I see a problem and I want to solve that problem.
ROBERT:That's so true man! In fact, you recently solved a problem for me actually.I just got this bad boy (holding up The Lamb Overdrive) from your team over there for review and full disclosure, I did not have to pay for this. Thank you so much by the way.
But I have to say, this is not leaving my board for a good long while. Believe me, a lot of stuff has come and gone. I'm sure, you know, pedal boards are completely evolving all the time.This pedal solved a problem that not a lot of people were looking at. So not only do you have three different modes of overdrive here, depending on how you set it, it can even be almost distortion. But then they have this cool little feature where you can tap this preset button twice real quick and you get a three DB boost!
JUNIOR:Actually if you look at the manual online, you can adjust that in global settings. So, you can adjust how much boost you want and it's relative to where you have the volume knob set. So, it's basically like taking another step, or two steps, or even three steps, from where the volume knob is, to your liking.
ROBERT:That's super cool because I don't know how many times I've had my tone dialed in, I'm doing some backing stuff, like in a worship set, you don't want to step on everybody. So you're kind of bringing in some swells and stuff like that, and then it's time for you to step up and do a lead line or a solo. Next thing you know, now I've got to adjust the knob or I've got to keep my volume pedal at a certain place and I can't touch it. So not only does it solve a problem, but it's just super cool. Like you can be mid solo and double tap that bad boy and just give it a lift.
JUNIOR: I appreciate you doing a demo for the, by the way, it was amazing. I love the insight you provided and you can almost see your reactions as you, you know, as you're applying it for the first time. So, very great review.
ROBERT:So a little bit more about the company, because I think there's a lot of companies out there that you come to find out later on down the road, they have a Christian background, but with you guys you're kind of just loud and proud, bold, which I absolutely love. Have you got any kind of, flack for that?
JUNIOR:Yeah, I totally understand what you're saying, it depends. Most people love it like yourself, whether they're Christian or they're not Christian. But, now and then we do get some negative feedback. It just depends on the market. We definitely try to stay within the worship genre because we're solving problems for the worship guitar player.
Of course, our pedals don't have to be for worship. They just happen to pedals speak more clearly to the worship guitarists. A pedal like "The Lamb" for instance is a very open transparent overdrive, which is highly sought after in the worship genre.
ROBERT:Absolutely. That's a great way to put it. Can you share a time when customer feedback has fundamentally altered the course of product development?
JUNIOR:Well... I'm not sure if I can pinpoint any specific moments, but definitely the creation of the "Revelation" was kind of a... well, it was a revelation, you know, it was a moment of clarity, when my friend suggested that guitarists were needing a smaller footprint, more affordable version, of the Big Sky. That simple need really led to the course of development for the Revelation itself.
ROBERT:That's great! I want to know, how do you approach finding a good balance between the analog, and the digital side of the technology within these pedals.
JUNIOR:Sure. Now that you mentioned this, it does kind of go back to your previous question. So, our very first pedal to kick off the company was the Revelation.It was a full digital product, so your analog came in and was converted to digital, processed, and then converted back to analog.
With that, there's some latency. And so when we jumped over to our version 3, one thing that we wanted to add to that was based on our user feedback, is an "analog through". So, that ensures your analog signal stays pure and it goes basically around the reverb signal and then the reverb and the analog blend back together on the output.
We want to make sure that your signal is as clear as possible. Protecting your single integrity is important to us. So we have a couple of pedals that are digital... the Eternity, and the Revelation for instance, and then adding the "audio through" really helped with that to remove latency while maintaining the analog path as well.
Essentially, we want to make sure that the pedals has a digital brain. So, what that means is, the brain is controlling the presets, and it's controlling actual knob turning. So, it keeps your analog signal intact and then the brain just kind of gives the user the ability to have the presets and so that kind of solves some of those problems with what would otherwise be a poor digital sound.
ROBERT:Personally, I have went through probably three or four different iterations of overdrive on my board already. Each one had a great sound. It was just a different flavor than what I was looking for. But you and I both know when you're looking to build a board out, in light of worship, that you want that sparkle that cuts through, a good clean sound. Concerning The Lamb, what I noticed immediately, the tone was crystal clear. It didn't affect anything adversely. In fact, it created sort of this pleasing breakup and it felt like I was playing into a real amp. So, I've gushed on my favorite features of this pedal. What's the one feature of Jet Pedals that you look at and you're particularly proud of, and why?
JUNIOR:Well, I think one thing we mentioned earlier is that we're solving the problem of the worship musician and trying to improve their workflow. Being able to call up presets, the live mode, and the ability to quickly jump back and forth between two sounds. We are always looking to add extra value to our end user, and anything that makes their life easier is a great feature to have for sure.
ROBERT:So, our band leader, (he's a guitarist as well) and he has like a spaceship of a board compared to mine, but he's got all his rig running off of MIDI. Now, I still have yet to jump into the MIDI space. I've been looking at it, but I just have yet to make that leap. What's your take on integrating MIDI into a rig?
JUNIOR:When I first started playing electric, I couldn't keep up with all the changes, you know, the tap dance, as we say, across all the pedals. So then, we started building MIDI controllers to make things easier to control, that really helped. To think that one tap can change your whole board, you know, getting the sounds to sound appropriate at the right time is tricky, that's where there is still some trial and error, but a MIDI controller can free your mind up a bit to think more musically while playing as you have less technical things to dwell on.
ROBERT:That makes perfect sense man. So, what's the most rewarding feedback that you've ever received from a guitarist who's been using your pedals?
JUNIOR:Oh man, our website is just full of reviews and we appreciate every last one of them. But I do remember, one time a mother bought a pedal for her son and emailed me to say that because of that purchase, her son is 16 going back to church again, and he loves our company, what we stand for. You know, to think that one of our pedals would inspire him to continue to go to church and play, and that we're (in some way) inspiring him to continue in his faith, that was was a very heartwarming moment.
ROBERT:Wow, dude, that's an awesome story! To think, these pedals are not just helping the guitarists out there get great tone.They're actually doing something for the kingdom as well, that's awesome. So, have you ever thought about teaming up with like prominent worship leader or musician to create a unique pedal just for them?
JUNIOR:Yeah, so, I don't think it's on the website anymore, but a few years back, we teamed up with Chris Rocha. He approached us and he wanted an overdrive that kind of resembles his sound. So we put together a pedal called Mr. Jax. He wanted a pedal that was very similar to the Crowder Hotcake. So we worked on it a little bit and we redesigned the tone stack and a little bit of how it was clipping and just to kind of get it right for him. He wanted a little extra gain out of it, a little more compression, and he didn't want MIDI. In his own words, he didn't want to pedal to get too far out of budget for his customer base. I kind of wanted to put our own sound in it so we did some unique gain staging as well.
ROBERT:So I've got a couple of curveball questions. First, this is a two part question. What's your favorite color?
JUNIOR:Oh, yeah... it's blue. It's like a bluish blue gray.
ROBERT: Here's the second part, he follow up question is, what does the color blue taste like?
JUNIOR:Well, I guess it tastes like blueberries.
ROBERT:Awesome! There you have it! Guys, the holidays are coming up and if you need some good pedals, they've got you covered. I'm telling you, you will not be let down.
See my full review of The Lamb here:
*** The original interview was Live on the YouTube channel and due to technical difficulties the video is not available. My apologies! However, Junior will be back on the channel soon to discuss MIDI more in depth with us, so stay tuned!
Creating legendary guitar tones from the comfort of your home studio may seem like a tall order, but with the right techniques, gear, and mindset, you can replicate the professional sounds of your favorite guitar heroes. Here’s how you can craft those signature tones that make your tracks stand out.
Start with a Great Foundation: Your Guitar and Playing Style
The heart of any great tone lies in your guitar and your playing. Before diving into amps or effects, ensure your instrument is set up properly. Here are a few tips:
Strings & Setup: Use fresh strings and make sure your guitar is intonated.
Pickups: Choose pickups suited to your desired sound. Humbuckers are great for
warmth and sustain, while single coils provide clarity and sparkle.
Technique: Legendary tone starts in your fingers, so focus on dynamics, picking,
and vibrato. Practice until your playing feels natural and expressive.
Choose the Right Amp or Amp Simulation
An amplifier shapes your tone more than any other element. While traditional tube amps offer unparalleled warmth, modern amp simulators can deliver incredible results without disturbing your neighbors. Consider the following:
Tube Amps: If space and budget allow, a small wattage tube amp mic’d with a
dynamic microphone can produce iconic tones.
Amp Simulations: Software like Neural DSP, Helix Native, or Kemper profiles
faithfully emulate classic amp tones, making them ideal for home studios.
EQ Matching: Pay attention to EQ settings to mimic the tonal character of the
amp or player you’re emulating.
Nail the Right Mic Technique for Real Amps
If you’re recording a physical amp, mic placement is key:
Dynamic Mics (e.g., SM57): Position close to the speaker for a punchy sound.
Condenser Mics: Use further from the amp for a natural room tone.
Blending: Experiment with multiple mics to blend direct and ambient sound.
Don’t have mics? Many amp sims and modelers include IR (Impulse Response) technology, which replicates mic’d speaker cabinets.
Layer and Blend Tones
Professional guitar recordings often feature layered tones. Here’s how you can achieve this:
Double Tracking: Record the same part twice for a thicker sound. Pan one take
left and the other right.
Combine Clean and Distorted Signals: Blend a clean guitar track with a heavily
distorted one for clarity and punch.
Experiment with Pickups: Use different pickup settings for each layer to add
complexity.
Effects: Less Is Often More
Legendary tones often rely on subtle, well-placed effects. Overloading your chain can muddy the mix. Start with these essentials:
Reverb and Delay: Use sparingly to add depth without overpowering the sound.
Compression: Helps even out dynamics while retaining attack.
Modulation: Try chorus, phaser, or flanger for a touch of color.
Overdrive/Distortion: Match the gain level to your genre, keeping in mind that
less distortion often results in better-defined tones.
Dial in Post-Processing
Once your track is recorded, post-production can take your tone to the next level:
EQ: Cut unnecessary low-end frequencies to avoid muddiness, and boost mid
frequencies for presence.
Compression: Use subtle compression to maintain dynamics while enhancing
clarity.
Saturation: Add analog-style warmth by lightly saturating the signal.
Reference and Experiment
Lastly, use reference tracks to guide your tonal journey. Load a track by your favorite guitarist into your DAW and A/B your sound. Be patient, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Legendary tone often comes from unexpected techniques and happy accidents.
Achieving legendary guitar tone in your home studio may take time and effort, but the process is part of the fun. With the right gear, knowledge, and creative energy, you’ll soon find yourself crafting tones that rival the pros.
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