Updated Dec. 31, 2022 | by Paolo De Gregorio

Welcome to our guide to the best guitar pedals of 2022!

Each pedal in this article’s interactive galleries links to a video review, while descriptions are embedded in the images at mouseover or first tap.

[For a blast into a not-so-distant past, check out also our Best Guitar Pedals of 2021 aggregate list].

The Best Guitar Pedals of 2022

We first started compiling the lists in this article at the end of November 2022 and we kept updating them with new noteworthy pedals released since.

As usual, rather than being overly picky and selective, we went for a bunch of super-inclusive categories, that way we can give exposure to some lesser-known devices while our readers can make sure they get just the right pedal for their current needs!

There’s SO MUCH GOOD STUFF out there, how can anybody stick with a simple top ten? Let’s say it, top ten pedal charts are too limited and subjective!

These lists are loosely organized in order of popularity, and we compiled them using the following “coordinates:”

  1. Reverb.com’s list of the best-selling pedals of 2022
  2. Top Google Searches recorded by Delicious Audio in 2022
  3. Average number of video views received by each pedal
  4. Sales we witnessed in person at our 2022 Stompbox Exhibits

Also, now that influencers and publications have started posting their year-end list, we are integrating that content within this article and adding their picks to our lists.

Aggregated Influencers Best of 2022 Lists So Far*:

*Many of these charts include pedals that weren’t released in 2022. We didn’t include them in our aggregated lists.

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We are sure there are other pedals that deserve to be on these lists, please feel free to highlight your favorite ones in this article’s comment section (as long as they are 2022 releases).

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The Best Guitar Pedals of 2022,
Our Categories

The categories below are completely arbitrary, they just sprung out of our desire to include all the stompboxes we wanted to feature.

(click to jump)
• Best Creative Pedals of 2022
• Best Compact/Mini, Non-Gain Pedals of 2022
• Best Large Footprint, Non-Gain Pedals of 2022
• Best Multi-FX Pedals of 2022
• Best Pedals by Emerging Builders, in 2022
• Best Gain Pedals of 2022
• Best Fuzz Pedals of 2022
• Best EQ, Compression & Utility Pedals in 2022
• Best Pedals for Metal in 2022
• Best Pedal Updates of 2022
• Best Pedal Series of 2022

note 1

As usual, a click/second tap on the pedal’s thumbnails will open a video review.

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• Best Creative Pedals of 2022

1745445647
chase bliss audio habit
$399 | Not "traditionally" multi-mode, this experimental 60-sec. echo/looper can do so many things that it's de-facto multi-mode: from regular echo to pitch-shifted trails to modulated delay and looping. The key feature is a 3 min. memory that records everything you play and that can be replayed and fed back into the effect and mixed with the live signal - so it's also a sampler, among many other things.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1691641554
meris LVX
$599 | a fully featured stereo multi-algorithm delay/looper with a host of other effects, a modular heart, and deep internal routing - including two FX Loops that can be activated through dedicated footswitches. Spectacular and user-friendly UI interface with animated color LCD screen. It inherits algorithms from other Meris pedals but also introduces new ones like Granularize, Casette, and Poly Pitch.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
3155009612
Walrus Audio Lore
$299 | The only multi-mode reverse pedal on the market with five different programs, each utilizing different combinations of delay and reverb that feed into each other for time-warping ambient creations. Using two DSP chips running in series, each with its own analog feedback path, the Lore takes you on an adventurous journey rich with themes of reversing, time-stretching, pitch-shifting, and vast ambiance.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
http://amazon.to
Beetronics FX ZZOMBEE
$349 | a creative effect that combines a fuzz, a filter, a low octave and a tremolo. It also offers a new kind of effect labeled "cross-tremolo," which - to quote the manufacturer -  "pulses between the fundamental and low octave." It also sports tap-tempo, cv control, external tap, expression out and can save presets.
Sweetwater | Reverb | Amazon
2768629527
old blood noise float Dual Filter
$299 | two moving filters in a dual in/out configuration. Each filter has cutoff, sensitivity, resonance, rate, and volume controls as well as 6 waveshapes! The filters can also be switched between LP, HP, and BP modes and can be optionally synced together and run in stereo, parallel mono, or series mono configuration.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
2387365650
Vongon Polyphrase
$449 | a creative stereo echo/loop with separate sliders controlling the L and R delay times that can be locked in an infinite feedback loop, and 3 Echo Styles: Dual Stereo, Ping-Pong and Mono Delay, which transforms the R in/out into an FX loop. The Time knob is shared by the channels and provides 9 different maximum times. A modulation section adds chorus or vibrato, while the Tone control allows to darken the repeats.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
3194675256
Old Blood Noise BL-44 Reverse
$179 | a quirkier and experimental pedal that blends true reverse with pitch bending and glitch-like effects in a very unique way. The Clock fader determines the length of the sample and also the thinking speed of the digital processor and the overall sample rate. Speed controls the speed at which the sample is played back and Mix lets you reintegrate the dry signal.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
2961119695
Alexander Pedals Fever Pitch
$299 | a creative ambient pedal with a set of 4 stereo pitch shifters followed by reverb/delay, stereo tremolo/pan, and stereo chorus/vibrato. The left knob can be turned or pushed to navigate the user interface through the high-res OLED screen. The other 5 knobs adjust parameters on the current page, while the footswitches deal with On/Off, Tap Tempo, Preset navigation, and momentary effect.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
https://amazon.to
Pigtronix Gloamer
$279 | it makes volume swells easier and smoother through the Attack knob, which sets the fade-in time after a note is struck. The Compression knob prolongs the sustain of the note, while the Decay function, activated by a momentary footswitch, lets you fade out the signal at the chosen speed, dialed in through the Decay knob. Sensitivity sets the amount of signal necessary to reset the attack and decay cycle.
Sweetwater | Reverb | Amazon
3889813803
rainger FX Break Box
$239 | a asymmetrical clipping fuzz + distortion that does a bunch of crazy things, including scratching! It has a chorus effect that fades in after about one second after your last note was played, affecting sustained notes, and also adding a little volume to the signal. A vinyl scratching-like sound can be triggered by stomping on the big black pad, and its pitch can be controlled through the Pitch knob.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2685263917
AC Noises Urla
$249 | an uber-tweakable, super-compressed CMOS fuzz in front of a dual resonant filter, with separate footswitches. A Blend knob lets you reintegrate some of the clean signal to bring back some dynamics. The filter is a replica of the analog one found in the Korg MS-20: an High Pass filter connected in series with a Low Pass one, both adjustable with their relative controls of Cutoff and Peak.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
168809331
Hungry Robot Aether
$249 | a creative delay + modulation with Tap Tempo that applies an LFO on the delay time of the repeat, rather than their pitch. Three toggle switches add extra effects: Color gives you warm analog (darker) and bright tape (darker) voicings on the repeats; Degrade adds lo-fi textures and artifacts; Stray changes the LFO from a Sine wave to a Random. The Saturation knob adds tape-like distortion to taste.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1631671997
Polar Bear Petrichor
~$230 | a lo-fi delay pedal with 4 step sequencer slots whose length and speed can be controlled in various ways, including Tap Tempo. Each step can be set to play repeats at full note, half note or half dotted note. A Random mode lets the four step play randomly rather than in sequence.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2240347172
Beautiful Noise Exploder Distortion
$210 | A super-tweakable and LOUD distortion pedal with an added white noise generator that can add constant noise carpet or be triggered by the notes through a sensitivity threshold. The distortion has three clipping modes and a 3-way EQ.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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• Best Compact/Mini, Non-Gain Pedals of 2022

2775504563
keeley Halo Dual Echo
$299 | A compact dual echo with a true stereo path, delivering up to 1500ms per channel with a ton of features for its size, including presets, tap tempo, 5 delay rhythms (i.e. modes), optional modulation, and a high degree of tweakability. Built with Andy Timmons, it features a preset that recreates his modulated dual-echo sound. The Saturate knob simulates the compression and warm saturation of tape.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
2317428362
MXR Poly Blue Octave
$199 | A pedal that takes the octave fuzz concept to the next level, with FOUR separate polyphonic octaves (two up and two down) married with the classic MXR Blue Box fuzz – with a bunch of extra cool features (including modulation) thrown in for good measure. A Mono switch lets you recreate the vintage mono octaver grittier tone. A useful Dry knob lets you reintegrate the clean signal.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
367075215
boss RE-2 Space Echo
$249 | a virtual multi-head tape machine offering the authentic sound of the original Space Echo, in mono or stereo. A rotary knob sweeps through 11 modes (each simulating a different configuration of the tape heads), and three dual 'concentric" knobs deal with: Echo Level, Intensity, Rate, (stereo) Reverb, Tone and Wow & Flutter. Tap Tempo and Twist momentary effect are accessible through the footswitch.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
3965857385
walrus audio Mako M1
$349 | A highly tweakable stereo effect with presets and MIDI compatibility that delivers modes for Phaser, Chorus, Tremolo, Vibrato, Rotary and Filter, jaw-droppingly hosted in a compact case. Two footswitches offer Tap Tempo, preset navigation and a series of momentary effects, with a very appealing Lo-Fi knob/footswitch function that takes this device also in the very trendy worn tape simulation territory.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
1096200567
Walrus Audio SLÖTVÅ
$199 - A creative atmospheric reverb with presets producing modulated, sleepy soundscapes through 3 algorithms: Dark adds a lower octave to the trail - X knob controls the octave's volume; Rise is an auto-swell reverb - X controls the length of the rise after a note is played; Dream is a lush reverb with a latching pad function; the X knob here adds a vibrato to the effect, controlling its depth.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
3011472513
Death By Audio Space Bender Chorus Modulator
$270 | a creative chorus pedal that doubles down on intensity and can behave also as a delay, thanks to a Delay Time switch that increases the minimal chorus delay's ten-folds. The Modulator switch allows the use of the effect as an envelope-style chorus, while the Intensity one accentuates the LFO creating deep oscillations, feedback, and crazy noises.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
99698566
Catalinbread Soft Focus
$209 | a digital pedal that recreates the Yamaha FX500 patch used by Slowdive in their album "Souvlaki." A time-adjustable modified plate reverb is sent in parallel to an octave up and a chorus. The Mod knob controls the rate of the chorus and the Symphony knob controls the level of the octave.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
2673616671
alexander Pedals Rewind
$299 | a 10 mode compact stereo delay that satisfies both your bread and butter needs (Analog, Tape-style, Digital, Dual delays) and your spacey/creative cravings (Diffuse, Reverse, Filter, Dynamic, Pitch, Lo-Fi and Filter modes). It features 32 built-in presets, expression and ramping features, Midi compatibility, Stereo in/out, configurable trails, Morph function and USB port.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
https://amazon.to
TC Electronic Infinite
$149 | The evolution of an idea pioneered by Gamechanger Audio. It samples the end of your guitar and figures out a perfect moment to loop it in a way that will sound natural, generating infinite sustain, adding reverb and modulation to taste. Infinite mode can add and sustain an indefinite number of layers. POther features include TonePrint compatibility and FX loop.
Sweetwater | Reverb | Amazon
2851567737
JHS 3 Series Octave Reverb
$99 | an affordable take on the so-called “Shimmer” effect, a circuit that marries a long ambient reverb with an octave effect placed in the reverb’s decay. The three knobs are for Verb, Octave and Decay, while the toggle switch gives you the option to switch the octave from octave-up to octave-down.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
https://amazon.to
Pigtronix Moon Pool
$179 | a mini, analog 4-stage phase shifter and bias tremolo with independent speed controls featuring the ability to change the rate of one or both of the effects depending on your playing dynamics. The two effects can be run separately or together. The envelope tracks your dynamics through the Sensitivity knob, and you can choose to adjust either effect’s response to it through the two side Dyn toggle Switches.
Sweetwater | Reverb | Amazon
1770624038
NuX Voodoo Vibe
$79 | A DSP-based stereo redesign of the Dunlop Uni-Vibe featuring both Vibe and Chorus modes (just like in the original) and a smart footswitch that does both on/off duties and Tap Tempo. Two two-channel In/Out connectors will deliver a full stereo path when using a TRS cable. The three knobs are standard Speed, Intensity, and Volume, while a USB port is available for firmware updates.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4160741463
Nux Edge Delay
$79 | The first stereo mini delay on the market, this impressive digital pedal offers three modes (Analog, Tape and Phi, which applies delays timed according to the golden rule). The single footswitch also allows for Tap Tempo, while the central knob lets you choose from 7 subdivisions. Stereo In/Out can be activated by using 1/4" TRS cables.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2666917528
Free The Tone Cosmic Wave CW-1Y
$318 | a mono, digital delay with multiple filters (Cosmic Filter, Bandpass, 3-Band EQ, Tone) that can be applied to the signal at once, and also a 8 to 24 bit-crusher for lo-fi tones. It has also a reverse delay mode. An LCD screen allows navigation of the presets. Two of those can be assigned for quick switching to the right footswitch, which also does tap tempo.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2356429140
OPFXS Electric Vibe
~$214 | a four-stage phaser that can do both LFO and Envelope-controlled phasing at once (or separately). It can also remove the dry signal for Uni-Vibe tones. The LFO can follow 3 waves (Sine, Triangle, and Pulse) with Depth and Rate controls, while the envelope phasing is activated through alt function accessible by pushing the small FNCT button. The Speed and Depth switches on, the envelop will affect the LFO's rate/amplitude.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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• Best Large Footprint, Non-Gain Pedals of 2022

979842951
Universal Audio UAFX Dream '65 Reverb
$399 | Authentic emulation of a Fender Deluxe Reverb, with three speaker options and three amp versions — stock and two common modifications — that capture the sparkling cleans and rich overdrive of the popular American amp. Mic, cab, and Dynamic Room Modeling technology allow for tone fine-tuning.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
737989184
Death By Audio Exploding Head
$225 | three delay circuits connected in series, each with controls for Time, Feedback & Blend. This is a wild stereo pedal can also produce regular delays. The Infinity footswitch momentarily feeds the output of the third delay into the first one, creating multi-feedback sonic madness. The Blend knob in the black channel controls the feedback's volume.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
3711638202
Caroline Arigato
$219 | an analog 4-stage phaser/vibrato with knobs for Mix, Feedback, Speed and Aim/Frequency, which sets the color and intensity of the flanging. The Wave toggle offers triangle and square LFOs, while the Mod one delivers an asymmetrical pulse with a different frequency character. The momentary Havoc footswitch takes the speeds to the maximum setting.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4082971505
Asheville Music Tools ACV-1
$378 | a high-end mono chorus that allows the player to select the delay time that sets the choru's' character, plus the phase of the feedback. This allows for a wider range of possibilities. 3 LFO shapes and Tone + Mix knobs round up the features.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
3077780284
JHS Artificial Blonde Madison
$249 | a stereo vibrato custom-created for two-Grammy nominated songwriter Madison Cunningham. It produces a subtly 3 dimentional pitch vibrato effect and offer two "analog" presets through separate Speed and Depth knobs for preset 1 and two. The right footswitch lets you toggle between the two.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
4234718446
Dreadbox Darkness
$299 | A granular pitch shifter circuit followed by a modulated stereo digital reverb and then by a gate generator (for tails on/off) and a 150ms loop for the momentary Hold effect (aka "freeze"). The gate and modulation parameters are controlled through the Control knob and the Mode toggle.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
1842803880
Wampler Metaverse Delay
$349 | a stereo multi-mode delay with 4 presets featuring 11 algorithms covering all the basics, including emulation of some other Wampler delays (like The Doctor and Faux Tape Echo). Knobs for Delay, Feedback, Tone, Mod and Mix do the tweaking, plus an Trials On/Off switch. Midi compatible.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
147731936
PRS Guitars Wind Through The Trees
$349 | A high quality device featuring two flanger circuits placed in parallel each featuring controls for Manual, Depth and Rate. They are then then sent to a Mix knob that lets you blend them to taste. Three extra knobs on the right part of the pedal deal with Dry/Wet blend, Treble frequencies, with the Regen control accentuating the effect’s “swoosh.”
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
2235072585
MAS Effects Expanse
$229 | a creative tweakable harmonic tremolo + reverb/delay. The tremolo can be set to 3 modes through the Warp toggle, from classic and subtle to heavily filtered and resonant. Expanse has its own level knob and adds either ambient reverb or a echoing feedback, . The dry signal can be reintegrated through the Blend control. Two Epression ins allow for simultaneous control of Width and either Expanse or Velocity.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1216058077
dreadbox Raindrops Delay
$199 | a full stereo hybrid analog + digital delay with 3 algorithms: modulated delay, pitch shifting delay, and reverb mode (created from cascading delays). The Control knob varies function depending on the selected mode, delivering rather extreme settings when turned fully clockwise.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
4184596402
old blood noise SCREEN VIOLENCE
$279 | a stereo triple-effect pedal with tuner and cab sim, with three slots that can hold each one virtual recreations of existing TC pedals employing the original algorithms. A configuration of three pedals can then be stored as a “Board” preset. The effects can be triggered via separate footswitches and controlled through three configurable and mappable knobs.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2227561971
mile end effects Julep
$225 | a versatile optical stereo panning/tremolo and phasing effect that can produce a wide variety of sounds with variable waveform, with the possibility to set separate depths for left and right channel.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1963948739
zander Templo
~$400 | A full-fledged, stereo, 8-mode reverb with 5 presets by a very boutique UK builder. 2 classic modes (Spring, Room), two modulated (Cave and Whirl) and 4 edgy ones (Lo-Fi, Granular, Solid State, and Spectral - the last two are BBD-style reverb and one with hi and low octaves). A tap allows switching between short, medium, and long decay. The other footswitches are kill dry switch and momentary max decay.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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• Best Multi-FX Pedals of 2022

1684070111
Eventide H90 Harmonizer
$899 | An upgrade to the popular H9, which doubles the number of channels, adding 10 new algorithms on top of the 50+ old ones, five knobs vs 1 in the H9 and 3 assignable footswitches vs 2, plus a satisfyingly large OLED screen. A new software allows in-depth editing. The routing has been greatly expanded as well.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
2396251709
NUX MG-400
$218 | An upgrade to the MG-300, with the same amp modeling algorithms, and a selection of 27 amp models, 33 cabinet IRs plus 4 mics and 3 mic positions. It does Impulse Responseand you can also load 3rd party IR files using the NUX QuickTone software. The effect section recreates the signature sound of all sorts of real analog pedals, whose position in the routing can be easily moved.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
https://amazon.to
tc electronic plethora x3
$349 | a stereo multi-effect pedal with tuner and cab sim, with three slots assignable to a selection of virtual recreations of existing TC pedals employing the original algorithms. A configuration of three pedals can then be stored as a “Board” preset. The effects can be triggered via separate footswitches and controlled through three assignable knobs.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4107273444
Collision Devices Nocturnal
~$350 - A 3-in-1 effect, designed in collaboration with artist Noli, combining Modulated Delay (DUSK, a vintage echo with wow & flutter reminiscent of tape echos), Dynamic Tremolo (NIGHT, which responds to the velocity of your playing by increasing in speed the harder you pick), and Shimmer Reverb (DAWN, whose tone can be tweaked using the Colour and Filter knobs).
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
628205153
Aviate Multiverse
$TBA | a multi-fx pedal, tha allows developers to create their own effects through a proprietary software and add them to a growing library. Any parameter can be assigned to any knob through the Audio Designer software.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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• Best Pedals by Emerging Builders, in 2022

166655097
great eastern FX Design-A-Drive
$265 | an overdrive with a unique tone-shaping system. A 6-way rotary knob named "Width" modifies the contour and response of the midrange and low end. The Edge knob controls 2 high-frequency filters and alters clipping characteristics. Combining these two controls along with level gives access to wide-ranging overdrive tones, from transparent to fat and midrangey.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2092683382
29 Pedals FLWR
$269 | A semi-modular drive with a wide range of clean and dirty tones. Two Shape controls set the character of the first gain stage, with 3 settings for overall gain (minimum gain, maximum gain, and darker maximum with low-pass filter) and 3 settings for tone and gain (bright medium gain, flat low-gain and scooped high-gain). The Gain knob sets the level of the second gain stage through a non-linear control.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
2035183905
Kernom Ridge Overdrive
~$300 | an overdrive offering a wide range of tones through a six-knob layout, without resorting to modes but... a Mood knob, a continuous control recreating various different “clipping flavors:” symmetric, asymmetric, high headroom, very compressed, etc. This is an analog circuit that doesn’t use modeling or diodes. Several gain stages in the circuit (and a Mids knob) allow for a wide variety of tones.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1702597109
kinotone Ribbons
$399 | a stereo tape emulator with tons of features: A four-pole (24dB/octave) low-pass/high-pass filter that adds wow, flutter, and other tape-style artifacts to your signal: a compressor modeled after a vinyl simulation algorithm; a Stereo Reverb. 4 Touch Modes can be activated momentarily or latched: Magnetic Dance, Tape Stop, Broken Machine and Repeater. It also has a looper and a Four-voice synthesizer!
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
3485032002
Kittycaster FX Tremdriver
$399 | a high headroom preamp + harmonic tremolo combo offering a combination of vintage all-discrete circuit blocks and delivering the sound of the classic ’70s big wall-powered preamps. It employs three EP-3 style JFET preamps running at 24 volts on the preamp side of the circuit and specially voiced Univibe LFO circuits for the harmonic tremolo. Notwisthading its name, it doesn't overdrive.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2528438584
Summer School Science Fair
$164 | an overdrive-distortion pedal based on a simple but innovative idea: you've got a RAT-stile distortion (black knobs) and a TS-style overdrive (green knobs) in parallel, and two extra knobs to control for master volume and bland control. Each gain channel has a knob for Gain and one for Tone.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1066205834
Blackskycraft Unusual EAS
~$300 - an uber-tweakable, modulated, creative ambient reverb with added filter and bitcrusher providing thick and lush reverberation and several ways to make it sound from textural to cosmic to downright weird. The bitcrusher has controls for resolution and sample rate. 16 LFO waves, Tap Tempo, and FX loop round up the features.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1829759192
heather Brown Sensation Fuzzdrive
$249 | tweakable blend of fuzz and overdrive delivering the best of both worlds: the punch of drive with the warmth of fuzz circuits. Three distinct transistor-based gain stages are controlled by the Saturator knob, with an additional Gain switch providing hi/low options. The Mids and Bass toggles offer three tuned EQ setting each, for a total of 9 possible combinations.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
3910606520
Acorn Amps Solid State
$299 | The Peavey Decade is a solid state 10w amp that was very popular in the late '80s/early '90s. This pedal uses the TDA class-AB power amp device found in the original. It can be used asr a preamp in your pedal chain or as a standalone amplifier plugged directly to a speaker cab - or both at once. A toggle switch lets you send the signal out before or after the power amp circuit.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2407887165
Westminster 2716 Distortion
$149 | Meant to emulate the live rig of Seth Morrison of Christian Hard Rock band Skillet, the 2716 takes cues from classic high-gain tube amps such as the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Rev F, creating professional tight high-gain tones that range from hard rock to mid-2000s pop punk to the heaviest of metal. It includes a wide gain range, three-band EQ, and presence control.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
586630677
Intensive Care Audio Recovery Phase/Tremolo
$279 | a dual phaser/tremolo with tap tempo, 8 waveforms per channel, and independent Depth and Frequency controls. While channel 1 is always a phaser, 2 can be either a phaser or a tremolo. There’s also a Dual Phaser + Trem mode! In Trem mode, the 2nd toggle lets you assign the LFO 2 to tremolo only or tremolo and secondary phase shifting.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2956040512
Fish Circuits Model One
$186 | A versatile overdrive that. at lower gain settings, will give you dynamic and touch-sensitive amp-like breakup tones, while when cranked will deliver anything up to fuzzstorted sounds, with loads of sustain and depth.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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• Best Gain Pedals of 2022

2620058767
EarthQuaker Special Cranker
$99 | an all-discrete, analog distortion designed to give players a way to do all things gain, from boost to distortion without altering the original tone and the character of the amp, keeping mid-range definition without muddying the low end. A toggle switch lets you select Germanium and Silicon diodes, for a softer and more transparent tone or a brighter and more modern edge.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
3665145835
MXR / Analogman Duke of Tone
$149 | a mini descendant of the Analogman Prince of Tone, a Tube Screamer-style overdrive with more drive and a much wider sonic range, thanks to its three-way toggle that delivers Boost, OD, and Dist Voices. The three knobs of the original are also replicated here. All components were personally tested by Analog Mike. It can run at 18v.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
1839728124
two notes reVolt
$399 | a 3-channel amp simulator/DI featuring an all-analog signal path, a 12AX7 preamp tube, integrated OD-boost circuit with dedicated switching and level control, and Analog Cab Sim. The channels replicate a Fender Bassman 100, a Marshall JMP Superlead and a Soldano SLO 100. The new Genome software allows for in-depth IR cabinet, amp, and mic simulation.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
2388384582
Soldano SLO Drive
$229 | a pedal encapsulating the sound of the legendary Soldano SLO line, high gain amps based on a cascading-gain-stage circuit and known for a detailed and harmonically rich sound. It recreates the amp's Overdrive channel, with controls for Volume, Presence, Gain, and a 3-way EQ section. The amps' signature Depth control becomes here a Deep switch, adding fixed extra depth to the signal.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2144420748
NUX Amp Academy
$189 | Packed with features and affordable, this device comes with 6 built-in amp models + infinite more uploadable via app; 32 slots for Cab IRs; A/B or A-B-C footswitch; Reverb with 2 "alt" knobs; Dirt FX section + 6 band EQ via app; USB audio interface capability; Headphones Out + Aux In; Flexible routing; Drum & Loop function and Full Midi compatibility. If you like how it sounds, it's a no brainer.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
3823230031
Universal Audio UAFX Ruby '63
$399 | Authentic emulation of a Vox AC30, with three speaker options and three amp versions — stock and two common modifications — that capture the sparkling cleans and rich overdrive of the popular British amp. Mic, cab, and Dynamic Room Modeling technology allow for tone fine-tuning.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
2950730932
MXR/Third Man Record Double Down
$169 | a stereo take on MXR Micro Amp preamp. useful for guitarists who, like White, are splitting their guitar signal to feed separate effects and amps. The Micro Amp has been his boost of choice since the beginning of his career and having a two-channel version was a small dream that’s now coming true with the Double Down pedal.
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2602215623
jhs Overdrive Preamp Pedal
$179 | a simple two-knob circuit inspired by the DOD 250 and featuring both gray and yellow versions, accessible through a switch. The builder’s notes say its primary voice is based on a prototype of the DOD 250 from the ’70s found by JHS owner Josh Scott, while the second mode “alters the pedal’s clipping arrangement, unlocking a whole alternate set of tones.”
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3855397856
Wampler Moxie Overdrive
$149 | A TS10-voiced mini-drive that goes beyond the Tube Screamer's classic tones thanks to two toggle switches. The Fat toggle adds a custom MOSFET clipping stage, delivering an overdriven tone reminiscent of high-end boutique amps. The Voice toggle drastically changes the circuit's EQ by actually scooping the mids, for a more transparent but also warmer tone.
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3658351317
Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT
$225 | Transistor-based preamplifier designed around the Sunn Model T amplifier. While it excels at heavy tones when pushed, it is far more than just an amp for stoner rock and doom metal. On its own it is a rather clean amplifier with a tone that is dark, yet clear and present.
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1780192905
Crazy Tube Circuits Super Conductor
$199 | an analog boost with 4 modes inspired by classic circuits: RM: a silicon reinterpretation of the Rangemaster; EP: a colored JFET preamp/gain stage voiced after the preamp of the Echoplex; MA: based on the clean and “transparent” tone of of the MXR Micro Amp; MF: based on the ZVex Super Hard On, famous for its pristine highs. Fat and 18v buttons provide extra low end and headroom.
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1277351422
vICTORY V1 The Sheriff
$249 | Designed in collaboration with Adrian Thorpe of ThorpyFX, this is a high-end amp-in-a-box version of the company's actual guitar amp. It nails the classic Plexi overdriven and distorted tones and also includes a 3-way EQ section to sculpt the sound as needed.
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TC Electronic Impulse IR Loader
$129 | a mini Cab simulator with 25 factory presets (12 curated by Celestion) and room for another 74 Impulse Responses. An A/B mode can be set by holding the footswitch. Pressing the two preset browse buttons at the same time gives access to a two-band EQ with high (at 10kHz) and low-shelving (at 100Hz).
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4293098929
Carl Martin Ampster
$299 | An analog, tube power amp with cab simulation, with a British flavor when overdriven. Featuring a set of control identical to the ones found in many cabinets (Gain, 3 knob EQ, Presence and Master), it adds two footswitches for Mute and Cabinet, which switches the Cab simulation from a 2×12 Open Backed Cab (Red LED) to a 4×12 Closed Back Cab (Green LED).
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2535350190
Thorpy FX The Boneyard
~$600 | a Tone Bender variant product of years spent playing, testing and tweaking vintage Benders and clones. It's based on a three (rare) Germanium transistor design, although the Mode toggle allows you to just use two of them, just like in the early MkI and MKI.V Tone Benders. The Feed knob is the little secret weapon here, affecting the voltage of the pedal and the fuzz’s character.
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270954869
source audio zio
$199 | a 4-voice analog preamp pushing up to 20dB of boost: JFET is clean boost; LOW-CUT cleans up the bottom-end; STUDIO recreates the “Pultec Trick” for clarity and improved mid-range articulation. E-PLEX replicates the color of the Echoplex preamp. A Tone toggle offers three different levels of capacitance to brighten or darken the tone.
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2101961377
Reeves Electro Leo
~$500+ | a low to medium gain overdrive+boost with 3 voicings: • 5w Champ = the quietest mode, with very little headroom and little bass. • 40w Twin = the loudest mode with most headroom and bass, great edge of breakup and clean boost tones. • 12w Deluxe = somewhere in the middle of the above, but with the classic deluxe clang. A Hi/Lo toggle mimics the difference between the high and low Impedance inputs on many old Tweed amps, while the B/N switch emulates the bright and normal channels.
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530896837
Sinvertek N5 MGAT-1 Preamp
$349 | the most tweakable compact pedal in this list, also featuring an FX Loop. Through a dazzling number of (hand-wired!) controls, this preamp pedal puts at your toe tips the tone of 5 of the most popular Marshall amps: JTM45, JMC800, 1959 SLP, 1987 X, and JVM. Two gain and 4 EQ knobs are integrated by switches offering 4 tone and 4 gain options.
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2602267439
Crazy Tube Circuits Unobtanium
$269 | marries a Klon-style overdrive (on the right) and a D-style amp in a box (on the left), featuring voicings for Special Overdrive and Steel String Singer. The Emphasis knob affects the presence and the low end of the signal before the drive stage, while the Tone knob sets the post-overdrive high-end. The Klon side has two voices: the stock clipping/compression or a modified one for extra gain and headroom.
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https://amazon.to
BLACKSTAR AMPED 1
$499 | a 100w power amp (with options to reduce it to 20w or 1w) with a Response system emulating the character of 5 valve types. 3x amp voices (USA, UK, or flat), 3 Cab sims and reverb with footswitch. Store a preset and alternate it with the manual knob setting. Ample routing with separate output for 8/16 OHM speakers, FX loop, Headphones out, etc.
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526134229
cornerstone imperivm
~$359 | A super-tweakable dual overdrive with a D-Style on one side and a Tube Screamer clone on the other. The two channels can be routed either way and have separate footswitches. They both have plenty of sculpting options and a Compressor switch for more or less dynamics.
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Electronic Audio Experiments Limelight
$229 | A heavy modded Blues Breaker-inspired drive with a front-end 0-21dB boost that allows it to be more versatile and aggressive than the original. The Tone knob is an adjustable lo-pass filter, while the Focus toggle cuts low frequencies in the drive section, adjusting the amount of chime and midrange presence.
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785473196
Ohmless Pedals AKC-4
$249 | It expands on the Klon circuit by adding knobs for Bass and Blend and also by adding an extra 20dB clean Boost with its own control and footswitch, which can be placed before or after the drive stage. It also gives you 4 clipping voices which can be switched via Midi or by holding the footswitches.
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3641675236
Horrothia Triage Preamp
$229 | a discrete transistor preamp that can act both as a front-end preamp and an overdrive. The overdrive stage has a Mid Peak switch that, when engaged, delivers a Tubescreamer-style mid bump. The tone can be further sculpted through the HF knob which cuts or boosts the high frequencies. When the Mid Peak switch is off and the HF is in the center, it acts as a full range boost.
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• Best Fuzz Pedals of 2022

1683977171
Electro-Harmonix J Mascis Signature Ram's Head Big Muff
$131 | a limited edition Big Muff Pi based on the 1973 Electro-Harmonix V2 Violet Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi, the version used by the legendary (and uber-influential) guitarist of 90's alt-rock band Dinosaur Jr.
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2058117469
Walrus Audio Eons
$229 | a 5-mode fuzz providing the folliwing: Silicon clipping (traditional fuzz compressed and smooth); Silicon clipping with an added bass boost (compressed and crunchy); Germanium clipping (crunchy and dynamic fuzzstortion); LED clipping diodes (slight high-end cut; dynamically dark); Hard clipping silicon transistors combined with LED and Silicon soft clipping diodes (rowdy).
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3926061587
keeley Moon Fuzz
$149 | a variant on the fuzz circuit included in the company's Dark Side multi-effect, this is a rather simple, 3-knob + 1-toggle quad op-amp Muff-style fuzz with a massive low end. A filter section lets you pick among three filter shapes through the toggle switch in the middle of the case: Flat, Full, and Scooped.
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4171509900
KMA Machines Chief Disruptor
~$220 | a super-tweakable Muff-style fuzz with parametric footswitchable mids and three voices: Tight: modern Big Muff sound with tight lows, focused mids and a crisp top end; Vintage: Classy Muff Sound, low- to mid-gain distortion, balanced frequency response; Heavy: full blast Big Muff sound with massive low end and plenty of gain. Dry signal can be reintroduced pre or post gain.
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1385090489
Caroline Crom Fuzz
$199 | a fuzz pedal based on the old Supa Tone Benders and Muff style pedals that inspired the company’s now discontinued Olympia fuzz. Engineered for a fuller midrange, the Crom features two voicings delivering different gain range and frequency responses. Originally created as a limited edition release, the Crom is now part of the regular Caroline roster
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1673635454
Kasleder VINTAGE KING
~$235 | a Fuzz Face evolution based on two rare NOS silicon transistors with a unique trick up its sleeve: a Beard knob that, by changing the value of the input capacitor, can gradually morph its tone into something closer to an overdrive or even a treble booster. This allows for a wide range of tones from the musical to the extreme.
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1113216874
NRG Effects Mauler
~$250 | it takes the classic, aggressive but somewhat thin tone of the vintage fuzzes of the '60s (think Tone Bender and Fuzz Face) and gives it a more modern and full sonic flavor, by slightly emphasizing the mid and low frequencies, and also by providing a series of useful controls that expand its palette of possibilities.
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4202843568
Silktone Fuzz
$249 | A Germanium Fuzz Face-inspired circuit with a Bias knob (aka "Active Bias Monitor"), that allows the player to precisely set the voltage the circuit is fed, which opens up a wide range of classic fuzz tones (from Gated, to Vintage to Fat and Sticky). A Classic/Raw toggle changes the bias ratio and bass filtering , delivering fatter tones in Raw mode. The cleanup knob cleans up the tone for overdrives or clean boost sounds.
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524512155
Tape Audio Co. ONE
$199 | this fuzz’s extreme but tweakable sonic character doesn’t closely match any of the classic circuits, and neither does its control layout. Master controls the overall output, which can feed extra volume into your amp, while Comp sets the compression characteristics of the clipping section. The switch gives you two EQ flavors for standing out (light) or blending in the mix as a driving force (dark).
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https://amazon.to
Pigtronix star eater
$179 | a dual-footswitch fuzz sculptor with lots of tweakable options. On one footswitch is a creamy vintage-style fuzz switchable between Germanium and Silicon diodes. The other side features a boost that drives into a filter, which can be modified using the bump/scoop switch and the sweep knob.
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339646129
Mythos Positron Fuzz
$199 | a compact and more “standard” version of the comany's Positron Collider, a Ghosbusters-themed fuzz voiced after the Rams Head but with markedly more pronounced mids and higher out than the original. It has wider tonal range too, thanks to the dedicated Treble and Bass controls and the Loud switch, which takes things into Colorsound Supa Tonebender territory.
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161173623
Maestro FZ-M
$149 | A 2022 relaunch of the original with an added Modern mode and a Tone control for more flexibility. Classic mode replicates the vintage unit's tone, while Modern delivers a thicker, meatier tone while offering a wider sonic palette. Just like in the original, the Attack knob controls the amount of fuzz and the Volume one the output - which in this version can go beyond unity gain.
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OKKO FX Holy Grit
$173 | an original circuit vaguely inspired by vintage fuzzes like the Fuzz Face and Tone Bender that can produce a variety of tones from gritty overdrive to low gain fuzz or vintage preamp. It features a pre-gain Bass knob and a post-gain Treble one. A BIAS toggle selects one of three bias settings. A Buffer toggle allows you to make the circuit unbuffered for a more resonant tone and better cleanup
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1696294917
Valco KGB Fuzz JR
$259 | a smaller version of the KGB Fuzz, based on the same Silicon circuit but without the Blend fader. A 3-voice selector delivers Muff, Tone Bender, Velcro and 2-knob Modes. The Impedance knob affects at once the tonality of the fuzz and the dry signal, recreating, at lower settings, the sound of vintage fuzz pedals with their darker tone and slower transient response. A Dry Out allows for extra routing options.
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2723107382
Oopegg Fuzz OZZ-1
$245 | A two-knob fuzz built by a hi-end Japanese guitar maker, based on a BC549C silicon semiconductor. It produces smooth and roaring low-mids, and a defined high-gain sound with a spitty edge, long sustain and low noise. The overall gain can also be tweaked through an internal trim pot.
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2620589211
Acorn Amps ADHD
$149 | an acronym for Adaptive Droning Hyperfuzz Device, presented as a “glitch, filter, bit crushing, octave, square wave guitar synth oscillator disguised as a fuzz.” It's a two-oscillator synth: the first is your guitar signal turned into a square wave by the fuzz; the other one is another square oscillator that can be controlled via an external expression pedal or tuned by hand with the Frequency knob.
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4081329216
OCE Wrench FUZZ
$199 | an evolution of a 2021 2-transistor fuzz circuit, modded for lower noise and more modern build techniques. The 2N2222A transistors give it an aggressive sound that shines with humbuckers without losing the cleanup quality expected with classic 2-transistor fuzzes. An internal trim pot allows setting the effect’s bias for a spittier sound, with a default at 4.5v.
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1829759192
heather Brown Sensation Fuzzdrive
$249 | tweakable blend of fuzz and overdrive delivering the best of both worlds: the punch of drive with the warmth of fuzz circuits. Three distinct transistor-based gain stages are controlled by the Saturator knob, with an additional Gain switch providing hi/low options. The Mids and Bass toggles offer three tuned EQ setting each, for a total of 9 possible combinations.
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3858892867
Life is Unfair / Pedal Partners' Violet Oscillation
~$250 | at least in part inspired by the Boss HM-2, this is a fuzz for shoegazer-style wall of sound, and can deliver a variety of tones from transparent to full-on. The second footswitch triggers oscillation and octave down but, when held, also changes the knobs' functions: Bass will control the oscillation’s picth; Treble its level; Fuzz will add glitchy and gated effects.
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1765806661
Black Mass Electronics The First Herald
$185 | An extremely versatile Fuzz voiced for metal guitarists. A separate Boost circuit can be placed before or after the fuzz. A Scoop knob lets you boost or cut th mids, while a Clip toggle gives you the option to engage Silicon or LED/Mosfet clipping – the former darker sounding and less aggressive than the latter.
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2335691831
Whimsy Machines Jeff V2
$229 | a quirky Muff-inspired fuzz for the tweakers. The 3 knobs in the center are a peculiar EQ section featuring "regular" Low and High knobs and a "Sweep" control that boosts a middle frequency of choice. The Oscillate Enable toggle turns on a pre-amp stage oscillation that will facilitate feedback, while Clipping Boost activates a clipping stage high-frequency boost.
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2888782887
Rare Buzz Effects Octave Distortion
$179 | combo pedal that marries the company’s 1970 Distortion and 1970 Octaver. The two effects feature separate controls and footswitches and can be played separately or in series (Octave > Distortion). The 3-way Voice switch gives you traditional Silicon diodes, LEDs and Schottky diodes clipping voides. The Diodes switch gives you a germanium voice (more traditional octave sound) and the more synthy Schottky diodes.
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• Best EQ, Compression & Utility Pedals in 2022

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empress ParaEQ MkII Deluxe
$349 | a compact pedal that gives you a console-style 3-band +/-15dB parametric EQ with an extra 30dB boost. Not only each channel is parametric, but three 3-way toggles let you choose the bell curve of the EQ's boost/cut. The non-Deluxe version lacks the high/low cut and shelving filters and features switches instead of knobs to control the EQ's Q values.
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source audio Atlas Compressor
$229 | A DSP-powered compressor that replicates various types of classic circuits. Three modes (Optical, Studio 76 and Dual) are readily accessible through a toggle switch, while extra modes can be loaded through the free Neuro app. A Blend knob allows for parallel compression, while controls for Threshold, Ratio, Tone, Attack and Release allow a wide range of tonal options.
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Spaceman Equinox
$399 | a reinterpretation of the Pulteq EQp-1a optimized for electric guitar, it's a multi-band, high-headroom semi-parametric EQ with interactive frequency bands with interdependent cut and boost sections. It adds frequency selection for the high frequency controls. An output Level compensates for volume changes due to the EQ.
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3857669243
Drybell Module 4
$315 | a two-mode compressor voiced after the Dan Armstrong’s Orange Squeezer, a little box from the ’70s with a unique character both dynamics and color, applying a pleasant shift in the mid and top-end frequencies that’s more pronounced on heavier struck notes. That character can be removed by engaging the second mode, called "Full Frequency." 6 knobs allow plenty of control, whereas the original had very little.
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3403128302
Walrus Audio Mira
$249 | a studio-grade optical compressor inspired by analog rack units like the Teletronix LA2A, a classic two-knob unit lacking attack and release knobs. The Mira corrects that by providing those controls, very useful for clean guitar tones. A High Pass Filter in the side-chain, activated through a push button, prevents bass frequencies 120Hz or below from engaging the compressor, keeping low-frequency dynamics intact.
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789381801
Origin Effects M-EQ Driver
$319 | a pedal that reinterprets the character imparted by the studio Pulteq EQ, optimizing it for guitar. 3 mid-range frequencies (800Hz, 1kHz and 1.3kHz) can be boosted or cut by the Mids knob. A Cut control allows to roll off the high end, while the Drive knobs allow to add some grit.
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Vongon & Land Onset
$299 | a device with just two faders that does automatically what guitarists normally do using a volume pedal: the volume swell effect. The Attack control dials in the swell times, ranging from 100 milliseconds to 2 seconds, while the Sens one tweaks the level at which the signal starts getting processed.
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1439843960
PRS Guitar Mary Cries
$219 | optical compressor inspired to the venerable LA2A circuit. It applies a super-smooth compression that almost sounds like it consciously applies the best attack and release settings for any sound that goes through its circuit, thickening and pushing your tone in a very natural and transparent way. The Output Gain knob has enough volume to act as a clean boost.
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Valco KGB Loop
$279 | a utility pedal built for guitar, bass, and synthesizer/keyboards featuring an FX Loop with blendable controls, a boost, and a Variable Input Impedance that can also be used for sculpting purposes. The FX Loop is linked to the Blend fader, which allows the mixing of the dry signal (as it’s fed to the external pedal) and the return signal from the external pedal(s).
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3385151594
Mask Audio Line Blur
$165 | an EQ with parametric mids with audiophile-grade op amps, tuned for guitar and bass. It can act as a clean boost when the three EQ controls are in neutral position, or a clean EQ when the two gain knobs (Loud and More) are down. Turning More up will add saturation to your input signal ranging from overdrive to distortion, and even fuzz when the EQ controls are turned up.
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• Best Pedals for Metal in 2022

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EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3
$299 | The 3rd version of this Shin-Ei FY2 and RAT-inspired octave + distortion + boost pedal designed in collaboration with metal band Sunn O))). A three-way switch gives you op Amp, Asymmetric & Symmetric clipping. It adds a Flexi-Switch footswitch and Expression control for the octave blend. A Filter knob lets you cut the frequencies down to 500Hz.
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2148156755
All-Pedal Devil's Triad
$325 | a multi-effect stompbox created for metal players built in collaboration with Jeff Loomis of bands Nevermore and Arch Enemy. It comprises footswitchable overdrive, boost and a reverb/delay effects. I can produce deliver several types of distortion through the interaction of the Boost and the op-amp Drive circuit. The Reverb/Delay section allows to edit both effects with three knobs each.
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3658351317
Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT
$225 | Transistor-based preamplifier designed around the Sunn Model T amplifier. While it excels at heavy tones when pushed, it is far more than just an amp for stoner rock and doom metal. On its own it is a rather clean amplifier with a tone that is dark, yet clear and present.
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2254960619
Solar Pedals Chug
$199 | Ola Englund first release: a high gain preamp with gate with a deep EQ section featuring controls for Bass/Bass Depth, Mids, Treble and Presence. On top of that, the Gain section is also contributing to the sculpting of the tone: the signal is split in two and is then sent to two different gain circuits, one dealing with high frequencies and the other with low ones each with its own knob.
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1880395636
KSR VESTA PREAMP
$399 | a tweakers’ dream two-channel preamp for high-gain tone seekers. The Rhythm and Lead channels feature an identical set of controls for Gain, Bass, Mids, Treble and Level, and toggles for Brightness, Feel, and Mode, while there are master controls for Level and Tone. The Mode toggles deliver Crunch, Full Saturation or Vintage Hih-Gain tones, while the Feel has Fat, Tight and Thick settings.
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2686360217
Airis Effects Savage Drive V5
$220 | An aggressive overdrive with a 4-band EQ section (Low, Lo-Mid, Hi-Mid and High) fine-tuned for down-tuned high gain metal. It’s extremely loud, insanely tight, dynamic and aggressive.
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2596383934
Joyo Dark Flame R-17
$59 | a high-gain distortion that doesn’t break the bank (it’s only $59!) featuring a 3-knob EQ and three different voicings (Stock, Bright and Dark).
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4054333736
Stomp Under Foot ELECTRIC WARLORD Fuzz
$195 | a velcroy, tight, aggressive fuzz that maintains a great note definition and clarity notwithstanding the heaviness of the distortion, and can deliver gated-like fuzz at lower Fuzz levels. The two filter knobs (Mids and Tone) are very useful and open up a lot of sculpting options.
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3897025306
Westminster Piper Drive
$119 | a high-gain pedal inspired by the Fulltone OCD but optimized for metallic musical genres. The simple control layout allows to dial in tones ranging from open and transparent to fully distorted with a mid-push. V3 adds a two-voice toggle switch delivering two different tone flavors, one more compressed and saturated, the other more open and dynamic.
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1908627360
Jet Pedals Mr Jax
$229 | a Chris Rocha signature high-gain drive with a wide gain range. A Gain Stages system lets you set the gain at 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% by long-pressing the footswitch when off. Each setting changes the results from boost to full-on distortion. The Tone knob sounds transparent at noon but can produce soft and hard clipping. A pre-gain Mid Boost can be activated by double-tapping the bypass switch.
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691043499
missing Link Audio AC/OD
$189 | a pedal that puts AC/DC's Angus Young's tone at your toe tips. Its high impedance input and circuit based on two premium dual opamps let the unadulterated sound of the gain stages uncompressed come through, while the Tone knob has a wide range that helps tailor the tone to any amp.
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• Best Pedal Updates of 2022

3592925555
line 6 DL4 MkII
$299 | MKII of the legendary pedal that pioneered the delay multi-modeling trend. Not one bit smaller than the original, it retains most of the functionality and all of the modes of the original, adding 15 new delay models, a selection of reverbs, two loopers with up to 240 seconds or recording time, XLR Mic in and Midi connectivity.
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1561333179
BOSS RE-202 Space Echo
$399 | An accurate stereo digital recreation of the original Space Echo with expanded tones and functionality: "New" and "Aged" tape modes; Saturation and Wow & Flutter knobs; A fourth virtual tape head for extra fx combinations; Independent reverb section with spring, hall, plate, room, and ambience modes; Momentary functions for the footswitches double the delay time, presets, Tap tempo and Midi.
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221744755
chase bliss audio generation loss mkII
$399 | A complete stereo re-do of this popular pedal by the original designer but under the Chase Bliss Audio wing. Classic mode keeps things exactly as in the original. MKII mode emulates more closely the artifacts of a VHS tape, including different models, malfunctions, and wow and flutter effect, plus tons of other options via the 16 DIP switches in the back.
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1442862715
boss Slicer SL-2
$169 | a compact version of the old BOSS SL-20, it acts like a like a step sequencer applied to your input, choping your signal and creating sonic patterns that can then be filtered through a variety of effects, producing percussive, tap-tempo controlled sounds in stereo mono. The combination of 8 Pattern Types and 11 Variations opens up a world of possible patterns, further expanded by 7 Stereo Out Modes.
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Strymon Deco V2
$349 | Much more than just a tape echo emulation, this stereo pedal puts the sonic flavor and potential of a 2" tape recorder at your toe tips, including slapback, automatic double-tracking, saturation, wow and flutter and "primitive" flanger/chorus effects. V2 brings several improvements, full Midi, Tone control, Cassette mode and a new analog JFET input circuit.
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1620419266
EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3
$299 | The 3rd version of this Shin-Ei FY2 and RAT-inspired octave + distortion + boost pedal designed in collaboration with metal band Sunn O))). A three-way switch gives you op Amp, Asymmetric & Symmetric clipping. It adds a Flexi-Switch footswitch and Expression control for the octave blend. A Filter knob lets you cut the frequencies down to 500Hz.
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2604665792
boss DS-1W
$129 | a long-due update to a classic offering a new, Custom mode, next to the Standard one replicating the sound of the original circuit. The new mode delivers a thick, mid-focused distortion with a bigger sound and more input sensitivity with a Tone knob tuned to boost mids and presence at once, while the level is increased by 6 dB, for a wider gain range.
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empress ParaEQ MKII
$279 | a compact pedal that this pedal gives you a console-style 3-band +/-15dB parametric EQ with an extra 30dB boost. Not only each channel is parametric, but three 3-way toggle switches let you choose the bell curve of the EQ's boost/cut. The Deluxe version ($349) adds high/low cut filters and high/low shelving filters + knobs instead of switches to control the Q values.
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741993370
old blood noise Excess V2
$209 | A multi-effect pedal with an '80s flavor that gives you Distortion, Chorus and Delay in one box, that can be routed in series or parallel - add a reverb to it and you can shoegaze for days! V2 shrinks the case to compact format and adds to the Delay and Chorus modes also a selectable Harmonized Fifth mode (which was there but “hidden” in V1) in the modulation channel. V2 can also produce clean modulated tones without distortion by providing separate footswitches.
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2098315024
Spaceman Explorer
$279 | a compact version of the Explorer Deluxe, a hand-built six-stage phaser with twelve selectable LFO waveforms. The 6th position on the default setting is a manual mode that disconnects the LFO and freezes the phase sweep. You can then control the position of the sweep with the Rate knob manually, for unique tone-shaping possibilities.
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2839704202
Electronic Audio Exp. Dude Incredible V2
$299 | Steve Albini-inspired dual gain pedal with separate footswitches. A Percolator clone feeds a '70s IVP “Tube Voice” preamp-style circuit. The former has in/out controls (Harm and Balance) to fine-tune the amount of saturation/fuzz. A Diode switch gives you V1 settings or more traditional and compressed mode. A Hi/Lo switch changes the gain range of the Tube Voice.
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387045587
solidgoldfx If 6 Was 9 MKII
$199 | a Fuzz Face take with silicon BC183 transistors, considered less scooped/muddy than germanium ones, but not as harsh as other silicon options. Three voicings via the Body toggle (Fat, Treble Boost, and Classic) and other controls deliver tone variations via changes in Bias and Voltage, while a Saturate knob trims the circuit’s input for better cleanup or signal chain integration.
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465603549
Fjord Fuzz Berserk V2
179 | a complete redesign of the Tone Bender and the Fuzz Face-inspired original that achieves similar sounds, yet improved, with fewer controls, now reduced to 3 knobs: Gain (the big one), Thickness and Volume. It offers reduced low-end compression compared to a traditional Fuzz Face style circuit, but much higher output as well as more pronounced top-end fidelity.
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969200276
Dr. Scientist Sunny Day Delay
$199 | a compact update of the analog-voiced delay from 2005, built around a PT2399 chip. The new version includes extra Tone and Volume (out) knobs that were not included in the original, plus a second footswitch that can trigger the modulation section or ramp up the repeats to the maximum settings. V2 also has an Expression input that allows remote control of the Mix knob.
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1319488419
Coppersound Telegraph V2
$249 | A complete redesign of this autostutter/killswitch that includes a square tremolo-like "Burst" mode, with speeds set by the Burst knob starting from 110bpm to impossibly fast. A quick press of the footswitch/key with turn it on, while a prolonged pressure will activate it momentarily. An internal DIP switch allows to make it always momentary. The other two modes mute the signal when the pedal is on or off.
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• Best Pedal Series of 2022

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strymon V2 Series
$379 each | V2 of Strymon's blueSky, El Capistan, Flint, Deco, DIG, and Lex provide extra controls with the same 6 knobs, 2 toggles and 2 footswitch configuration. Full MIDI implementation allows control over all parameters and up to 300 presets. Hardware upgrades include an external Input switch to select mono or TRS stereo input, and an all-analog JFET front end for increased responsiveness and dynamic feel.
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vICTORY V1 Pedals
$249 each | Designed in collaboration with Adrian Thorpe of ThorpyFX, each one of these five pedals is an amp-in-a-box recreation of the original amplifier. Duchess: American-styled cleans with British breakup. Jack: Versatile that does well both clean and gain. Copper: Vox-style, great for jangly clean and classic rock distortion Sheriff: Plexi-style, Kraken: High-Gain, great for metal
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3651534702
Wampler Collective Series
$99 each | a new affordable series of gain pedal by a US builder with a record of best-selling dirt boxes. The Triumph is voiced after the DigiTech Bad Monkey and the BOSS SD-1, while the Phantom is inspired by the MXR 5150.
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2917027244
JHS Pedals 3 Series: Flanger, Hall Reverb, & Phaser
The $99 JHS 3 Series added 5 new members in 2022: Octave Reverb, Harmonic Trem, Reverb, Delay and Screamer. They all feature 3 knobs and one toggle switch offering extra voices or options.
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3006278861
maestro pedals
Five pedals in the $150 range re-launching the Maestro brand (owned by Gibson), which procuded some the first pedals ever released back in the early '60s. The 5 line of stompboxes includes distortion (Invader), overdrive (Ranger), delay (Discoverer), Chorus (Comet) and Fuzz (Fuzz-Tone FZ-M, inspired by the classic FZ-1). Each pedal has three knobs and a toggle switch that provides extra sonic options.
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4208490528
eastwood Black Box Series
$129-149 | Six simple but quality bread and butter effects: Compressor, Drive, Vibe, Delay, Tape Delay and Spring Reverb.
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1371168275
Catalinbread Elements
$150 each | a new line of rather inexpensive yet hand-made one-knob pedals comprising – for now – three devices: Fuzz, Distortion and Overdrive. Each circuit is tune to provide a range of sonic options through the single knob.
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1390802540
stoy pedals
Stoy is a brand new company from Denmark offering a series of traditional pedals in the $100 ballpark in stylish-looking but slightly bigger than compact enclosures. The line comprises 9 pedals including a Muff-style fuzz, a lofi delay, and Octave down, a phaser, a wah, a chorus, an overdrive and a distortion for metal. There's also a 4-way loop switcher.
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734490519
Orange Vintage Pedals
$249 each | Three remakes of vintage units retaining the original's tonal qualities while incorporating modern features. Sustain is a compressor that can also add some saturation, chime and warmth to your tone. Phaser delivers psychedelic swirl at various speeds. Distortion features a redesigned amp circuit and tone stack with a treble knob, but offers the same bite, growl and warmth of the original.
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Fender Hammertone
A line of compact pedals costing between $79 and $99, for now comprising 9 streamlined effects covering all the basics (3 gain, 1 fuzz, 2 delays, and one each for reverb, flanger and chorus). Most pedals in this line feature multiple voices accessible through one or two toggle switches.
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