Is it not awesome being a guitarist? We commend the effort of every instrumentalist out there as it is truly an act of perseverance to learn to play guitar or other instruments. However, you must also be smart enough to know the right tools and accessories that can upgrade your performance and skills simultaneously. While you may not find a lot of beginners talking about it, the volume pedal is vital for the experts.
It could be one of the most underappreciated pieces of your gear. You are just a few back-and-forth foot-taps away from creating fresh, unique, and captivating sounds.
Our team has curated a buying guide to help you gauge the features best suited to your practice. Here is everything you need to know about a guitar volume pedal before you add one to your music gear.
What is a Volume Pedal and Why Do I Need One?
Your art requires you to reinvent your music every time you compose or remix. A volume pedal allows you to build a new soundscape and generate young and smooth sounds by incorporating it into your signal chain. Plus, it enables a hands-free volume control, so you would not have to bother your busy hands with volume knob tunings.
Active vs Passive
Guitar volume pedals have two types: active and passive. Choosing the right form is purely a subjective matter; you cannot simply adhere to others’ opinions as both forms bear specific pros and cons. Hence you must know your methodology, strategy, and requirements to be able to determine the right type for you.
Active Volume Pedals
Active pedals tend to come at a higher price-point than passive ones yet are most frequently used amongst the two. Active pedals have a buffer (a small amplifier that alters high impedance signals thereby maintaining the power at a uniform level as it passes through the system) so it needs a power supply to function. Here is the best thing about the active version; the buffer guarantees you consistent, streamlined, and uninterrupted signals.
Passive Volume Pedals
Passive pedals are a cheaper option, convenient, and quite straightforward to use. Attached as a foot pedal, they are the counterpart of your guitar's volume control on the floor. They are distinguished from an active volume pedal by a distinct sweep and sweet spot. They are less sensitive and have a broader range due to the capacity of the potentiometer inside.
As opposed to the active variant, they lack a buffer, which is why they can operate independently of power input. You might experience a signal drop (‘tone-suck’) due to the absence of a buffer. It can also happen if you plug the guitar directly into the passive device. This is because your signal is being introduced to a lot of resistance early on in the signal chain. The volume potentiometer carries a resistance rating for your reference.
Features to Look Out For
Although volume pedals are far less complicated than the majority of other guitar pedals and effects, there are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing one.
Durability
This product is something you would be stamping on more than you'd imagine, which is why it needs to be a quality that lasts you a long time. So look for a solid, sturdy, and rigid material that can put up with constant use while still allowing swift volume alterations.
Electro-Optical vs Potentiometer
You must check for electro-optically operated variants of volume pedals for sustainable results. This accessory is an alternative to potentiometers and comprises a foot treadle that regulates the quantity of incoming light hitting the photo-resistor. Omitting potentiometers here ensures a clear signal route that can otherwise wear out and produce scratchy notes over time.
Price Range
The price range of a guitar volume pedal directly correlates to its quality. A tough one should cost you $60 to $70 at the very least, up to $100. There are cheaper options available starting as low as $30.
Mono vs Stereo
While most guitars are usually mono instruments (one input and one output), they can typically meet the needs of most artists, but stereo pedals (two inputs and two outputs) allow you to combine two instruments on one side while using a stereo setup on the other. This particular feature may also permit the interchangeable use of a volume pedal as an expression pedal.
Minimum Volume
One of the most important additional features includes the minimum volume allowed by a pedal. When the pedal sets at the lowest position, this feature allows you to specify the amount of volume that would be generated at this point. However, the maximum volume is constant and is determined by the rest of your gear.
Flexibility
This feature is more of a personal preference than a necessity. Assessing how much and how easily the pedal lets you tread on it would build your comfort and equation with the device to bring out the best of your articulation.
Pedal Impedance for Pickups
An impedance mismatch can result in tone loss which is why it is imperative to conform to the pre-decided values of pedal impedance for your guitar pickups. Passive pickups correspond with a volume pedal of the 250-500K ohm range whereas, active pickups require a volume pedal in the 25K – 50K ohm range.
Some Buyers Also Ask
1. Is the guitar volume pedal compatible with other instruments?
A volume pedal has two types; active and passive. Both forms are compatible with a guitar configuration. You can pair it with many other instruments, including electric basses, keyboards, harmonica microphones, etc.
2. Can a volume pedal be interchangeably used as an expression pedal?
The passive, low-impedance volume pedal is a potential option for its use as an expression pedal if you employ a TRS stereo cable to link the input and output sources of the pedal to the expression-controlled device.
3. Does adding a tuner to the system cause tone-suck?
Yes, it can if you own a passive volume pedal. This is because the absence of a buffer already causes a signal drop. Adding another low-resistance device like a tuner can split the signal pathway hence the loss of signal. Instead, you may use a tuner with a hardwire bypass that can be unplugged from the signal chain when not needed.
4. Can a volume pedal increase the volume?
No. The volume pedal does not function as a booster; it just reduces the volume of the original signal.