A Necessity: The Best Guitar Volume Pedal in 2022
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Morley 20/20 Volume Plus Guitar Volume Pedal -
Ernie Ball MVP Guitar Volume Pedal -
Dunlop High Gain Guitar Volume Pedal -
Boss FV-500H/-500L Stereo Guitar Volume Pedal -
Fender Tread-Light Guitar Volume/Expression Pedal -
Buyer's Guide
While the guitar volume pedal may not necessarily be as flashy as some of the other effects pedals the average guitarist might find at his or her feet, it certainly plays a useful (and often integral) role. This pedal offers players a way to easily adjust the output of their instrument without having to adjust the master volume knob on the guitar itself. But beyond that utility-like function, the guitar volume pedal can also be used in more creative ways, providing swelling sound effects. When combined with other effect pedals in the rig, some truly interesting and captivating sounds can be produced. We've put together a list of some of the top guitar pedals this year, with each item here designed to be particularly rugged to prevent from breaking during heavy use, can be used to reduce overall volume to 0dB or a higher volume rate as its base minimum, and they're all built to leave your tone unaffected wherever you place it in your effects rig.
Our Five Favorite Guitar Volume Pedals
Morley 20/20 Volume Plus Guitar Volume Pedal - Best Guitar Volume Pedal Overall
When compared to other guitar volume pedals on the market, Morley’s PVO+ offers some distinct traits that truly set it apart from the rest of the pack. The Electro-Optical technology in this unit makes this thing a silent killer; without any pots to wear out, this thing has one less component that could eventually deteriorate, and it will remain very quiet during use. The audio taper in this pedal is adjustable, which allows you to get very specific in how you want to implement your volume effects. A foot-switchable mini volume knob allows you to quickly jump between lead and rhythm settings, offering you a quick “preset” of sorts to get instant results with your guitar. Speaking of which, this pedal isn't just limited to guitar and can be applied to other instruments such as keys, bass, and anything else that you want to control the volume of.
Ernie Ball MVP Guitar Volume Pedal - Runner Up
When you need to get a job done with one of the heavy-hitters, it’s best to call on the MVP of your team and that’s exactly what Ernie Ball must have had in mind when they named their guitar volume pedal. The MVP provides the boost that players turn to guitar volume pedals for, but without taking away any of the high-end frequencies of your tone. The heel position of the pedal can be set anywhere from 0-50 percent of volume, giving players the option to get really silent, or to set the volume floor at half the decibels of the loudest signal. The toe position of this pedal can be 100 percent volume or up to 20dB gain for when you really want to make your guitar scream. The build of this pedal is rugged enough to handle the heavy use that this type of effect will get in your average set, while remaining smooth so that the volume changes in your signal can be fluid and natural sounding.
Dunlop High Gain Guitar Volume Pedal - Honorable Mention
Jim Dunlop has brought the high level of quality and performance that guitarists associate with all of their other effects pedals to the GCB-80 High Gain volume pedal. Because guitarists will often give this pedal much more use in a performance than other effects pedals, the GCB-80 is built to last, housed inside a heavy die-cast shell. The passive design of this pedal allows you to use it without having to provide a power input which makes it easy to just plug in and play. Despite its rugged build, this pedal still provides a delicately intricate volume adjustment, thanks to its 1 million cycle taper potentiometer. Whether you’re looking to use a volume pedal to create otherworldly swells or just want an easy and seamless way to adjust your instrument’s volume, this pedal is top notch.
Boss FV-500H/-500L Stereo Guitar Volume Pedal - Consider
The look of the BOSS FV-500L may be one of the first elements that makes this guitar volume pedal stick out from the rest, but that’s not the only noteworthy factor that this unit brings to the table. This pedal features a stereo output, which allows you to connect it to your output source in a variety of ways. This pedal also can act as an expression pedal with certain amps, effects, and more. Because it’s a BOSS, it’s built to withstand nuclear war – well, maybe not that far, but you certainly won’t have to worry about doing any damage to the unit through regular active use. It’s heavy-duty aluminum die cast body also features pedal rubber on its surface, allowing players to get a comfortable grip on the unit with their foot and maintain that grasp throughout a performance.
Fender Tread-Light Guitar Volume/Expression Pedal - Best Guitar Volume Pedal
One look at Electro-Harmonix’s Next Step volume pedal might leave you scratching your head and wondering if perhaps a part of the unit is missing. But fret not, you’re looking at the whole thing, it’s just that this pedal has no moving parts to wear out. A single contained piece represents the entirety of this effects pedal, eschewing any of the risk of damage that other more traditional models might offer. Despite its stripped down build, it is still durable enough to take on the road without having to worry about any risks. A bypass volume control also eliminates the need for a different worry, your tone will remain unaffected running through this pedal.
Buyer's Guide
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.
