Editing Effects unit (section)

{{Short description|Electronic device that alters audio}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Confused|Software effect processor}}

[[File:Pedalboard (995939579)-2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.10|300px|A [[guitar pedalboard]] allows a performer to create a ready-to-use chain of multiple pedals to achieve certain types of sounds. [[Signal chain]] order: [[Electronic tuner|tuner]], [[Dynamic range compression|compressor]], [[pitch shift|octave generator]], [[wah-wah pedal]], [[distortion (music)|overdrive]], [[distortion (music)|distortion]], [[fuzzbox|fuzz]], [[equalization (audio)|EQ]] and [[tremolo]].]]

An '''effects unit''', '''effects processor''', or '''effects pedal''' is an electronic device that alters the sound of a [[musical instrument]] or other audio source through [[audio signal processing]].

Common effects include [[distortion (music)|distortion/overdrive]], often used with electric guitar in [[electric blues]] and [[rock music]]; [[dynamics (music)|dynamic]] effects such as [[volume pedal]]s and [[Dynamic range compression|compressors]], which affect [[loudness]]; [[linear filter|filter]]s such as [[wah-wah pedal]]s and [[graphic equalizer]]s, which modify frequency ranges; [[modulation]] effects, such as [[Chorus (audio effect)|chorus]], [[flanger]]s and [[phaser (effect)|phasers]]; [[Pitch (music)|pitch]] effects such as [[pitch shifter (audio processor)|pitch shifters]]; and time effects, such as [[Reverb effect|reverb]] and [[Delay (audio effect)|delay]], which create echoing sounds and emulate the sound of different spaces.<ref name="art">{{cite web|url=http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/stompbox-effects|title=The Art of the Stompbox|year=2010|publisher=The Museum of Making|access-date=13 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="guitfx">{{cite web|url=http://tripatlas.com/Guitar_effects#Samples|title=Guitar effects|publisher=Trip Atlas|access-date=18 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208132342/http://tripatlas.com/Guitar_effects#Samples|archive-date=8 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Most modern effects use [[solid-state electronics]] or [[digital signal processor]]s. Some effects, particularly older ones such as [[Leslie speaker]]s and [[spring reverb]]s, use mechanical components or [[vacuum tube]]s. Effects are often used as [[#Stompboxes|stompboxes]], typically placed on the floor and controlled with footswitches. They may also be built into [[guitar amplifier]]s, instruments (such as the [[Hammond B-3]] organ), [[#Multi-effects and tabletop units|tabletop units]] designed for DJs and record producers, and [[#Rackmounts|rackmounts]], and are widely used as [[audio plug-in]]s in such common formats as [[Virtual Studio Technology|VST]], [[AAX (Avid Audio eXtension)|AAX]], and [[Audio Units|AU]].

Musicians, [[audio engineer]]s and record producers use effects units during live performances or in the studio, typically with electric guitar, bass guitar, [[electronic keyboard]] or [[electric piano]]. While effects are most frequently used with [[Electronic musical instrument|electric or electronic instruments]], they can be used with any audio source, such as [[Acoustic music|acoustic]] instruments, drums, and vocals.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Horne|first1=Greg|title=Complete Acoustic Guitar Method: Mastering Acoustic Guitar c|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cHALQ_CO5P0C|year=2000|publisher=Alfred Music|page=92|isbn=9781457415043}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Yakabuski|first1=Jim|title=Professional Sound Reinforcement Techniques: Tips and Tricks of a Concert Sound Engineer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QwcLdjCCXHkC|year=2001|publisher=Hal Leonard|page=139|isbn=9781931140065}}</ref>