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Effects unit
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==Form factors== Effects units are available in a variety of [[form factors]]. Stompboxes are used in both live performance and studio recording. Rackmount devices saw a heavy usage during the later 20th century, due to their superior processing power and desirable tones as compared to pedal-style units. However, by the 21st century, with the advent of digital plugins and more powerful stompboxes for live usage, the use of rack-mounted effect units has declined.<ref name="books.google.com">Clement, V (2007). [https://books.google.com/books?id=FHOskiubkx0C ''How to Succeed As a Female Guitarist''], Alfred Music. p. 30β31.</ref>{{failed verification|reason=source doesn't give any history|date=December 2021}} An effects unit can consist of [[Analogue electronics|analog]] or [[digital electronics]] or a combination of the two. During a live performance, the effect is plugged into the electrical ''signal'' path of the instrument. In the studio, an instrument or another sound source β possibly an [[aux-send|auxiliary output]] of a [[Mixing console|mixer]] or a [[Digital audio workstation|DAW]] β is patched into the effect.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Gibson|first1=Bill|title=The Ultimate Live Sound Operator's Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r86J_aNNReEC|year=2007|publisher=Hal Leonard|page=366|isbn=9781423419716}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=McCormick|first1=Tim|last2=Rumsey|first2=Francis|title=Sound and Recording|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8JH6Z5c6-OUC&q=%22auxiliary+output%22+recording+effects|year=2009|publisher=Focal Press|page=131|isbn=9780240521633}}</ref> Whatever the form factor, effects units are part of a studio or musician's [[outboard gear]].<ref>Editors, Guitar Player Magazine (2001). [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5474|pure_url=yes}} ''How to Play Guitar: The Basics & Beyond'']. Hal Leonard. p. 82.</ref> === Stompboxes === [[File:Ts9-stompbox-2-2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.50|[[Ibanez Tube Screamer]] TS9 overdrive pedal]] Stompboxes are small plastic or metal chassis that usually lie on the floor or in a pedalboard to be operated by the user's feet. Pedals are often rectangle-shaped, but there are a range of other shapes (e.g., the circular [[Fuzz Face]]). Typical simple stompboxes have a single footswitch, one to three [[potentiometers]] for controlling the effect, and a single [[LED]] that indicates if the effect is on. A typical distortion or overdrive pedal's three potentiometers, for example, control the level or intensity of the distortion effect, the tone of the effected signal and the output level of the effected signal. Depending on the type of pedal, the potentiometers may control different parameters of the effect. For a [[chorus effect]], for example, the knobs may control the depth and speed of the effect. Complex stompboxes may have multiple footswitches, many knobs, additional switches or buttons that are operated with the fingers, and an alphanumeric [[LED]] display that indicates the status of the effect with short acronyms (e.g., DIST for "distortion").<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref>Mangum, Eric; Stubbs, Dean (2000). [https://books.google.com/books?id=pp6xpWAgjFcC ''Dod Presents 100 Superstar Guitar Sounds on a Stompbox Budget'']. Hal Leonard. p. 8.</ref> [[File:Anders pearson's pedalboard (2010-03-20 11.07.50).jpg|thumb|300px|An example of an ''effects chain''. <div style="line-height:110%;">{{smaller|From the input [''right''] to the output [''left'']: }}{{unordered list|''Tuner'' {{smaller|[''upper right''] (tc electronic Polytune)}} β |''Wah pedal'' {{smaller|[''lower right''] (Morley Bad Horsie Wah)}} β |''Overdrives/distortion'' {{smaller|[''lower row''] (Rocktron Short Timer Delay β Danelectro CTO-1 Transparent Overdrive β Boss HM-2 β Boss MT-2)}} β |''Modulations/delay'' {{smaller|[''upper row''] (Digitech Hyper Phase β Danelectro CV-1 Vibe β Danelectro CT Tremolo β Digitech Hyper Delay)}}}}</div>]] An '''{{vanchor|effects chain}}''' is formed by connecting two or more stompboxes forming a [[signal chain]]. Effect chains are typically created between the guitar and the amp or between the [[preamplifier]] and the power amp. When a pedal is off or inactive, the electric [[audio signal]] coming into the pedal diverts onto a ''bypass'', an unaltered ''dry'' signal that continues on to other effects down the chain. In this way, a musician can combine effects within a chain in a variety of ways without having to reconnect boxes during a performance.<ref> {{cite web | last= Egnater | first= Bruce | author-link= Bruce Egnater | title= Bruce Egnater on Effects Loops | publisher= guitarplayer.com | date= 16 December 2009 | url= https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/bruce-egnater-on-effects-loops | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181130155133/https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/bruce-egnater-on-effects-loops | archive-date= 30 November 2018 }} </ref> A ''controller'' or ''effects management system'' lets the musician create multiple effect chains, so they can select one or several chains by tapping a single switch. The switches are usually organized in a row or a simple grid.<ref> {{cite book | last= Kahn | first= Scott | title= Modern Guitar Rig: The Tone Fanatic's Guide to Integrating Amps and Effects | publisher= Hal Leonard Corporation | series= MusicPro Guides | year= 2011 | location= Milwaukee | page= 146 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hjHKTIhVWosC | isbn= 978-1-4234-9944-2 }} </ref> It is common to put [[#Dynamics|compression]], [[wah-wah (music)|wah]] and [[Distortion (music)|overdrive]] pedals at the start of the chain; modulation ([[chorus pedal|chorus]], [[flanger]], [[Phaser (effect)|phase shifter]]) in the middle; and time-based units ([[delay (audio effect)|delay]]/echo, [[Reverb effect|reverb]] at the end.<ref>{{cite web | last= Ross | first= Michael | author-link= | title= Pedal Order by the Numbers β Plus, the Pros on Pedal Order | publisher= guitarplayer.com | date= 28 August 2020 |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/pedal-order-by-the-numbers-plus-the-pros-on-pedal-order}}</ref> When using many effects, unwanted noise and hum can be introduced into the sound. Some performers use a [[#Dynamics|noise gate pedal]] at the end of a chain to reduce unwanted noise and hum introduced by overdrive units or vintage gear.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rogers|first=Jerry|title=Your Band's First Gig: Getting The Sound Right|date=25 May 2010|publisher=Jerry Rogers |isbn=9781445766249|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tSXSg-_o_OcC|access-date=10 September 2010}}</ref> ===Rackmounts=== [[File:FOH Racks-2.jpg|thumb|left|Rackmounted effects in [[road case]]s. These road cases have the front protective panels removed so the units can be operated. The protective panels are put back on and latched shut to protect the effects during transportation.]] [[File:Eventide H3000 SE Ultra-Harmonizer (left view).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Eventide, Inc|Eventide]] HE3000 Ultra-Harmonizer pictured here displays the entire name of an effect or setting, which helps users to find their preferred settings and effects.]] Rackmount effects units are typically built in a thin metal chassis with ''rack ears'' designed to be screw-mounted into the rack rails of a [[19-inch rack]] that is standard to the [[music technology (electronic and digital)|music technology]] industry. Rackmount effects have a standardized 19-inch width, and height of 1 or more [[Rack unit|rack unit(s)]]. Devices that are less than 19 inches wide can sometimes be made rackmount-compatible via special rackmount adapters.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ashton|first=Adrian|title=The Bass Handbook|publisher=Hal Leonard|year=2006|page=92 |isbn=9780879308728|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I97xJYZC2lIC&pg=PA92}}</ref> A rackmount effects unit may contain [[electronic circuit]]ry identical to a stompbox's, although its circuits are typically more complex. Unlike stompboxes, rackmounts usually have several different types of effects.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ashton|first=Adrian|title=The Bass Handbook|publisher=Hal Leonard|year=2006|pages=91β92|isbn=9780879308728|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I97xJYZC2lIC&pg=PA92}}</ref> Rackmount effects units are controlled by knobs, switches or buttons on their front panel, and often remote-controllable by a [[MIDI]] digital control interface or pedal-style ''foot controller''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Levitin|first=Dan|title=From Demo Tape to Record Deal: Handy Guide|publisher=Alfred Music|year=1992|page=26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IxeGcwKrJUUC&pg=PA26|isbn=0-88284-494-6}}</ref> Rackmount effects units are most commonly used in recording studios and [[front of house]] [[live sound mixing]] situations. Musicians may use them in place of stompboxes, as use of a rack can offer space for conveniently mounting additional rackmount equipment or accessories. Rackmounted effects units are typically mounted in a rack, which may be housed within a road case, a durable case with removable access panels that protect the equipment within during transportation. Because of this, rackmount effect units are not always designed with durable protective features such as corner protectors which are used on stompboxes and amps that are designed to be transported as standalone units. ===Multi-effects and tabletop units=== [[File:Boss ME-5 Guitar Multiple Effects.jpg|thumb|left|[[Boss Corporation|Boss]] ME-5 multi-effects from 1988 included several pedal effects in one unit, with the ability to write and recall presets.]] A multi-effects (MFX) device is a single electronics effects pedal or rackmount device that contains many different electronic effects. multi-effects devices allow users to ''preset'' combinations of different effects, allowing musicians quick on-stage access to different effects combinations.<ref>Hunter, Dave (2004). [https://books.google.com/books?id=7DjYrk7Vap4C ''Guitar Effects Pedals: The Practical Handbook'']. Hal Leonard. p. 125.</ref> Multi-effects units typically have a range of distortion, chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, looper and reverb effects. Pedal-style multi-effects range from fairly inexpensive stompboxes that contain two pedals and a few knobs to control the effects to large, expensive floor units with many pedals and knobs. Rack-mounted multi-effects units may be mounted in the same rack as preamplifiers and power amplifiers. A tabletop unit is a type of multi-effects device that sits on a desk and is controlled manually. One such example is the [[Pod (amp modeler)|Pod]] guitar amplifier modeler. Digital effects designed for DJs are often sold in tabletop models, so that the units can be placed alongside a [[DJ mixer]], turntables and [[scratching]] gear.<ref>Bartlett, Bruce; Bartlett, Jenny (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=E0uy8adetQoC ''Practical Recording Techniques: The Step-by-step Approach to Professional Audio Recording'']. Focal Press. p. 226.</ref> ===Built-in units=== [[File:1968 Fender Bandmaster front.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A 1968 [[Fender Bandmaster]] amplifier. Note the four inputs, two for regular sound and two which are run through the onboard [[tremolo]] effect unit.]] Effects are often incorporated into [[instrument amplifier]]s and even some types of instruments. Electric [[guitar amplifier]]s often have built-in reverb, chorus and [[distortion]], while acoustic guitar and [[keyboard amplifier]]s tend to only have built-in reverb. Some acoustic instrument amplifiers have reverb, chorus, compression and equalization (bass and treble) effects. Vintage guitar amps typically have [[tremolo]] and [[vibrato]] effects, and sometimes reverb. The Fender Bandmaster Reverb amp, for example, had built-in reverb and vibrato. Built-in effects may offer the user less control than standalone pedals or rackmounted units. For example, on some lower- to mid-priced [[bass amplifier]]s, the only control on the [[dynamic range compression|audio compression]] effect is a button or switch to turn it on or off, or a single knob. In contrast, a pedal or rackmounted unit would typically provide ratio, threshold and attack controls or other options to allow the user additional control over the compression. Some guitar amplifiers have built-in multi-effects units or digital [[amplifier modeling]] effects. Bass amplifiers are less likely to have built-in effects, although some may have a [[Dynamic range compression|compressor]]/[[limiter]] or [[fuzz bass]] effect.<ref>Eiche. Jon; Fliegler, Ritchie (1993) [https://books.google.com/books?id=NgG8bmBayLwC ''Amps!: The Other Half of Rock 'n' Roll''], Hal Leonard. p. 25, 40, 52, 74.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=some of what's discussed in this paragraph was not available or common in 1993 when this ref was published|date=August 2022}} Instruments with built-in effects include [[Hammond organ]]s, [[electronic organ]]s, [[electronic piano]]s and [[digital synthesizer]]s.<ref>{{Citation|last=Reid|first=Gordon|date=January 2004|title=Synthesizing Hammond Organ Effects: Part1|periodical=Sound on Sound|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan04/articles/synthsecrets.htm|access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref> Built-in effects for keyboards typically include reverb, chorus and, for Hammond organ, vibrato. Many [[clonewheel organ]]s include an overdrive effect. Occasionally, acoustic-electric and electric guitars will have built-in effects, such as a preamp or equalizer.<ref>{{Citation|last=Pinksterboer|first=Hugo|title=Tipbook: Acoustic Guitar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xIT_PpFqz_4C|year=2001|publisher=Hal Leonard|page=51|isbn=9789076192376}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Brewster|first=David M.|title=Introduction to Guitar Tone and Effects: A Manual for Getting the Sounds from Electric Guitars, Amplifiers, Effects Pedals and Processors|publisher=Hal Leonard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q99-bY3cL8YC|year=2003|page=7|isbn=9780634060465}}</ref>
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