Pedalboards are a great way to organize your effects pedals and keep your gear compact and portable. Pedalboards also allow for heavy customization, but that can make it difficult to start. Let’s look at the basics of setting up a pedalboard to fit your style.
Step 1: Picking the board
Are you just getting your feet wet with effects pedals, or are you a gear enthusiast looking to add more space for your collection? Every musician's pedalboard is tailored for their needs and musical styles, so make sure to consider what you’re using the pedals most for before choosing the board. If you use minimal effects in your rig, then it’s best to start with a smaller board.
Step 2: Picking the pedals
Once you’ve picked your board, it’s time to pick your pedals. There are tons of effects to choose from: wah, fuzz, octave, etc. You’ll want to choose based on the genre and sound you’re going for. If you’re just getting into effects pedals, we recommend starting out with a reverb, distortion, and overdrive pedal.
Step 3: Hooking things up
First, you will want to buy a power supply for your pedalboard. There are many different options, from compact battery-powered supplies to multi-voltage power blocks. Similar to the board itself, choose a power supply that fits your needs and your pedals’ voltage requirements.
Next, you will have to connect your pedals using patch cables. Patch cables allow you to place your pedals side-by-side by connecting the output of one right into the input of the other. This will help you maximize the space on your pedalboard. While connecting the pedals, make sure to consider the configuration of your board. We also recommend using velcro to keep the pedals steady on the board.
Finally, you will connect your pedalboard to your amp using a general instrument cable. Once your pedalboard is set up and connected, then jam away! If you’re shopping for pedals, check out Allen Eden’s line of effects pedals, all under $70!