Chorus Pedals

Chorus Pedals are among the most distinctive pedals in a players arsenal. The chorus pedal defined 80's guitar playing, and players today are making use of the pedals ability to create ethereal soundscapes and vibes.

A chorus pedal splits your signal into two parts. One signal passes through unaltered, while the other is modulated like a vibrato pedal. This combination creates the chorus pedals distinctive, aquatic sound. Chorus pedals are relatively diverse, allowing for majestic psychedelic flanging or you can take a subtler approach and go for a more muted sonic effect. Chorus pedals split your signal in two. One signal passes straight through unaffected and the other’s pitch is modulated like a vibrato pedal. They then combine to create the final chorus sound. The effect mimics two guitars playing at the same time, going slightly in and out of tune. The result is a lush, watery sound.

The effect was originally designed as part of the Roland Jazz Chorus amplifier. BOSS quickly replicated the effect in pedal format. Icons of the eighties such as Prince and Johnny Marr were famous for using chorus pedals. In the nineties, Sonic Youth and Nirvana used chorus guitar pedals in a wilder, more aggressive way. Chorus went out of fashion for a little while because it was so strongly associated with the slightly dated sound of the eighties. But players are now returning to the effect in droves! Modern classics such as the Julia from Walrus Audio have brought about this resurgence due to greater controllability than the original circuits.

There are a wide range of excellent chorus pedals on the market, with some of the most popular being the MXR M234, the Boss CH-1 Super Chorus or the famous Electro Harmonix Small Clone.

What Makes a Chorus Pedal Different?

• Staple effect pedal
• Lush, watery sound
• Classic chorus sounds
• Distinctive 80s vibe
• Variety of controls
• Can be subtle or pronounced