Volume in the context of guitar effects refers to the control of the overall signal output level of an instrument or pedal. It can be adjusted at various points in the signal chain, including the guitar’s volume knob, pedals, amplifiers, and mixers, to manage how loud or soft the sound is.

Volume pedals are a common type of effects pedal used to adjust the signal level in real time, offering musicians hands-free control over their sound. These pedals, such as the Ernie Ball VP Jr. and Boss FV-500H, allow players to increase or decrease the volume smoothly during performances, offering dynamic control over parts of a song without needing to manually adjust amp settings or switch between different levels. Additionally, some overdrive or boost pedals incorporate volume controls to allow for clean or saturated tones at varying loudness levels, making volume a critical tool for expression and tone shaping in music.