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Tech 21 is a well-respected company in the music industry, particularly known for its innovative guitar effects and amplification products. Founded in 1989 by musician and engineer Andrew Barta, Tech 21 gained prominence with its groundbreaking product, the SansAmp.
This analogue amp emulator was revolutionary because it allowed guitarists to achieve tube amplifier-like tones without using actual tube amplifiers. The SansAmp became a staple in studios and live performances, appreciated for its ability to provide versatile tones, from clean to high-gain, all in a portable, pedal-friendly format.
Over the years, Tech 21 has expanded its product line to include various other effects pedals, rack units, and amplifiers, maintaining a strong reputation for high-quality, analog-based products.
One of the key aspects of Tech 21’s success is its commitment to analogue technology, which many musicians prefer for its warmth and responsiveness. The company’s product line includes popular pedals such as the Fly Rig series, which combines multiple effects into a compact, travel-friendly unit, and the Bass Driver DI, a favourite among bassists for its ability to enhance tone and provide DI capabilities for live and studio applications.
Tech 21’s dedication to innovation and quality has made it a favourite among professional musicians across different genres, including notable artists like Geddy Lee of Rush, who has collaborated with the company to create signature models. With a focus on both practicality and exceptional sound quality, Tech 21 continues to be a leader in the world of guitar effects and amplification.
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A boost pedal does one simple thing brilliantly — it makes your signal louder, stronger, and more alive. Whether you’re pushing a valve amp into natural breakup, lifting a solo above the band, or adding a touch more presence to your core tone, a clean boost gives you extra headroom without changing your character.
Use it at the front of your chain to drive other pedals harder, or after your gain stages to raise volume without adding distortion. Subtle or powerful, transparent or slightly coloured, a boost is one of the most useful tools on any pedalboard — small box, big difference.
A DI pedal (Direct Injection) lets you send your signal straight to a mixing desk or audio interface with clarity and confidence. It converts your instrument’s output into a balanced signal, reducing noise and allowing for longer cable runs without losing quality. Whether you’re playing live or recording, a good DI keeps your tone clean, controlled, and stage-ready.
Use a DI to go direct at a gig, split your signal between amp and PA, or capture a pure track in the studio. It’s a practical, dependable tool that ensures what leaves your pedalboard arrives exactly as intended — solid, noise-free, and ready for the mix.
While Ed Sheeran primarily relies on the natural sound of his acoustic guitar and vocals, he occasionally uses EQ (Equalization) to shape and enhance his tone during live performances or in the studio. EQ pedals or onboard preamps can allow him to adjust the frequency response of his guitar signal to suit the acoustics of different venues or to achieve specific tonal characteristics. Here’s how EQ might be utilized in Ed Sheeran’s setup:
1. **Tonal Shaping**: EQ can be used to adjust the balance of frequencies in the guitar signal, allowing Ed Sheeran to shape his tone to his liking. For example, he might boost the midrange frequencies to bring out the warmth and presence of his acoustic guitar, or cut certain frequencies to reduce any harshness or mud in the sound.
2. **Feedback Control**: In a live setting, EQ can help control feedback by notching out problematic frequencies that might cause the guitar signal to feed back through the amplification system. This can be particularly useful when performing in venues with challenging acoustics or high volume levels.
3. **Room Correction**: In situations where the venue’s acoustics are less than ideal, EQ can be used to compensate for any deficiencies in the sound. By adjusting the EQ settings, Ed Sheeran can tailor the guitar tone to sound more balanced and natural, regardless of the room’s acoustic properties.
4. **Matching Gear**: EQ can also be used to match the tone of Ed Sheeran’s guitar to the sound of other instruments or equipment in his setup. For example, he might adjust the EQ to complement the tonal characteristics of his vocal microphone or to blend seamlessly with backing tracks or other instruments.
Overall, while EQ may not be a central component of Ed Sheeran’s guitar effects setup, it can still play a valuable role in shaping his tone and ensuring that he achieves the desired sound in different performance environments. Whether used subtly for tonal shaping or more aggressively for feedback control, EQ allows Ed Sheeran to tailor his guitar tone to suit his musical vision and performance needs.
A filter pedal shapes your tone by emphasising or cutting specific frequencies, letting you sculpt everything from subtle tonal shifts to bold, sweeping textures. Unlike traditional wah or envelope effects, filters can be static or controlled in different ways, giving you focused control over how bright, dark, sharp, or resonant your sound becomes.
Use a filter to tighten the low end, tame harsh highs, or create synth-like sweeps and rhythmic movement. Whether you’re refining your core tone or pushing into experimental territory, a filter pedal gives you precise control over the flavour of your sound.
MIDI pedals use the Musical Instrument Digital Interface standard to communicate with other guitar pedals, effects units, and hardware. They allow control over presets, parameters, and switching across multiple devices from a single controller. MIDI integration makes it possible to build complex, synchronised pedal setups while keeping control simple and consistent.
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A noise gate pedal keeps your rig tight and controlled by cutting unwanted hiss and hum when you’re not playing. High-gain setups, stacked pedals, and long signal chains can introduce background noise — a noise gate steps in to silence it cleanly, letting your riffs start and stop with precision.
Use it to sharpen heavy rhythm parts, tame buzzing single-coils, or clean up complex pedalboards without sacrificing sustain. Dial it subtle for transparent control or tighter for that sharp, percussive stop-start effect — either way, it keeps your sound focused and professional.
Like a golden layer of melted cheese — warm, gooey, and just put it all over. It adds just the right amount of richness and grit, turning a clean signal into something smooth and savoury. Designed to mimic the natural breakup of a tube amp pushed to its sweet spot, overdrive delivers the flavour of classic rock and blues in every bite. From creamy mid-gain warmth to crisp edge-of-breakup sparkle, it’s the comfort food of guitar tone — simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Whether it’s a mild crunch or a full-bodied roar, overdrive is where good taste begins.
A reverb pedal is like the rich sauce that ties every flavour on the plate into one smooth experience. It adds depth, warmth, and atmosphere — the sonic equivalent of a perfectly reduced glaze that lingers on the tongue. Whether you’re after the subtle ambience of a cosy café (spring or plate reverb) or the grand echoes of a cathedral (hall or shimmer reverb), this is where your tone breathes and expands. A touch of reverb can turn a dry sound into something lush and inviting — but pour on too much, and it’s all you can taste. Used with finesse, it’s the finishing touch that transforms your tone from plain to unforgettable.
A tuner is an essential pedal or device that helps keep your guitar perfectly in tune by detecting the pitch of each string and showing whether it’s sharp or flat. Tuners come in many forms, from simple clip-on units to advanced pedalboard models with bright displays and muting options for silent tuning on stage. They ensure accurate pitch, stable tone, and a more professional sound, making them one of the most important tools for any guitarist.
Used pedals bring character, value, and often a bit of history to your board. Whether it’s a well-loved classic or a recent release looking for its next home, a used pedal offers the same core tone at a more accessible price. Fully tested and described clearly, it’s a chance to grab great gear without paying brand-new money.
Go used to explore different sounds, track down discontinued favourites, or build your setup more affordably. Sometimes a pedal with a few marks on the casing still delivers flawless tone — and might even have a story or two behind it.
