Guitarists and musicians use EQ pedals to adjust the relative amplitudes of the frequencies within a guitar or bass signal. When set correctly, the best EQ pedals can help balance the sound of the guitar or bass by boosting and/or cutting certain frequency ranges, called bands.
This improves the signal's character and sound both on its own and within a mix. In this guide, we're going to show you some of the best EQ pedals on the market right now, so you can find the one that works best for you. You'll also learn how to use guitar equalizers to boost your frequencies.
What EQ Pedals Are & How They Work
In its most basic form, an EQ pedal does exactly what its name suggests - it is an equalizer that has been placed into a by-passable foot pedal. The equalization within the pedal lets you to cut OR boost the gain of a specific frequency or frequency range, making it either quieter or louder in the general signal.
They are most frequently used by guitarists. The guitar is an instrument dominated mostly by mid-range frequencies, but is capable of producing sounds anywhere from around 80Hz to 1 200Hz.
Given this range of frequencies, plenty can happen to the sound. Most amplifiers are generally confined to a 3-band graphic EQ and can be quite broad in which frequency or frequencies are being boosted or cut, so if your amp is not living up to your standards, an EQ pedal can help clean up your sound and fill in the gaps.
So how do they work?
EQ pedals work by adjusting the frequencies' relative amplitudes in a guitar or bass signal. When set properly, they can create balance in the sound of the instrument by cutting and/or boosting specific frequency ranges, known as bands, to improve the sound and character of the signal both by itself and as a part of the mix.
Parametric vs Graphic EQs
Graphic EQs are meant to boost or cut level on frequencies that are equally-spaced, like octave spacing or 1/3 octave, with a present bandwidth value. Conversely, parametric EQs provide you with fewer EQ bands, though with increased control, allowing you to adjust the center frequency of the cut or boost, and the adjustment bandwidth.
Graphic EQs are generally the more popular choice for live sound stages, where you will want to use equalization as a general tool for sound shaping, stage monitor tuning, and many more uses. But, if you are looking to create crisper, more precise corrections, like when you are recording, using a parametric EQ will give you more control.
In broad terms, a graphic EQ excels at shaping, while a parametric EQ is better suited for fine-tuning.
Of course, these 'rules' are not set in stone. You might find your favorite graphic EQ comes with preset frequencies at very musical divisions. Or, you might find that the acoustics of a certain live venue or a problem with monitor feedback benefit from a surgical notch at a troubling frequency, in which case a parametric EQ would excel.
Do not be afraid of experimentation and to learn what works best for you. Try different EQ pedal placement, explore different settings, and test as many guitar EQ pedals as you can.
The Difference Between Multiple Band EQs
EQ pedals come with various frequency ranges controlled by a knob or slider on the pedal. These are generally known as frequency bands, with different EQ pedals changing different frequencies within each band.
The most common types of EQs available are 3-band, 5-band, 7-band, and 10-band EQs.
Multiple band EQs, however, are different, as they provide you with different areas of control. Their spectrum of control increases as the number of bands decreases, meaning that a 10-band EQ will provide you with extreme precision control, while a 3-band EQ is more general.
Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you will need to consider your needs, and how specific you need the pedal to be.
How to Choose the Right EQ Pedals
As you likely already know, it won't help you to go out there and pick up any old guitar equalizer pedal that you see. There are a number of things that you need to consider first in order to find a pedal that suits your needs the best.
Let's take a look at them:
Size/Dimensions
Most equalizer pedals are generally quite small and compact, and can easily be placed into your guitar bag. You'll want to find one that is small enough for you to carry around, but still large enough to be easy to operate.
Interface
An equalizer pedal will have a number of sliders and knobs depending on its number of frequency bands. So, if you have a 7-band pedal, then it will have 7 sliders; if you have a 3-band pedal, it will have 3 sliders, and so on.
You may also want to keep in mind other features the interface can have. This includes which direction the sliders move, and do the sliders or knobs light up. Illumination can help you see what you are doing, if you're anticipating using it in dark spaces.
Durability
Durability is one of the most important things to look for in an equalizer pedal. You'll want to find one that is resistant to wear and tear, especially if you travel a lot.
How EQ Pedals Affect Guitar Tone
Any sound that is produced from any source audio, whether isolated or produced by several sources, such as in a band, will create what is called a sonic footprint. Our ears recognize this footprint as a single thin. The way that these sources are combined will dictate how we perceive the sound.
This is what makes sound engineering and design such a complicated practice. Sound engineers have to make sure that each of the various instruments take up different spaces in the EQ spectrum, so that they may each be heard, do not outshine one other, and do not sound muddy.
This can be quite challenging with guitars, especially the acoustic guitar, since they are mostly mid-range instruments that can generally compete with other instruments on the same spectrum, like Vocals, Saxophones, and Drum Toms.
The mid-range frequency will generally be filled by these instruments, which is why you won't want your guitar to be lost or too powerful in the mix as a whole. You will want to figure out the best space pocket, which can be done using an equalizer pedal.
Best Guitar Equalizer Pedals
Now it's time to take a look at what we consider to be some of the best guitar EQ pedals on the market right now. We've tried to include as much variety as possible so that you can find exactly the pedal that works best for you. Read on for the best EQ pedals for guitar players.
1. Empress ParaEQ
The Empress ParaEQ is one of the most feature-packed EQ pedals out there. The design of this piece of equipment is rather fancy, featuring a bright blue coloring and shiny silver toggles, knobs, and footswitches.
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The Empress ParaEQ comes with a True Bypass that guarantees the absence of tone suction, and provides maximum transparency. It offers up to +30dB of boost with its dedicated footswitch, making the boosting process extremely convenient.
You are able to add or cut about 15dB of gain on each frequency band, leaving you with unlimited possibilities when it comes to making your sound more intense. The ParaEQ also gives you the ability to adjust the Q of each of the three bands, as well as set the center frequency, giving you plenty of precision.
The pedal comes with an all analog signal path, which ensures that your source audio stays organic and warm. The pedal has an incredible headroom, and the enclosure is made from die-cast aluminum, meaning that it's not going to break any time soon.
These are all fantastic features, but they're not coming to you without their price. The Empress ParaEQ is one of the most expensive EQ pedals out there. But if you consider that it is one of the best jazz guitar EQ pedals and best EQ pedal for acoustic guitar, you can justify the cost.
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The EarthQuaker Devices Tone is one of the brand's best-selling EQ pedals, and for good reason. It allows you to enhance your tone as much as you like, giving both beginner and professional players all of the range they need to customize their source audio.
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The EarthQuaker Devices Tone covers as many frequencies as possible because it was designed around a stereo preamp. This means that it is suitable for guitars, bass guitars, and synthesizer machines.
The EQ pedal boosts or cuts up to 20dB, and the level control is capable of posting the signal up to five times the original input. The Devices Tone is best used at the front of the change, to change the character of your instrument, and is able to boost output at the end of your effect chain or just fine-tune the tone.
It is an extremely user-friendly device that is perfect for musicians of all levels. The EarthQuaker Devices Tone has taken the internet by storm and makes it extremely simple to produce the exact sound that you are looking for.
We believe that it can last you a lifetime and highly recommend it. The best part? It's super affordable and is likely the best cheap EQ pedal out there.
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3. Boss EQ-200 Ten Band Graphic EQ Pedal
The Boss EQ-200 Graphic EQ pedal comes loaded with plenty of fantastic functions and is really able to elevate your tone, whether you're playing bass or guitar. It can also work with a keyboard quite well.
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The Boss EQ-200 is a 10 band EQ pedal and has an overall level control, allowing you to use it as a general boosting pedal if need be. It also comes with three unique frequency range options, dual EQs, as well as an insert function, which allows you to connect extra pedals, either post or pre-equalization, to give your source audio even more flair.
This pedal makes use of two 10 band equalizers simultaneously and lets you choose between them in parallel, stereo, or series. The level of control that you receive with this pedal allows you to fine-tune your sound to the venue that you are performing in, different amps, and even various instruments.
It also comes with a very useful memory feature. After you have fine-tuned your sound to the way you want it, you can save the settings and return to them with simply pressing one button. You can use each for a different location, genre, and one can even be set up for your bass guitar.
For the settings that you do not want to save, the panel lock feature allows you to lock them in place so that you do not make any changes accidentally.
While there really isn't anything bad about this pedal for us to say, we will highlight the fact that it is quite a bit more pricey than many other options out there. Still, it's a great choice for a professional musician.
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This EQ pedal from MXR is another excellent choice that comes packed with features that all serious musicians will appreciate. It is perhaps the best EQ pedal for metal, thanks to the fact that it was designed in collaboration with Kerry King, the guitarist for Slayer.
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The MXR KFK1 Graphic EQ pedal boasts dual outputs, allowing you to connect 2 amps at once or include different effects and pedals to curate your own sound. It is fantastic for designing scooped mid-tones and will provide you with sustain and feedback while also bringing your low tones out.
With its master volume, 10 sliders, as well as gain control, the KFK1 can get you to produce pretty much any sound you want via frequency adjustment.
Since this pedal is able to do all of this and more, it can be quite challenging to get the hang of, but you will eventually learn what to do through a process of playing with the different options. In addition, the interface is relatively straightforward and user-friendly, allowing you to find your sound easier.
When it comes to its construction, the pedal is quite durable and is great for practicing and performing at home. The sliders, which are illuminated, can be adjusted easily in any kind of light, allowing you to make your sound clearer and crisper. It's certainly a great choice for metal but can work for any genre.
Some buyers stated that the KFK1 produced quite a lot of static and noise, but this complaint was not a common one.
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This equalizer pedal is quite an affordable option that comes with six bands to create massive lows, scooped-mid tones, which gives your sound some more warmth. We consider it the best EQ pedal for electric guitar players and this 6 band graphic EQ packs some good features.
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The MXR M109s' boasts a durable yet lightweight aluminum housing, so you won't have to worry about damaging it when using the pedal for gigs on the road. In addition, it is quite compact, making it perfect for traveling musicians.
The design is simple and easily adjustable, and while it leans more on the basic side of life, it will definitely exceed your expectations in the way it performs. The M109S works beds earlier in your signal chain, and, when set up correctly, it is practically silent.
Noise is generally an issue for pedals in this price range, giving this pedal a huge advantage. The battery life is also very impressive.
Making tweaks is precise and easy, and the bright LEDs make the sliders easy to see and operate, allowing you to make changes in low lighting. Guitarists that used this pedal generally don't have any complaints about it.
While the M109S only has 6 frequency bands and is quite basic, it is still a great pedal that will boost your creativity.
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Boss is quite a popular brand and is known for the great effects and sound. The GE-7 pedal is one of the most popular pedals out there, and while it doesn't come packed with many features, the Boss GE-7 gets the job done and does it well.
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The Boss Ge-7 is an exceptional option for those that are looking for an affordable and simple EQ pedal that can exceed your expectations just a little bit. While it is perhaps not a super cheap EQ pedal, it is still a great purchase for any guitar player.
It is a 7 band guitar equalizer, and the sliders are found at the top of the pedal, with a master-level slider included as well. Each is easy to adjust and provides fantastic precision.
The design is so intuitive, in fact, that you can even make adjustments when the light is low. Because it is a 7 band programmable EQ pedal, it provides you with a lot of control and allows you to shape your sound exactly how you want it.
Boss pedals are known for their durability, and the GE7's design is capable of resisting wear and tear. It is more than capable of handling road life, and even the jacks are built well.
A number of users reported that there was a slight loss of signal, as well as a hiss when it came to high gains, but several other factors could have easily caused this. This effect was mitigated when the Boss GE-7 was placed at the beginning of the circuit, and strategic use of the sliders helped.
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This guitar pedal offers plenty of advanced features, combining features of both graphic and parametric EQs. It is one of the more advanced EQs on the market right now, and is perhaps the best bass EQ pedal as well.
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This is a 10 band EQ pedal and, as we said, is the best bass EQ pedal out there. Each of the ten bands can be narrowed or widened for either accurate fixes or broad strokes, and there are also shelving options for additional adjustment.
The EQ2 is not just a series of virtual illuminated sliders, either. It is programmable, with eight accessible with just the unit, and you are able to access a further 128 using a MIDI controller. The sound that the pedal produces is fantastic, and true bypass helps you keep things clear and real when you adjust the signal for bright mids, clear highs, and deep lows, all without muddiness.
The EQ2 also provides you with a dynamic limiter, noise gate, tuner, and a few stereo signal routing options. Once again, we must reiterate that this is one of the best bass EQ pedals on the market.
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We consider the Biyang EQ pedal to be the best graphic EQ pedal out there, thanks to its 7 bands that provide just the right amount of boosting and cutting. It also comes with true bypass to keep your guitar sounding, well, true.
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The Biyang EQ Pedal does not come with many flashy or outlandish features but performs well and won't break the bank while still being of a high-quality. In addition to its seven bands, there is also level adjustment, allowing you to change the overall pedal volume with ease.
Each of the Biyang Equalizer Pedal's sliders comes with a red LED, allowing you to see what you are doing, even when the stage is dark. Overall, this graphic EQ does a fantastic job of improving and adjusting your sound without causing it to lose its essence.
The pedal can easily clean your sound up to make it clearer and less muddy so that the true sound rings through.
This graphic EQ also happens to be extremely durable, featuring dust-proof, sealed metal pots as a stainless-steel metal panel and enclosure. As for the design, Biyang kept things pretty straightforward, and the reflective finish will look great with your other equipment.
It's important to note that it is a little on the heavy side. However, we consider this a fair tradeoff for its durability. The simple design might be off-putting, but we consider this a benefit as well for easily tweaking the bands.
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If you are looking for an acoustic guitar EQ pedal that is both affordable and quiet, then look no further than the JF-11 from Joyo. This is certainly one of the best EQ pedals out there, and we consider it the best mini EQ pedal on the market and the best acoustic guitar equalizer.
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Overall, this is quite a small EQ pedal, but its compact design makes it extremely easy to transport. It comes with an aluminum casing, making it highly durable and sturdy and capable of withstanding the wear and tear that comes with taking your pedal on the road with you.
The headroom on this guitar equalizer comes with six bands, with each offering up to 18dB, which can be pretty loud. It also has true bypass, and in our opinion, is a great choice for acoustic guitar players.
You have the option of either using a battery or a power adapter to power the amp, which the manufacturer provides in the package. In general, this is quite an easy graphic equalizer to use.
You can place it anywhere in the chain, and each of its bands boosts your playing and adds a separate quality. For instance, placing it next to your distortion pedal will cause it to act as that distortion pedal's equalizer.
By individually tweaking the six band EQ, you will notice that each of the bands has an effect. The bypass is quiet, and when the pedal is off, the signal path stays clean.
The Joyo JF-11 provides you with all of the qualities you want from an equalizer without having an inflated price tag attached.
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Using EQ Pedals
EQ pedals should be used sparingly if you want them to be a utility pedal. However, you can use these pedals to create certain 'effects', like heavily scooped mids or an AM radio tone that you might hear from The Strokes.
The advantage that EQ pedals provide is that they can make subtle, small changes that are able to fine-tune your tone or increase the sound range that you are receiving from other pedals. Alternatively, EQ pedals can be set flat (everything set to 0), and their gain control can be used to boost guitar solos.
EQ pedals can even be used to subtract or boost certain frequencies, allowing you to further mold your sound.
Remember that you should not be setting up EQ pedals in isolation if you are playing with a band since you don't want to discover the perfect EQ setting on your pedal, only to find that when the band comes in your sound completely vanished.
This might come as a surprise to you, but whichever sound that you receive when you EQ your guitar within the band mix may not be the sound that you would EQ if you were playing solo. It is by far more vital to sound correct when you are playing in a band, so if you are pleased with the band EQ sound that you achieve when the band is playing, then stay with that sound.
Also, trust your ears. They know what sounds good.
Subtractive EQ
Subtractive EQ is a sound design technique that involves cutting frequencies so that it seems as though other frequencies have been boosted instead of actually boosting a frequency. For instance, if you were working with a flat EQ graph and subtracted the high treble frequencies and low bass frequencies, the mid-range frequencies would seem more pronounced.
But why would you subtract instead of boost?
The unfortunate thing is, when a frequency is boosted, you run the risk of introducing noise into your signal. It's common knowledge that nobody wants to hear a hissing sound over the tone of their guitar.
By subtracting frequencies instead of boosting them to achieve the desired EQ, you are not risking adding hiss or noise to your mix.
How to Use an EQ Pedal
Now that you understand the basics of what an EQ is and how they work let's take a look at some creative ways that you can get the most out of your EQ pedal.
Tone Shaping
The main purpose of an EQ pedal is to correct the sound and tone of your instrument or amplifier. For instance, if you feel that your guitar is lacking body, mids, or bass, then you can add those things to its sound.
Your EQ pedal can also be used to add more presence or brightness to the sound, and you can even adjust every frequency simultaneously and in the sense that you choose.
Overdrive or Boosting
Most EQ pedals come with level or Volume level, allowing you to increase the output of the pedal without changing the EQ signal. This allows the pedal to be used as a booster.
At the same time that you can increase the volume, you are also able to increase the mid-frequency gain, simulating the effect of using a classic overdrive. Overdrives are used to boost the mids of other frequencies, which can bring the guitar to the front of the mix.
Adjusting Ambient Acoustics
Your EQ pedal can be used to adjust the acoustics of the environment that you are playing in. For example, you might play in a venue that reacts differently to different frequencies and generates feedback or might have to change rooms when playing.
If this is the case, then you might need to adjust your settings. Rather than having to change the settings on your amplifier, guitar, or pedals, you can correct those changes using your EQ pedal.
Do I Need an EQ Pedal?
While some people will tell you that you absolutely need an EQ pedal, others will tell you that you don't. There are so many variables that only your ears can judge whether an equalizer pedal is benefitting you or not.
If your existing pedals have EQ controls, and so does your amp, then why would you need a standalone EQ pedal. Well, equalizer pedals provide you with control over your sound in a way that many other amps or pedals do not.
Being able to boost or cut your frequencies to your specific liking, rather than simply cutting them, makes the equalizer pedal an extremely valuable tool, especially in comparison to other tone-shaping elements in your setup.
Your guitar is booming on stage? Dial down the bass. You aren't cutting through the mix? You can accentuate the mids. Using an equalizer allows you to fine tune exactly what you want your sound to be.
Where to Put an EQ Pedal
Placing an equalizer pedal in a distortion signal processing chain will influence the basic tone of the guitar amp. If you place it before a guitar amp's integrated preamp, or before a distortion pedal, then you will have preliminary control over preamp distortion voicing.
If you are looking for more thorough control over the preamp distortion voicing, you can place an equalizer pedal after the distortion pedal, or you can use the guitar amp's controls.
There are thousands of potential configurations for your guitar pedal setup, and you will have to experiment for yourself to find the one that works for you.
Conclusion
It's clear to see that the best guitar EQ pedal is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment that guitarists can own. It is capable of fulfilling a plethora of uses and functions, and there are plenty of different types of EQ pedals out there, each with different purposes and features.
We hope that this guide has been informative and that we were able to help you find the a good option from the best EQ pedals above!
