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Guitar Synth Pedal Guide

Our guitar synth pedal guide will help you go beyond conventional tones via the use of wacky, out-of-this-world synth pedals.

Synth pedals work like a keyboard synthesizer, they turn your guitar signal into electrical waves that control and trigger synth sounds and filter effects. It gives you the capability to imitate other instrument sounds or generate your own new timbres. We have focused on synth pedals that do not require special pickups or a MIDI connection. We have included video demos to give you an idea of how these pedals sound.

Electro-Harmonix Hog

Electro-Harmonix Hog
Electro-Harmonix Hog

If you are willing to shell out big bucks for the best guitar synth pedal, then prepare to open up to a whole new plethora of sounds with the Electro-Harmonix HOG, a polyphonic guitar synthesizer pedal that require no special pickup. This is a full featured synthesizer pedal which gives you complete control of up to 10 interval pitches including fifth and third intervals, filter sweeps, and crazy pitch bends. It features dedicated filtering and envelope controls, with essential setup options that make creating synth sounds a breeze. EHX Hog also comes with an expression pedal for even more control over your synth sounds. Checkout some of the cool things you can do with the Electro-Harmonix Hog:

Manufacturer: Electro Harmonix

Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer

Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer
Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer

The Pigtronix Mothership is an analog synthesizer pedal that features VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator), Sub-Octave, and an Intelligent Ring Modulator. It features fast tracking, making it ideal for use with guitars, but even bass, vocals, horns or any other musical instrument can benefit. Its pitch tracking ring modulator is something special, it follows every note you play and provide an immense array of interactive analog textures. The Mothership has glide and whammy functions to let you morph sounds into something different in real time. The video below will showcase the Pigtronix Mothership’s synth sounds:

Manufacturer: Pigtronix | Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com

Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler

Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler
Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler

The Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler pedal brings you 16 models of vintage and monophonic synth effects in one effects pedal. Among the synth pedals listed, the FM4 is hands down the most versatile. Seeker, Obi-Wah, V-Tron, Voice Box, Seeker, Growler, Tron up and down are just a few of its available synth models. It comes with 20 factory presets with 4 user programmable channels. Just like other Line 6 pedals, the FM4 is built like a purple tank with a simple and sturdy front panel. If you are looking for variety this is your best bet. Check out some of the modeled synth tones that Line 6 FM4 has to offer:

Manufacturer: Line 6 | Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com

DigiTech XSW Synth Wah

DigiTech XSW Synth Wah
DigiTech XSW Synth Wah

The Digitech XSW Synth Wah is a popular guitar synth pedal because of its cool sound and ease of control. It gives you 7 unique sound types that come with various tweakable options. With its Mix, Range, Sensitivity and Type knobs, you can adjust vowel sound characteristics to create interesting synth wah sounds. You get funky envelope filter sounds, synth tones and filter sweep effects. If you are looking to turn your music into something unique without breaking the bank then this is your best choice. Here is a user demo that features some of the sounds you can get from the Digitech XSW Synth Wah:

Manufacturer: DigiTech | Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com

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