Best Acoustic Guitar Pedals 2024 – Guitarsite Researched
The idea of the best cheap electric guitar has changed the past decades. The demand for quality sound has increased significantly in today’s music industry. Still, it doesn’t necessarily mean one must spend a fortune to achieve that. The good news is that there’s a surge of budget-friendly electric guitars flooding the market.
Fishman Aura Spectrum DI
Tech 21 Acoustic Fly Rig
Trace Elliot Transit A
TC Electronic BodyRez
SansAmp Para Driver DI V2
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Acoustic guitar pedals are meant specifically for acoustic-electric guitars.
Most acoustic pedals are meant to enhance the sound with minimal coloration. But there also a few that alters the sound much like electric guitar pedals.
Adventurous players who are looking for tone flexibility will love the modulation and acoustic guitar modeling pedals that are listed here.
While those who want to improve their acoustic tone should go for preamps and audio exciters that provide good EQ and compression.
All the main types of acoustic guitar pedals are covered by the pedals in this guide. From enhancers, to multi-effects, to preamp and EQ.
Best Acoustic Guitar Pedals: Our Top Picks
Fishman Aura Spectrum DI
With big-name guitar manufacturers trusting Fishman brand electronics, it is unsurprising that the Fishman Aura Spectrum DI tops this list of acoustic guitar pedals.
This good-looking pedal specifically targets acoustic guitar users, providing essential tools and modern digital audio modeling. Basic features include a 3-band EQ, compressor, automatic feedback suppression, and chromatic tuner, all housed in a rock-solid housing. So no more need for separate tuner pedals.
The most notable feature of this acoustic guitar effects pedal is the Aura Acoustic Imaging technology, it shapes your tone into any of the 128 built-in modeled acoustic guitars, with more images available for download via USB.
Finally, the Aura Spectrum DI comes with its own effects loop for easy integration into acoustic rigs. It also has a good quality balanced XLR DI out.
- World-class Aura Acoustic Imaging technology
- Sturdy metal housing
- Auto feedback suppression
- Expensive
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″, 1 x XLR (DI Out)
- Features: 128 acoustic images
- Effects: Compressor, 3-band EQ
- Power Source: 9V DC
- Dimensions (L, W, H): 5.6″ x 5.25″ x 2.1″
- Weight: 1.7 lbs.
- Bypass: Buffered
Tech 21 Acoustic Fly Rig
Multi-effects pedals like the Tech 21 Fly Rig pack are a serious punch when it comes to the number of things you can do with it.
Firstly, you have the standard built-in tuner with an LCD screen that shows you the notes. But after that, everything about this pedal is plastered with a warm tone that further enhances the musicality of your instrument. Transparent-sounding acoustic guitar tones are also achievable.
It’s all thanks to their FET compressors, delays, and chorus, which add that extra “sweetening” to your guitar’s timbre and provide rich-sounding reverb. Whether it be the hall, room, or ambiance, they have your bases covered.
They’ve gone rectangular on the form factor, yet the aluminum enclosure is built like a tank. Aesthetics-wise, it doesn’t offer a variety of colors. Only it has the standard orange, brushed aluminum look.
Despite its slew of features, picking it up as a new rig isn’t going to be hard. The effects are neatly organized and have their space in the pedal bundle. It is an excellent choice for acoustic guitarists of any genre.
- Comprehensive multi-effects
- Good transparent sound quality
- Easy to use
- No color variety
- Not shaped like a regular pedal
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4″
- Effects: Reverb, Chorus, Delay, Boost, Compression
- Features: Semi-parametric EQ, Notch Filter, Tuner
- Dimensions (L, W, H): 12.5″ x 2.5″ x 1.25″
- Power Source: 9V DC 200mA
- Bypass: Buffered
- Weight: 1.29 lbs.
Trace Elliot Transit A
Sleek in design and built to last, this acoustic guitar effects pedal has a logical layout that can be easily picked up by a beginner or professional guitarist. You have a reverb/tuner at the beginning of the acoustic signal chain, followed by the tap tempo, delay, chorus, and boost.
Holding the reverb pedal footswitch will allow you to tune the instrument, and an LCD indicator will show you the nearest note you’re tuning in. The backlit knobs on top are for fine-tuning your effects and double as a tuner indicator for micro-adjustments.
What I find helpful as well is that the backlights behind the knobs will also turn no when any of the footswitches are toggled. This makes it easy for anyone to know which knobs control which effects pedal. Those single knobs make the operation easy to understand.
When you risk getting feedback, you can also use the notch filter it comes with.
A small but nifty feature is the ability to plug in headphones to rehearse alone in a corner. This feature also helps in situations where you can monitor how your effects pedals affect the sound.
It’s got everything you need for a great performance. It’s a great choice for singer-songwriters, buskers, and even electric guitar players.
- Feature-packed yet intuitive
- All the effects sound great
- Sound good quickly with minimal tweaking
- Gig ready output connectivity
- A bit bulky
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″ , 1 x 1/8″ (Aux in)
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″ (Dry), 1 x 1/8″ (Headphones), 2 x XLR (DI pre, DI post), 2 x 1/4″ (Main out)
- Effects: Reverb, Delay, Chorus
- Features: Pre-shape, Boost, 3-Band EQ, Phase Revers, Tuner, Notch Filter
- Power Source: 9V DC
- Dimensions (L, W, H): 12.3″ x 4.5″ x 2.3″
- Bypass: Buffered
- Weight: 2.6 lbs.
TC Electronic BodyRez
Acoustic guitar pickups tend to sound incomplete or lacking resonance. This is because acoustic pickups such as piezo, magnetic, and sound rely on the vibration of the strings. Unless you have a mic pickup, they tend to sound isolating.
BodyRez Acoustic Pickup Pedal is an acoustic resonance enhancer that compensates for the lost frequencies you’ll get if you mic your guitar with a condenser. It promises a studio-quality sound that brings back your guitar’s natural resonance.
It only has one knob that allows you to dial the amount of body resonance. Feedback control and suppression are also built into the unit, so you don’t have to worry about any messy frequencies popping up—a must-have tool for acoustic guitarists who already have chorus, delay, and reverb pedals.
This is for acoustic guitar players who prefer the guitar’s natural tone without dabbling with mic setups. It’s a great fit.
- Eliminates the “piezo honk”
- Natural sounding acoustic tone
- Studio quality sound for live performance
- One trick pony
- A bit pricey for what it is
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Effects: Built-in Filter and Compression
- Features: Acoustic Pickup Enhancer, Built-in Feedback Suppression
- Power Source: 9V DC
- Dimensions (L, W, H): 1.9″ x 3.7″ x 1.9″
- Bypass: True Bypass
- Weight: 0.26 lbs.
SansAmp Para Driver DI V2
We’ve reviewed the SansAmp Para Driver V2 DI, which replaces the previous version. It retains the same functionality, and adds a Rumble Filter and Air. The Rumble Filter eliminates the boomy, low frequencies, and the Air adds that high-frequency “sparkle.”
This preamp pedal stands out because of its sound, which behaves as if it were mic’ing a tube amp, providing better warmth and presence while removing the harsh high-frequency harmonics of piezo pickups.
Controls include a semi-parametric EQ that affords you excellent mid-frequency control and a nifty drive knob. Finally, the Para Driver DI is built like a tank and can run on phantom power, which makes it convenient to carry around.
This versatile preamp works for acoustics and other instruments, including electric guitars and upright and electric basses.
- Versatile gear, works well with electric guitars and basses
- Adds warmth and presence to piezo pickups
- Built like a tank
- Tweak friendly
- Not an all in one unit (no effects)
- A bit bulky for a set and forget pedal
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″, 1 x XLR
- EQ: 3-Band EQ with Mid Shift
- Features: Rumble Filter, Air
- Dimensions (L, W, H): 3.75″ x 4.75″ x 2″
- Power Source: 9V DC
- Bypass: Buffered
- Weight: 0.875 lbs.
Good sound quality can be achieved in a lot of ways.
First of which is the preamp quality, which includes the built-in piezo system of your acoustic electric guitar. It can also be a combination of the preamp pedal and the pickup electronics. And it gets even more complex when you consider the preamps in your acoustic amp or in the PA system you’re plugging into.
The pedals featured here all have built-in preamps that are proven to enhance your acoustic sound. But if you want a dedicated preamp, you should look for the best acoustic guitar preamp, and add one to your pedal board.
Having high sample rate is also important. 24 to 32-bit processing and or 44.1 to 48kHz sample rate ranges usually yield good sound.
Another thing would be the effects provided. Does the sound of a reverb, delay, or chorus pedal enhance the sound? Or will too much pedal effects just ruin the sound that you want to achieve?
More often than not, all you need is just basic EQ, and maybe a touch of reverb. But don’t be afraid to experiment and play with different effect sounds.
Just like for electric guitar, there are standalone and multi-effects versions of acoustic guitar effects pedals.
Generally, you need an EQ, compressor, and some time-based effects such as chorus, reverb, and a delay pedal.
If you want multiple effects like chorus pedals, or even overdrive pedals, in one unit, you can go for an Acoustic Guitar Multi Effects Pedal.
For a one-man-band acoustic guitar rig, throw in a looper pedal. See which Loop Pedals received our highest ratings.
Pedals range from simple to complicated, depending on the person’s skill level. For beginners, it’s best to find a pedal bundle with a user-friendly interface. These usually provide a no-nonsense layout that you can explore and start dabbling with immediately.
Other pedals offer so much control, but you must get familiar with their controls and menu screens. Opt for the ones that are intuitive to use.
Most acoustic guitar players opt for a simple signal chain. But there are some who prefer complex setups to achieve unique sound textures.
The unit should be able to withstand some beating, especially if you’re a traveling musician. An aluminum or metal enclosure is your best bet in terms of longevity.
With the best acoustic guitar pedals listed here, you should know what setup is best for you. Whether you want resonance modeling, effects, or frequency enhancements for your guitar, our recommendations will give you the best bang for your buck.
Let us know if there are other noteworthy acoustic guitar pedals by listing them down in the comments section.
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One response to “Best Acoustic Guitar Pedals 2024 – Guitarsite Researched”
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Wow all these instruments are like treasure to me, i am learning guitar as i love music very much, i have a small band of my friends and i am looking forward to do shows on higher level, and i am gonna achieve that level…
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