Introduction
Chorus pedals are an essential effect for any guitarist looking to add richness and dimension to their tone. This comprehensive guide will provide everything you need to know about chorus pedals, from understanding how they work to choosing the best chorus pedal for your needs. We’ll also highlight why chorus effects are so important for crafting lush guitar sounds.
A chorus pedal creates a lush, thick sound by duplicating your original guitar tone and slightly detuning and delaying the duplicate tones. This results in a doubling effect that makes your guitar tone sound wider and more textured. Chorus adds movement and warmth that makes clean tones come alive and overdriven tones sound huge. It’s an effect that has been used by countless iconic guitarists to create unforgettable sounds.
While often subtle, chorus can dramatically shape your overall guitar tone. This makes selecting the right chorus pedal crucial for achieving the lush effects you want. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which pedals deliver the best analog and digital chorus effects. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when shopping for a chorus pedal. You’ll also learn how to effectively use chorus in your rig and discover our top recommendations for achieving glorious chorus tones.
What is a Chorus Pedal and How Does it Work?
A chorus pedal creates a lush, thick sound by duplicating your original guitar signal and slightly modulating the pitch of the duplicated signal. This creates an effect that sounds like multiple guitars playing in unison, adding richness and depth to the tone.
The key component of a chorus pedal is an LFO (low frequency oscillator). The LFO generates a waveform that modulates the pitch of the duplicated signal up and down very subtly and rapidly. This creates an oscillating "chorusing" effect.
Most chorus pedals also contain:
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Delay circuit – This duplicates the original signal and delays it by anywhere from 10 to 30 milliseconds. The delayed signal is then pitch modulated by the LFO.
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Mix control – Allows you to blend the modulated delayed signal with your dry guitar sound.
There are two main types of chorus pedals:
Analog Chorus Pedals
- Use analog circuitry like BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) chips to create the delay and modulation.
- Known for being warm, organic, and vintage sounding.
- Can be a bit noisier than digital pedals.
- Examples are the classic Boss CE-1 and EHX Small Clone.
Digital Chorus Pedals
- Use a digital processor to create the chorus effect.
- Tend to be cleaner, more precise, and less noisy than analog pedals.
- Offer more control over parameters.
- Don’t color the tone as much as analog circuits.
- Examples are the TC Electronic Corona Chorus and Boss CE-5.
History of Chorus Pedals
The chorus effect has been popular since the 1970s, when various manufacturers began producing pedals to recreate this studio effect in a stompbox. Some of the most iconic and influential chorus pedals emerged during the golden era of analog effects.
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
Released in 1976, the Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble was one of the very first chorus pedals ever made. It featured Boss’s proprietary BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) analog delay circuitry to produce a rich, dimensional chorus effect. The CE-1 had a single knob for Rate control and a switch for choosing between Chorus and Vibrato modes. Its lush, shimmering chorus tones made it popular among guitarists like Andy Summers of The Police.
Electro-Harmonix Small Clone
The Electro-Harmonix Small Clone hit the market in 1976 as a more compact and affordable analog chorus pedal. Using four MN3007 BBD chips, it produced a distinctive swirling, watery chorus effect that was widely used by Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. The Small Clone only has a single Depth knob to control the intensity of the chorus effect. Known for its recognizable "comedian" graphics, the Small Clone delivers an organic, retro chorus sound.
TC Electronic Stereo Chorus+
In the 1990s, TC Electronic brought chorus pedals into the digital domain with their revolutionary Stereo Chorus+. It uses TC’s advanced DSP technology to offer incredibly realistic and immersive stereo chorus effects. The pedal provides controls for Rate, Depth, Mix, Tone, and Effect Level, plus options for storing presets. The Stereo Chorus+ set a new standard for flexibility and stereo imaging in a chorus stompbox.
Strymon Deco
The Strymon Deco is a modern dual-engine pedal that combines chorus and slapback echo effects. It models the sounds of vintage tape saturation and doubletracker units used in studios. With its warm tape emulation and pristine 24-bit chorus, the Deco brings rich, animated chorus textures reminiscent of classic recordings. It offers extensive tone-shaping controls and presets for crafting pro-level chorus tones.
Choosing the Right Chorus Pedal
When selecting a chorus pedal for your setup, there are several key factors to consider that will determine how the pedal sounds and performs. The most important considerations are:
Analog vs Digital
The first major decision is analog vs digital chorus. Analog chorus pedals use old-school bucket brigade delay chips to produce the chorus effect. This creates rich, warm, and organic chorus tones. However, analog pedals can be noisier and don’t offer as much control over parameters.
Digital chorus pedals use DSP and algorithms to model analog chorus sounds. These pedals are cleaner, more versatile, and offer more control over the effect. However, some guitarists feel that digital chorus lacks the depth and character of analog circuits.
Mono vs Stereo
Next, decide whether you want a mono or stereo chorus pedal. Mono chorus mixes the wet and dry signal together into a single output. Stereo chorus pedals output the wet and dry signals separately, creating a wider, more immersive chorus effect.
Stereo chorus pedals require a stereo setup to take full advantage of the effect. However, even in a mono signal chain, stereo chorus pedals can sound bigger and more three-dimensional.
Number of Voices
Look at the number of distinct chorus voices or modes the pedal offers. More voices provide a wider range of chorus textures and tones. However, more voices can also make the pedal more complex to dial in.
Simple chorus pedals with just 1-2 voices still sound great and are easier to operate. But for maximum versatility, look for pedals with 4+ distinct chorus modes.
Bypass Type
Finally, consider the bypass type – true bypass or buffered bypass. True bypass completely removes the pedal from the signal chain when off for zero tone loss. Buffered bypass keeps the input signal buffered when off for reduced noise and signal integrity.
For chorus pedals, either bypass type works well. True bypass is ideal for guitarists who want zero effect on their base tone. Buffered bypass helps preserve the chorus effect when multiple pedals are chained together.
Top 10 Best Chorus Pedals on the Market
When it comes to chorus pedals, there are many excellent options to choose from. Here are 10 of the top chorus pedals guitarists should consider for their rig:
Boss CE-2W Waza Craft
The Boss CE-2W is a reimagined version of the legendary CE-2 analog chorus, featuring warm analog BBD chorus tones. This pedal provides studio-quality stereo chorus effects with rate, depth, and level controls. The CE-2W delivers a rich, dimensional chorus sound that is ideal for clean and distorted guitar tones.
Walrus Audio Julianna
The Walrus Audio Julianna is a unique analog stereo chorus pedal with advanced controls. It features three chorus modes, as well as delay, vibrato, and detune effects. Julianna provides lush, shimmering chorus textures perfect for ambient playing. The tone knob allows you to shape the voicing, while the lag knob adjusts the stereo width.
MXR Analog Chorus
MXR’s Analog Chorus delivers a pure analog chorus tone that preserves the natural tone of your instrument. It features three simple controls – level, rate, and depth – allowing you to dial in subtle shimmers to intense swirling chorus effects. The all-analog signal path provides rich, warm analog chorus tones.
Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone
The Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone is an analog chorus pedal that produces lush, dimensional chorus tones at an affordable price point. It features just rate and depth knobs, providing a simple interface to craft stereo-like chorus effects. The Neo Clone is known for its solid chorus tones without excessive coloration of your natural tone.
Using a Chorus Pedal Effectively
A chorus pedal can be a versatile tool for guitarists looking to expand their tonal palette. However, it does take some experimentation to dial in the ideal chorus sound for your rig. Here are some tips on how to effectively use a chorus pedal:
Typical Settings and Parameters
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Rate/Speed – This controls the speed of the LFO (low frequency oscillator) that creates the chorus effect. Start around 9 or 10 o’clock for a nice moderate speed. Faster rates sound more dramatic.
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Depth – Controls the intensity of the pitch modulation. Lower depth around 9 o’clock is more subtle, while higher settings are more pronounced.
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Level/Mix – Blends the wet modulated signal with the dry guitar signal. Try 50/50 as a starting point. Lower mix for subtle thickening or higher for strong chorus effect.
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Tone – Found on some pedals. Rolls off high frequencies if desired for darker, smoother modulation.
Placement in the Signal Chain
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Place chorus after dirt/distortion for a more dramatic and dynamic modulation effect.
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Place before dirt pedals for a smoother, less articulated chorus tone.
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Generally place before delays/reverbs so those effects process the modulated signal.
Creative Uses
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Use a subtle chorus to fatten up clean chordal playing or arpeggios.
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Add chorus to a distorted lead tone for extra animation and movement.
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Set a slow rate and high depth for trippy "seasick" modulation effects.
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Use chorus to double your guitar track and create a 12-string tone.
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Combine with reverb for lush, dreamy soundscapes.
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Use chorus on bass for added richness and complexity in the low end.
Chorus Pedals for Bass Guitars
Chorus pedals can provide some great tonal benefits for bass players. The modulation effect helps to "fatten up" and widen the bass tone, adding movement and interest. This can be especially useful for funk, reggae, and other rhythmic styles of music where a static bass sound can get boring.
Some of the top recommended chorus pedals for bass include:
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Boss CE-B Bass Chorus: This bass-specific pedal has EQ shaping to maintain low end and stereo outputs for a huge stereo chorus effect. The CE-B is an analog chorus pedal with Rate, Depth, and Level controls.
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MXR M234 Analog Chorus: With its all-analog circuitry, the M234 delivers rich, warm chorus tones perfect for bass. It has a Bass Boost switch to optimize frequency response for bass guitars.
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TC Electronic Corona Chorus: This mini pedal packs a punch with its Tri-Chorus mode and TonePrint technology to customize your tone. It’s very affordable yet sounds great on bass.
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Source Audio Gemini Chorus: For maximum flexibility, the Gemini provides 12 different chorus modes and stereo outputs. You can store and recall presets for instant access to custom tones.
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Electro-Harmonix Bass Clone: Modeled after the sought-after Small Clone, the Bass Clone chorus is optimized for bass with additional headroom and low end retention.
Chorus pedals help make bass lines more distinct in the mix and add interest to bass tone for more dynamics. Experiment with different rate and depth settings to find the sweet spot.
Chorus Pedal Alternatives
While dedicated chorus pedals are popular for creating rich, modulated guitar tones, there are some other effect pedal options that can achieve similar sounds. Two alternatives worth considering are vibrato and flanger pedals.
Vibrato Pedals
A vibrato pedal creates a wavering pitch effect by modulating your instrument’s tone up and down very quickly. This is done through an LFO that shifts the pitch slightly sharp and flat. The result is a shimmery, warbling sound that is reminiscent of a chorus effect.
The main difference between chorus and vibrato is that chorus mixes your dry signal with a delayed, modulated signal, while vibrato directly modulates the original signal. So vibrato pedals function more like a built-in tremolo bar on your guitar.
Some popular vibrato pedals include:
- Boss VB-2 Vibrato
- Dunlop JD-6 Stereo Analog Tremolo/Vibrato
- Fulltone Deja-Vibe Stereo Vibrato
- TC Electronic Shaker Vibrato
Vibrato pedals can be a great alternative to chorus when you want more of an oscillating, pitch-shifting effect rather than a doubled tone. They work especially well for psychedelic, retro, and surf rock tones.
Flanger Pedals
A flanger creates swirling, jet plane-like effects by mixing your original signal with a slightly delayed, modulated copy. This produces comb filter peaks and notches that swoosh up and down.
While flanger and chorus effects are similar, a flanger has a much more dramatic sweeping effect. Chorus tends to be more subtle, while flanger is immediately obvious as an effect.
Some excellent flanger pedal options include:
- MXR M117R Flanger
- Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress
- BOSS BF-3 Flanger
- TC Electronic Vortex Flanger
Flangers work great for spacey, psychedelic tones. They can also be used more subtly to add texture and interest to chords, arpeggios, and lead lines.
So if you want an alternative to chorus that provides more dramatic pitch modulation and movement, try out a dedicated vibrato or flanger pedal. They can cover a similar sonic territory while also having their own unique sound qualities.
Chorus in the Studio
Chorus pedals can be a powerful creative tool not only for live performance but also in the recording studio. When tracking guitar or bass, using a chorus pedal enables you to capture rich, dimensional tones right from the source. This saves time compared to having to add chorus effects during the mixing process.
Recording with Chorus
Many guitarists like to record their rhythm tracks clean without effects, then overdub lead lines and solos with chorus enabled. This helps separate the rhythm and lead tones. For extra thickness, double track the chorused guitar parts. Chorus is also useful when stacking multiple guitar tracks, as it prevents them from sounding too muddy.
When recording bass, light chorus can add fullness and movement to the low end. Blend the dry direct signal with a chorused amp or pedal track. Start with the effect subtle, then increase depth for sections that need more animation.
Chorus in Mixing
If you didn’t use chorus while tracking, it can still be applied during mixing. Add it to guitars or keyboards to enhance the sense of space and stereo width. Use a stereo chorus plugin or send the track to a bus with a chorus effect insert.
When mixing vocals, mild chorus can give a dreamy, retro vibe. It works well on backing vocals to achieve a doubling effect. Auto-panning chorus effects can help make a vocal sit better in a dense mix by avoiding buildup in the center.
By automating the chorus rate or depth, mixes can evolve dynamically over time. For example, bring the chorus on a guitar in and out for emphasis during certain passages. Get creative with chorus to give mixes exciting new dimensions.
Conclusion
Chorus pedals have become a staple effect for guitar and bass players looking to add depth, warmth, and movement to their tone. As we’ve covered in this guide, they can provide anything from subtle thickening to seasick undulation by duplicating the instrument’s signal and modulating the delay time.
When choosing a chorus pedal, it’s important to consider the analog vs. digital debate and whether you need mono or stereo operation. You’ll also want to factor in the number of voices/modes, ease of use, bypass type, and your budget. While boutique pedals offer ultimate versatility, you can still find great sounds in more affordable units from trusted brands.
Placement is key – chorus sounds best before overdrive and distortion. And don’t be afraid to get creative with combining chorus with other effects like reverb and delay. For bassists, chorus is a highly effective way to fatten up the low end.
The pedals covered in this guide represent some of the top options on the market, from modern classics to vintage units to next-generation designs. Ultimately, chorus is about finding the right balance of depth and rate to complement your playing style. Keep an open mind, experiment often, and your chorus pedal will become an integral part of your signature tone.