How to Set Up a Distortion Pedal

A distortion pedal is an essential part of many electric guitar players' effects chain. A simple, inexpensive pedal can coax saturated lead tones from a jazz amplifier or add tube warmth to a solid-state design. Whatever its intended use, your distortion pedal must be set up properly to gain the best possible tone. Its physical connections, tonal settings and placement in an effects chain can change the final sound immensely.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Connect the pedal's power supply or, if it has a battery function, make sure the battery is inserted and properly connected.

2. Plug in a 1/4-inch instrument cable into the jack marked "Out" or "Output" on your pedal. Plug this cable into your amplifier or effects chain. Distortion pedals should generally be placed before effects like wah-wah, delay and reverb, but after signal compression.

3. Use another 1/4-inch cable to connect your guitar or previous effect pedal to the distortion pedal. Plug the cable into the pedal jack marked "In" or "Input."

4. Switch on your amplifier. Turn the pedal's gain and volume controls to "0" and any tone or equalization controls to the middle of their ranges. Tap the pedal's foot switch to activate it.

5. Play a note or chord on your instrument and let it ring. Slowly turn up the pedal's volume control until you can hear the signal from your amplifier. Then turn up the gain control until your tone has the desired amount of distortion saturation. Adjust the equalization controls to taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Balance the tone controls on your amplifier with those on the pedal. Different configurations of distortion and equalization can yield a variety of interesting tones.
• Unplug the instrument cable from the distortion pedal's input jack after use. If left plugged in, the pedal will continue to use power, draining batteries and creating a potential fire hazard.