Compared to the plethora of modulation effects available today, vibrato is one of the more niche options. A pedal enthusiast might overlook the effect for something more conventional, like chorus or tremolo. However, despite its uncommon traits, vibrato can be a versatile tool to expand and excite any guitarist’s tonal palate. It can create the familiar rhythmic warble of classic rock, the warped sci-fi soundscapes of prog, and much more. Find out how to use this singular effect, both subtle and extreme, authentic and outlandish.
What is Vibrato?
In a rudimentary sense, vibrato is similar to tremolo. Both effects manipulate the guitar signal in a simple speed-based rhythmic manner. Both effects allow the player to control both the rhythm’s speed and the effect’s depth. Where they differ is that tremolo manipulates volume, whereas vibrato manipulates pitch.
In fact, vibrato has more in common with chorus than tremolo. Chorus works by splitting the signal in two, applying a rhythmically shifting pitch to one, and leaving the other unaffected. Vibrato is simply the affected signal without adding the clean parallel signal of a chorus effect.
Vibrato History
Vibrato has a complex and confusing history. This is mainly due to misnaming in the fledgling days of electric guitars, amplifiers, and effects. For this reason, and also probably the effect’s similarities to chorus, vibrato often gets overlooked. That said, vibrato has recently moved into something of a renaissance period. The introduction of the BOSS VB-2W came when the original VB-2 skyrocketed in price on the pre-owned market. Legendary bassist Juan Alderte considers vibrato the definitive modulation effect for creative players.
"Tap tempo, controllable divisions, and accurate playback intervals make digital delay ideal for performances."
How to Use a Vibrato Pedal
Most vibrato pedals will share two core controls; rate and depth. Rate controls the speed of the pitch modulation and can achieve anything from vinyl-like warping to a lightning-fast siren. Depth controls the extremity of the effect. When set low, the vibrato will add a subtle movement to your playing. However, set to a higher depth, the effect will be extreme, with the note’s pitch shifting well beyond the conventional range of vibrato.
A unique feature of the BOSS VB-2W is the addition of a Rise Time control. The feature allows players to define the speed at which the effect moves between the original and affected pitch. This is extremely useful for creating usable, realistic vibrato and tailoring the vibrato precisely.
FIVE VIBRATO PEDAL USES
Subtle Movement
Vibrato is capable of some outrageous rhythmic pitch shifting. Yet it can also elevate straightforward progressions and picked chords by adding gentle movement to the music.
To achieve this sort of tone, keep both the depth and the rate controls below 9 o’clock. While this might seem minimal, the gentle movement adds vibe without being too audible or noticeably altering the pitch. The slower you set the rate, the less impact any rhythmic mismatch between the effect speed and the progression will have.
"Vibrato can elevate straightforward progressions and picked chords by adding gentle movement to the music."
Space Siren
At the other end of the spectrum, vibrato can be an excellent tool for creating wild science fiction-like tones. The range of the rate and depth controls can get pushed well beyond what would be physically possible with a whammy bar or note bend.
With the rate and depth control set at around 3 o’clock and the rise control set to maximum, a single note will sound like a fast-paced siren or raygun. Apply this to a simple bassline for a powerful impact. Although this setting might not get used often, it can be an excellent option for those looking for something edgy and unusual.
Warped Vinyl
One of vibrato’s most exciting and unusual capabilities is making a guitar sound like it’s played on an old, warped vinyl record. This might not be the most practical use for vibrato, but it can be an interesting studio trick for subtle intros and interludes.
To achieve this effect, bring the rate down to its lowest possible setting. Then, set the rise as high as it will go and the depth to around 12 o’clock. However, this can be lower if the effect is too overpowering. The result is a plodding rhythmic pitch shift—defined and audible but not as obvious as a typical mid-speed vibrato setting.
"One of vibrato’s most exciting and unusual capabilities is making a guitar sound like it’s played on an old, warped vinyl record."
Chorus Style
As the vibrato pedal has much in common with chorus, it stands to reason that it can perform a similar role in a guitarist’s setup. The lack of the unaffected split signal makes vibrato more overt. Still, like any modulation effect, it does a great job of exciting a guitar tone, adding a thick layer of underwater presence.
To achieve a simple chorus-like vibrato tone, set the rate at around 1-2 o’clock, the rise time around 12 o’clock, and the depth a little under 11 o’clock. This is probably the most conventional way to use vibrato, but the results are lush, rich, and timeless.
Unlatched Accenting
A great feature of the BOSS VB-2W is the addition of Unlatched mode. This allows the player to bring the vibrato in and out of the performance, with the effect only activating when the pedal gets suppressed. Unlatched mode adds an organic vibrato flutter to the end of progressions or held notes.
Suppose the effect is too overpowering for a particularly detailed phrase but suits a sustained note at the end of the melody. In that case, use the unlatched mode to apply the vibrato to only the desired note without clunkily tapping the pedal on and off.
"Unlatched mode is useful for adding an organic vibrato flutter to the end of progressions or held notes."
A Wild and Wonderful Sound
Vibrato is a wonderful, wild effect with myriad applications for various musical genres. It can be a great all-in-one solution for modulation enthusiasts. The effect is equally helpful in creating subtle, gentle movements as space-age madness. It also pairs exceptionally well with several other effects.
