The original intention of chorus pedals was to thicken and fatten guitar sounds. As such, they are a tone-enhancing tool. When partnered with overdrives, distortions, and fuzzes, they can add an extra dimension to the effect. Paired with time-based effects, like reverb and delay, the dreamy warble of modulation is a fantastic exciter. Chorus on delay tails and reverb decays adds depth, warmth, and character. Here are some dynamic suggestions for combining chorus with other effects.
PEDAL COMBINATIONS
Overdrive
Overdrive is an excellent effect for a thick, full-bodied guitar tone. But sometimes, guitarists need to take it a step further. Players can achieve this by stacking overdrive pedals, creating a more saturated tone. Still, sometimes additional saturation and more gain aren’t the solutions.
Pairing chorus with overdrive is a great way to add a little extra without further muddying your tone. A chorus pedal can help widen and add depth to a guitar tone when employed subtly. The detuning character of a chorus pedal can sound overpowering, so it’s best to keep the rate at a middle setting and the depth relatively low. Using chorus this way creates a more organic and less obvious tone, giving the effect of a second guitarist playing in unison with the original.
Zakk Wylde’s guitar tone on Ozzy Osbourne’s “Miracle Man” is a strong example of an overdriven guitar tone, enhanced by adding a chorus effect.
Recommended Pairings
- BOSS DC-2W and DS-1W
- BOSS CH-1 and BD-2
Fuzz
At the other end of the sonic spectrum, chorus can act as an aggressive partner to fuzz. Fuzz is naturally thick, rich, and full of cascading harmonics and soupy sustain. Used with a heavy chorus effect, together they create deep, synth-like tones. These sounds are perfect for huge riffs, doomy chords, or robotic lead work. While this pairing works best with a slow effect rate on the chorus, try turning the depth control to its full rotation for a massive sci-fi guitar sound.
Recommended Pairings
- BOSS CE-2W and FZ-1W
- BOSS DC-2W and FZ-5
"Fuzz is naturally thick, rich, and full of cascading harmonics and soupy sustain. Used with a heavy chorus effect, together they create deep, synth-like tones."
Delay
Adding a little modulation to a delay effect brings delay tails to life. Used subtly, the detuning nature of a chorus pedal can add an almost analog tape delay character to a digital delay. This feature can be handy for guitarists who want the rich, warm, modulated tails of tape delay but the precision of tap tempo and more controllable digital divisions.
In this instance, keeping the chorus pedal and delay cabled separately from the overdrives in an amplifier’s effects loop is often better. This separation will help to keep the chorus transparent, allowing it to act as a supportive addition to a delay. Prince’s guitar solo on his iconic “Purple Rain” is an example of chorus supporting and enhancing a delay to create a more musical tone.
Recommended Pairings
- BOSS CE-2W and RE-202
- BOSS CH-1 and DM-2W
Reverb
Reverb is the ideal effect for creating dreamy, ethereal soundscapes. Still, unaccompanied, a long decay time can sound dull and flat. Chorus can add some movement to the decay of a reverb pedal. Set with a slow rate and relatively high depth, the wavering detuning of the chorus creates movement in the reverberations, reinvigorating and adding depth to the effect.
This kind of effect pairing can work with either pedal order. Conventionally, the results will be subtle when players position chorus ahead of reverb in the chain. The artificial decay of the reverb will remain unaffected, but the natural decay of the guitar will retain the shifting warble of the chorus.
Reversing the order of the effects means the chorus will affect the reverb tails and the natural decay of the guitar. The result can sound a little muddy. However, it can be an excellent tool for aspiring soundscape creators. The chorus effect’s slow shifting, detuning, and widening creates a lead synth-like tone. Gently strum a chord, let it ring out, and listen as the modulated reverb tails do the rest.
Recommended Pairings
- BOSS CE-5 and RV-6
- BOSS CH-1 and RV-500
"Reverb is ideal for creating dreamy, ethereal soundscapes. Chorus can add some movement to the decay of a reverb pedal."
Setups
On a Pedalboard
Modulation is usually the center of a pedalboard. Drives and distortions precede modulation pedals, while delays and reverbs follow them. However, not only can chorus be central on a pedalboard, but it can also be central to a guitar tone. Chorus acts brilliantly as a subtle exciter to a clean tone. It also pairs well with almost every type of effects pedal. There’s a good reason bands like The Cure virtually never turn theirs off.
In an Effects Loop
While chorus works exceptionally well in a typical pedal chain running into the front of an amp, players can also place it in the effects loop. Guitarists who want to retain clarity tend to favor this approach. Like most modulation effects, a chorus pedal can boost the overall volume when engaged. Of course, this can be very desirable to enhance an overdrive. Still, if it’s just the chorus effect one wants to create, routing the pedal through the effects loop is the solution.
"A chorus pedal can boost overall volume when engaged. Of course, this can be very desirable to enhance an overdrive."
A Must-Have
Chorus is a must-have effects pedal for a pedalboard. It can sound fantastic on its own, but carefully used, it can widen, thicken, add character, sharpen, and redefine other effects.
Within the family of BOSS chorus pedals available, there is a broad range of features ideal for any application. From the vintage-inspired sound of the CE-2W and DC-2W to the modern and versatile CE-5 and CH-1, chorus should be an essential part of any player’s pedalboard.
