Overdrive Effects
Overdrive Effects
How can I connect my guitar to a PA system?
I realise I can connect the guitar straight into the mixer but just sounds flat and clean and has no distortion/overdrive effect like on an amplifier.
I need to figure out how to achieve the best sound/tone without causing any damage. Do I have to buy a combo amp and mic it or can I connect an amp head to the PA? Cheers!
Guitar ----> Amplifier
Instrument Mic in front of Amp -----> P.A.
P.A. -----> Speakers for the audience to hear everything at a balanced volume level
P.A. -----> Monitors for the band to hear themsleves
I would avoid direct in at all costs, if you pay good money for an amp and speaker, you want people to hear it as it really sounds. Which also means a quality instrument mic (not a vocal mic) would be a good idea as well.
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 Dunlop MXR Zakk Wylde ZW44 Overdrive Guitar Effect Pedal  US $75.00
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 Ibanez TS808 Overdrive Guitar Effect Pedal MINT US $99.99
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 Lovepedal Les Lius Overdrive Guitar Effect Pedal US $122.50
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 Danelectro Fab Tone effects Pedal Overdrive US $8.50
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 lightly used Hermida Audio Distortion overdrive boutique guitar effects pedal US $155.00
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 Boss OD 3 Overdrive Guitar Effect Pedal US $30.00
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Guitar Effects Pedals: A Buying Guide
Guitar effects pedals (or "stompboxes") have been a mainstay in guitarists' sound-palettes since the early 1960's when engineer Roger Mayer is purported to have built the first guitar effects pedals, the "fuzz" pedal (the precurser of the modern overdrive and distortion pedal) and the wah-pedal. Mayer's creations graced the stages of such rock luminaries as Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix (supposedly, Mayer created the first pedals for his friend Page in the early 1960's). Mayer's legacy lives on, as guitar effects are used by guitar players across the globe.
Guitarists use effects pedals to give themselves a wider variety of sound choices to use during recording or live performances. While different amplifiers can offer some of the alternatives, not many amplifiers have built-in effects. Besides, guitar players would have to go to their amplifiers every time they wanted to make a change. Effects pedals are much more convenient, especially since guitarists often change tones in the middle of a song.
Not unlike the electric guitar and amplifier itself, effects pedals contribute to guitarists having a broad range of tonal expression. Today, even classical and acoustic guitarists use these effects, though they tend to avoid the distortion, overdrive, and wah pedals used by electric guitarists.
Since the first pedals were created, rack-mounted guitar effects have become more common. These were more popular during the 1980's, thanks to companies like Yamaha and Eventide. Since rack gear requires a more sophisticated and time-consuming approach (not to mention considerably more money) than pedals, most guitar players prefer effects pedals for their simplicity and tweakability.
When they have their effects selected, most guitar players will mount their pedals on a pedalboard to facilitate transportation and storage of their effects. This system makes it much easier to activate the pedals as well, since they are contained in a relatively small space. Since wah and volume pedals operate a bit differently (they are rocked back and forth rather than simply switched on), they are mounted to make this usage easier.
For ease of use, most (if not all) effects pedals can be turned on or off with a simple step of the toe, which can be useful in many musical situations. For example, if one wanted to switch from a heavily distorted tone to a clean tone quickly and easily, in order to have different tones for different sections of the song, it's easy to do so. Another quick motion and the distorted tone returns. Simple!
It's safe to say that most guitarists expend a lot of effort to get the "perfect" sound, and this involves configuring their guitars, amps, and effects pedals in the right combination. There are many different types of effects for players to chose from today: delay, vibrato, tremolo, chorus, pitch-shifting, flanger, overdrive, distortion, and the list goes on and on. Such effects can have significant changes on a guitarist's sound, which explains their ever-increasing popularity.
So if you are a developing electric guitar player who wants to explore new sonic landscapes, check out some guitar effects pedals today!
About the Author
Author R. S. Rasnick is the owner of JustEffectsPedals.com, where you can find all the effects pedals mentioned in this article and many, many more!