The Studio Rats Studio Pedalboard 2024

Hi, I'm Paul from the studio. I keep getting asked about the effects I use in the studio, so I thought I'd go through my basic studio rig for recording guitars for these YouTube videos. I do this every year because things are always changing in the studio. In today's update, I'll show you exactly what I'm using, what's on my board, and what amps I'm using.

Normally, I do this overview annually, so if you're interested in seeing how my setup has evolved, you can look back at my previous videos. Today, I'll focus on my pedalboard because these pedals have been a staple for quite some time. I'm often asked what pedals I'm using, so I'll concentrate on that topic. If you'd like to see a future video covering more of my reverbs and post-recording effects, let me know in the comments below.

The Pedalboard Details

These four pedals are pretty much always on my board: a delay, something that wobbles, an overdrive, and a compressor. If you're interested in any of these pedals, I'll leave an affiliate link in the description. Purchasing through these links helps support the channel, but feel free to buy from elsewhere if you find a better deal.

Signal Flow: Right to Left

Keeley Plus Compressor: The first pedal in my signal flow is the Keeley Plus Compressor. If you're looking for a versatile compressor that works well with any guitar, this is the one. The Keeley Plus Compressor has a couple of useful features:
- A switch for single coils vs. humbuckers.
- A tone control to brighten darker guitars.
- A blend control to adjust the mix of the compressed and dry signals.
Even with the blend control rolled back, the Keeley Plus adds a nice pick attack to my notes while smoothing them out, which is why it's always on my board.
Strymon Riverside: Next in line is the Strymon Riverside. Despite it being digital, this overdrive pedal integrates well with any amplifier. Many guitarists are picky about analog tones, but the Riverside offers a broad spectrum from boost to high gain. It has a dual preset, allowing quick switching between different gain settings.
Harmonious Monk (Version 2) from Jam Pedals: This is a harmonic tremolo pedal that works perfectly for ambient work and hides mistakes, making it an excellent tool for live performances or recording.
Galaxy Echo from Universal Audio: The Galaxy Echo is a digital recreation of the old Space Echo. It's robust and maintains high fidelity even when overdrives are fed into it. I generally keep the delay subtle, but it can also provide a U2 Edge-style dotted eighth rhythm by adjusting the echo level.

Additional Tools

KHG Amp Switcher: This unit has become invaluable. It allows me to switch my pedalboard into any amplifier and route any amplifier into any speaker or load box. It can handle sending the signal into units like Tonex or QC (Quad Cortex) directly into my recording system without unplugging anything. At present, it enables me to switch seamlessly between Tonex and my Sano 100 amplifier.

These staples on my pedalboard are what I use for both recording and YouTube videos. While I do cycle in other effects for reviews or specific needs, these pedals provide the versatility and reliability I require.

For more detailed information on each pedal, click on the affiliate links in the description. Thanks for watching, and if you found this helpful, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell button to be notified of future videos.

Cheers, Paul

Keywords

Studio Pedalboard
Guitar Effects
Keeley Plus Compressor
Strymon Riverside
Harmonic Tremolo
Galaxy Echo
KHG Amp Switcher
Tonex
Quad Cortex

FAQ

Q1: What pedals are always on your pedalboard? A1: I always have a delay, something that wobbles, an overdrive, and a compressor on my pedalboard.

Q2: Why do you use a digital overdrive pedal like the Strymon Riverside? A2: The Strymon Riverside is versatile and works well with any amplifier, offering a broad spectrum from boost to high gain.

Q3: What makes the Keeley Plus Compressor special? A3: The Keeley Plus Compressor has a switch for single coils and humbuckers, a tone control, and a blend control, making it highly versatile.

Q4: What is the purpose of the KHG Amp Switcher? A4: The KHG Amp Switcher allows me to switch my pedalboard into any amplifier and route any amplifier into any speaker or load box, making it invaluable for a flexible studio setup.

Q5: How do you use your Galaxy Echo in your signal chain? A5: I use the Galaxy Echo to add a subtle delay that blends into the background, providing thickness to the tone without overshadowing the main signal.