Effects unit

An effects unit is in music a device or software plugin to change an audio signal. This can be done mechanically, electronically, digitally, or in respective combination. Even conventional instruments are added by means of suitable devices, additional effects.

• 2.1 effects
• 2.2 insert loop

Effect devices

Can not always be an effect unit identified with a group, because often different physical effects are combined to achieve the desired effect.

Level -based effects units

Level -based effects units of dynamic processing in the rule. You use the level as a control signal. The most commonly used compressor, limiter and gate. In addition, there are further oriented level effects, such as the Chopper, tremolo and transient designer. Also, effects such as the triggered cross-fading the signal source to different output channels (Pan Flip, ducking ) are level- oriented.

Spectral modifying effect devices

This type of effect devices makes changes in the frequency domain. The spectral modifying effect devices include pitch shifter, harmonizer (sometimes in the form formantkontrollierbarer ), ring modulator, vocoder ( Talkbox ), phaser, Leslie speakers, and Auto-Tune or Intonator. Simple shapes are fixed or variable filter (equalizer, wah -wah )

Distorting effects devices

Distortion change the signal structure, by adding overtones. Distorting effects on the one hand Distortion, Fuzz and Overdrive, which give the signal through targeted control of a typical, well-known of distorted rock guitar sound. On the other hand, these include the Rectifier ( not to be confused with rectifier ), the enhancer or exciter, that enhance the signal in the overtone override free. See also: Bitcrusher.

Delay -oriented effect devices

In this type of effect devices, the change of the sound is produced by mixing the original signal with a delayed Double, which can lead to comb filtering effects depending on the design. The typical delay time -based effects units are the reverb ( Hall ), the delay or echo, the chorus, vibrato and flanger.

Time-oriented effect devices

In the time-oriented effects devices to find the Time Shifter. Another group is formed by sample-based effect units, for which there is no generalized terms. Such devices resample (save) the input signal mostly at run time and give more or less modified time segments from him again that blend into each other.

Guitar

Guitar effects units are usually during the game (also live) operated by the guitarist himself. They are therefore operated with the foot and stand on the floor in front of the guitarist. Therefore, they are often referred to as " ground - effects ", " stomp " or similarly labeled. Also, the term " land mine " / " land mine " is common - the Arbiter Fuzz Face Fuzz remembered in the sixties by its round shape and the foot switch to a land mine.

The term " ground effect" is also used for complex multi-effects with several footswitches, while " stomp " rather refers to the simpler devices. The foot control allows simple switching device depending on the effect or continuous control by rocker pedal; For example, wah-wah.

As an alternative to the ground - effects, there are 19 "effects processors, which usually include a variety of effects (or better quality ) and are controlled by the guitarist via MIDI pedals. Increasingly, however, are also found these effects processors modified as soil effects again.

Musical effect devices are often used in audio processing. Guitar effects are specifically adapted to the needs of guitarists and the typical frequency range of the guitar.

Effects

Typical effect devices that are used with guitars, are:

• Booster ( the gain of the signal )
• Chorus
• Delay, Echo
• Enhancers, limiters
• Equalizer
• Flanger
• Compressor
• Reverb ( Reverb)
• Octave
• Phase Shifter
• Phaser
• Pitch Shifter ( Harmonizer )
• Tremolo, vibrato
• Distortion (Distortion, Fuzz, Overdrive )
• Wah - Wah

Specific effect devices:

• " Envelope filter ", " Synth Wah ", "Auto Wah "
• Looper (sampler, Phrase Sampler )
• "Slow Gear" and " Slow Motion" ( swelling of the clay like a string instrument ) * " sustainer / Feedbacker " (electromagnetic actuators for vibration excitation of the guitar strings ): E -Bow, Fernandes Sustainer Guitar Resonator
• Talkbox.

Insert point

To obtain a desired sound, the use of guitar effects in the signal requires special arrangements. So usually level- altering effects such as volume pedal, compressor, distortion and wah-wah be switched between guitar and preamp. We thus obtain influence over the override behavior of the precursor. Nonlinear effects such as reverb, modulation effects and equalizer is switched on usually in the effects loop, that is, between preamplifier and power amplifier so that they are not overloaded. Individual and depending on the usage of this is also handled differently. For example, an equalizer is connected before the pre-press, in order to change the sound of the guitar itself explicitly. Modulation and delay effects in stompbox form are usually designed for being connected before the output stage. But it requires a parallel or serial insert the guitar amp itself, which makes the internal amplifier signal between preamp and power amp on outwardly directed connections available for this arrangement. A serial Insert option interrupts the internal signal path and passes the signal through the effect, while a parallel grinding allows the continuous addition of the effect signal to the amplifier.

E- bass

Effects for Electric Basses hardly differ from those of electric guitars. However, they are often tailored to the low frequency spectrum of the electric bass.

Hammond

Typical effects unit for the Hammond organ is the Leslie speaker cabinet.

Wind Instruments

In brass instruments such as trumpet and trombone are, especially in jazz, sound damper for influencing and shaping used, such as the wah - wah.