A volume pedal can be used as a swell effect on it’s own or in your effects loop after delays and reverbs. Some volume pedals allow you to adjust the feel of the pedal, the taper (a log control increases volume slowly at the beginning and steeply near the end) and other features.
Ernie Ball VP Jr.
The VP Jr is the latest generation of Ernie Ball’s world-renowned volume pedal, adding an onboard chromatic tuner to this compact, rugged pedal. The tuner isn’t just a gimmicky add-on—it’s an extremely useful tool, with the same functionality as many standalone tuners on the market. The VP Jr’s large, smartphone-like touchscreen monitor displays a graphic volume display and a fast, accurate chromatic tuner. The tuner is activated when the pedal is in the heel down position, allowing for silent tuning, and double tapping the screen displays a pitch menu, enabling the user to select any desired reference frequency above or below standard 440 Hz.
The Ernie Ball VP Jr is a compact, rugged, and reliable pedal, with the same high-quality components as their full-sized mono volume pedals. Its 25,000 ohm potentiometer is ideally voiced for passive pickup signals and delivers smooth, consistent volume control. The VP Jr’s durable Kevlar cable and stainless steel springs ensure that your tone stays clear and unchanged, no matter how aggressively you work the pedal.
A recessed micro taper switch located behind the input jack area allows users to choose between two distinct volume swell rates, perfect for creating dramatic pedal steel-like effects or subtle adjustments. The VP Jr also includes an onboard battery status LED and a convenient input jack for easy chaining of multiple pedals.
The VPJR is a great addition to any pedalboard, especially for guitarists with long effect chains. Its discrete buffer circuit means that it doesn’t require a separate pedal for bypass, so you can save space and power. And it’s a godsend for musicians with buffer-sensitive pedals, like simple fuzzes and envelope filters, which may experience tonal shifts when placed after the VP. But perhaps the best feature of the VPJR is its compact, junior-sized chassis, which is a welcome relief for guitarists with cramped pedalboards. This is one of the most versatile, useful volume pedals on the market and is worth considering for your next guitar rig.
Dunlop DVP4
The Dunlop DVP4 is a compact volume pedal that can also double as an expression pedal. This pedal has a wide range of control, which makes it perfect for bassists. It has a compact size that fits the smallest of pedal boards, and is made with a sturdy construction. It is a passive pedal, so it does not require any external power supply. This makes it a great addition to any pedalboard.
A volume pedal is a must-have for any guitarist or bassist. This is because it allows you to control your volume level without interrupting your signal. It is also easy to use, as you can simply place it on top of your other effects pedals and press on the rocker to adjust the volume. Using a volume pedal can make your sound more dynamic, as it allows you to change the tone of your guitar in various ways.
You can use a volume pedal for instant muting, rolling back the gain to clean up a dirty amp, or to add a violin-like effect to your notes. A good volume pedal can make all the difference in your sound. It can also help you to be a more creative player by adding swells to your solos.
The DVP4 is a compact volume and expression pedal that can fit the smallest of pedalboards. It has a jack that can be used for connecting a tuner, and an internal pot that lets you set the minimum expression level. You can also reverse the heel and toe action with an internal switch. The DVP4 is perfect for musicians who need a small pedal to save space on their pedalboards. It is a very durable pedal, and the rocker is extremely smooth. It also has a long throw, which is ideal for musicians who need a precise and expressive footswitch. The downside to this pedal is that it can be a bit pricey, especially for a simple volume pedal. It might be worth considering a cheaper alternative to the DVP4. It will depend on how much you use the pedal and what your budget is.
Mission Engineering VM-1
The Mission Engineering VM-1 is an extremely capable and well-made volume pedal that will work with almost any bass guitar. It’s also quite attractive and will look great on your pedalboard or under a keyboard. It even has an LED base that can glow in three selectable colors! The VM-1 is made with expert point-to-point wiring and features an isolated tuner output, making it a reliable choice for your pedalboard. It is also rated for more than a million operations.
The VM-1 offers some nice options that set it apart from other volume pedals, including an adjustable trim pot for heel down/minimum volume and a switchable sparkle control. Its travel is silky smooth and its buffer helps keep the signal clean. This makes the VM-1 a good choice for use with active pickups and vintage fuzz pedals that can be incompatible with traditional volume pedals.
Another cool feature of the VM-1 is its Ultrasweep technology, which ensures that the volume swells are exceptionally smooth. This is especially important for ambient and P&W styles, where smooth swells are essential to the sound. Other features of this pedal include an independent tuner output and a hard-as-nails cold-rolled steel chassis. The VM-1 operates at 500K impedance and is suitable for most passive basses.
This is a high-end boutique volume pedal with an extensive list of features that will make it the perfect complement to your bass. Its rugged construction includes hand-wired input and outputs connected directly through the potentiometer and a separate tuner output that is fully isolated from the main output. It also has an onboard mute switch and a bright LED indicator. This volume pedal is compatible with both active and passive basses and can be used in front of most distortion or gain pedals. It will not suck your tone like many other volume pedals and can operate on either a 9V battery or AC power. It is very easy to use and works with a standard 3.5mm (1/4-inch) cable, so it will fit most pedalboards. Its slick design and premium features make it a great choice for any pedalboard.
EHX Volume Pedal
Rugged and road-worthy, this pedal enables you to attenuate your signal anywhere in your signal chain. Its two impedance options deliver universal compatibility, while the lightweight design is ideal for gigging musicians. It’s also passive, so no power is required to operate it.
The EHX Volume Pedal is designed to be the best expression pedal for bass guitars, but it’s versatile enough to work with any device that has an expression input. It features a TRS polarity switch, a Reverse button and an onboard range control to make it easy to fine-tune the expression sweep. You can even use this pedal as an output buffer to isolate your rig from effects.
If you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive volume pedal, this is the one to consider. It has a solid feel and is very responsive. The only downside is that it doesn’t rest in a flat position, but rather in a toe-down position. The pedal will move away from you if you step on it too hard, especially if you’re playing on carpet.
Toggle between buffered bypass and effect mode by tipping the pedal forward in the toe direction past the flat position. You don’t need to tip the pedal all the way to activate effect mode, 25% of the total forward travel will do. The EHX logo in the center of the pedal will light when in effect mode. The current draw is 12mA when in operation.
The next pedal on our list is the Electro-Harmonix Octave Rhythm Pedal, which is designed to provide you with a range of expressive possibilities. This pedal has a lot of features that make it great for both beginners and professionals alike. It has a wide variety of controls that let you adjust the range of your expression, including the octave range and the amount of range you can move with each tap. It’s also easy to set up and comes with a convenient carry case.