Read this article to the end if you are looking for the best chorus pedal for distortion. In the mid-1970s, the first set of independent chorus pedals and thickening, moist, and dull effects made them famous, inspiring many people to go into chorus pedal production.
In the 1980s, many producers and guitarists abused distortion effects, and purple rain was the most iconic chorus pedal ever used. As a guitarist, if you do not use a reliable chorus pedal, you are missing out on getting the best guitar tones ever.
Ever since the first manufacture of chorus pedals, these pedals have recreated the art of playing guitar. Of course, the truth is chorus no longer intrigued guitarists at some point, but there are numerous reasons why you need to look at our five best chorus pedals for distortion today.
After its overuse in the 1980s, chorus pedals became some notable guitarist’s best friends. We talk about prominent guitar players like Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Kurt Cobain, and several other devoted guitar players.
Apart from using chorus pedals for distortion for live performance, these pedals meet expectations when used in a recording studio setting. For example, chorus pedals helped shaped the bass tone of popular produce Andy Wallace, leading to their return in the early 2000s.
No matter what you need a chorus pedal for, whether for thickening guitar sounds or adding movement to ambient parts, chorus pedals remain one of the most valuable tools a guitarist needs.
Coloring and thickening sounds are what the chorus pedal knows how to do best. Turning a dry and sterile tone into tones full of energy and life is what makes guitarists and bassists love the chorus pedal. Of course, you can obtain a cheesy sound from the 1980s if you know how to use a chorus pedal, but remember that a subtle hint of chorus might be that changing sound effect you need.
One piece of advice we leave with newbies is before settling for a chorus pedal, ensure you find out how past guitarists made use of them. Listening to their songs will help you determine that chorus is used on clean guitar tones, and even though you can use chorus tones on drive tones, you can also use them on clean tones.
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Finding a suitable chorus pedal for distortion for you boils down to finding the pedal capable of making a guitar player sound creative, using its options and timber gel. You can use different spins on a chorus pedal, and the sounds they make often sound fatter and more prominent compared to other pedals.
Chorus pedals are used in the studio to change guitar timbre, leading to sound staging and double-tracking. Guitar players find chorus pedals unique because they utilize a delay line in splitting guitar signals into a wet and dry signal, while the low oscillating frequency ensures that the wet part is de-tuned.
The way the chorus functions can be a bit complicated because it is similar to the flanging. The significant difference between chorus pedals and flanging is there is a longer delay with no feedback. In the case of flangers, they top out at 25mm, and that is the point where a chorus pedal takes over from, which tells you there might be some overlap present.
A chorus pedal can be described as a delay effect, but several choruses manufactured in the past had analog bucket brigade designs that provided richer and warmer tones. However, a tape machine paved the way for flanging where an operator will run two parallel machines, using a finger to slow one down.
The same can be said about the chorus effect, although they created their chorus effects unintentionally. But, again, this is because they made changes to oscillations in tape transmission or motor speed, and these changes were based on the tape machine’s age, tape age, and maintenance of the device.
It led to the pitch sound being played back to be slightly changed, leading to chorus creation. Since the creation of chorus, wow, and flutter in tapes became joint for guitarists, you will also realize that most choruses are digital.
This digital chorus carries the increased flexibility tradeoff but at the expense of clinical tones. As a result, digital effects are not only warm and rich; they resemble vintage units used in producing a specific tone, just like in the case of the Strymon Deco’s Tape Machine.
Difference Between Chorus And Vibrato
Several chorus pedals are capable of delivering a vibrato sound. Even though this might not be what this guide is all about, you need to note the difference between the two effects. A chorus effect is a slight variation in pitch that happens simultaneously with a bit of time variation.
On the other hand, Vibrato refers to a variation in pitch alone, similar to the vocal vibrato technique. Chorus pedals have become essential when playing the bass or guitar, which has prompted several chorus pedals to be manufactured and sent to the market, making it tedious to find a suitable one.
You will need to work with your board requirement, how you intend to use it, how much control you want, and your budget in finding one that will offer what you desire.
Top 5 Best Chorus Pedal For Distortion Reviews
1. TC Electronic Corona Chorus Pedal
If you search for a supersonic, easy-to-use, and simple chorus pedal for distortion, then the TC Corona Electronic chorus pedal is the suitable choice for you. Thanks to its portable and small size, guitarists will see this chorus pedal as the best travel companion.
This easy-to-carry chorus pedal from TC Electronic has four more controls than other pedals, including tone, stroke, depth, and speed controls. Another exciting feature of this chorus pedal is its mono and stereo input and output.
Furthermore, having a three-way switch allows users to switch between three types of choruses. This Tr-chorus feature combines a stereo chorus with a stereo effect to form its luxurious and broad appeal.
Apart from creating its luxurious and broad appeal, the TC Electronic Corona pedal produces a flanger-style chorus effect. Having a TonePrint TC technology is another notable feature of this pedal, and thanks to its USB feature, users can send other guitarist pedal settings to their pedals.
Without using the USB feature, the TonePrint editor can create a personal chorus effect without a scratch. You will be impressed with this chorus pedal for distortion, which preserves the analog dry signal path’s integrity, and it doesn’t matter if the chorus pedal is active or not.
Specification
- Brand – TC Electronic Corona
- Item Weight – 1.28 Pounds
- Signal format – analog
Key Features
- Offers customizable setting
- Features three chorus types
- Features a zero tone loss
What We Like
- You can use this chorus pedal for guitar and synths.
- It requires little effort when used.
- Smooth
- Offers beautiful sounds
What We Don’t Like
- Its box doesn’t come with a manual
- It also doesn’t possess the proper paperwork.
2. Walrus Audio Julia Analog Chorus Vibrato V2 (900-1011V2)
The Walrus Audio analog chorus pedal comes with all the necessary features, and guess what? It also comes with many in-built chorus tones. Apart from the depth and normal speed controls, the Walrus Audio analog chorus pedal comes with a delay regulator, ensuring that users activate a central delay time for the low-frequency oscillating effect to modulate for several vibration amounts.
Having a dc-v controller is another unique feature of this chorus pedal, and the function of the dc-v controller is altering the wet and dry range signals using its level knob. In addition, there is also a waveform knob used for fine-tuning the regulator to achieve triangle-shaped sine and waves.
Users will enjoy a good amount of regulatory capacity over any analog circuitry or stroke regulator. The amount of regulatory capacity this chorus pedal possesses is more significant than that of the LED real-time flashing low-frequency oscillation to obtain bypass change and optical response.
Like we said earlier, this chorus pedal comes with all necessary features, and all of these features are enclosed in a box with a surreal design. This fully analog drive features a vibrato with advanced control features, visual LED feedback, drag management, and wave change. However, its analog circuit is a bit noisy.
Specifications
- Brand – Walrus Audio
- Item Weight – 13 Ounces
- Signal Format – Analog
Key Features
- It comes with a rate knob.
- It comes with a depth knob.
- Wave switch for selecting triangle or sine low-frequency oscillation
What We Like
- Designed to offer subtle chorus sounds
- Versatile chorus pedal
- A dry and wet knob provides the opportunity to experiment with lush sounds.
- It is easy to dial in.
What We Don’t Like
- It is a bit shallow and slow.
3. Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone Analog Chorus
The next chorus pedal on our list is the Electro Harmonix Neo Clone Analog chorus pedal, and this chorus pedal is popular because of the sparkling drill.
You can currently get the Electro Harmonix Neo Clone Chorus Pedal in a smaller Nano EHX package. It also offers bulky and rich vibes that every guitarist would love to hear when playing the guitar.
A user-friendly structure means users will not experience any difficulty working with this chorus pedal from the Electro Harmonix brand. Guess what? This pedal sells at an affordable price. It isn’t expensive but offers so many features that compete with other chorus pedals at the top.
Having a depth selector and one-speed feature makes this chorus pedal easy to learn, and just like most of the effects in the EHX package, getting away from your comfort zone is the surest way to obtain all of these effects.
Excellent modulation and subtle movements are other benefits of using this excellent chorus pedal, and another exciting feature of this pedal is its function is Cobain approved. Furthermore, having an intuitive and straightforward layout makes operation easy.
Specifications
- Brand – Electro Harmonix
- Item Weight – 10.04 Ounces
- Signal Format – Analog
Key Features
- It uses a high-quality bucket brigade chip.
- It uses a small clone circuit.
What We Like
- Potable chorus pedal that offers a wide range of possibility
- It comes in a well-built box.
- It fills out tones nicely.
- Allows dialing in of nice sounds
What We Don’t Like
- This chorus pedal has no significant cons.
4. EarthQuaker Devices Sea Machine V3 Super Chorus Pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Sea Machine chorus pedal packs lots of pulse, blends, and control inside, but it could have negative or positive value. Of course, the possibility of having a positive or negative value depends on the depth level a guitarist hopes to achieve, and how deep you are willing to go will determine the sound you are going to find.
You can count on this chorus pedal if you are looking for a particular drill, and this third-generation device comes with an enhanced circuit that boosts bass. This enhanced circuit also provides a wide range of relay-based slow movement and any steering wheel. As a result, an uneven drive tone is what you will enjoy by using the EarthQuaker Devices Sea Machine chorus pedal.
We find it interesting that this chorus pedal is its analog-to-digital design, combined with a couple of fine-tuning options. In addition, this chorus pedal comes with a V3 feature that offers a better circuit and range. Finally, the ability of this pedal to produce unique sounds makes it one of the most helpful chorus pedals for distortion.
You will find it easy to master using this chorus pedal thanks to its lot of controls, and the part of this chorus pedal that has the low-frequency oscillation provides a control for measuring the shape, depth, and speed of the driving effect.
Specifications
- Brand – EarthQuaker
- Item Weight – 12 Ounces
Key Features
- It has improved circuitry
- It has a bypass design
- It comes with several modulation possibilities
What We Like
- This chorus pedal provides beautiful and crazy sounds
- It comes with multiple settings and controls
- Versatility is part of its strength
- This chorus pedal also offers lots of possibilities
What We Don’t Like
- There is no significant error with this chorus pedal.
5. Way Huge Smalls Blue Hippo Analog Chorus Pedal (WM61)
This chorus pedal is a mini version of its counterpart, and it comes with sweet tones and features. Even though this chorus pedal might not be a typical mini pedal, it is compact enough to fit the palm. Its less boxy design makes it pedalboard friendly than other bulky chorus pedals on the market.
In terms of design, the smalls blue hippo chorus pedal comes with depth and speed controls, while its chorus and vibe switch makes way for toggling between both settings.
Thanks to its circuit, the Way Huge Smalls Blue Hippo produces gooier and thicker sounds with minimal shimmer, and guitarists will also enjoy the clean sounds this pedal produces.
Specifications
- Brand – Way Huge
- Item Weight – 6.4 Ounces
- Signal Format – Analog
Key Features
- Vibe switch for vibrato texture
- It has chorus and vibrato effects.
- All analog circuitry
What We Like
- It offers a simple operation.
- You can use it for bass and guitar.
- This chorus pedal can produce subtle effects.
What We Don’t Like
- This pedal makes a lot of noise.
- The pedal also struggles if an incoming signal is solid.
- It doesn’t sound like its predecessor.
Brief History Of Chorus Pedals
Today, you will find the use of chorus pedals in all music genres. They are prevalent in neo-soul and pop tracks. Using a chorus pedal produces a significant breadth and variety of thin, digital, shiny, and analog products.
The most significant part of any metallic tone is obtaining sound distortion from a chorus pedal. In the case of distortion pedals, you will notice a significant difference in guitars. Unfortunately, some guitarists believe that the only way to obtain great chorus tones is to use an amplifier, claiming that all chorus distortion pedals do nothing but destroys sounds.
Other guitar players prefer working with distortion pedals, combined with a reliable guitar amplifier.
You call your tone setting that will deliver the results you want, but with so many chorus pedals for distortion today, it is a bit difficult to find a chorus pedal with a one-size-fits-all description.
Final Thought
The choice of what chorus pedal for distortion to use varies from one guitarist to another, and this means what might be trash for a guitarist might be the best option for another guitarist. As a result, you can never be sure what a chorus pedal for distortion has to offer to a particular guitarist.
Knowing that chorus pedals’ choice varies from one guitar player to another should tell you every guitar player will not want the same chorus pedal for distortion. It is why we have carried out research and scanned through various chorus pedals on the market to bring you the best products only.
