A Summary on the Basic Knowledge of Effects Pedals: Wah Wah Pedals/ Auto Wah Pedals Edition

Hello! I'm Kaoru, a composer!

Today, I’d like to talk about one of the fundamental effect pedals — the Wah Pedal/Auto-Wah — as part of our introduction to effects.

These pedals fall under the category of filter effects, and they produce a very noticeable change in sound, making them really fun to use.

They can be applied to various playing techniques, such as lead playing and rhythm cutting.

■ What Is a Wah Pedal?

A wah pedal is an effects unit that alters the frequency range of your guitar sound as you press the pedal. It's not only used with electric guitars but also with instruments like bass, keyboards, clavinet, trumpet, and even snare drums.

The working principle is surprisingly simple: as you press the pedal, a variable resistor located beneath it rotates, which changes the cutoff frequency of a filter, thereby altering the tone.

Pressing the pedal down emphasizes the treble, resulting in a bright, piercing sound, while lifting the pedal emphasizes the midrange to create a more muffled tone.

Traditionally, wah pedals were mostly large-sized units, but in recent years, compact versions have also become available.

It greatly expands the expressive range of the electric guitar.

Famous users include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Steve Vai.

■ What Is an Auto-Wah?

An auto-wah is an effect derived from the traditional wah pedal. Instead of controlling the effect manually with a pedal, it applies the wah effect either at a fixed rate or in response to the intensity of your picking.

The type that applies the wah effect at a fixed rate is often called an envelope filter, while the kind that responds to picking dynamics is referred to as a touch wah.

Let’s take a look at some recommended products!

JIM DUNLOP / CBM95 Crybaby Mini Wah – A classic wah wah pedal in a compact form factor.

This model is a half-sized version of the classic Cry Baby wah pedal. It retains the original design, core architecture, and FASEL inductor coil.

Because it’s lightweight and doesn’t take up much space on your pedalboard, it’s easy to carry around. The size is comparable to a BOSS compact effects pedal.

By opening the bottom panel, you can access internal switches that allow you to toggle between three different voicings: Low, Vintage, and GCB95.

You might wonder, “Doesn’t the smaller size make it feel awkward to use?” — but that’s not the case at all. It allows for precise control and adjustment!

By the way, here’s the original full-size model:

JIM DUNLOP / GCB-95 Crybaby Wah Wah

If you’re not bothered by the size or weight, the original model is a great choice too! Choose based on your setup and how you plan to use it.

XOTIC / XW-1 Wah Pedal

This is a feature-rich wah pedal inspired by the legendary Clyde McCoy Wah, known as the original wah pedal. It features a simple white and silver design and is compact and portable, measuring 21 cm in length, 10 cm in width, and 6.7 cm in height, with a weight of 980g.

The control panel on the side of the unit allows you to adjust BIAS, WAH-Q, TREBLE, and BASS. Since the controls are placed on the side, they won’t get in the way when you’re using the pedal.

With a wide range of settings, it can produce anything from aggressive to natural sounds.

It’s an all-round wah pedal that fits well across different genres.

One Control / BUTTER YELLOW AUTO QUACK

A compact envelope filter that combines simple controls, high durability, and a small footprint. It’s designed to be easy to use not only for guitar but also for bass.

The control panel includes:

• BIAS: Sets the starting point of the filter sweep
• SENS: Adjusts the filter’s sensitivity based on your instrument’s characteristics
• DECAY: Controls how long the filter effect lasts

Additionally, a mini switch on the side allows you to switch the filter’s frequency range.

Since the tonal changes are quite noticeable and fine-tuning is easy.

Even first-time auto-wah users can feel confident using this pedal!

JIM DUNLOP / QZ-1

A compact auto-wah that lets you instantly recreate the sweet, half-pressed wah sound with just a touch of the knobs. With a simple 3-knob interface, you can easily shape your ideal tone by adjusting the volume, bandpass shape, and frequency range.

Its wide-range adjustability makes it easy to find that sweet spot in your tone.

It particularly shines when used for single-note playing.

That wraps up my overview of wah wah and auto-wah pedals, along with some recommended products.

Wah wah pedals offer a unique and easily accessible effect that can greatly expand the expressive capabilities of your guitar or bass playing.

Definitely give them a try!

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