State of the Stomp
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Pedal geeks are on an eternal quest for more stompbox lore. Design, function, history, and the latest technology—it’s all covered here by a rotating cast of industry experts.
ARTICLES
The Problem with Gear Reviews
December 1, 2020
Why you oughta be skeptical when reading or watching critiques of pedals.
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For the Love of Demos, Pt. 1
November 2, 2020
Bassist Hondo Felder looks for the versatility factor.
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Even If You Hate Modelers, You Probably Owe 'Em a Debt of Gratitude
September 28, 2020
How first-generation DSP pedals from Line 6, Eventide, and Strymon forced a power-supply revolution.
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Close Your Wallet and Open Your Mind
August 20, 2020
That epic new sound you’re seeking might already be on your pedalboard.
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Prepare for Takeoff on the Modular-Synth Spaceship
July 27, 2020
Looking for the otherworldly? Here are some devices and concepts that point the way.
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Got Noise Issues? It Could Be Your Pedalboard's Power Supply
April 22, 2020
All 9V blocks are not created equal. Here's what to look for to avoid hiss, hum, and crackle.
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Don’t Tell Me How to Music
March 31, 2020
Why you should give yourself permission to not care … or to care deeply about what nobody else cares about.
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How Pedal Buyers and Builders Can Help Save the Planet
March 5, 2020
Spurred by Australia’s wildfires, stompbox maker Aisha Loe (of Loe Sounds) takes a mindful look at effects and ecology.
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How to Build a Flight-Friendly Pedalboard
February 17, 2020
It's not as obvious as you might think. Here are the questions you gotta ask when planning your travel rig.
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The World Is What We Make It, So Make it Something Good
December 29, 2019
Oliver Ackermann (Death By Audio, A Place to Bury Strangers) shares his mantra for better music, better pedals, and a better life.
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State of the Stomp: It’s All About Wonder and Liberty
December 17, 2019
Columnist Philippe Herndon on gear, freedom, and finding joy in making music.
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State of the Stomp: Do I Need a Loop Switcher on My Pedalboard?
November 18, 2019
Tone suck or lifesaver? Here’s how to decide if you can bear the cost—both economic and sonic—of this fancy technology.
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State of the Stomp: Give It to Me Straight
October 22, 2019
When experimenting, keep your endgame in mind.
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State of the Stomp: Thinking Three-Dimensionally
September 30, 2019
Build a genuine relationship with your amp and your pedals.
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State of the Stomp: Debugging Your Pedalboard on the Gig
August 7, 2019
Tips for finding and fixing issues with your stomp system on the fly.
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State of the Stomp: When the Freak Becomes Your Friend
July 26, 2019
Don’t just embrace chaos—court it! And sonically leave the planet.
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State of the Stomp: Advice, Tricks, and Treats
June 3, 2019
Our expert discloses a few secrets of life … and gear!
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State of the Stomp: To Sum or Not to Sum
April 30, 2019
Tips for taking your signal path from stereo to mono.
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State of the Stomp: Some Things About Sound Waves I Think Are Cool
April 9, 2019
Thinking about sound helps harness its properties. Saddle up!
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State of the Stomp: What You Really Missed at NAMM!
March 22, 2019
An insider’s view from pedal world at this winter’s show.
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