Capturing the smooth and soulful sounds of Neo-Soul and R&B music on a guitar requires the right set of pedals. From distortion and overdrive to delay and reverb, the pedals you choose can make a huge difference in shaping your tone and creating the perfect sound for your music.
In this guide, we’ll cover the essential pedals for Neo-Soul and R&B guitar players, including specific recommendations and explanations of how each pedal can be used to enhance your playing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this guide will help you take your Neo-Soul and R&B guitar playing to the next level.
The Freedom of Neo-Soul and R&B Guitar Playing
The Neo-Soul genre offers a playground for creative guitar players. Unlike other genres, such as Reggae, where the guitar parts are often “set in stone,” Neo-Soul music leaves room for experimentation and individuality. This means that we can and should take advantage of our guitar pedals to add more texture, depth, and personality to our playing. In Neo-Soul and modern R&B music, the possibilities are endless, so let’s explore the full extent of our guitar pedals and discover new sounds and styles
Creating a Clean Neo-Soul/R&B Guitar Tone
The Neo-Soul guitar tone is defined by its clean and smooth sound, in contrast to genres like Rock, Blues, and Metal. Therefore, you won’t find typical distortion or overdrive pedals on this list. Instead, the pedals we’ve recommended are designed to enhance and manipulate your clean guitar tone.
The Neo-Soul Pedalboard: The Pedals You Need to Know
In this section, we’ll delve into the seven essential guitar pedals crucial to achieving the smooth and soulful sound of Neo-Soul and R&B music. These pedals will be your go-to tools for crafting the signature sound of this genre, and we’ll show you how to use them to their fullest potential
The Octaver pedal (and Harmoniser)
Octaver Pedals and Neo-Soul is a Match Made in Musical Heaven. The Neo-Soul sound is characterized by its rich basslines, and having an Octaver pedal on your pedalboard is essential to achieving that signature sound. Many Hip-Hop, Rap, and Neo-Soul songs feature multiple bass parts, and an Octaver pedal allows you to create these lower layers.
But it’s not just about the low-end. The high octave and interval options in Harmoniser pedals can also add a unique touch to your sound. By dialing down the lower octave and dry signal, you’re left with just the high octave. This can add shimmering, high-pitched melodies and ‘musical ornaments’ typical of Neo-Soul and R&B music.
Our top 3 Octaver and Harmonizer pedals each offer a unique take on the Neo-Soul and R&B sound:
Check out the Micro POG from Electro Harmonix in this video, a simple yet powerful Octaver pedal. It can add a funky edge to your sound but also has a dreamy and spacey side. A must-have for any guitarist’s pedalboard:
The Envelope Filter
The Envelope Filter, as the name suggests, filters out parts of your guitar signal in various ways. It has options for both highpass and lowpass filters that respond to the player’s dynamic playing in real-time, making it a super-funky effect!
In Neo-Soul music, an Envelope Filter can be used to add funk to both melodies and rhythms.
Check out our top 3 picks for Envelope Filter pedals:
Listen to the Prometheus DLX in action in this video. It can add a groovy touch to your sound but also has a dreamy and spacey side. A must-have for any Neo-Soul/R&B guitarist’s pedalboard:
The Wah Pedal
Get ready to add some extra funky flair to your sound with the classic Wah pedal. It may be simple in design, but the expressiveness and creativity it adds to your playing will have you singing its praises. The Wah pedal is a go-to tool for any Neo-Soul guitarist, adding soulful swagger to both rhythm and lead parts. Don’t let this pedal be the missing piece in your pedalboard.
Our top 3 picks for the best wah pedals:
Check out this demo of the Cry Baby GCB95F. This pedal is essential for any Neo-Soul and R&B guitar player. It’s super groovy and versatile, making it a must-have for any Neo-Soul, R&B, and Funk guitar player’s pedalboard:
The Reverb
The Reverb pedal is a classic effect that adds depth and dimension to your guitar sound. Though it may seem like a simple sound concept, it can enhance your playing in ways you never thought possible (especially when paired with another pedal). In Neo-Soul and R&B music, the Reverb pedal is an essential tool for creating a smooth, soulful sound. It adds a sense of space and ambiance to your playing, making it a must-have for any Neo-Soul musician’s pedalboard.
Check out our top picks for Reverb pedals. Each one offers something unique, and all are incredibly useful in different ways:
The Delay
The Delay pedal, a classic effect that you may already be familiar with, duplicates and repeats your guitar signal in various ways. It can be used to add depth and dimension to your clean guitar tone but can also be used in more experimental ways.
In Neo-Soul and R&B music, the Delay pedal is a valuable tool for building your sound. Combined with a gentle reverb, it can create a smooth and silky sound. Remember, as a Neo-Soul and R&B guitarist, there is room for exploration and experimentation, don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Check out our top picks for Delay pedals. Each one offers something unique, and all are incredibly useful. Some are simple and easy to use, while others offer a wide range of sound choices:
The Compressor
The Compressor pedal may seem like a mysterious effect, but it’s actually quite simple. Its job is to control and shape your sound. It can even out your playing dynamics by “compressing” the louder parts of your signal and boosting the quieter parts.
In Neo-Soul and R&B music, the Compressor pedal is incredibly useful for rounding out and enhancing the harmonic chords in your playing. As a rhythmic player, the Compressor is a go-to tool for creating a smooth and cohesive sound.
Explore our favorite Compressor pedals, each one with its special characteristic:
The Phaser
The Phaser pedal is one of the oldest guitar effects, originally designed to mimic the sound of rotating organ speakers. However, guitar players soon discovered its potential for creating unique and interesting sounds. The Phaser filters different frequencies over time.
In Neo-Soul and R&B music, the Phaser can add a unique texture to your sound. It’s important to use it carefully, as it can be a very noticeable effect.
- Many of the best Phaser pedals are vintage models from the 1970s, such as the Musitronics Mu-Tron Phasor II, the Maestro Phaser, and the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone. Even the more recent Sweet Sound Mojo Vibe is considered a great option among guitarists, but these pedals can be hard to come by.
Here are some budget-friendly yet effective Phaser pedal options:
