Getting distortion on your guitar without a pedal is not only possible, but it can actually be the best solution. Distortion pedals are great tools for many guitarists, but they can come with some downsides. For example, distortion pedals typically produce an extra layer of noise that detracts from the sound and experience. In addition, distortion pedals typically sacrifice dynamic range and dynamics in order to achieve their desired effects. One way around these problems is to use a channel on your amplifier that already has built-in distortion instead. There are plenty of amps out there that offer this feature so you have plenty of options when shopping for new gear. Here is how to get distortion on guitar without a pedal.
You may also look at our other article on How to store guitar pedals
What is a distortion pedal?
While distortion pedals can produce excellent results, they have their downsides. Distortion pedals will typically do one of two things: distort the original signal or create a new signal with the desired effect. The latter is what many guitarists prefer as it allows them to keep their original sound (which is often important). Another downside of distortion pedals is that they typically come with some noise. Noise can detract from the sound quality and experience you want on your guitar.
The advantages of getting distortion on your guitar without a pedal
A great advantage of not using a distortion pedal is that you can bypass that extra layer of noise. The inherent nature of distortion pedals is that they produce an additional layer of noise, so by avoiding the pedal altogether, you don’t have to worry about this. You also get more dynamic range and dynamics by getting distortion on your guitar without a pedal.
As mentioned before, distortion pedals typically sacrifice dynamic range and dynamics in order to achieve their desired effects. This means that there are certain sounds, like solos for example, which will sound too distorted when played through the pedal. So, if you want to play your solo with the same amount of power as the rest of your song but still want a little bit of added grit and intensity, you can use the channel on your amplifier that already has built-in distortion instead. This way you won’t be sacrificing any dynamic range or dynamics at all!
Downsides of distortion pedals
Distortion pedals are great tools for many guitarists, but they can come with some downsides. For example, distortion pedals typically produce an extra layer of noise that detracts from the sound and experience. In addition, distortion pedals typically sacrifice dynamic range and dynamics in order to achieve their desired effects.
One way around these problems is to use a channel on your amplifier that already has built-in distortion instead. There are plenty of amps out there that offer this feature so you have plenty of options when shopping for new gear!
Where to find an amp with built-in distortion
When looking for an amp with built-in distortion, you want to find one that is versatile and provides the best sound quality. One amp that has a great reputation for producing clean, clear tones is the Orange Terror series of amps. The Terror series includes a variety of different amplifiers and cabinets, so it’s easy to find something that fits your needs. What’s more, the Terror amps are known for their high wattage capabilities as well as their speaker configurations. This makes them perfect for loud environments or those who play in bands. In addition to having an amp with built-in distortion, you may also want to consider other products like stompboxes or rack units which can give you similar effects without taking up space on your pedalboard.
Find other ways to get distortion
One of the easiest ways to get distortion on guitar without a pedal is by using your amp. Just turning up your amp can add distortion to your sound.
Another way to get distortion without a pedal is by playing an electric guitar. The pickups on an electric guitar produce a lot of natural distortion that you can customize just by playing around with the knobs.
Another option for beginner guitarists who want to get distortion without a pedal is to play overdrive chords in the right hand and then strum them with the left hand. Finally, you can also use overdrive pedals that are designed for guitars and keyboards.
Make your amp louder
Although it doesn’t sound like a distortion, turning up your amp can create the same effect. This is because when you increase the volume on your amp, it will naturally distort as you go higher. In other words, if you don’t have a distortion pedal, turn up your amp and use that as your distortion.
Get a distortion pedal
One of the most common ways to get distortion on a guitar without a pedal is through using a distortion pedal. Distortion pedals can be found for less than $50, so they are an affordable way to start experimenting with different sounds. If you are looking to buy one, the Boss DS-1 is highly recommended because it’s cheap and easy to use.
Get a stompbox
A stompbox is a pedal with an amplifier inside, which can be powered by a 9V battery. As opposed to a traditional electric guitar amplifier, a stompbox will allow you to plug your guitar in directly via the 1/4″ input on the back of the device. A good example of this is the DigiTech Hot Rod Distortion Pedal .
Turn up the volume on your guitar
Distortion is created when the sound waves are amplified, or turned up. So the easiest way to get distortion without a pedal is to turn up the volume on your guitar. This can be done by increasing the volume on your amplifier or using your computer for recording.
Learn how to tweak your amp settings to get distortion
One way to get distortion without a pedal is to adjust the settings on your amp. Slashing the EQ and turning up the volume will usually do the trick. Experiment with different sounds until you find one that suits you best.
How to hook up an amp with built-in distortion
The first step to getting distortion on your guitar without a pedal is to hook up an amp with built-in distortion. This will provide the basic sound that you need for distortion. It may not be perfect, but it’ll work for many purposes, like practicing. Turn the amp’s channel volume up so that the sound can reach its maximum level. If you’re using a tube amplifier, take this time to roll off some of the highs and lows as that will produce a warmer tone. Now, turn on your guitar and plug it into the amp’s input jack. Turn the amp’s volume knob up to its highest point and turn down any other settings until you get the desired amount of distortion.
If you’re having trouble finding an amp with built-in distortion or if you want more control over your sound, check out these tips:
-If you have a small combo amplifier with only one speaker, try turning up the bass and treble knobs to help compensate for lack of power in that one speaker
-If your amplifier has multiple inputs (i.e., clean and dirty), use the dirty channel instead of using an external pedal
-If none of these options satisfy your needs, then consider purchasing an external pedal for some more control over your sound
How to get distortion on guitar without a pedal FAQS
Distortion pedals are great tools for many guitarists, but they can come with some downsides. For example, distortion pedals typically produce an extra layer of noise that detracts from the sound and experience. In addition, distortion pedals typically sacrifice dynamic range and dynamics in order to achieve their desired effects. One way around these problems is to use a channel on your amplifier that already has built-in distortion instead. There are plenty of amps out there that offer this feature so you have plenty of options when shopping for new gear.
Getting distortion on your guitar without a pedal is not only possible, but it can actually be the best solution. Distortion pedals are great tools for many guitarists, but they can come with some downsides. For example, distortion pedals typically produce an extra layer of noise that detracts from the sound and experience. In addition, distortion pedals typically sacrifice dynamic range and dynamics in order to achieve their desired effects.
There are many different ways to do this. You can plug your guitar into a distortion-filled amp or plug it into an amp and bypass the preamp. Some amps have built-in distortion, so you can just turn that on instead of purchasing a pedal, which will also save you money. Another option is to buy a fuzz pedal or use an overdrive pedal with heavy distortion settings.
If you don’t have an amp, you can use your computer speakers or headphones plugged into the guitar to avoid the additional expense of buying an amp. You may not be able to get as good of sound from using this method, but it’s still worth trying out if you don’t want to spend more money on another piece of equipment for your practice sessions.
Conclusion
Thanks to guitar distortion pedals, it’s easier than ever to give your guitar the sound you want. But if you’ve always been curious about how to get distortion on guitar without a pedal, here’s what you need to know!
Guitar pedals are great for a lot of things. They can change your sound, give you crazy effects, and make your guitar more versatile. But if you want to know how to get distortion on guitar without a pedal, the truth is that you don’t need one. All you need is an amp with built-in distortion.