Affordable Shoegaze/Dream Pop Pedalboard (Under $400)
By Nick Jamison
Shoegaze is an amazing and weird genre. Not only is it full with crazy overdriven and fuzz tones. It’s also packed with beautiful clean and ambient tones to make you feel like you’re in cinematic dream. Listening to it you would think it would be expensive to replicate the things you hear, but thats not the case. You can replicate those sounds on a modest budget. Let’s get started.
Reverse Reverb pedals
Reverse reverb is a staple in shoegaze and dream pop music. Sadly there aren’t many affordable options for reverse reverb. In fact there is only one option.
Zoom MS-50G- $129.99 ($100 used)
The Zoom MS-50G is a mini multi effects pedal with many effect options and my favourite effect on this pedal is the reverse reverb setting. When I first saw this pedal I thought there’s no way a decent sound can come out of this thing I was proven wrong. The reverse reverb setting on this pedal is great and I have no complaints.
2. Fuzz, Overdrive and Distortion
Fuzz, overdrive and distortion pedals are pedals you don’t have to splurge on to get quality tones. If you actually use your ears and don’t focus on what people say you will notice that there is very little difference between “boutique” pedals and affordable alternatives.
In shoegaze players tend to have multiple fuzz/overdrive/distortion pedals on their board. I personally use a fuzz and an overdrive but you can decide what options will suit your needs better.
Behringer HM300- $18.99
Regardless of the name of this pedal it is a near identical clone of a shoegaze legend, the Boss HM-2 (made popular by Bilinda Butcher).
Donner Blues Drive- $36.99
The Donner Blues Drive is a modded clone of the Boss Blues Driver. The Boss blues driver is commonly used in the shoegaze scene and if you can’t afford the original the Donner version is a great alternative.
Sonicake Fazy Cream- $29.99
The Sonicake Fazy Cream is a super cheap big muff style fuzz pedal which will go great with your reverse reverb.
Sonicake Rude Mouse- $37.99
The Sonicake Rude Mouse is a multi toned Rat clone. Rat pedals are pretty affordable already but with the Sonicake you get 2 Rats in one.
3. Chorus
Chorus is a great effect that can either be used subtly to add width to your tone or to add a beautiful warble kind of sound to your tone.
TC Electronic 3rd Dimension- $45
The TC Electronic 3rd Dimension is a clone of the Boss Dimension C. This is a subtle chorus with very simple controls and maintains great tones.
TC Electronic After Glow- $45
The Tc Electronic After Glow is a great chorus pedal with a wide variety of tones. It can be very subtle or you can get some wobbly vibrato type tones
4. Delay Pedals
Affordable delay pedal options have really stepped up un the past few years and some of the affordable options are so good you won’t feel the need to upgrade to a more expensive option.
TC Electronic The Prophet- $45
The Tc Electronic Prophet is an affordable digital delay that you can’t go wrong with. The 3 time signatures options really takes this pedal to a whole new level.
Flamma FS03- $75.99
The Flame FS03 is a multi delay pedal with a lot of weird and quirky delay options built in. If you’re seriously interested in strange ambient tones this should definitely be a pick.
Flamma FC03- $39.99
The Flamma FC03 is a cheaper option with great analog, echo and tape options. This is especially great if you have limited pedalboard space.
5. Ambient Reverb
Ambient reverb will be the last pedal in your chain. Ambient reverb pedals (and some delay pedals) are the only pedals I really think spending more actually gives you noticeably better sounds and results. So I would definitely suggest upgrading to something more expensive down the line.
Flamma FS02- $78
The Flamma FS02 is a great affordable reverb pedal with 7 reverb options and multiple presets. My favourite reverb on this pedal is the modulated setting.
Flamma FS22- $98
The Flamma FS22 is a special pedal. It is a combo of a delay and a reverb pedal. If you want to get great ambient tones at a budget this pedal definitely punches above its weight.