What is the Best Chorus Pedal in 2023?

How to Choose the Best Chorus pedal for You

Knowing which Chorus device is for you depends on what exactly it is you’re searching for. If you’re somebody who wants a very strong Chorus sound, it might be best to look for a product that doesn’t focus as much on customization. This will help you find the most natural, strong Chorus sound, as processing the effect can sometimes make it quieter overall. See here for a more general guide to choosing a guitar pedal.

You can tell these types of products apart by which ones prioritize having Rate knobs over other types, as the former is what makes any Chorus sound so powerful.

If you want a good amount of detail in your sound and be able to choose from a variety of different Chorus effects, it’s best to invest in a product that has a multitude of knobs. These knobs often include Highs, Lows, Depth, and Level of the Chorus effect.

If you are somebody who is more interested in the natural sound of your instrument, though, you should be more focused on analog and true bypass products. These will allow you to directly connect the natural sound of your instrument to the pedal and subsequently your amplifier.

Price will also affect the quality of the device, so if you’re looking for a sound that is specifically geared towards higher fidelity types of music, you should expect to also invest more money in your ideal Chorus pedal.

What is a Chorus Pedal Used For?

Chorus devices are typically used to thicken one’s sound through modulation. They are used in a variety of situations and are not limited to music specifically involving electric or acoustic guitars. In fact, there are many different artists that use Chorus effects on their acoustic guitars, with some artists even going so far as to use a Chorus effect on a bass guitar.

There are many different uses for Chorus devices, but here are two of the most basic contexts:

Chorus and Distortion

Chorus effects aren’t limited only to certain styles of music. For example, metal music is a great place to use them, with artists often combining Chorus with more gritty distortion aesthetics. This is a very 80s sound, giving a very retro feel to any artists that use it effectively. Possibly one of the most notable examples is the famous metal band Iron Maiden using distortion with Chorus devices in their song “Caught Somewhere in Time”. The album this is on, Somewhere in Time, is also notable for using this effect a lot. Sometimes the bass player Steve Harris even uses Chorus on his bass guitar, like in the song “Blood On the World’s Hands”.

Chorus and Clean Channels

Chorus effects work incredibly well with clean channels to emphasize the modulation aspect of the music to give it a warm, open feeling. Many artists that use acoustic guitars with Chorus often keep the channel clean, but there are some good examples of clean channels being used in conjunction with Chorus effects. For example, the introduction to the Guns n’ Roses song “Paradise City” is a famous example of a Chorus effect in popular music.

What Types of Chorus Are There?

Different types of Chorus are mainly determined by how you adjust the effect itself, but the most distinguishable categories are between Digital and Analog.

Digital vs. Analog Chorus Pedals

Analog Chorus devices are typically for those who are looking to retain a more natural sound. Because of the traditional and retro nature of their technology, they are more expensive to make and sometimes cost more than digital devices. However, I have reviewed some budget analog products above for anyone looking to increase the warmth of their sound and not have to spend a lot of money.

On the other hand, digital devices are cheaper to produce and also easier to modify, leading to these types of Chorus products having more options than their analog counterparts.

How Do Chorus Pedals Work?

Chorus devices work by creating clones of the signal (input sound) to put a slight delay on the second signal, creating a wobbly sound. The goal is to emulate what happens when a choir of people sing together, creating more space without actually having it, hence the name of Chorus.

Chorus vs. Flanger

A Chorus device is very similar to a flanger device in the sense that they both juxtapose two copies of the same input sound with the latter on a slight delay. The difference, though, is that the latter sound in Chorus effects is played at a slower delay, creating a more drastic effect.

Chorus vs. Delay

Chorus effects sometimes use the principles of delay effects, juxtaposing two tracks of the same input sound while putting the second on a slight delay. This is different from a normal delay sound, though, as the delay with those is more noticeable and not as subtle. See our guide to the best delay pedals.

Chorus vs. Reverb

Though they can sound very similar, reverb effects create space behind the sound by adding a longer sustain, while Chorus effects give the illusion of space by juxtaposing two different versions of the same track.

Chorus vs. Tremolo

Chorus effects are different from tremolo ones in the sense that Chorus effects are made from two versions of the same input, while tremolo effects just modify one input by applying a vibrato type of effect.

Chorus vs. Phaser

Phasers are similar to Chorus and flanger effects, creating a copy of a specific input sound to play it alongside at a show delay. However, phasers don’t simply slow down the sound, but rather shift it a notch back, creating a type of round effect (where one musical phrase is started after the other has already begun).

Chorus vs. Vibrato

Vibrato is an effect taken from a physical gesture. String players often create vibrato by rapidly tilting their finger back-and-forth while playing a note, creating a wobble effect. As a result, vibrato effects for guitars are meant to create this wobble through a device. Chorus is different from vibrato as it is the sound created when mixing a vibrato track with a dry one, creating a wider gap between the two tracks.

A Brief History of Chorus Pedal

Like many effects that are now guitar devices now, Chorus wasn’t always on purpose. Historically, it was the result of a signal being out of tune, something that wouldn’t be utilized until Hammond organs became more popular in the 1930s. These unique instruments would purposefully detune certain signals, giving a Chorus effect that we know today.

This experimentation wouldn’t hit any significant strides until 30 years later when The Beatles requested in 1966 that a Chorus sound be added to their album Abbey Road. At the time, this meant using a duplicate of any given track and slightly delaying it, making the sounds feel wobbly. In some ways, this could be disorienting, but when done properly it gave the associated track more strength.

Though it was used by string ensembles after this to create fuller, larger orchestral sounds, the Chorus device as we know it today would not be pioneered until the mid-1970s when Roland would develop the technology into creating a Roland Jazz Chorus amp. From there, the technology was improved upon by other companies, eventually leading to the large market of Chorus devices available today.

How to Use Your Chorus Pedal

Using your Chorus device is typically just a matter of turning it on and then adjusting to which sound you like best. If you really enjoy the intense sound that can happen where there is harsh modulation, turn the Rate up really loud. If you want a more subtle effect, turn the Rate. Some products will list Depth instead of Rate, but they’re very similar options on a Chorus product. The other knobs included with Chorus devices are for more nuances related to frequency ranges, but the Depth and Rate will help you most effectively control the effect itself.

Where Should Chorus Pedals Sit in the Signal Chain?

Generally speaking, modulation effects such as Chorus pedals are placed after dynamics (compressors, filters, etc.) and gain/distortion, but ahead of delays and reverbs. This helps you keep your tone intact, as placing your Chorus after your distortion can muddy/smear your sound. As I highlighted in the “What is a Chorus Pedal Used For?” section, Chorus devices go very well with distortion pedals, but need to be placed after it in your signal chain to be effective.

Do I Really Need a Chorus Pedal and Are They Worth It?

Like with many effects devices, whether or not it’s worth it depends on if you will be using it in your sound. If you’re a punk guitarist that is more interested in gritty, natural sounds, then perhaps it’s not ideal to utilize a Chorus device. It should be noted, though, that many guitarists underestimate the power of Chorus products and often assume that they bring on a cheesy effect. This is exactly what I thought when my Chorus device was stolen, as I believed I wouldn’t need another. However, when used sparingly, I realized it could be used to effectively thicken my sound.

Final Thoughts

Out of all of the Chorus products I’ve written reviews for, the MXR M134 Stereo Chorus by far is the most well-rounded product. Whereas some devices might have too much of an artificial effect or rely too much on a natural-sounding Chorus, the MXR M134 gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to customize while also feeling powered by the natural sound of your instrument. On top of this, the sound is just incredibly crisp, something that is often masked by processing in other products that have similar levels of customization. The price might be a bit much for some looking for an easy, cheap fix, but it isn’t that much money to sacrifice for a truly amazing product. This is why I think the MXR M134 is not just a wonderful product, but the Best Chorus pedal available—you can sound like a professional without having to be.