Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Seven Nation Army
  • Avril Lavigne
  • Prince and The Beatles
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
A laptop displaying a software synthesizer
Software & Apps Black Friday plugin deals 2025: Get the lowdown ahead of the biggest sale of the year
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
Drum kit with a red overlay and blue text saying 'best Christmas gifts for drummers'
Drums Best Christmas gifts for drummers 2025: my pick of affordable festive gifts they'll actually use
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
Electric Guitars “Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
Man in orange shirt playing drums with a guitar player
Drum Gear Best drum thrones 2025: my pick of budget-spanning stools for comfort behind the kit
Boss PX-1 Plugout FX: the white compact series pedal has blue knobs, digital display, and is a platform for 16 digitally modelled Boss effects, one of which is available at a time.
Guitars A compact series stompbox you can turn into any one of 16 classic Boss effects? Meet the Plugout FX
Brian Wampler playing his Telecaster
Guitars “It’s analogous to Napster”: Brian Wampler on threat of digital disruption to pedal and tube amp market
Chase Bliss Lost + Found: the new compact offering from the boutique stompbox company is the brand's first multi-effects, and comes in a cool green enclosure with a range of dip-switches for more tweakability.
Guitars Chase Bliss invites you to rummage around the Lost + Found – a compact multi-FX pedal with 12 modes
Source Audio dials up the ambience with the Encounter – six reverbs, six delays, one tricked-out pedal for “deeply immersive soundscapes” featuring MIDI I/O, full stereo operation, and a black enclosure with blue swirly graphic.
Guitars “Players have asked us to push further – into more adventurous, exploratory delay and reverb”: Source Audio dials up the ambience with the Encounter – six reverbs, six delays, one tricked-out pedal for “deeply immersive soundscapes”
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Guitars Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
Strymon PCH Active Direct Interface: the little black box from the digital effects powerhouse offers routing for sending your signal direct from a pedalboard to a PA or FRFR speakers, and it has a headphones output for silent monitoring.
Guitars Strymon unveils the PCH Active Direct Interface – the missing link for your amp-less pedalboard setup?
A Boss RC-10R looper pedal on a wooden floor
Guitar Pedals Best looper pedals 2025: My favourite loop stations for every budget
Way Huge Smalls Doom Hammer Fuzz
Guitars Players who deal in big gnarly riffs might need to add the Way Huge Smalls Doom Hammer to their ‘board ASAP
MXR Randy Rhoads Special Edition Distortion+: A black and white shot of Randy Rhoads with his Jackson Concorde; on the right, the new signature distortion from MXR in a finish inspired by the guitar.
Artists Good news for Randy Rhoads fans – his MXR Distortion+ is back, and you have got to see its supersonic finish
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

The 18 best new guitar effects pedals of 2016

News
By The MusicRadar Team last updated 3 February 2020

Which stompbox made its way onto your 'board this year?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

CKK Electronic Destruction Drive

CKK Electronic Destruction Drive

The Total Guitar Best in guitars 2016 polls have received over 68,000 votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the guitarists and guitar gear that have excelled in 2016. Here, we present the best guitar effects pedals of 2016. First up we have the CKK Electronic Destruction Drive…

We said: “With varied tone options and good value for money, the Destruction Drive is pretty much unbeatable at its price point.”

Full review:CKK Electronic Destruction Drive

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
DigiTech Dirty Robot

DigiTech Dirty Robot

We said: “For the adventurous guitarist, this could be the ticket to a brave new world.”

Full review: DigiTech Dirty Robot

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
Electro-Harmonix Wailer Wah

Electro-Harmonix Wailer Wah

We said: “While the Wailer doesn't follow the trend of newer compact wahs such as the Cry Baby Mini, we appreciate the lightweight enclosure on offer here.”

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
DOD Looking Glass

DOD Looking Glass

We said: “Clever controls for adjusting to any guitar plus a wide gain range equals incredible flexibility.”

Full review: DOD Looking Glass

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Electro-Harmonix Lester G

Electro-Harmonix Lester G

We said: “There are a bunch of great rotary speaker simulators on the market, but the Lester G is the most convincing example we've given a spin for a long time.”

Full review: Electro-Harmonix Lester G

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
Tone City Sweet Cream Overdrive

Tone City Sweet Cream Overdrive

We said: “Small and portable, whilst retaining the great quality sound Tone City is known for, this is well worth considering for your ‘board.”

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
Ibanez Analog Delay Mini

Ibanez Analog Delay Mini

We said: “As far as dark-voiced mini delays go, it doesn't get much better. Fantastic pitch-bending oscillation, too."

Full review: Ibanez Analog Delay Mini

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
DigiTech Trio+

DigiTech Trio+

We said: “Adds everything on our wish list from the original. This is truly a band in a box, and one that you can use live to boot."

Full review: DigiTech Trio+

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
Stone Deaf Fig Fumb Paracentric Fuzz Filter

Stone Deaf Fig Fumb Paracentric Fuzz Filter

We said: “Like that guy that can never remember where he left his car
 in a multi-storey car park, this life-changing pedal is on a different level. Pure and simple – superb fuzz.”

Full review: Stone Deaf Fig Fumb Paracentric Fuzz Filter

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
Dunlop Echoplex Delay

Dunlop Echoplex Delay

We said: “The Echoplex's authentic vibes are hugely addictive, and once you've played with it, you may struggle to play without…”

Full review: Dunlop Echoplex Delay

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler

TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler

We said: “TC is aiming this one at the metalheads among you, and based on the evidence we've seen so far, it should fatten up riffs and solos a treat.”

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
Seymour Duncan Palladium Gain Stage

Seymour Duncan Palladium Gain Stage

We said: “A fully formed channel in its own right, and it sounds absolutely incredible. Simply superb!”

Full review: Seymour Duncan Palladium Gain Stage

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
Boss CE-2W Chorus

Boss CE-2W Chorus

We said: “It comes with a hefty price tag, but none of its competitors can match this Waza winner.”

Full review: Boss CE-2W Chorus

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
MXR Reverb

MXR Reverb

We said: “Given the price, the M300 doesn't offer a whole lot of features over its competitors, but the sound quality puts it firmly among the top shelf of reverb pedals.”

Full review: MXR Reverb

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up

TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up

We said: “This easy-to-use pedal is small enough to slot into most pedalboard scenarios
 and costs a lot less than the immediate competition while offering more versatility.”

Full review: TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
Fractal AX8

Fractal AX8

We said: “A complete rig you can carry to a gig in a backpack and it could also take care of your recording needs. Axellent!”

Full review: Fractal AX8

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Line 6 Helix

Line 6 Helix

We said: “The Helix is a real powerhouse that can be used on its own or as the centre piece of an extended gear system.”

Full review: Line 6 Helix

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Winner: KHDK Ghoul Screamer

Winner: KHDK Ghoul Screamer

We said: “When it comes to boosting and tightening up metal tones, the Ghoul Screamer is among the best TS-alikes we've used.”

Full review: KHDK Ghoul Screamer

Page 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.

Read more
Boss PX-1 Plugout FX: the white compact series pedal has blue knobs, digital display, and is a platform for 16 digitally modelled Boss effects, one of which is available at a time.
A compact series stompbox you can turn into any one of 16 classic Boss effects? Meet the Plugout FX
 
 
Brian Wampler playing his Telecaster
“It’s analogous to Napster”: Brian Wampler on threat of digital disruption to pedal and tube amp market
 
 
Chase Bliss Lost + Found: the new compact offering from the boutique stompbox company is the brand's first multi-effects, and comes in a cool green enclosure with a range of dip-switches for more tweakability.
Chase Bliss invites you to rummage around the Lost + Found – a compact multi-FX pedal with 12 modes
 
 
Source Audio dials up the ambience with the Encounter – six reverbs, six delays, one tricked-out pedal for “deeply immersive soundscapes” featuring MIDI I/O, full stereo operation, and a black enclosure with blue swirly graphic.
“Players have asked us to push further – into more adventurous, exploratory delay and reverb”: Source Audio dials up the ambience with the Encounter – six reverbs, six delays, one tricked-out pedal for “deeply immersive soundscapes”
 
 
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
 
 
Strymon PCH Active Direct Interface: the little black box from the digital effects powerhouse offers routing for sending your signal direct from a pedalboard to a PA or FRFR speakers, and it has a headphones output for silent monitoring.
Strymon unveils the PCH Active Direct Interface – the missing link for your amp-less pedalboard setup?
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster in new limited-edition white, photographed against a pink background with the new guitar strap and – freshly refinished in black – Hello Kitty op-amp fuzz.
The Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster returns in limited edition white as Fender announces expanded capsule collection
 
 
Orange King Comp: the new compressor from the British amp legend has what looks like a gorilla illustrated on the enclosure and has a road-ready build with a kick bar to protect your settings.
Orange’s King Comp is a monster compressor with the feel of a real amp and super low-noise operation
 
 
The Strymon Olivera is a five-knob stompbox in bronze-brown that offers an emulation of an oil-can delay
Strymon’s Olivera is a oil can delay without the oil, without the mechanics, and with a lot more control over your tone
 
 
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
 
 
An original silver Klon Centaur overdrive pedal, with its trio of oxblood coloured knobs and a single footswitch
Klon Centaur inventor Bill Finnegan’s lawsuit against Behringer over $69 clone has been dismissed
 
 
A still from KHDK's Instagram reel with the logo emblazoned over one of the stompbox company's new and as-yet-unannounced and unreleased electric guitar designs.
KHDK Electronics makes pedals for metal's biggest stars; now it's going to make electric guitars too
 
 
Latest in News
Ritchie Blackmore and Jeff Beck
“He would always put himself down”: Ritchie Blackmore remembers Jeff Beck
 
 
Harley Benton Halloween raffle
If you could have €500 worth of Harley Benton gear, what would you choose?
 
 
Armin Van Buuren piano
“I feel a freedom behind the piano”: Armin Van Buuren on his surprising new musical direction
 
 
slower fragments
This free plugin captures the "evocative warmth and warped textures" of half-speed tape recordings
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: The early Black Friday sales are here - score big on Gibson, PRS, Universal Audio, Casio and more
 
 
Loveday
"Artists have always been resourceful”: Emerging artist Loveday on why she’s turning to OnlyFans
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...