Best Chorus Pedals On The Market

Top 10 Best Chorus Pedals On The Market (March 2024)

The Best Chorus Pedals On The Market (March 2024)

Why should you consider purchasing one of the best chorus pedals available on the market? Well, chorus pedals have been around since the mid 70's however they really started to boom in the 80's. That shimmery, tone thickening effect was all the rage and the chorus pedal was right there making it all happen. If anything, the chorus pedals were overused in the 80's, when things changed in the 90's the chorus effect was shelved except for a very special few who picked up the pedal. Kurt Cobain, The Police & The Smiths to name but a few that continued to use it both live and in the studio. Andy Wallace was a producer who was particular fond of the effect and used it in many of the studio recordings he worked on. Including some from Nirvana, arguably the kings of grunge.

Chorus Effects Pedals

Chorus pedals draw quite a divisive picture in the world of guitar effects pedals. Some guitarists love them, they can't live without them and can't help but use them at every chance. While others hate hate hate them. Whether you love them or hate them, they serve a purpose. They sweeten up your tone, it's whether or not you feel your tone needs sweetening. That's the real question.

If you're new to using chorus pedals then we'll start at the beginning. Chorus pedals are part of the modulation pedal family. This family is made up of chorus, flanger, vibe & phaser pedals. Check out our other pages to learn more about these. So what do they do?

All these modulation pedal types effect your tone in different ways. Chorus pedals generally mix your dry signal with a delayed, detuned (slightly) signal. It all sounds very complicated but the resulting sounds can be similar to "Run To You" by Bryan Adams or the famous grunge classic "Come As You Are" by Nirvana.

Chorus pedals will split your guitars signal in two, leaving one unaltered and making alterations to the second. This is the delayed signal we spoke of earlier. This is usually made using a low-frequency oscillator.

Different Types Of Chorus Pedals

Like with many different types of guitar effects pedals, chorus pedals can be purchased with analog components or digital components. While sounding very different, it's not a competition where there is a clear winner. There is no best chorus pedal type. Each type of pedal has strengths and weaknesses that we'll cover below.

Analog

Analog chorus pedals are known for their robust signal and warm tone. They give a deeper sound than digital and usually effect the whole frequency range of your tone. This is due to the fact they use physical devices in their circuitry to achieve these effects, unlike their digital counterparts.

Digital

Digital chorus pedals are very customisable compared with the analog models. They can usually provide a greater range of sounds and let your tweak even minor details. Making them a far more versatile option. The downside to this approach is that the effect is entirely fabricated. Some purists would argue that this leads to them sounding to processed and synthetic. Although, as time as gone by the digital models available have improved. So much so that they can recreate the sound of analog models very convincingly. They also range in price much more than analog pedals. Meaning you can get digital chorus pedals at a very low price. Which makes them very popular with beginners and those new to the chorus effect.

It's worth noting that this list covers all price ranges. We have buyers guide specifically for certain budgets. For example the best chorus pedals under 100 will give you options under the 100 dollar mark. If you're looking for a budget pedal then we recommend you check out the best chorus pedals under 50 buyers guide.

Where Does A Chorus Pedal Fit In?

First of all, there is no right and wrong place to put pedals. Only better and best places. Using a chorus at the front of your amp may sound great but it can lead to a volume hike when engaged. Which can be quite annoying unless that was your intension. If you're more conventional and are looking to put it in your signal chain we can help. Modulation pedals should be placed before any reverb or delay pedals. This is simply because the chorus pedal will effect your signal, including any effects already applied. Using your chorus after a delay could lead to your delay being compromised or sounding a little off. Well worth playing around with positioning but the general consensus is clear.

Controls

Chorus pedals come in all shapes and sized. From micro and mini pedals through to giant ones. These pedals have all types of controls and knobs ranging from a plethora down to just a single knob. However, the most common combination of controls are 3 knobs, depth, level & rate.

Depth

Depth manages the chorus warble effect, turn this knob up to intensify the effect.

Level

The level knob will determine how much of the effected signal is mixed with the dry (unaltered) signal. Turn this right up to get a heavily altered end product or very low for a somewhat subtle effect. So depth controls the intensity of the effect, level controls how thick the effect is.

Rate

Rate gives you the chance to adjust the speed of the chorus effect. How many rotations the low-frequency oscillator makes in a given time. Resulting in a space like supernatural sound if turned really high.

The Best Chorus Pedals On The Market Buyers Guide (March 2024)

  • 1. BOSS WAZA Craft CE-2W
  • 2. Walrus Audio Julia V2
  • 3. Keeley Dyno My Roto
  • 4. BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus
  • 5. Electro-Harmonix Small Clone
  • 6. TC Electronic Corona Mini Chorus Pedal
  • 7. Ibanez Mini Chorus
  • 8. MXR M234 Analog Chorus
  • 9. Dunlop M148 MXR Micro Chorus
  • 10. Mooer Ensemble King
BOSS WAZA Craft CE-2W Chorus Pedal Image

BOSS WAZA Craft CE-2W

  • ✔ Special Edition WAZA-Craft Pedal
  • ✔ Mode Toggle - Standard Gives A Perfect Reproduction Of The CE-2 Sound
  • ✔ Features Rate & Depth Control Knobs
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching

BOSS WAZA Craft CE-2W is a special edition WAZA craft pedal that really does deliver the ultimate BOSS tone experience. When nothing but the best will do, get the CW-2W.

BOSS WAZA Craft CE-2W Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

TheWaza Craft CE-2W Chorus was designed in collaboration with the renowned guitar pedal manufacturer Waza Craft. The CE-2W features a warm analog sound. It creates it effect by layering a modulated signal with the original. Resulting in a complex and unique sound that has been prized by guitarists for decades.

This beautiful chorus pedal is the perfect combination of simplicity and function. It comes equipped with two rate and depth settings and three selectable modes. The CE-2W pedal delivers a lush, natural sounding effect that can be used to thicken guitar and synth tones. Or to create a rich watery sound. The pedal is equipped with a Volume control, Dry/Wet control and a special Tone control. The Tone control lets you tailor the sound to your guitar. It is an amazing chorus pedal using BOSS' acclaimed Chorus circuit. The CE-2W produces lush chorusing with an intuitive Control Knob that lets you easily dial in a chorus effect that's subtle or dramatic. Add shimmer to your tone with the CE-2W.

This pedal is the newest addition to the Craft chorus line. It has a streamlined, compact chassis, and is the perfect size for the pedal board. This pedal gives you a rich, warm, and not overly thick tone. It's simple in design, but in practice it's actually very powerful. Providing a wide tone that can be used for a lot of different musical styles.

The CE-2W gives you the distinctive sound derived from the CE-1. The CE-2W features newly developed analog chorus circuitry with a BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) and a newly developed effect that adds richness to the sound. The CE-2W can be used to create a lush chorus sound from subtle to dramatic. This pedal is the perfect choice for guitarists who want to add a chorus effect to their sound.


Walrus Audio Julia V2 Chorus Pedal Image

Walrus Audio Julia V2

  • ✔ Updated For 2020
  • ✔ Features Art From Adam Forster
  • ✔ Wave Toggle - Switch Between Chorus And Vibrato Sound
  • ✔ Dry/Chorus/Vibrato Blend Toggle - Choose Ratio Of Wet/Dry Signal

The Walrus Audio Julia V2 is a fully analog, feature-rich chorus/vibrato packed with a wide array of tonal landscapes begging to be explored.

Walrus Audio Julia V2 Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

This is the Julia V2 Chorus Pedal from Walrus Audio. The Julia has a very smooth and liquid tone that can go from a gentle shimmer to a distinct, sweeping sound. A chorus unitpedal can be used to add a shimmery, spacious sound to your guitar's tone. The Julia V2 provides a rich, massive effect in a beautiful package. An LED indicator shows you whether the pedal is on or off.

Perfect for those who wish to experiment  with  chorus  and  vibrato  effects. This  hybrid  effect  is  warm  and  versatile.  Julia  is  an  updated  version  of  the  original  Julia pedal,  which  was  introduced  in  2001  and  has  been  time  tested  by  some  of  the  best  guitarists  in  the  world.

The Walrus Audio Julia chorus pedal is a love letter to the classic analog chorus sound. We start by adding 3 studio-grade BBD's to the circuit, which are used in vintage digital delay units. These are filtered by an analog low-pass filter, which is the same filter found in many fine vintage analog guitar pedals. The result is a chorus that is warm and lush, with a beautiful 3D quality to the sound. It is perfect for making leads soar and adding lush textures to your sound. Featuring Independent rate and depth controls, the Julia V2 can go from a subtle thickening of your tone to a dramatic, "whoa is me" chorus that will throw your guitar sound into a hazy, dreamy state of bliss.


Keeley Dyno My Roto Chorus And Modulation Pedal Image

Keeley Dyno My Roto

  • ✔ Features Rate, Depth, Texture & Level Control Knobs
  • ✔ Toggle Switch Between Tri-Chorus, Rotary & Rotoflange
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching
  • ✔ Durable Metal Chassis

The Keeley Dyno My Roto helps you get those 80’s vintage rack chorus that has defined that killer chorus sounds.

Keeley Dyno My Roto Chorus And Modulation Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

The Keeley Dyno-My-Roto is a chorus and modulation pedal with controls for rate, depth, texture and level. The unit has two speeds and its own internal toggle switch. It provides lush, shimmering, dynamic chorus and tremolo sounds. Classic chorus, vibrato, and panning sounds are available, plus a new "semitone" mode that produces subtle detuning and pitch variations.

The Keeley Dyno My Roto is compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use. The effect pedal has two modes, "chorus" and "modulation," as well as a toggle swtich to vary the intensity of each effect. Its high-grade aluminum housing and durable die-cast zinc metal chassis make it almost indestructible.

It is a great sounding chorus/vibrato pedal. It has an outstanding feature set. Keeley's Dyno-My-Roto produces a lush chorus as well as a clear vibrato. The speed at which the modulation occurs is dependent upon the Speed control and the depth at which the modulation occurs is dependent upon the Depth control. Those two controls interact with each other. You can adjust either the Speed or Depth while holding the other control steady and you will hear the effect of the one you are adjusting. In addition, the Dyno-My-Roto also features a great sounding tremolo effect. The pedal can be run in true bypass mode or it can be used with a buffered bypass. It will work well for both guitar and bass.


BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus Pedal Image

BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus

  • ✔ Clean, Brilliant Sounding Pedal
  • ✔ Feature Effect Level, EQ, Rate and Depth Control Knobs
  • ✔ Dual Amp Connection - Mono input and Stereo outputs
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching

The BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus delivers a clean classic chorus sound with crystal-clear highs and a unique stereo effect, variable between left and right speakers.

BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

The BOSS CH-1 is a stomp box that is easy to use and adds shimmering, lush, and ambient effects to your guitar signals. It has three knobs that you can use to adjust your chorus effect: Effect Level, EQ, Rate and Depth. It produces rich, warm, and shimmering analog chorus effects. Equipped with BOSS' high-quality SHARC DSP and true stereo ins/outs, the CH-1 is built to produce an incredibly authentic analog chorus.

The CH-1 gives you all the warm and lush hall reverb you need in a compact pedal. But it's much more than just a great-sounding hall reverb. It features stereo inputs and outputs as well as a variable output, so you can use the CH-1 as a convenient and compact stereo chorus effect.

The CH-1 is made in Japan by BOSS. It is a high quality pedal that is designed to be used in front of an amplifier. Equipped with true bypass circuitry the CH-1 ensures that the sound of the guitar and amplifier is not affected when the pedal is not engaged. This chorus can be used to create a wide range of effects that are suitable for any style of music. It can be used to fill out a guitar solo or to create a chorus sound for an entire band.


Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus Pedal Image

Electro-Harmonix Small Clone

  • ✔ Achieve Analog Chorus Sounds
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching
  • ✔ Features Depth Switch & Rate Control Knob
  • ✔ Durable Metal Chassis

The Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus guitar effects pedal is the classic analog chorus pedal popularized by Kurt Cobain.

Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

The Small Clone is a classic analog chorus pedal that's been a top choice of guitarists for more than 25 years. True Bypass switching gives you transparent tone, and the devices Rate controls let you create everything from subtle shimmer to cavernous thickening.

A faithful re-creation of an analog pedal that was remade from the legendary Small Clone. It has all the same controls and features as the original, plus a few cool extras. It's got a rich and smooth sound, plus it's very well made.

The Electro-Harmonix Small Clone is a compact, board friendly chorus pedal that delivers a professional warm analog sound. It is the perfect chorus for any guitarist looking for that classic sound. In a device that is well sized to fit on any board. The Small Clone can be used in conjunction with other effects, as well as by itself. It features two effects modes, a sweepable LFO, and true bypass switching. A perfect pedal for players looking for a reliable chorus at a fantastic price.

For those who want a great sounding chorus pedal without paying an arm and a leg, the Small Clone is a great choice.


TC Electronic Corona Mini Chorus Pedal Image

TC Electronic Corona Mini Chorus Pedal

  • ✔ Features Depth, Speed & FX Level Control Knobs
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching
  • ✔ Small Sized Durable Chassis
  • ✔ Tone Print Technology - 100's Of Free Downloadable Effects

The TC Electronic Corona Mini Chorus guitar effects pedals sound is lush, thick and swirly. In a form factor guitarists with precious little room on their boards around the world will truly appreciate.

TC Electronic Corona Mini Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Ultra-compact chorus pedal offers built-in TonePrint technology to give you an exceptional breadth of high-quality chorus effects in a tiny package
  • Enjoy the lush TriChorus by TC ELECTRONIC plus all the other high-quality choruses you could ever need through TonePrints
  • True bypass allows optimum clarity and zero high-end loss when the pedal is off
  • Analog-Dry-Through maintains total integrity of analog dry signal path even when chorus effect is engaged
  • Works flawlessly with guitar and FX loop signals
  • Extra-small enclosure easily fits on any pedal board
  • TonePrint-enabled to let you beam cool signature tones into your pedal with the free TonePrint App
  • Design your own customized chorus effects from scratch with free TonePrint Editor for PC, Mac, and iPad

So much chorussy goodness in such a tiny pedal? People have been chased out of town for less, but we’re telling you, we did it! If that sounds too good to be true, wait until you hear CORONA MINI CHORUS! Lush, thick and swirly, in a form factor chorus-smugglers and guitarists with precious little room on their boards around the world will truly appreciate.

Size Matters

From subtle swells to full-on Leslie sounds to classic SCF sound and a huge-sounding tri-chorus, we’ve condensed all that and more into this tiny CORONA MINI CHORUS pedal! No matter what your chorus needs, you’ll find all the right sounds here – in a pedal that takes up barely any space on your pedalboard!

SCF and Tri-Chorus

Did you know that the classic TC ELECTRONIC SCF Chorus sound is one of the true staples of music? Still used in every pro-studio and on countless pro guitarists’ pedalboards, the SCF’s beautiful sounds continue to define music. We’ve also added a Tri-Chorus with 3 chorus engines that run simultaneously for a sound so awesome, you should wear a helmet when you first use it – ’cause CORONA MINI CHORUS will blow your mind.

This is a hugely popular mini chorus pedal. And rightly so, it's more than capable of achieving fantastic sounds, especially with the TonePrint features. Being a small sized pedal means it's going to fit on even the most crowded of pedalboards. If you're in the market for a quality chorus but you're restricted to small sized pedals then look no further than the TC Electronic Corona Mini Chorus guitar effects pedal.


Ibanez Mini Chorus Pedal Image

Ibanez Mini Chorus

  • ✔ Analog Circuit
  • ✔ Features Depth, Level & Speed Control Knobs
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching
  • ✔ Small Durable Chassis

The mini-pedal market has been booming the past few years, so Ibanez offers some of their most legendary pedals in mini form. Including the Ibanez Mini Chorus guitar effects pedal.

Ibanez Mini Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

The Ibanez Mini Chorus delivers absolutely outstanding performance. It allows you to select the best possible setting for your sound-yet the Mini Chorus is compact enough to fit into any pedal chain. It offers you rich, warm, full and lush analog-modeled effect. It offers a few selectable modes which sound great on their own or stacked with others.

This pedal creates the lush chorusing sounds heard on many hit recordings. It features Depth, Level & Speed controls. The mini chorus pedal by Ibanez is a versatile device that has a variety of uses. It is great for a number of applications such as fattening up your tone for leads and solos, adding a lush, smooth texture to your rhythm tracks, and even for adding a subtle ambiance to your clean tone. As with other pedals, you can use the mini chorus in combination with other effects for even more possibilities. It is an excellent unit to experiment with. Allowing you to find your own unique sound. This mini chorus gives you a lush, spacious sound. That's perfect for adding depth and dimension to your guitar signal. It's also incredibly easy to use, so you'll be creating gorgeous reverberations in an instant.

This is an excellent effect pedal from Ibanez. It has a lot of rich sounds that you can create with this pedal. This chorus can be heard as rich and thick or as subtle and light. This is an excellent option for guitarists who want to have a chorus in their pedal effects chain.


MXR M234 Analog Chorus Pedal Image

MXR M234 Analog Chorus

  • ✔ All Analog Circuit
  • ✔ Create Classic Lush, Liquid Textures
  • ✔ Features Level, Low, High, Rate & Depth Control Knobs
  • ✔ Heavy Duty Durable Chassis

The MXR M234 Analog Chorus as an all-analog pedal that uses bucket-brigade circuitry to create classically lush, liquid textures that you just can’t get with digital circuitry.

MXR M234 Analog Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

MXR pedals are a line of high quality effects pedals that provide exceptional sound quality and a wide range of tones. The M234 is a classic analog chorus pedal that is designed to emulate a vintage tone. It is designed for players who are looking for the classic, vintage chorus.

The MXR M-234 delivers the classic chorus heard on some of the most influential recordings in history. This pedal gives you a lush, warm tone with adjustable Rate and Depth controls. Use the Level, Rate, and Depth knobs to create a chorus that's just right for your guitar.

This chorus is a versatile and classic effect that provides a rich, warm and shimmering sound. It is made with a 12-bit microcontroller to ensure the best sound possible, and is capable of handling a signal up to 3 times louder than other units. The MXR M234 gives you lush, liquid tones that shimmer and swell. This analog pedal provides you with an adjustable high and low-cut filter controls. Letting you add just the appropriate amount of shimmer and feedback for your particular guitar and amp combination.


Dunlop M148 MXR Micro Chorus Pedal Image

Dunlop M148 MXR Micro Chorus

  • ✔ All Analog Circuit
  • ✔ Rich Chorus Textures
  • ✔ Simply One Control Knob Design
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching

The Dunlop M148 MXR Micro Chorus guitar effects pedal is designed with old-school bucket brigade technology for warm analog tone and features true bypass for pure guitar tone when the pedal is off.

Dunlop M148 MXR Micro Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

The MXR Classic Micro Chorus is one of MXR's earliest and most-loved effects. Part of its enduring appeal is that it delivers a rich, liquid swirl from a deceptively simple circuit. The Classic Micro's super-smooth, mod-free oscillation turns your guitar's signal into a shimmering, liquid sound that adds movement and depth to any sound you play. The Micro adds dimension and depth to your instrument's tone, making it sound more like a full-bodied instrument.

A chorusing effect is produced by mixing the original version of a signal with a delayed copy of itself. The delayed copy is usually (but not always) slightly detuned from the original. The most notable use of chorus is the "watery" sound on the guitars on Van Halen's 1978 hit "Eruption", which was produced using a chorus effect. The MXR M-148 Micro Chorus pedal delivers shimmering stereo chorus and vibrato effects. A simple, three-knob layout makes it easy to dial in the perfect amount of rich, liquid sound.

This pedal is packed with MXR's legendary analog tone and top-notch construction, plus unique features that set it apart from the crowd. A Rate knob lets you dial in the perfect mix of wet and dry signals. While adding a sweet, subtle phase effect that's rich and warm. From crystal cleans to jet-engine highs, the MXR Micro Chorus pedal is a must-have for your pedalboard.


Mooer Ensemble King Chorus Pedal Image

Mooer Ensemble King

  • ✔ Pure Analog Sound
  • ✔ Small Sized Pedal
  • ✔ Durable Metal Chassis
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching

The Mooer Ensemble King is a simple-to-use chorus that provides a warm, clear chorus sound with a nice spacey feeling from its fully analog circuit.

Mooer Ensemble King Chorus Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now

This chorus pedal was designed for guitarists by guitarists. It has extremely low-noise and high-gain stability. As well as featuring digital circuitry and controls. The Mooer Ensemble King is a great tool for guitarists to carry out the effect of chorus. The Mooer Ensemble King is a classic with a big, warm chorus sound. The unique Mooer true bypass system provides a true bypass delay and zero loss of tone. The Ensemble King features controls for Level, Depth, Rate.

This pedal provides the same quality of tone as the most expensive chorus pedals out there without the high price tag. This pedal is compact, easy to use, and designed to sound great and last a long time. It provides the guitarist with the ability to create lush, thick, and beautiful tones. Tones that are perfect for creating a chorused sound with softer, more delicate guitar riffs.

If you are looking for a chorus that can give you the warm, rich sound. You might want to consider the Ensemble King. The Mooer Ensemble King is a budget device that can help you get a great sound without breaking your budget. The unit is small, weighing only about a pound and a half. It is easily portable, and it is easily stored. We recommend this pedal to players who want to add a chorus effect to their sound, but do not want to spend a large amount of money.


More Information Regarding Chorus Pedals (2024)

What Is A Chorus Pedal?

A chorus is a modulation effect but the modulation produced is made by delaying the wet signal ever so slightly, resulting in a 'doubling' effect. This effect can be taken to the extreme from a 'doubling effect' the an extremely 'watery' effect.

In short, a chorus effect tries to give the impression your signal is running through two separate amplifiers with one being slightly delayed resulting in an almost echo effect. It's not delayed enough to be an echo, instead the guitar's output is thickened up and truly does sound great.

Chorus pedals usually provide several configurable input knobs. Speed, rate and depth are common on the best chorus effect pedals. Boss chorus pedals are very popular in the industry, because they are great at effecting the rate, depth, tone & sound of your signal.

When Did The Chorus Pedal Start To Become Popular?

Chorus pedals became particularly popular in the 80's. Chorus pedals mimic the effects of choirs and string orchestras produce. They do it by mixing the sound with slightly different pitches. It adds delay and vibrato effect to add to the layering process.

Why Should I Get A Chorus Pedal?

Most guitar players who experience a chorus pedal stick with it. Once you hear and feel the effect on your tone you really won't want to go back. Finding the right chorus pedal and the perfect balance between usability and functionality is your next challenge.

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