Vibrato and tremolo effects are among the oldest and most iconic tools in the electric guitar world. Although they are often confused, their function and sonic impact differ radically.
In this article, we’ll demystify these effects, explore their technical and sonic peculiarities, and compare them to other sound modulations to better understand their role in the guitarist’s sound palette, and in the process perhaps inspire you to add one to your pedalboard!
Vibrato / tremolo: confusion throughout history
Why is there so much confusion about vibrato and tremolo? The answer lies partly in the history of amplifiers and instruments.
The origins of error
In the 1950s and 1960s, Fender, in its famous amplifiers such as the Twin Reverb or Vibroverb, labeled “vibrato” an effect that was actually a tremolo (volume variation). Paradoxically, on his electric guitars, such as the Stratocaster, the term “vibrato” was attributed to the mechanical lever that alters the pitch of the notes, which is more faithful to its definition. This ambiguity has been perpetuated, fuelling confusion in the minds of musicians.
In those days, both effects were used to provide expressive textures, particularly in genres such as surf rock, blues and psychedelic rock. While tremolo evokes the rhythmic undulations of vintage tube amps, vibrato was often exploited for stirring leads or “aquatic” studio effects.
Vibrato: pitch variation
Vibrato is an effect that modifies the pitch of a sound signal. This modulation can be gentle, imitating the natural vibrato of a violinist, or exaggerated for more experimental sounds. It’s an effect that lends a lively, expressive dimension, often associated with string instruments or the human voice.
Vibrato is used to add an organic dimension to solos or to give a “sea of waves” effect to extended chords. Famous examples include David Gilmour’s playing in Pink Floyd, or iconic surf-rock tracks by The Shadows.
Technical specifications:
- The signal frequency is modulated along a wave (often sinusoidal).
- Key parameters include rate and depth, which control modulation speed and intensity respectively.
Some essential vibrato pedals:
Boss VB-2W Vibrato
The Boss VB-2, originally released in 1982, has become a cult pedal for its rich, expressive analog vibrato. The modernized VB-2W Waza Craft has added modern features while retaining the spirit of the original model.
It’s a “warm” analog vibrato with 2 modes: Latch (effect activated only while the switch is held down) and Unlatch, with several simple controls for rate, depth and rise time. This pedal is appreciated for subtle sounds as well as for exaggerated effects in rock, indie and even ambient.
Walrus Audio Julia
The Julia is a hybrid pedal that can oscillate between chorus and vibrato. It has become a modern standard thanks to its versatility and rich modulations.
It features a “DCV” setting for a mix of dry, chorus and vibrato sound, as well as controls for speed, depth and waveform (sine or triangle). This pedal is ideal for guitarists looking for a modern, musical vibrato, and integrates perfectly into a variety of styles, from shoegaze to jazz.
MXR M68 Uni-Vibe
The MXR M68 Uni-Vibe is a modern pedal inspired by the legendary Uni-Vibe effect of the 60s, used by icons such as Jimi Hendrix and David Gilmour.
This analog circuit pedal offers a unique blend of pure vibrato and chorus for psychedelic tones, but its vibrato-only mode makes it a remarkable, authentic option for deep, expressive modulations. Simple controls: potentiometers for speed, depth and level. Ideal for recreating the psychedelic sounds of the 60s and 70s, or adding an expressive touch to solos and arpeggios. It shines in genres such as rock, blues and ambient.
Tremolo: volume variation
The tremolo acts not on pitch, but onsound amplitude, i.e. its volume. It creates dynamic pulsations by cyclically increasing and decreasing volume.
The tremolo is particularly appreciated in ballads or ambient tracks. Think of songs like Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells, or “How Soon Is Now?” by the Smiths, where tremolo creates a haunting ambience. In rock, Radiohead frequently use tremolo to add movement to their compositions.
Technical specifications:
- Speed (rate) determines pulse frequency.
- Depth controls the difference between maximum and minimum volumes.
- The waveform influences the character of the tremolo: sinusoidal for a smooth oscillation, square for a staccato effect.
Some essential tremolo pedals:
Strymon Flint
The Strymon Flint is a modern reference combining tremolo and reverb. It perfectly recreates the sounds of vintage amps, while offering modern flexibility.
It features 3 tremolo modes: ’61 Harmonic Tremolo, ’63 Power Tube Tremolo, and ’65 Photo Tremolo, inspired by classic Fender amp circuits. Precise controls let you manage speed, depth and intensity. This pedal uses ultra-high-quality digital technology, reproducing the analog character to perfection, and also features stereo functionality and the option of using it as a tremolo alone or coupled with reverb.
Walrus Audio Monument V2
The Walrus Audio Monument V2 is a versatile tremolo pedal that combines classic circuitry with modern features.
It features five alternative waveforms (sine, triangle, square, harmonic, etc.), offering a wide variety of creative sounds. Its tap tempo and rhythmic subdivision controls make it easy to synchronize the effect with the tempo of the music, while its momentary bypass mode lets you activate the effect on demand. Ideal for guitarists seeking maximum flexibility and infinite sonic possibilities.
JHS Tidewater Tremolo
The JHS Tidewater Tremolo is a compact pedal that recreates the natural tremolo of vintage Fender amps from the 50s and 60s. It offers a warm, organic sound, perfect for subtle, musical effects.
It features speed, depth and volume controls to adjust the effect as required. An internal 3-position switch lets you select the speed range (Slow, Medium, Fast). With its classic analog circuitry and true bypass, it delivers a pure, musical sound, ideal for folk, blues and surf rock.
In short, vibrato and tremolo: how to recognize them?
Vibrato gives a sensation of pitch fluctuation, like a trembling voice. Tremolo, on the other hand, resembles a “flashing” or pulsing sound.
Are you confusing this with other modulation effects?
Don’t panic, we’ll help you make sense of it all! There are indeed other effects that share similarities with vibrato and tremolo, but their function and role in a mix differ.
The chorus
The chorus creates a slightly detuned, delayed duplication of the signal, simulating several instruments playing at the same time. It combines light pitch modulation and delay to create a thick, rich sound.
Uni-Vibe
A cousin of the phaser, the Uni-Vibe has a unique vibrating and undulating sound signature, often associated with Jimi Hendrix and the psychedelic sounds of the 60s, thanks to its asymmetrical modulation that mimics vintage optical oscillators.
Phaser and Flanger
Phaser: alters the phases of signal frequencies, creating peaks and troughs in the frequency response. In other words, the phaser creates a phase shift in the signal, producing a characteristic moving sound with frequency “cancellations” and “peaks”, often used for spatial and psychedelic textures.
Flanger: similar to phaser, but also adds a modulated delay to give a more metallic or spatial sound. It mixes the original signal with a slightly delayed version, creating a wider, more pronounced sweeping effect.
Tremolo pan and autopan
Pan tremolo alternates volume between the left and right channels, creating stereo movement. It’s a more spatial variation on standard tremolo.
