Ever wondered if you could spice up your vocals with that sweet delay or reverb pedal you’ve been using on your guitar? Or maybe you’ve stared at your pedalboard mid-gig, thinking, What if I just plugged my mic into this bad boy?
Well, you’re not alone. The idea of running vocals through guitar pedals is equal parts genius and potential disaster—kind of like playing a gig with a brand-new fuzz pedal you haven’t tested yet.
In this article, we’ll break down whether you can plug a mic into a guitar pedal (spoiler: yes, but it’s not always straightforward) and which pedals work best for vocals.
We’ll also cover how to set it up properly and whether you can loop your voice like Ed Sheeran—or just end up sounding like a glitchy robot having an existential crisis.
And if guitar pedals aren’t your best bet for vocal effects, we’ve got some solid alternatives to keep your voice sounding epic. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Can You Plug a Mic into a Guitar Pedal?
Technically, yes—you can plug a microphone into a guitar pedal, but not without a few hurdles.
Guitar pedals are designed for instruments with high-impedance signals, while most microphones output a low-impedance signal.
Plugging a mic directly into a pedal without some kind of adapter or preamp is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—possible, but not ideal.
To make it work properly, you’ll need an impedance-matching device, like a DI box or a preamp, to boost the mic signal and convert it to something the pedal won’t struggle with.
Some vocal-friendly multi-effects units even have built-in impedance matching, but standard guitar pedals expect a different signal level. Skip this step, and your mic might sound weak, noisy, or just plain terrible.
If you’re thinking of chaining multiple guitar pedals together for vocals, be extra careful—some effects (like distortion or compression) can be wildly unpredictable with a microphone.
But if you do it right, running a mic through guitar pedals can unlock some seriously creative sounds, from dreamy reverbs to robotic madness.
Best Types of Pedals for Microphone Use
Not all guitar pedals play nice with vocals, but some can work surprisingly well. Time-based effects like reverb and delay are a great starting point, adding depth and space to your voice without completely mangling it.
Chorus and octave pedals can thicken up your vocals, while a looper lets you stack harmonies or build full vocal arrangements on the fly.
On the flip side, distortion and overdrive pedals can be tricky. They’re designed for guitar signals, so plugging in a mic can make you sound less like a rock god and more like a radio stuck between stations.
If you’re after grit, a multi-effects processor designed for vocals (or at least a pedal with gain controls) is a safer bet.
For the best results, look for pedals with line-level inputs or adjustable impedance, or pair them with a preamp to balance the signal.
And if you’re feeling experimental, go ahead—plug in that mic and see what happens. Sometimes, the best sounds come from breaking the rules.
Can You Plug a Microphone into a Looper?
Yes, but it depends on the looper. Most guitar loopers are built for high-impedance instrument signals, so plugging a microphone straight in usually results in weak, thin, or barely audible sound.
However, if your looper has a dedicated mic input (like the Boss RC-505 or TC Helicon Ditto Mic Looper), you’re good to go—no extra gear needed.
If your looper doesn’t have a mic input, you’ll need a preamp or impedance-matching device to boost the mic signal to a level the looper can actually work with.
A simple mic-to-line converter or an audio interface with an effects loop can also do the trick.
Once everything is set up, looping vocals can be a game-changer. Whether you’re layering harmonies, beatboxing, or just making weird alien noises, a looper can turn your voice into a full-blown instrument.
Just be warned—your first few attempts might sound more like a chaotic mess than a masterpiece.
How to Run a Microphone Through a Guitar Pedal
Running a mic through a guitar pedal isn’t as simple as plugging it straight in, but with the right setup, it’s totally doable. Follow these steps to make sure your vocals sound great (and not like they’re coming from the bottom of a well).
What You’ll Need:
✔️ A dynamic microphone (like a Shure SM58) – condenser mics need phantom power, which most guitar pedals don’t provide
✔️ An impedance-matching device (like a DI box or mic preamp) to convert the mic signal
✔️ A guitar pedal (or a chain of them)
✔️ Cables: XLR for the mic, and ¼” instrument cables for the pedals
✔️ A mixer, PA system, or amp to hear the final output
Step-by-Step Setup:
- Plug your microphone into a preamp or DI box – This boosts the signal to the right level for the pedal(s). Some DI boxes also have XLR-to-¼” outputs, making it easier to connect.
- Connect the output of the DI box/preamp to the input of your guitar pedal – Use a standard ¼” instrument cable. If you’re using multiple pedals, connect them as usual (input to output in a chain).
- Connect the last pedal in your chain to your amplifier, mixer, or audio interface – Use a ¼” cable if going into an amp or an XLR adapter if going into a mixer or PA system.
- Adjust levels carefully – Guitar pedals are designed for instrument-level signals, so keep the volume on your preamp or DI box at a reasonable level to avoid distortion or weird sound issues.
- Test and tweak your effects – Some pedals (like delay or reverb) will work great right away, while others (like distortion) may need adjustments to avoid overpowering your vocals.
Bonus Tips:
🔹 If your signal is too weak, try a higher-gain preamp.
🔹 If using multiple pedals, experiment with different effect orders for the best sound.
🔹 If you’re getting too much noise, use a noise gate pedal or adjust your gain levels.
With the right setup, you can get some amazing vocal effects using guitar pedals—just don’t blame me if you spend the next three hours making robot noises into your mic.
Alternatives to Using a Guitar Pedal With a Microphone
If running your mic through a guitar pedal feels like too much of a hassle (or just isn’t giving you the sound you want), don’t worry—there are better tools for the job. Here are some solid alternatives that are built specifically for vocal effects.
1. Vocal Effects Processors
These are basically multi-effects pedals made for singers. Units like the TC Helicon VoiceLive series or the Boss VE-22 come packed with reverb, delay, harmonizers, pitch correction, and even vocoder effects—all optimized for a microphone signal. No need for extra adapters or preamps!
2. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) & Plugins
If you’re recording or performing with a computer, software like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or FL Studio offers endless vocal effects. Plugins like Auto-Tune, VocalSynth, and Valhalla Reverb can take your vocals to a whole new level—no messy cables required.
3. Multi-Effects Pedals with Mic Inputs
Some multi-effects units, like the Line 6 Helix or Headrush Pedalboard, include a mic input and vocal effects alongside guitar processing. If you already own one of these, you’re in luck!
4. Analog Rack Gear
For studio-quality vocal effects, consider rack-mounted units like the Lexicon PCM 70 (for lush reverb) or the Eventide H3000 (for classic pitch-shifting). These are pricey but deliver pro-level results.
5. Smartphone & Tablet Apps
Believe it or not, apps like Voloco, GarageBand, and Tonebridge offer surprisingly good real-time vocal effects. Pair them with a simple audio interface, and you’ve got a budget-friendly way to experiment.
If you’re serious about vocal effects, these alternatives will give you better results than forcing a guitar pedal to do something it wasn’t built for.
But hey, if you want to sound like a distorted alien, keep experimenting—some of the best sounds come from breaking the rules.
Last update on 2025-06-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, while you can plug a mic into a guitar pedal, it’s not always as simple as it sounds.
With the right gear—like a preamp or impedance-matching device—you can create some cool effects, especially with time-based pedals like reverb and delay.
Just be mindful that not all pedals will play nice with vocals, and you might end up with some unexpected results if you’re not careful.
If you’re looking for more control and better quality, alternatives like vocal effects processors, DAWs, or dedicated mic-friendly pedals are the way to go.
Whether you’re experimenting or gigging, there are plenty of ways to make your voice sound epic without battling with your guitar pedals.
Happy experimenting, and don’t be afraid to break a few rules along the way!
