Dedicated to Women Guitarists and Bassists
Audioscopes ISSU18 Featured Img

Audioscopes: Astrology for Your Pedalboard and Sound


October 2, 2019
Written by
C. Teddy Thompson
Illustrations by
Paterson Hodgson

Ever wonder what your zodiac sign says about your sound? Use our Audioscopes to find out which pedals you’re astrologically connected to.

This first edition of Audioscopes originally appeared in She Shreds Magazine Issue #18, released August 2019.

Welcome to our first edition of Audioscopes!

Astrology has been used for thousands of years to enrich and guide our lives—and similarly, so has music. The way we express ourselves conveys the kind of people we are, and the pedals we choose illuminate our unique, magnificent songs. Each effects pedal has its own frequency that produces a specific sound, and so naturally, as musicians, we choose pedals with frequencies that correspond with our own personal energies.

We asked over 40 musicians for their astrological signs and their favorite guitar pedals, and with some research and reflection, picked a pedal that we felt connected to each sign—that seemed to exist on the same wavelength. Use these Audioscopes in whatever way works for you: read your sun sign (which represents your spirit and personality), rising sign (the way the world sees you), moon sign (your emotions and inner mood), and any other placements. Experiment with your sound and what you put into the universe! 

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

The Ram |  Boost 

Like a true Aries, the boost pedal is the loudest one in the room—when necessary. A boost pedal takes the signal from your guitar and boosts its volume above and beyond. It won’t take away from your tone or add distortion; the function is very simple, but not subtle. The purpose is direct and to the point, taking your sound from a 10 to 20. Similarly, firey and impulsive Aries is known as the spark that ignites the wheel of signs.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

The Bull | Tremolo

This practical and indulgent sign lives for anything and everything that pleases the senses and elevates their surroundings. Relatedly, the tremolo is simple in function, adding a rippling effect to your guitar tone by rapidly dropping and picking up the volume level in the signal. It gives your sound a laid back, nostalgic feel and is commonly found in surf and country music. This uncomplicated pedal can transport you to paradise without giving up comfort or security. 

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

The Twins | Distortion 

Curious and flexible, only the distortion pedal could approximate the communicative nature of Gemini. Just as expressive, distortion pushes and drives the signal to distort the sound coming out of your guitar. Duality and multi-tasking is what Gemini is known for, and for some, the distortion can be a little chaotic and restless. Often used in metal, rock, and grunge, use distortion in true Gem fashion: to get your message across loud and (maybe not so) clear.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

The Crab | Fuzz 

One of the oldest known pedal effects, fuzz speaks to the core Cancer qualities: warm, encapsulating, protective, and tenacious. Known for being the most sensitive in the zodiac, Cancer has no issue using their pinching claws when needed. Similarly, fuzz sits between overdrive and distortion, giving tone a warm distortion while supporting the other sounds around it. Heavy and borderline torturous, it’s no wonder this pedal has been used by emotive guitar players like Courtney Love. Whether you’re into psych, classic rock, or grunge, use it to dive into the full depth of your emotions, and take everyone else with you.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

The Lion | Wah-Wah 

The Lion is passionate, as well as nothing shy of extravagant. Their objective is to make themselves known, and to make you remember them. Wah-wah is a distinctive and bold pedal, making a crying “wah wah” effect on your guitar’s signal. You can alter the tones and frequency to your liking, but just know that you’ll be the center of attention when you use this pedal. It’s full of vibrancy, so use to it bring your lead guitar or solos to life. Wah-wah is most often used in funk, rock, metal, and blues—but regardless of what you play, your roar will be heard. 

Virgo (August 23 – September 22) 

The Virgin | Compression

Virgo is Mercury’s other half that opposes Gemini. Methodical, analytical, dutiful, and above all, purposeful in how they use their gifts and skills, Virgo is much like compression. The guardian angel of pedals, compression creates a clean and smooth sound by pushing the most out of every note that comes from your guitar. It creates a wondrous tone that boosts the level and sustains the note without adding distortion. It’s beloved by the pros, and used in basically every type of music. Bottom line: compression and Virgos will always have your back.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

The Scales | Equalizer

If it’s balance you seek, look no further than an EQ pedal. Short for equalizer, this pedal channels Libra’s diplomatic and accommodating nature, helping to shape your tone and give you more control of the frequencies in the bandwidth. You can get very creative with an EQ pedal. It’s your partner in improving tone and achieving your ideal sound. However, be warned: it’s a very powerful device, and your sound can change drastically when shifting the sliders. Whether you are inspired by lo-fi or high-quality tone, EQ will lead you to the harmony and balance you desire. 

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

The Scorpion | Reverb 

No word is more synonymous with Scorpio than depth. The brooding and magnetic Scorpio is well acquainted with being immersed, and immersing others, in their deep haunting waters—and reverb matches that depth. A naturally occurring phenomena, reverb is the act of sound bouncing off of walls and surroundings in a room. (Think of what your voice could do in a large, empty hall.) Using reverb creates a layered, rich, and emotive effect that spreads the signal out and creates ambience. The magical power of reverb can give your sound that intense, elusive feel that Scorpio is known for.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

The Archer | Overdrive 

Vivacious, motivated, and optimistic Sagittarius is not afraid to push anything to the limit. Overdrive supports your ambition to push everything out of your guitar and through your amp. Your sound will be gritty, raw, and warm, but without the distortion. Another bonus of overdrive is that it offers a bit of sustain and produces the sound of a tube amp if you don’t have one. It’s often used in blues, heavy rock, and punk, and its ultimate goal is to push the signal higher. The Archer not only accepts the challenge, they charge the opportunity with unstoppable force. 

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

The Goat | Looper

Pulling together resources is one of Capricorn’s greatest qualities, which is why the looper is clearly this sign’s pedal counterpart. Complex and advanced, the looper acts as a digital recorder with features like memory, built-in rhythms, tempo, and more. It allows you to record a section from your guitar playing, loop it, and build more on top of it. Similar to Saturn’s karmic and cyclical influence on Capricorn, the looper welcomes all the layers you decide to stack, embracing the determined and ambitious spirit of Capricorn. 

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

The Water Bearer | Synth 

Eccentric and forward-thinking Aquarius relates to no pedal more than the synth. It’s one of the most unconventional pedals out there. Non-conformist and futuristic, the synth pedal takes the signal from your guitar and uses a pitch-tracking mechanism to modulate the input sound. With this, you can sculpt your synth tone and make it as quirky as you’d like. Aquarius yearns to express themselves in the most unique and inventive way. And what is more innovative than making your guitar sound like anything other than a guitar?

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

The Two Fishes | Phase Shifter 

The last sign of the zodiac is said to hold all of the information of the other signs, making it the most wise but also the most mutable and versatile. The phase shifter is a form of delay that allows this compassionate and dreamy sign to create lush aural soundscapes. Like the two fishes, the guitar’s signal is split into two exact copies. It then phases one of the copies, and combines the two as a single signal. This creates notches in the frequency that results in the shimmering waves of sound. The phase shifter will create softer effects, but its mesmerising presence will give you lots of versatility in whichever direction you decide to swim in. 

Stayed tuned for more monthly Audioscopes!

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