Chairmen of the Boards

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Welcome to the Chairmen of the Boards Podcast! The ultimate pedalboard podcast with the foremost rig builders in the world: Grant Klassen (Goodwood Audio), Brian Omilion (Omilion Audio), and Mason Marangella (Vertex Effects/The Rig Doctor). We've teamed up to democratize great tone and provide you our best tricks, tips, resources, and hacks so you can build the pedalboard of your dreams!

Recent Episodes
  • Building Your First Pedalboard
    Apr 21, 2025 – 01:20:56
  • Delay Deep Dive
    Apr 14, 2025 – 01:21:11
  • Best Power Supplies of 2025
    Apr 7, 2025 – 54:47
  • What we can learn from the Keith Scott Rig
    Mar 31, 2025 – 56:58
  • How Tariffs will Affect the Pedal Industry
    Mar 24, 2025 – 56:37
  • RJM Smart Multibox
    Mar 17, 2025 – 59:03
  • Compressor Deep Dive
    Mar 10, 2025 – 01:19:09
  • Biggest Takeaways Tech-ing the NBA All-Star Game
    Mar 3, 2025 – 51:19
  • Definitive Guide To Modulation Pedals: Types, Sounds, and Signal Path Strategies
    Feb 24, 2025 – 01:03:31
  • Quad Cortex Rack Build with Omilion Audio
    Feb 17, 2025 – 29:07
  • Are Guitar Pedals Dying?
    Feb 10, 2025 – 01:11:34
  • Essential Pedalboard Building Tips
    Feb 3, 2025 – 01:03:57
  • Is NAMM Making a Comeback!?
    Jan 27, 2025 – 01:02:54
  • $99 USA-made Pedals, Are They Actually Good?
    Jan 20, 2025 – 49:48
  • Are Hybrid Pedalboards The Future (analog pedals with digital amp modeling)?
    Jan 14, 2025 – 01:00:58
  • Do NOT Make This Mistake In Ordering Your Effects
    Jan 7, 2025 – 51:31
  • Worship Pedalboard Essentials
    Dec 31, 2024 – 01:10:27
  • Reverb‬'s Best Selling Pedals of 2024
    Dec 23, 2024 – 43:51
  • JHS Pedals Reveals the TRUE COST to Manufacture Guitar Pedals (and why this is SO important!)
    Dec 17, 2024 – 56:45
  • Pedal Brands That Dominated 2024!
    Dec 10, 2024 – 52:57
  • Has The Fender Custom Shop Gone Too Far?
    Dec 2, 2024 – 41:09
  • What You NEED to Understand about Gear Demos with ‪Mark Johnston
    Nov 25, 2024 – 01:18:03
  • Sean Hurley Breaks Down His Most Iconic Basslines
    Nov 22, 2024 – 02:17:20
  • Why Gibson Should Be Paying Attention to Heritage
    Nov 18, 2024 – 01:00:36
  • Preserving the Legacy of Alexander Dumble
    Nov 11, 2024 – 01:04:31
  • The Evolution of Keeley Electronics (with Robert Keeley)
    Nov 4, 2024 – 01:24:13
  • SEAL Breaks Down His Biggest Hits
    Nov 2, 2024 – 03:03:01
  • BEST Reverb Pedals of 2024
    Oct 28, 2024 – 01:10:19
  • Best Wahs of 2024
    Oct 21, 2024 – 01:09:17
  • Andrew Synowiec Breaks Down His Most Iconic Guitar Parts
    Oct 18, 2024 – 01:17:01
  • Why EVERY Guitar Players Needs LEHLE (with Joki from ‪Lehle‬)
    Oct 14, 2024 – 01:09:59
  • A Close Look at the Newest Pedals from Walrus Audio, Warm Audio, and UA
    Oct 7, 2024 – 01:07:14
  • This Pedal Just Changed the Amp Modeling Game
    Sep 30, 2024 – 01:00:06
  • Best Tremolo Pedals You Can Buy in 2024
    Sep 24, 2024 – 01:15:28
  • Best Overdrive Pedals of 2024
    Sep 17, 2024 – 01:15:24
  • Mesa Boogie's (Gibson) Future Without Randall Smith?
    Sep 10, 2024 – 01:15:33
  • Cracking The Code on Hybrid Tube Amps (with ‪Victory Amps‬)
    Sep 4, 2024 – 01:15:35
  • Building the PERFECT Klon (with ‪J Rockett Audio‬)
    Aug 26, 2024 – 01:08:37
  • Where Will The Pedal Industry Be In 10 Years? (with ‪Wampler Pedals‬)
    Aug 19, 2024 – 01:02:52
  • Closing The Gap Between Tube & Modeling Amps (‪NeuralDSP‬ TINA)
    Aug 12, 2024 – 01:20:53
  • Mateus Asato Talk Gear, Career, & Inspiration
    Aug 5, 2024 – 01:45:41
  • Kings of Leon Rack Rig Build (with Barry O'Neal of ‪XAct Tone Solutions)
    Jul 29, 2024 – 01:35:39
  • BEST Delay Pedals of 2024
    Jul 23, 2024 – 01:06:30
  • Understanding MIDI for Guitar (with Pirate Midi)
    Jul 15, 2024 – 01:32:04
  • Are Tube-Based Pedals Better? (with Simon Jarrett of Kingsley‬)
    Jul 8, 2024 – 01:30:37
  • Budget-Friendly Alternatives to Vintage Gear
    Jul 1, 2024 – 01:23:31
  • A Guitarist's Guide to In-Ear Monitors (with ‪64 Audio‬)
    Jul 1, 2024 – 01:17:04
  • Is This The BEST Compact Amp Sim Pedal? (with ‪IK Multimedia‬)
    Jun 17, 2024 – 01:17:58
  • Pedalboard Confessions: The Hard Truths About Turning Your Passion into a Profit
    Jun 10, 2024 – 01:16:42
  • BEST Overdrives on a Budget
    Jun 3, 2024 – 01:04:13
Recent Reviews
  • Edman9
    For you guys!
    This podcast is an enjoyable listen. First, Mason has a great radio voice, and is always mellow. The three hosts worked very well together, have a lot of mutual respect, and I always pick something up. I don’t even own a high-end rig, nevertheless, they keep me learning something. Thanks Chairmen. You guys rock!
  • JonLochert
    Fun and informative
    I look forward to these every single week. If you love music gear give this a shot!
  • Mike in East Tennessee
    Good gear talk
    I was familiar with these guys on YouTube so I started listening to the podcast while I hike. Good information, knowledge and I appreciate and try a lot of their suggestions. Thanks Chairmen!
  • geTL30
    Like hanging with the cool kids at the guitar shop.
    I’ve played guitar for a while and I have learned so many things on this show. They don’t take themselves too seriously and each episode has wisdom on different things from Patch cables to the biggest MIDI loopers etc… I dig this show.
  • T2mccoy
    Good Podcast for Tone Chasers
    These guys are really thorough in their rig building skills and go into some really good details on rig building. Through this show I’ve found several pieces of gear that have improved my rig.
  • tenaciousDO
    Uninformed opinions abound
    I’ve listened to several of these episodes now and really wanted to like them. I like the things that Mason does in particular with Vertex but the content of these podcasts continues to be lackluster. All three members of the group continue to offer opinions about pedals and devices that they freely admit they have never tried. If you are looking for a podcast, where information is conveyed about petals and devices that you’re interested in and you’re looking for informed opinions about the way that these pedals might work with your rig you will want to look elsewhere. I would really love for them to focus on talking about the pedals and the rigs that they put together and have experience with.
  • CarneAsuhDude
    Super Worthwhile Listen
    Definitely listen to this show if you're working on bettering your guitar tone or improving your pedalboard. The breadth and depth of experience that the hosts share make this show a pretty valuable resource for anyone looking to step up the quality of their guitar rig. If you don't want to dig through the whole back catalogue, scroll through until you see a title that piques your interest and add it to your queue. I promise you're gonna learn something important by the end of that episode.
  • Tensumner
    Great show
    I watch the show every week and love the content and humor of the guys. Plus, they’re talking about guitars, how could you not like it!!!
  • Mystangrocks
    Great
    Just great
  • Brian G from NJ
    I have learned a lot
    The tone of the show is mellow and easy going. Its an easy listen filled with super helpful advice. Even for topics I am less interested in, there are tidbits of super helpful info sprinkled in. I have learned a lot about basic boring yet really important stuff not really discussed elsewhere like cabling connectors impedances buffers etc. thank you.
  • GSM59LP
    Great show
    One thing I really enjoy about this podcast is that it’s very educational. The host are professionals and have a great deal of knowledge about the subjects they cover.
  • cduke1986
    Great info!
    These guys are super knowledgeable about pedals and guitar sound. Also, would note that Mason M is a excellent communicator. An unexpected surprise given the content. Thanks again to the chairmen :)
  • TooManyCars
    Great gear info!
    Over the last year, I’ve listened to every episode of Chairmen of the Boards as well as a decent number of the ‘Rig Doctor’ episodes earlier in the feed. And the big takeaway is that I wish I’d listened to the whole thing before buying any pedals, because the info here would have prevented every mis-step I’ve made so far. It’s plenty of fun, the hosts are knowledgeable without coming off as ‘know-it-all’s’, and even the ad codes are actually super helpful for anyone like me putting a dream rig together. Pedals, guitars, amps, cables, power, and everything else you can think of is covered really well here.
  • i watch it on youtube usually
    Just a thought
    Brian looks like he beat up the guy his voice belongs to.
  • mitchell_guitarguy
    Awesome informative podcast, too many ads
    Great podcast. Only complaint is the quantity of ads in this podcast is getting out of hand.
  • jbmeding
    favorite gear pod
    this resource is incredible… the niche knowledge shared here is invaluable in the industry, and humor is on point. :) dad jokes are 17/10
  • justyikes
    Great resource!
    Great podcast! Mason is the main reason to listen. He is the clearest, most experienced, and most knowledgeable of the three. I’m not really sure why Brian is even on the show. I find him pretty tedious. So….listen to what Mason says, he’s legit!
  • ctfodays
    Absolute Legends
    What we have here, is of the greatest guitar-related podcasts of all time. Truly honest and knowledgeable, all 3 hosts bring a refreshing take to the modern gear scene. Absolute legends, aiding us all on our journey to Tone Town. Thank you Mason, Brian and Grant, for all that you do, and shall continue to do.
  • Mateo_24
    Fun, informative podcast !
    If you are a guitar pedal enthusiast, this podcast is a great foray into the technical side of signal flow, proper gear arrangement, and quality assessment of various guitar effects. The banter between the 3 chairman strikes the right tone without being overly banal. I have learned a tremendous amount about effect pedals and their technicalities. My own pedal board sounds better as I’ve applied the information presented in this podcast. (Enjoying the ride to TONE TOWN!…🚀)
  • XxLambokalrissianxX
    Love it, more bass talk and maybe some guests from time to time
    Great podcast with great info and topics from professional gear heads. I gig a lot and don’t do my due diligence on a lot of things especially pedals. I just like to play around, but several great solutions and answers to problems you might not even know you had so I’m glad they’re doing it. My only gripe is they don’t talk about bass stuff a lot but it’s to be expected from guitar players 😝
  • RyanRenee
    Great info!
    I already follow Mason on YouTube, and he’s super helpful. After one episode of Chairmen of the Boards, I’m already excited to enhance my pedal board
  • ghbjjffghhgdrik
    Great Shows! Very Informative
    These guys do a great job of covering all topics of tone, guitars and effects. If you are into music and guitar and gear this one’s for you.
  • andergtr
    a good listen
    mason, grant and brian are all knowledgeable and share good information about pedalboards. they tackle common topics and not so common topics well.
  • mightyjojo
    Great resource!
    Great job guys! You are a great resource for us DIY guys… thank you so much for the time you put into these episodes and for covering the topic you do…
  • bsilengo
    Very helpful!
    Brian, Mason, and Grant are incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. Thank you!
  • E.Womochil
    Cool but….
    There is some very good information on these episodes. That is worth a listen.But there is also a “get off my lawn” vibe if you know what I mean.
  • Asfgugvjf
    Great guitar rig building experience and entertainment from 3 of the swellest guys in the business.
    Grant, Brian and Mason bring guitar rig building down to the bottom shelf where we amateurs can reach it. Democratizing the commute to Tone Town for the common man, woman and child. Already number 3 in Bangladesh, they are taking the pedalboard building podcasting world by storm! Get in before they start charging for this stuff! But seriously, they talk through vital rig building topics that can save headache and heartache in thinking through pedalboard projects. Aside from all the useful stuff, they are just three very likable guys who make some fun-watching guitar-related videos and podcasts. Check out the Chairmen of the Boards.
  • aandyrox
    Too Many Ads
    Great podcast, but there are too many ads and they happen too often. The information in the podcast is awesome, but unfortunately it’s become a nuisance to have conversations constantly be interrupted by choppy transitions and long ad reads that detract from the listening experience. I am an avid podcast listener and this is a problem unique to Chairmen. I hope they make changes, because I’d love to keep listening.
  • Rowesurfs
    Great info
    I find this to be a very informative podcast. If your a guitar/pedal nerd like me, you will enjoy this podcast. I highly recommend you give them a listen.
  • bigbear3481
    Chairmen of the Boards
    Great podcast!
  • syd0926
    Contest Review, an honest one too
    These guys are awesome and the content is golden. Follow this show if you want to know how to sound good.
  • Bobby Billy IV
    Invaluable Information about Effects Pedals and Rig Building
    This podcast is no surprise a 5 star cast! Every episode has so much information and knowledge being shared! Highly recommend.
  • Wakawakawhoo
    Super informative “edutainment”
    All 3 great guys whose knowledge far outweighs any “Joe schmoe” who owns a music store and refuses to believe that true bypass pedals plugged in through solderless cables isn’t the way to go for monster t0nez. Joking aside, these guys are great and you should listen to them. Not a bad ep on here!
  • JoeT20000000000
    Knowledge needed for musicians
    Some professionals sharing knowledge with fellow musicians who have hit a plateau or lacked the right information to spec out, trouble shoot, and ultimately build your rig to the very best it should be. Great people having a great time and including their audiences even more now with an audio platform. Thank you
  • hipsterjimmyneutron
    The best podcast for rig building!
    I learn so much with every episode, thank you!
  • Matt Fertitta
    Honest and helpful
    I highly value their opinions and recommendations. Mason never endorse anything he wouldn’t stand behind or use himself.
  • CaptainMWT
    Quality Info
    If you want practical information you can start applying right away on your pedal board then look no further.
  • Benjamlong
    Great Pedalboard building podcast!
    Fantastic info and insight with some of the best in the business for building pedalboards. A+++
  • Dan731-731
    I’ve Learned A Lot!
    As a pedal geek, I find each episode is relevant to me and I come away learning something new every time! Great podcast!
  • TheDDingeldein
    Great information!
    These guys are the best! Lots of information for newbies getting into the world of pedals and also for pros that want to tweak what they already have! Pedal reviews, how to use pedals, signal chain, pedal board builds, you name it, these guys cover it!
  • jengler96
    Teachers of tone
    Mason, Brian, and Grant have a wealth of knowledge surrounding guitar effects. If you are a self proclaimed pedal-head, this is a must listen.
  • BigBen262
    Can’t get enough
    Want to know about pedals and are tired of searching endlessly for videos? Find the answer right here!
  • Ryan Carrera
    Gear nerds will love this
    This podcast is like hanging out with all your favorite guitar gear nerds. I love it
  • DaTooch79
    Pedal Talk
    I love this podcast. Such a great show for a pedal geek like myself. I’ve listened and learned. Thank you homies.
  • JayTeeRooster
    So much knowledge!!
    These guys are a wealth of knowledge on anything guitar effects related! I can honestly say I learn something new with every episode!! Keep it up!!
  • haywood
    The Pros
    These three individuals are three of the best follows out there for pedal tech info. I learn something every time. Thank you for making these!
  • Themusicstick
    🔥
    These guys know their stuff and anyone looking to build pedal boards needs to listen to these podcasts for their wisdom 😎
  • ssmithsonjr
    Great Podcast!
    This podcast has been super helpful in figuring out how to best build my board.
  • gcxman
    Balanced
    Great balance of really nerdy and really useful information.
  • jrlucky
    Very knowledgeable and helpful
    The pedal world can get pretty pricey. Especially if you have no direction. These girls have been very helpful to me.
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