Pedalboard Size Guide – Which Soulman Pedalboard Do I Need?
Choosing the right pedalboard comes down to three things: how many pedals you use today, how big they are, and how much room you want to grow. This guide helps you find the right Soulman pedalboard for your rig – from a 3-pedal fly rig to a full touring board with loop switcher and MIDI.
Quick answer: which pedalboard size do I need?
- 3–5 pedals (acoustic, fly rig, simple setup) → XS-Series (XS33, XS44) or the S33
- 4–9 pedals (compact, easy to carry on bus and subway) → S-Series (S44, S55)
- 6–12 pedals, room for a wah or volume pedal → M-Series (M33, M44, M55)
- Full pro rig with big pedals, loop switcher and MIDI controller → L-Series (L65, L75)
- Many pedals in a small footprint → L-Double Decker (L44DD, L55DD) with a liftable lid
Soulman pedalboard sizes compared
| Model | Mounting area (W × D) | Pedals | Module slots | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS33 | 33 × 16 cm | 3–4 | 2 | 1.0 kg |
| XS44 | 44 × 16 cm | 4–5 | 2 | 1.2 kg |
| S33 | 33 × 24 cm | 3–5 | 1 | 1.2 kg |
| S44 | 44 × 24 cm | 4–7 | 2 | 1.3 kg |
| S55 | 54.5 × 24 cm | 5–9 | 2 | 1.3 kg |
| M33 | 33 × 32 cm | 6–8 | 1 | 1.2 kg |
| M44 | 44 × 32 cm | 8–10 | 2 | 1.3 kg |
| M55 | 54.5 × 32 cm | 10–12 | 2 | 1.6 kg |
| L65 | 65 × 40 cm | Large rigs | 2 | 2.9 kg |
| L75 | 75 × 40 cm | Large rigs | 2 | 3.0 kg |
| L44DD | 41.5 × 37 cm + lid 44 × 13 or 44 × 21 cm | Two tiers | 2 | – |
| L55DD | 52 × 37 cm + lid 55 × 13 or 55 × 21 cm | Two tiers | 2 | – |
Pedal counts are based on standard compact pedals. Mounting area is the usable surface for effects; see each product page for overall dimensions including wood sides.
How to choose: 5 steps
1. List your pedals – and measure them
Pedal count alone can be misleading. A standard compact pedal (BOSS size) is about 7 × 13 cm, a mini pedal can be half that, while a wah, volume pedal, multi-effects unit or loop switcher can take up the space of three or four compact pedals. Write down the width and depth of every unit.
2. Add up the footprint
Add the areas together and compare with the mounting area in the table. Leave room for cables between pedals – with low-profile connectors such as SquarePlug SP400 you can place pedals much closer together than with standard angled plugs.
3. Leave room to grow
Almost every guitarist adds pedals over time. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one – there is no fun in a board that is full on day one.
4. Plan power and signal
Soulman pedalboards are built for a clean, plug & play setup. Mount an isolated power supply under the board with our mounting brackets, and use the module slots for a power switch module (one mains cable, one ON/OFF switch) and a signal module with Neutrik connectors for guitar in, amp out, effects loops and MIDI.
5. Think about transport
Every Soulman pedalboard is lightweight 2 mm aluminium. For buses, rehearsals and local gigs a padded soft case is perfect; for touring and air travel choose a birch plywood flight case.
Which series fits your playing?
XS-Series – for acoustic players, fly rigs and anyone who keeps it simple. Small enough to fit in a backpack or suitcase.
S-Series – compact and light, but with room for a real setup: drive, modulation, delay, reverb and a tuner. Made for the musician who travels by public transport.
M-Series – our most popular range. The M55 is our best-selling board, with room for 10–12 pedals including a wah or volume pedal.
L-Series – for full professional rigs with big pedals, loop switchers, MIDI controllers and multi-effects.
L-Double Decker – a two-tier board with a liftable lid. It holds the pedal count of a much larger board in a compact, low-profile footprint, and gives quick access to power and cabling under the lid. Most standard-size pedals fit under the lid (clearance about 5.5 cm at the front and 8 cm at the back).
Frequently asked questions
How many pedals fit on a Soulman M55?
The M55 has a 54.5 × 32 cm mounting area and fits 10–12 standard compact pedals, with room for a wah or volume pedal alongside your core setup.
Which pedalboard is best for an acoustic guitar setup?
The XS44 (44 × 16 cm, 4–5 pedals) is especially popular for acoustic setups. Add a signal module with an XLR/TRS combo connector to send a DI signal straight to the mixing desk.
Can I fit a loop switcher and MIDI controller?
Yes – the L65 (65 × 40 cm) and L75 (75 × 40 cm) are made for large rigs with loop switchers, MIDI controllers and big pedals.
What are the module slots for?
The module slots hold Soulman signal and power switch modules. A signal module gathers all inputs and outputs in one Neutrik panel at the back of the board; a power switch module works as the pedalboard's main ON/OFF switch and feeds your power supply. All modules share the same size, so you can combine them freely.
How do I attach pedals to the board?
We recommend 3M Dual Lock – stronger and more durable than velcro. For BOSS and Ibanez pedals with a rubber base, our replacement bottom plates make the fastening hold properly.
Where are Soulman pedalboards made?
All Soulman pedalboards are designed and manufactured locally in Ostrobothnia, Finland, from 2 mm laser-cut, CNC-bent and powder-coated aluminium.
I'm still not sure which board I need
Just ask! Contact us with a list of your pedals and how you use your rig, and we will help you choose the right pedalboard, modules and cabling.