Since you are just starting out i will give you some advice on some good pedals..(cheap-inexpensive-pricy)
in the cheap category we have the
ZOOM 505 II
It's a streightforeward pedal and is easy to use, you have the ability to "tweek" custom tones out of it but out of the box it's good to go.
hook up is relatively easy just a couple of cables and you are on your way.
in the inexpensive category we have the
DIGITECH RP 250
This one is similar to the Zoom, however the expression pedal has the ability to go "toe down" to engage wah and various other parameters that are pitch sensitive.
A step up from the Zoom for that there are more "voices" which translates to amp models and effects. Also the user bank is larger for tweeking custom tones
again a couple of cables and your good to go
in the expensive category we have the....
BOSS GT8
This pedal is primarily for advanced users in the sense that even though out of the box it is ready for the stage. You have an AZZ LOAD of factory presets that range from fuzzbox (zz top) to tube screamer (van halen) to vintage rectifier (3 doors down)
all these "voices" are ready to go as soon as you plug it in.
The main reason i say it is for the advanced is because when you tweek a parameter it is SUPER EASY to over shoot the sound you are looking for, but in the plus side to that is that when you over do something you get something you never heard before.
For example The guitars in audioslave were heavily processed with digital effects and the Boss GT8 was just 1 of the pedals he uses.
The "coolest" function of this box is the "assign" function..
-example-
usually when you want delay, you waiit for the appropriate time and press the delay switch, with the assign function you don'e have to press anything.
You can assign it to engage with "pic attack" which means when you strum or pick the strings lightly the guitar sounds normal, but as soon as you pick harder the delay kicks in for as long as you pick or strum hard, as soon as you play lightly the delay stops...
and you never had to hit a switch.
that function can be "assigned" to ALL og the GT8's voices which are too many to count.
again a couple cables and your good to go, however the 8's preamp can be switched off and just used for it's effects, this will require 4 cables total routed through the effects send/return of both the amp and the 8
also in the expensice category we have the
DIGITECH GNX4
By far the coolest thing with this beast is the ability to directly record ONTO THE UNIT
also it has a plug and play option which allows you to plug your cd player directly into it for the ability to play along.
It also has the "learn a lick" function which enables you to plug in a cd player and "upload 30 seconds" of a desired track, for this example we will upload van halen's eruption...as soon as it's uploaded you can speed up or clow down the actual play time so that you can "learn the lick" note for note.
My actual advice is this, THIS CRAP IS ADDICTIVE! you will blow more $$ on this than you will ever realize (depending on your needs)
DONT GO CHEAP RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE! i suggest the BOSS GT8, it will last forever and you have the oportunity to download updates to stay current.
but it's your $$
whatever you decide to get, lemme know..chances are Iv'e allready owned it so I could show you how to use it so that you dont get frustrated...
maybe one day down the road you will be ready to tackle the beast that I run now...
LINE 6 VETTA II