Dynamics (compressors), filters (wah), pitch shifters, and Volume pedals typically go at the beginning of the signal chain. Gain based effects such as and overdrive/distortion pedals come next. Modulation effects such as chorus, flangers, phasers typically come next in the chain.

Which comes first wah or compressor?

In a pedalboard, the compressor unit generally goes after a wah pedal. While it is of course a matter of preference, putting the compressor first will limit the range, function, and dynamics of the wah pedal.

Where does the loop go in a signal chain?

Putting it at the end of your signal chain is by far the simplest and most popular option for most guitarists. In this setup, the looper will capture the exact pedal setup at that moment within the loop and won't react to any changes you then make on your board.

What order should pedals go in?

Conventional wisdom suggests that the ideal pedal order is wah/filter, compression, overdrive, modulation and pitch-based effects, delay, and reverb.

Where does an octave pedal go in the chain?

Octave and pitch effects are most commonly placed at the front of your chain (after tuners & volume pedals), with a clean signal going into it. This ensures the cleanest input signal, which means the note can be easily tracked.

Pedalboard Order Part 3: Where does Wah, Delay, Compression, EQ, Reverb, Whammy and Loopers Go?

Where does an EQ pedal go in the chain?

EQ or equalizer is recommended in front of distortion or gain based effects if you want to drive and color the sound. EQ after distortion will give you volume changes which allow you to switch to a louder lead sound which you cannot do if the EQ is before distortion.

Where should loopers go?

Loopers aren't effects—they're recorders. Normally, you'll want the looper to be able to record and playback any of your sounds. Of course, this means you should place it at the very end of the chain so it can hear and record whatever pedal combinations you use.

Where does tremolo go in chain?

The Tremolo, Vibrato or Rotary Sim pedals can slot into different places on your board but should probably be kept towards the end of your signal chain due to the pedal varying the volume of the entire signal.

Where does the chorus go in a signal chain?

Where to Place a Chorus Pedal In Your Effect Chain. Chorus is a modulation effect, and as such, it should be placed fairly late in your pedal chain. It should come after a wah pedal, compression pedal, overdrive pedal, and distortion pedal, but before your delay pedal, tremolo pedal, or reverb pedal.

Does compressor go before overdrive?

A good rule of thumb is to place any gain-type effects before modulation effects: i.e., compressors and overdrives before delays or flangers. Another one that's practically set in concrete is to put the compressor before any overdrive, distortion, or fuzz pedal.

Where does the bass compressor go in pedal chain?

Most bassists put compressors near the end of their signal chain to wrangle the wide scope of frequency their bass sounds can create, and I know that putting a compressor at the end of the chain is great for streamlining your tone and making it easier for the person running sound.

Is a compressor pedal necessary?

When playing staccato chords, a compressor is ideal for getting that classic “squishy” funk guitar tone. ... A compressor on a bass guitar is also great for extra sustain when playing those long, even whole notes at slower tempos. A compressor can also act as a clean boost, to drive the front of your amp harder.

Where does Tube Screamer go in pedal chain?

Tube screamers work best at the start or middle of the pedal chain. Tube screamer pedals are a type of overdrive pedal. They are best known for creating a crunchy and saturated tone by adding gain, and increasing the mid-range and treble-frequencies and lowering the bass-frequencies.

What does a compressor pedal do?

A compressor pedal is a stompbox pedal that sits in your signal chain and levels the dynamics of your guitar performance. ... When you strike a string too forcefully, the compressor will dull the sound of your pick attack for a smoother overall sound.

Where does the freeze pedal go in the chain?

i would say to put it at the end of your signal chain, since it's technically a looper. If you just think about it, whatever effects in front of it, it will loop, and the effects after, will effect the loop.

Where do I put my multi effects pedal in my chain?

Typically, most players will find that compression, boost, and dirt pedals are best suited to being first in the signal chain, or perhaps second, right after a wah or tuner (both pedals that may be easily replaced by a multi-effect, by the way). This is a good place to start, as it produces very dependable results.

Where does a preamp go in a signal chain?

A preamp pedal should be placed quite early in your overall signal chain, and obviously before power amp or cab simulator pedals. As it's a substitute for an amp's preamp, it should therefore be one of the first stompboxes that your guitar's output signal comes into contact with.

Where do you put a boost in a signal chain?

Since not everyone has a tube amp, boost pedals can be great for enhancing the effect of a distortion/overdrive pedal you have available. Just place it before your distortion in the signal chain, and watch your tone gain a significant amount of girth.

Which comes first overdrive or distortion?

Whether you want to put your overdrive or distortion first depends on what you want to boost the most. If you're looking for more of a distorted gain style, then put it after the overdrive. But if you want a subtler sound, then put your overdrive last and don't have your distortion pedal cranked up too much.

Do metal guitarists use compressors?

Usually, a compressor is an overlooked pedal for metal tones for a few reasons. The main reason being that high gain distortion combined with humbucker pickups, already creates a naturally compressed sound. Meaning adding further compression will do little to enhance the tone.

Can you use a compressor with distortion?

If you're using a pedal to create distortion, put the compressor before the distortion pedal in the signal chain. High amounts of distortion naturally create compression and using a compressor will add even more smoothness and fluidity to the sound.

Why do I need a compression pedal?

Compression is used in the recording studio to control the dynamics and overall level of the audio signal. Sound engineers use it to make the louder parts of audio signals quieter and the quiet parts louder, resulting in a more balanced sound.