Driver then compressor or vice versa?

tonesponge · #1 11-12-2010, 10:00 PM

I'm planning to get the Electro Harmonics Big Muff Pi and run it into my GK amp and then DI from it into my M-Box.

Does the Big Muff Pi effectively do some compression of its own?

Should I compress before the pedal, or is it all good to compress it in the box?

Bassmike62 · #2 11-13-2010, 05:27 AM

Compression before dirt is a basic rule, but not an absolute rule. Don't know about the muff compression though.

rratajski · #3 11-13-2010, 05:35 AM

The muff's silicon diodes do compress the sound. I run my compressor last to compress and limit any spikes.

You'll have to try your comp before and after to see what works best for you...Everyone's different!

ga_edwards · #4 11-13-2010, 06:38 AM

Depends what sound you want. Do you want the drive to respond to dynamics, or just be a layer of dirt? If the former, before compression, if the later, after. It also depends how you use your compressor. Mine is set quite heavy and is an integral part of 'my sound', so I have to put dirt after it or else I end up with all manner of problems. Light compression compression just to tame things should be ok after drive, as long as you don't push it too hard.

Remember, if your driven sound is louder, it's going to trigger the compression even more if it does go before compression. And also as pointed out, drive is a form of compression itself, so you get doubly compressed. It really is up to you and the sound you're after. Experimentation is the key!

darkstorm · #5 11-13-2010, 02:27 PM

Try it both ways. Often the comp/sustainer before can be used to increase drive and sustain. They can also help the overdrive or distortion to not clip at initial pick attack. More useful when your using high output basses which can tend to produce a bit overly hot signal at that initial transient peak of pick attack. In a few cases having comp as last effect can be useful. To allow for hotter signal to mixer via limiting transient peaks. In that case your taking the idea of pros adding compression to a full mix signal for hotter recording level without clipping from peaks like drum hits and low bass things.