Another pedal order question

[DoctorZee]

Some new songs and projects have prompted me to add new gadgets to my pedalboard. I'm still learning how these elements work together (or don't!) and I'd love to confirm my current thinking with some more experienced gearheads.

Components:

• Tuner
• Compressor
• Octave (MXR)
• Envelope Filter (MXR)
• MXR M80+ Bass DI (using as preamp/DI and distortion stompbox)

I play gigs with and without PA support, so I'm thinking the setup will depend on whether I'm using the M80's XLR out or not.

For PA/DI gigs:
Tuner --> Octave --> Envelope Filter --> Compressor --> M80 --> Mixer

If no PA support:
Tuner --> M80 --> Octave --> Envelope Filter --> Compressor --> Amp

My general thinking:

1. Putting the compressor before the envelope filter has been really killing the filter's effect.
2. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the octave pedal is tracking just fine without compression going in.
3. If I don't need the M80's XLR out, I may as well put it first and get the EQ and drive in the signal chain early. And having compression as the final element makes sense in my mind.

Does this seem right? Anything I'm failing to consider?

 

[akrachanko]

I strongly believe there is no right or wrong when it comes to pedal chains, only what does and does not work for you specifically. Personally, I'd put the comp in front of the octave, but that's only because my octave tracks way better that way. If you're getting a sound you like with your pedals in a certain order, then you're probably doing nothing wrong.

 

[Robertron]

It depends on how you mean to use the effects together.

If you want the compressor always on, and if you prefer the envelope filter in front of the compressor, you will have to decide whether you prefer how the compressor effects the envelope filter's dynamics or the filter's tone, either in front of the filter or after the filter.
You'll have to think about whether or not you always want the compressor on for your clean tone

That seems to be the part of your signal you'll need to demo the most.
I'm assuming you plan to use the octave before the filter and so you will have to position it based on how you orient the compressor and filter.

If you do decide to move your MXR to an earlier position in your signal path you'll have to watch how it effects the tracking of your octave.
Drive effects may sound better before your filter to help accentuate the attack and decay of the envelope but like your compressor this too will change the responsiveness of the envelope filter.

If that was my signal path I would go:
Tuner
Comp
Octave
MXR (for drive and EQ)
Filter
or
Tuner
Comp
Octave
Filter
MXR (for DI)

But only because with my basses and playstyle/picking dynamics I tend to prefer compression before octaves, I prefer octaves into filters, and I never have compression set in a way that inhibits the envelope filters I've used.

YMMV and goodluck

 

[Roland GR 88]

Looks like you've got it covered. Giving your filter a full dynamic signal and letting your compressor smooth it all out before it hits the amp.
It's how I would set it up as well.

 

[DoctorZee]

If you want the compressor always on, and if you prefer the envelope filter in front of the compressor, you will have to decide whether you prefer how the compressor effects the envelope filter's dynamics or the filter's tone, either in front of the filter or after the filter.
You'll have to think about whether or not you always want the compressor on for your clean tone. That seems to be the part of your signal you'll need to demo the most.

Thanks, these are really great considerations. So far, I think I'm confident that compression after the filter is sounding good. Putting the compression before the filter really dulled everything, but I should probably make sure I've tried all the possible comp settings. I should also mention I have vintage-style pickups on a passive bass, so fairly low output.

 

[Roland GR 88]

Putting a compressor before a filter can lower the voltage range that you may need to get the filter to respond the way you like.
I prefer to let a compressor do its job after I've fully mangled my signal to my liking.....

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I always put tuner first, so it gets a clean signal even if I forget to turn another pedal off.

I'd put octave next, so it gets a nice clean signal for tracking.

Without PA support, I'd put the distortion next, so it can feed into the envelope filter.

Next up is the filter, then the compressor. It's good sometimes to have a compressor after an envelope filter in case things get a little spiky.

 

[kiripunk]

What if the MXR (in my case) is only there for the distortion channel? I have an Eden Glow Plug that I use as an always on pedal (to give my transistor amp some tube vibes) so, the question is: should I put the MXR before or after the Eden Preamp if I can only engage distortion when MXR Clean Channel is on?