Best way to correct volume increase?

Quick answer would be to put it in a variable loop, say with a Boss LS-2.
More refined, needing research solution would be to use the effect loop of the pedal to insert a volume.

 

I use a compressor almost at the end to attenuate the huge volume spike created by the whammy and wah... and my drives sound better that way too.

 

I've used the LS2 for this also. It works great because it lets you switch in/out the FX(s) you want and simultaneously corrects the volume to where you want it.

In theory a limiter at the end would do the trick also. I've not experimented with that much yet, but like @crguti said, my fuzz and drive pedals seem to sound better with a limiter at the end, but I have no idea why.

 

Also, people like Saturn Works can build a bypass loop for you that has a volume control on it. I have one from my days of using a OC-2, which had too little level.

 

LS2 is a very useful pedal. I wanted one for a second board, but I instead went one step up and got an EHX Switchblade Deluxe (does the same thing but has 2 loops + a dedicated clean blend, and send/return jacks on top that are better spaced apart.) In my mind Saturnworks stuff is the next step up, but both the LS2 and the SB are solid pro pedals. I bet you'll find they add new options to existing pedals on any size board.

 

Limiters can be great for this. You can dial in the threshold so it only compresses/limits the signal past a certain volume. I picked up an Alesis Nanocomp awhile back for dirt cheap used and have been very impressed:


They sell for under 50$ used, it's full stereo + has a sidechain jack. Has a meter for the compression and one switchable from the input/output volumes.

It has a wide ratio as well as soft/hard and peak/RMS modes for more subtle or extreme compression. And the attack/decay are very useful, from longer comp to boost sustain to very short/subtle peak reduction.

It has been a game changer for me when it comes to stereo FX and recording into a mixer. No more loud modulation clipping into the mixer or getting too loud. Hard to understate how useful a decent compressor is.