Compression before/after distortion

[AFWbass]

I have a new Ashdown dual band compressor, a Sansamp BDDI, and a Boss ODB-3. What order are they supposed to be in? I get a sweet crunch when I run a mean fuzz from the boss into the Sansamp to give it definition and punch. Should I put the compressor before or after these two pedals? I need to even out my peaks to get a more even sound with some extra volume.

 

[bongomania]

There's only one correct way. If you experiment with putting the units in different orders, eventually you will find an order that sounds best to you. By a bizarre coincidence, that is the one correct way.

 

[Trevorus]

I would say before. But, I do have compression on an amp of mine that I run after, but I am getting a pedal compressor. I'll be experimenting with this myself.

 

[superbassman2000]

There's only one correct way. If you experiment with putting the units in different orders, eventually you will find an order that sounds best to you. By a bizarre coincidence, that is the one correct way.

true, play around with them, and see what you like...it sounds like you bought a compressor without really knowing if you wanted one or not....

 

[The BurgerMeister]

distortion IS compression. or, a type of OVER-compression. having any distortion on sort of negates the need for evening out volume peaks in your playing. you can put it either before or after your distortions... but it'll make a nicer/more noticeable difference on your clean tone.

nevertheless, a compressor is a good thing to have, so hold on to it.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

There's only one correct way. If you experiment with putting the units in different orders, eventually you will find an order that sounds best to you. By a bizarre coincidence, that is the one correct way.

+1

 

[gillento]

I need to even out my peaks to get a more even sound with some extra volume.

I am using my compressor (Aphex Punchfactory or EBS Multicomp) as last effect before the DI. This helps me controlling (not completely levelling, though) the levels of the different effect (overdrive, distortion and synth) sounds. Plus I can control the dynamics of the overdrive / synth with my touch.

 

[JanusZarate]

While everyone's right about experimenting, I personally put my MXR Super Comp at the beginning of the effects chain. At the beginning of the chain, I use it for mild compression to bring out clearer highs.

However, if you count the SansAmp as compression (tubes - even tube sims - do compress), then I also use it at the end of my chain from time to time for some interesting effects on everything else in my chain - distortion in particular.

Compression at the end of your chain may dull some aspects of effects, especially modulation effects such as chorus. It can also, however, enhance others. For example, it can make some effects punchier, but decrease their ambience/spaciness. Probably not the best description... but that's just one possibility with compression. It all depends on your compression settings.

Personally, I like to leave modulation, delay, etc. after compression to maintain their ambience. Compression after distortion works well to define the signal, depending on how you use it. Compression also tends to butcher my wah if placed after it...

Again, these are purely IME. Your results may be different than mine, as I've only got a single-band compressor pedal.

 

[Willem]

My distortion compressess a little from itself... I guess that's why it sounds best after my multicomp.