Compressor and dirts...

[catcauphonic]

I recently added an MXR Bass Comp to my quickly growing first board. While trying to decide on where to place it and a few others, I did some quick testing before and after a few dirt pedals.

I wish I wrote down my findings Anyway, I at least remember what most jumped out at me is that the EHX Bass Big Muff will definitely go BEFORE the comp, but I need to re-do my testing (with pen and paper handy) with the other distortions and a fuzz (Aggie Agro, BOSS ODB-3, Darkglass AO, + SUF Green Russian.)

I'm guessing the technical jargon involves square waves and distortion as its own form of compression, etc.

Is there certain rules or formulas that can be explained to me, or do i just have to try every pedal before and after to see what i find to be pleasing distortions??

**Look for my next similar soon to come thread on Octave Pedals!**

 

[Wasnex]

I recently added an MXR Bass Comp to my quickly growing first board. While trying to decide on where to place it and a few others, I did some quick testing before and after a few dirt pedals.

I wish I wrote down my findings Anyway, I at least remember what most jumped out at me is that the EHX Bass Big Muff will definitely go BEFORE the comp, but I need to re-do my testing (with pen and paper handy) with the other distortions and a fuzz (Aggie Agro, BOSS ODB-3, Darkglass AO, + SUF Green Russian.)

I'm guessing the technical jargon involves square waves and distortion as its own form of compression, etc.

Is there certain rules or formulas that can be explained to me, or do i just have to try every pedal before and after to see what i find to be pleasing distortions??

**Look for my next similar soon to come thread on Octave Pedals!**

You may find you don't like a compressor before or after a high gain pedal like a muff. I don't think there is a formula. I varies by the compressor and distortion you are using, and the sound you want.

 

[Robertron]

It really is just preference dictated by the gear you're using.

I never liked dirt before my EBS Multicomp because it amplified noise in even my low gain pedals. I ended up disengaging the comp entirely.
With my FEA DB-CL I do prefer it after my MBD-1 because I get more control over the clipping/texture of the MBD-1's grit without a compressor in front of it.

I've heard others complain that their compressors sound better before their dirt because they don't like what the compressor cuts some highs from the tone.

As always YMMV. Just test everything both ways. You know you were going to anyway

**octave pedals however generally benefit from a compressor in front of them or a limiter after them. Again, YMMV**

 

[Johnny Mac]

I'm guessing the technical jargon involves square waves and distortion as its own form of compression, etc.

Is there certain rules or formulas that can be explained to me, or do i just have to try every pedal before and after to see what i find to be pleasing distortions??

There are zero hard-and-fast rules other than what your ears tell you, but lots of things that should be considered when figuring out the placement.

For one, yes, distortion introduces compression, and using dirt pedals in conjunction with compressors can get messy if you're not careful about your compressor settings. The compression added by the dirt also means that you usually need to boost the volume on the dirt pedal to make up for that lost gain; that, plus the added harmonic content from the clipping, means that a post-dirt compressor will likely see a much hotter signal when the distortion is engaged, and will therefore compress harder.

Weigh that against your goals for the compressor. Do you want it to even out the volume spikes when you engage your pedals or dig in harder? Then put the compressor after, get the pedals before it as close to unity gain as possible, and then set the compressor lightly so as not to crush your dynamics too much. If you want to fatten up your tone or get more dynamic evening, then you probably want to look at moving the compressor in front of the dirt, but this will also depend on how much headroom your dirt pedals have and how heavily you're distorting them; you might be able to get away with lighter dirt in front of heavier compression.

 

[Inconnu]

Ok, that question again (I actually love to answer it!)

I use a compressor just before the amp because:
a) it’s not a pedal and it’s easier that way physically
b) it works better for most effects.

I tend to say that a comp goes after fuzz and drive because it levels out and blends better the clean end that we mix with the distorted sound of bass. A comp after envelop and wahs will prevent high frequency peaks. As for modulation, delay and reverb, I’ve never heard a significant difference between having a compressor before of after those.

Hope it helps!