Compressor Placement

[smeet]

For me personally, the B7K doesn't compress much at all, especially at very low gain. The Diamond has a low compression ratio, and it's generally used for coloration and not so much for dynamic control. When I do use fuzz, I usually want to squash my dynamics out of existence anyway.

So for me, no problem using compression and dirt together.

Also keep in mind that somebody like Tony Levin has an amazing organic sound, and yet he often likes to compress the heck out of his signal. It sure works for him!

 

[monkeyfinger]

Yes. That is exactly how I would use a comp when placed inline with dirt. I would go with very light comp, 2:1, and high threshold. So I did not use comp as an effect so much that way. With it out of the dirt loop, I can run higher ratios and get more of the comp punch I am looking for.

 

[socialleper]

I tend to put my compression early in the chain so it doesn't mess with whatever the other pedals are doing. In the past, when I had it after the OD or chorus I didn't like the results. It sounded like it was squashing too much of what those pedals were supposed to do to the sound.

 

[eriky4003]

I have POG2 (octaver) which I run before my MXR M87. Haven't noticed any tracking issues with the POG2 using it without the compressor. All this said, my purpose for using a compressor is to have an even signal coming out depending on style and/or aggressive playing so I want to squash everything to sound more even with an 8:1 ratio.

 

[999Brent]

For some, placement might have to do with the bass they play.
Mine is passive so I have my comp always on at the front of my chain where I use it as a boost/ buffer and have very light comp settings.
When I was playing active I had it at the end of the chain and the comp was a little higher.
Not sure how often this is the case, but it is how I rolled...
Hope this helps...

 

[IncX]

mine is always first in the chain (empress). its purpose was to even out my playing and feed the dirt and the fuzz and the octavers a nice even signal for them to work on

 

[ChopperDave]

I run my Joyo Dynamic Compressor after everything except my delay. I have my Sustain at 3:00 and my Attack at 9:00. It's more of a tone-shaper, though it does keep me from getting too peaky. I don't notice any issues with adding dirt.

It's: Tuner -> CM2 -> Epitome [octave-chor/flang-reverb] -> Comp -> Flashback

 

[bigmoosepi]

if I ever used a compressor I would probably have two, one at the start and one at the end and then I'd switch between them as needed.

 

[SirMjac28]

I always have mine in the front.

 

[smeet]

if I ever used a compressor I would probably have two, one at the start and one at the end and then I'd switch between them as needed.

That would be good idea, but I love my Diamond, and $400+ of already big compressor pedal on my board is too scary to think about.