Effect Order

[iriegnome]

I am just getting into pedal and effects for the first time in my 30 years of playing.
I have picked up a couple of different pedals so far.
My question is: How do you determine what order you put the pedals in? Is there a particular order they go in? Is there an order they are supposed to be in?
Any pointers would be great.

 

[Bassmike62]

There are no real rules, just a few things to take into account. Usually: tuner > then filters (ex.: wahs) > compressor > overdrive/distortion/fuzz > noise gate > pitch shifters > modulation (chorus, flanger) > ambiance (reverb, delay).

Depends on what sounds better to you and what combination generates less noise. Experiment along those lines, you'll certainly find something that works for you.

 

[fightthepower]

Fuzz/dirt before filter sounds synthier/funkier; filter before fuzz/dirt is more of a rock sound; pitch shifters/octavers track clean signals the best (ie beginning of the chain); some fuzz's, like fuzzface's, do not respond 'well' to a buffered signal and may best be placed at the beginning of the chain (assuming the 'correct' fuzz tone is what you're looking for, and you don't have active electronics in your bass) modulation is more noticeable after dirt; delay at the end of the chain will repeat your effected (or clean) tone, whereas delay into modulation will modulate each repeat so they won't be identical; etc.

There are plenty of reasons for any given pedal placement. Some combinations/orders are more common than others, but I take everything in a case-by-case basis and try all the possible combinations, and this approach has led to some great discoveries. For more information about pedal placement, check the FAQ at the top of the page.

 

[TheWoodShed]

I prefer alphabetical.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I am just getting into pedal and effects for the first time in my 30 years of playing.
I have picked up a couple of different pedals so far.
My question is: How do you determine what order you put the pedals in? Is there a particular order they go in? Is there an order they are supposed to be in?
Any pointers would be great.

there is really no set order for pedals....experiment and let your ears be your guide.....some pedals will react differently when arranged in a different order depending on what is before or after them in the signal chain.....that said give this a read it will help

http://www.gmarts.org/index.php?go=222

oh and good luck!

 

[newbold]

I got an envelope follower with a sidechain trigger so I could put anything I want before it.

Turns out that pedal also works as a great LFO phaser. Almost all of my potential problems were solved...except that of affording more pedals, as it (the Pigtronix EP-1) just about tapped my gear budget early in the year.

 

[newbold]

and as a rebuttal to the GM Arts Effects Order website, octavers generally track best at the beginning of the change. Of course - try your octaver, harmonizer, or pitch shifter after - but keep in mind that these effects synthesize sound so any timbral changes before these pedals will be lost. Like your dirt? put it after an octave pedal. Only want your dirt to shine through on the clean side of the octave (and not have your fuzz/overdrive play with that super low tone) then put it before.

 

[metalmariachi]

I use the ‘Just plug them in and move them around till it sounds good to you’ method.

There are some pedals that just sound better at the front and some sound better later in the chain.
Also note that some like fuzz pedals just sound very bad later especially after buffered pedals.

MM

 

[TheRockinRoadie]

i always find putting things like flanger/chorus etc after the delay pedal right at the end of the chain, because your adding the effect over the whole sound, and not each individual repeat, which sounds muddy

 

[Swimming Bird]

I use the ‘Just plug them in and move them around till it sounds good to you’ method.

I usually pick a favorite (or new) pedal, then bring in the others one at a time to figure out my favorite placements. There are advantages and disadvantages to any given order, so it's all about how you prioritize what you want out of your board.

 

[takfar]

i always find putting things like flanger/chorus etc after the delay pedal right at the end of the chain, because your adding the effect over the whole sound, and not each individual repeat, which sounds muddy

Right, that's how I place my Stereo Electric Mistress. It'd be interesting to use filter matrix mode before the delay, but for general use, I find it better to leave it after.

 

[grovest]

The real takeaway here is you'll want to experiment. And it will be fun. My experience was to find some guidelines (some of which have already been stated above), wire up my board based on some (well meant but somewhat arbitrary) consensus online, and take that order for granted. But I was much happier after breaking some of the 'rules'.

To start with, compression before overdrive. That would kill my signal, as I like to take advantage of the 'touch sensitivity' of a drive pedal and ride the line in gain between grind and grit, so that a slight dynamic change gives a new sound. Compressing the signal first would give me less control over the od level- unless we're strictly referring to a limiting-type compression for pops and whoopsies.

Delay at the end- this is no fun for me. The interaction between delay and modulation is completely different depending on order. Keep in mind these are both linked to a time base. Let's say you have a flanger before a delay, your sound might be like this: Neyaow Neyaow Neyaow Neyaow. That's OK but I prefer this sound of the flanger after delay: Ne Ney Ey Eyo Yo Yow Ow ONe

And about drives and modulation, I like both orders and in a perfect world would have one or two drives before and after modulation. Basically, drive before will produce a more dramatic modulated sound because the drive is creating additional upper harmonics that the chorus / phaser / flange will modulate. It will sound 'bigger' and 'brighter'. Drive after will be more subtle.

 

[bobbystopholes]

I find that each of my pedal settings sound different with each bass, so it makes it tough sometimes.

Also, how often do we all have multiple pedals on at the same time? 99% of the time, I have one pedal on at a time, therefore order doesn't matter.

If I do have a favorite combination, I mess with those pedals until it sounds right, then put those in order. I then place the others in order of convenience of size for my board.