Envelope filter before or after compressor?

[4Mal]

comp then C4 in my case. helps even out the triggering.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

I use it before to get all the dynamics to trigger the effect with all the subtleties I send to it.

 

[HolmeBass]

I finally found a pedal compressor I like this summer, the Cali 76 CB. I figured what I would want, based on CW, would be to put the EFs before the comp, and everything else afterwards. I was pretty excited thinking about better tracking with my analog octavers.

I use a pretty light comp setting, low ratio, but to get the sound right I found I was introducing a fair bit of gain compared to having the compression off. Realizing that, it meant that the comp was going to be an always on affair, as I adjusted my amp gain downstream to handle the hotter signal.

What I found was having the EFs after the comp really helped standardize their response, and helped make the filters even across the range of my neck. The other surprise was the comp really adversely affects the tone and tracking of my analog octavers in a negative way.

Now I run the octaver first and everything else afterward and it’s working very well for me. My filter tones have never been better!

 

[depalm]

First filter then compressor.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I've done both and I think it's largely based on how heavy you have the compression set in both ratio and output. It also depends on how sensitive your envelope is.

^^^This.

For the stuff I use envelope filters for, I usually don't want any compression before the detector: If you reduce or constrain the dynamics before the detector, it's not really an "envelope-controlled filter" it's just an "auto-wah". But that's because the only reason I would have a compressor anywhere in the chain is because I want the overt effect of reduced constrained dynamics. For someone who deploys a compressor in a more subtle, gentle fashion, having it in front of the filter can be just the ticket for tailoring the input to the filter to get consistent repeatable response...and for a lot of musicians, that's a perfectly valid goal.

So, as with most things...it depends.

 

[Feral Feline]

So in other words, to add to CyberSnyder's assessment and Bob_Ross' observation, the perennial favourite — depends on how you play.

Do wah-teffer suits your needs.

 

[Zbysek]

I put envelope filre before compressor...