Overdrive + Compressor order in signal chain

[kat888]

Wondering what people's preferences are viz the positioning of overdrive and compression in their signal chain.

 

[blindrabbit]

OD -> Comp.

I like my OD/dirt pedals to be more responsive to my playing, and then the compressor at the end of the chain levels everything out before it heads off to the amp.

 

[Stellvia]

I've had my board set up as comp->OD for a while, but switched it yesterday and found that I much prefer the dynamics of the overdrive that way.

 

[dinoadventures]

Overdrive > comp for sure. Many overdrives are responsive to dynamics so they come first.

 

[kat888]

Yeah, my instinct tells me OD > compressor for the reasons given above.

 

[Icemanaroonie]

I'm going MXR M87>B7K, after trying it the other way for a few days comp>OD is the way for me.

 

[Vinny_G]

I prefer my compressor before the overdrive. I don't need much dynamics when I use an overdriven sound, and overdrive already compress the signal, anyway. I find the sound of the overdrive more focused, under control, and it sustains for days (think about Gary Moore).

But sometimes I simply disengage my compressor before using an overdrive.

 

[kat888]

For me the OD is always on to warm up the SS head. When I eventually get the comp (Keeley Bassist or the new TC Spectra?), it will be used for a little added flavour here or there.

 

[Vinny_G]

For me the OD is always on to warm up the SS head. When I eventually get the comp (Keeley Bassist or the new TC Spectra?), it will be used for a little added flavour here or there.

It's funny because I do the exact opposite The compression is a crucial part of my sound and is always on. I like solid state amps for their punch and clarity, and I use overdrive, fuzz or distortion to spice up things or get different flavors.

 

[kat888]

Different strokes eh? I don't get on with SS overdrives/dist/fuzz at all. I'd love an Ampeg V4B but can't justify the expenditure atm. The valve OD is a compromise, not the same as a set of 6L6s, but there you go.

There is an argument that compressing the signal before it hits the OD better approximates poweramp distortion. I'll have plenty of fun messing about with it at least.

 

[Vinny_G]

I don't get on with SS overdrives/dist/fuzz at all.

I agree they are more harsh (square wave and not sine wave I believe?) but also more aggressive and some players seem to like them.

The valve OD is a compromise, not the same as a set of 6L6s, but there you go.

Yes. I use tube like overdrives myself and I think they do the job well.

There is an argument that compressing the signal before it hits the OD better approximates poweramp distortion.

I heard this too. Maybe it's because the power amp distortion squashes the signal more than a dirt pedal by itself? I don't know exactly. What I do know on the other hand is that I like that type of sound (compression before an OD pedal)

 

[Orion1985]

I prefer OD>Comp. Up until very recently I ran my comp first but I was rearranging my board and tried the OD first and I really like it. If you want more overdrive all you need to do is play harder and you don't get too much more volume.

 

[FretNoMore]

OD -> Comp.

I like my OD/dirt pedals to be more responsive to my playing, and then the compressor at the end of the chain levels everything out before it heads off to the amp.

And I want some pedals to be less responsive, or should I say have a slightly more even response across strings, so for me it's compressor first. I only use a mild compression so it's not like the dynamics are changed too much, but it does affect how overdrives and filters act at the point of breakup or filter opening, and I find some effects are tamed a bit and has a more consistent behaviour with the compressor first. YMMV, IMHO, etc.

 

[AndreasK]

I ended up comp first after trying both. But it depends on the od and comp used. I use mild comp (EBS Multi) into a Barbershop. The BS is very touch sensitive and goes crazy when hit too hard. Comp helps me tame the input (me) just a little bit, so I can run the BS with more consistent drive, but still very touch sensitive.

 

[ga_edwards]

OD->comp for reasons other have mentioned. However, for ultimate control, running them in parallel can work wonders.

 

[ga_edwards]

Going slightly off topic for mo. Just noticed that the new Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig has compressor first. Would be a nice touch of you could move it to another point in the signal chain.

 

[hyp.spec]

OD -> Comp (B7K -> M87).

For the better part of year I was running the other way around, but as an experiment, OD then Comp fits my play style way better.

 

[two fingers]

OD -> Comp.

I like my OD/dirt pedals to be more responsive to my playing, and then the compressor at the end of the chain levels everything out before it heads off to the amp.

I have virtually no experience compared to @blindrabbit but my limited-experience first impression is the same. I play hard but know when to back off. I like my effects to work with my fingers and respond to my touch. I'll compress it going into the amp/board if I need to.

Others have mentioned compressing into an octaver but so far even my Octomizer reacts better to me straight off of my bass.

 

[zapped777]

I'm going MXR M87>B7K, after trying it the other way for a few days comp>OD is the way for me.

Mxr m87 into bk7 is tone bliss for me as well...

 

[zapped777]

I ended up comp first after trying both. But it depends on the od and comp used. I use mild comp (EBS Multi) into a Barbershop. The BS is very touch sensitive and goes crazy when hit too hard. Comp helps me tame the input (me) just a little bit, so I can run the BS with more consistent drive, but still very touch sensitive.

When i had my ebs before my compressor I could not even tell if it was on..