What Order is Best for These Pedals?

[bstringrandy]

Bear with me. Effects noobie here...

I've been using a MXR Compressor for awhile and now I'm adding a Big Muff and Boss Chorus pedal to give me some thickness and tone color variations.

I understand that it makes sense to leave the compressor as the last thing going to the amp to keep the signal level even.

Does it make any difference on the chorus pedal and distortion pedal as to which is first in the chain?

Thanks!!

 

[chuck norriss]

With so few I'd experiment with the order. I think a lot of people put the comp up front.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

...and the chorus last.

But as Norriss said, "experiment"

 

[bstringrandy]

Okay, so the first recommendation is:

bass ---- Comp ---- Big Muff ---- Chorus ---- amp

Why is the comp first? I thought the reason for that was to keep the signal level going to the amp relatively even and prevent overdriving whether you're barely tapping on the bass or thumping away...

Looking forward to experimenting!

 

[Syxz_ML]

I'd go comp>muff>chorus>amp as well. My main concern would be that the effect (ex. chorus) would get a balanced/even input so as to get a more balanced chorus output from the pedal. But I will say this, a distorted chorus (chorus before the muff) can sound really crazy so worth giving it a shot as well.

 

[bstringrandy]

Thanks, that makes sense!!

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Okay, so the first recommendation is:

bass ---- Comp ---- Big Muff ---- Chorus ---- amp

Why is the comp first? I thought the reason for that was to keep the signal level going to the amp relatively even and prevent overdriving whether you're barely tapping on the bass or thumping away...

Looking forward to experimenting!

The placement of the comp is more about the duty. If all you want is a limiter before the amp, then leave it at the end. Putting it first is typically beneficial for tonal effect such as fattening or sustain or for an overall leveling of your signal if you tend to have an uneven right hand attack.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I have my comp first, too. My board right now goes like this:

bass > tuner > comp > distortion > envelope > DI/grit > amp

The only thing not optimal about it is that I could probably get more out of the envelope filter if it were placed before the comp. But it still works well this way.

My comp is really just being used to level out hot spots on my bass, different playing techniques and so on. I'm not interested in having it adjust volume based on the other pedals effects--they all already have level knobs, so I can set them all to be about the same volume that way. Put another way, I want the comp to level ME and my bass, not my effects.

 

[HolmeBass]

I would, personally, go bass > muff > chorus > comp > amp. But I don't use a compressor very often, and never a stompbox one when I do.

 

[mmbongo]

I would put the compressor last. I don't like any pedals that rely on dynamics to receive a compressed signal.

 

[scottfeldstein]

^^ A valid principle and one that I agonized over before violating.

 

[adamaarts]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/effects-forum-rules-faq-must-read-164936/

 

[Rickenmonster]

I would say Muff before Chorus and Comp after Muff (maybe after Chorus too).

 

[mam1862]

I would put the compressor last. I don't like any pedals that rely on dynamics to receive a compressed signal.

I also run my compressor last. I never have any issues with the other pedals before it. I run mine like this,

Line 6 G50
Korg Tuner
Mxr BCD
Mxr Envelope Filter
Mxr BOD
Earthquaker Organizer
Strymon Lex
Mxr Bass Overdrive
Mxr Bass Compressor

The only two pedals I use together are the Organizer and the Lex. The compressor always stays on. I have it set so there is not a change in volume going from pedal to pedal. Just my take.