Should the compressor be first in the FX chain?

[dougb415]

I'm in that ongoing process of trying to find the right sequence of pedals. My darling wife got me a Keeley 4-knob compressor for Christmas, and the docs suggest putting it first in the chain. I have usually done this:

wah -> volume pedal -> tuner -> compressor -> OD1 -> OD2

Is there an advantage to having the compressor first?

 

[popsongsmith]

Check out the FAQ on the Keely site. He's got some interesting ideas about compressor placement

 

[Brien]

I looked at your chain. I would put your volume pedal last, so it doesn't affect the amount of overdrive. If you need less drive, use your volume knob, but the having your volume pedal last keeps a consistent tone, because your comp/od pedals react to input level. As far as the comp, I like it before the OD for more consistent drive levels, some people like it after.

 

[giggedy]

I put my comp after dirt. I like it after the dirt so that I can control the amount of gain with the guitar's volume knob.

 

[sgs]

i like to put my comp after the overdrive as well. When I put it before, it seems to get too mushy, and I have less clarity in my overdrive. For me at least, it works much better this way...

 

[ecbluesman54]

My compressor is 2nd right after a Fulltone Wah. I messed with the setup for quite awhile before I settled on this. The best thig to do if you can is try it in all different spots. There are only suggestions, but no right way.
Good luck!

 

[mewithoutlouie]

I've been using mine's before dirt. I don't really use the volume knob to control gain or anything like that. If I were you I'd try messing around with the placement by yourself and in a band situation (if that applies to you).

 

[macca]

I tried my comp after my fuzz/distortion/OD because of the following advice from Keeley, and I have kept it that way ever since for the reasons he gives:

"Compressors typically go next [after wah or phaser] although I like them after distortion pedals in many cases if the compressor is clean and transparent enough. Compression after distortion has two effects that I really like. First, the noise floor is lower because the noise from a compressor isn't being amplified and distorted by the overdrive pedal. Second, there appears to be more sustain. There is one draw back that some people notice and that is a darker, warmer tone. Some folks might prefer a more conventional, brighter tone."