effect pedal chains

[Sgt.]

I have a few effects pedals that I like to use through the fx loop on the amp. I had to go searching on the internet to find out in which order effects should be placed in the chain because they sound better when they are placed in some order than others. For example, the wah wah doesn't go at the end of the fx chain because it's going to wah all of the effects before it. It goes first, then a compressor, then modulation effects like chorus, phaser, etc. (I use a multi-fx pedal with flange, chorus, phaser, delay, tremolo, and pitch shift). You can add the delay, tremolo and pitch shift in there too. And reverb last. I really don't use anything else, but I know that ordering types of effect pedals in this order seems to have the best combination of sound at the other end. I like the fx loop on the amp better than front end too. ooops I'm leaving out od pedal because I forget the tubescreamer is built in to the amp (TSA15)! The distortion od should go ... first. Obviously pedals such as a tuner should go first, first because they don't like distorted processed signals.

My link

Any arguments to where every pedal should go or sound best?

[krock]

At the end of the day I dont think there are any rules that are set in stone when it comes to pedal ordering.

 

I like to run Wah > Tuner > Phaser > Octave > Overdrive > Fuzz > Chorus > Delay > Reverb > Boost

 

When I was putting it together I did a lot of reordering to find out what worked best and I found this worked for my rig. Most people I know put the phaser with the other modulation pedals but my phaser (Script RI Phase 45) sounds better when nearer the start. I'm currently modding my wah (Teese RMC4) to have a Fuzz face built in as both are used sparingly and didn't warrant a place on my board. Because the wah has a buffer that engages when the pedal is switched on there is no problem with having it wired up Wah>Fuzz Face

[surfpup]

Gotta use your ears. I've had phasers and vibes that work better in front and better at the end.

 

That said, I never had a delay that didn't go last.

 

Also consider gain stackage... a booster before an overdrive will increase the overdrive whereas a booster after the overdrive will boost the level more.

 

Finally buffers are a factor. Most vintage effects benefit from coming early in the signal chain, especially if you have something with a buffer (Tube Screamer for example) coming later in the chain.

[NHTom]

as surfpup said........use your ears.

 

I've had the same "type" of effect (chorus, verb, delay, etc) that different model/brand sounded better at a different location in the chain.

 

mix it up and see what sounds best to your ears......the combination that does is the right one.

 

NHTom

[Karloff]

this is what and the order i run it, from 1st - to out to amp...

 

boss tuner - Wah wah - soulvibe - delay - holy grail reverb

 

im plugged straight into tuner, the out of the wah goes to input of amp. the soulvibe/delay/reverb go through the effects loop.

but its open to personal preference. whatever sounds best to your ears.