Official Pedal Order Thread

[axertes]

Originally Posted by Myown1

Hi there! First to help you get the most out of your pedals; one quick hint, DO NOT USE TRUE BYPASS PEDALS AS YOUR FIRST PEDAL directly from the guitar. There will be a loss of tone most likely

I thought it was the opposite: that you want buffered pedals at the end of the chain? Does anyone else concur? I don't really know what a buffer actually does though. I was gonna get a tuner soon, maybe I'll buy a buffered one like the TU-2 after all :P

.................................................. ..........

Incidentally, I have (italics = true bypass):

EHX Octave Multiplexer (older one with the 3.5mm headphone type power input)

> Snarling Dogs Very Tone Dog (clean boost with EQ. It was one of those "I'm buying a pedal off someone on ebay who happens to be selling another one for like $20" kinda purchases, except now I use it a lot, although not for its intended purpose. I use it more as a thing to make the tone really dark and boost the signal for when I'm playing with screwdrivers and bows and stuff).

> Proco Rat II (USA)

> Line 6 DL4 (would prefer in the FX loop but recently discovered that they don't work properly at line level. The sound has improved dramatically.)

amp in >>> preamp >>> FX send

> Boss GE-7 (Taiwan, not modded)

> Line 6 Verbzilla

>>> FX Return >>> power amp >>> speakers >>> air >>> ears

.................................................. ..........

I've noticed a couple of people here using EQ after delay. I thought that you'd want to delay an EQed signal, especially if, as in my case, your delay has modulation effects. Opinions?

Was also surprised at the reverb before delay thing, although after playing with it I'll stick to my guns as I like how the verb takes the edge off the delay.

[amarr1]

I didn't read all 15 pages of this thread, so this question could have been said again, but Who likes Rev --> Dirt? I've heard it sounds rad.

[DAVIDCOUPE]

Originally Posted by amarr1

I didn't read all 15 pages of this thread, so this question could have been said again, but Who likes Rev --> Dirt? I've heard it sounds rad.

Ohhhhhh maaaaaaaaan! It is the raddest **** ever. DO IT!

[Myown1]

Originally Posted by EddieFury

Hi guys,

If I have an overdrive pedal and a clean boost pedal - What position with the clean boost work best in ?? (for increasing volume while the overdrive pedal is on). Before or after the overdrive pedal? Or maybe more easier to understand, clean boost on the side closest to the amp or closest to guitar ? thanks

Well, your overdrive already has the volume set at a particular level, so it can't get louder if you place the clean boost in the front, what that will cause most likely is more overdrive/distortion. Clean boost would be used after the overdrive, to 'BOOST' the signal to a higher level (for leads?).

[Myown1]

lol try anything you can with your pedals, make everything sound rad if you can, try putting the amplifer first in your chain the guitar second, and the effects last! Good luck!

[Myown1]

Originally Posted by axertes

I thought it was the opposite: that you want buffered pedals at the end of the chain? Does anyone else concur? I don't really know what a buffer actually does though. I was gonna get a tuner soon, maybe I'll buy a buffered one like the TU-2 after all :P

.................................................. ..........

Incidentally, I have (italics = true bypass):

EHX Octave Multiplexer (older one with the 3.5mm headphone type power input)

> Snarling Dogs Very Tone Dog (clean boost with EQ. It was one of those "I'm buying a pedal off someone on ebay who happens to be selling another one for like $20" kinda purchases, except now I use it a lot, although not for its intended purpose. I use it more as a thing to make the tone really dark and boost the signal for when I'm playing with screwdrivers and bows and stuff).

> Proco Rat II (USA)

> Line 6 DL4 (would prefer in the FX loop but recently discovered that they don't work properly at line level. The sound has improved dramatically.)

amp in >>> preamp >>> FX send

> Boss GE-7 (Taiwan, not modded)

> Line 6 Verbzilla

>>> FX Return >>> power amp >>> speakers >>> air >>> ears

.................................................. ..........

I've noticed a couple of people here using EQ after delay. I thought that you'd want to delay an EQed signal, especially if, as in my case, your delay has modulation effects. Opinions?

Was also surprised at the reverb before delay thing, although after playing with it I'll stick to my guns as I like how the verb takes the edge off the delay.

Yeah i wasnt sure what buffered was either until i looked it up on some google recommended sites. Also i noticed that you said your GE-7 wasn't modded which reminded me that mine was, with one of those Monte Allums mods http://www.monteallums.com/index.html. I have my Ibanez TS9-DX, Boss CS-3, and Boss GE-7 done with his mods, they sound great and really make the pedals worth using. That is, if you like to solder. And the buffered pedals at the end of the chain thing is true yes, for long cable runs. More can be explained with google.

[axertes]

Hmm, seems that the don't-use-true-bypass-first thing is right...

From Pedalsnake:

# nclude at least one good, buffered pedal (like a tuner) in the pedal-chain that connects to the guitar pickup.
# The "guitar pickup chain" is the only one that needs a buffer. Once there is one buffer, add as many true-bypass pedals as you want--the more the better.

From AMX FX Guitar Effects Blog:

This is the basic configuration that should work for anyone:

Guitar —> Buffer —> Any pedals —> Buffer —> Amp

The first buffer is providing an interface for the guitar and its long cable to the pedalboard. The final buffer is a line driver for the cable back to the amp. In between, you can put any pedals you like.

From stinkfoot.se:

To get the perfect compromise - if there ever can be such a thing - you can insert a permanent buffer stage somewhere in the chain (but just the one instead of 10-20 of them), while keeping the other effects on a true bypass diet. That will help smooth out the signal differences when you bypass and activate the TB pedals, since it will always provide a stable low impedance signal, regardless of what pedals are active or not. At the same time, the true bypass switching on the pedals will keep the number of stacked buffers to a minimum. To drive a long pedalboard-to-amp cable, place it last in the chain. To help push through the pedalboard connections (up to the first active or buffered pedal), place it early, but not before fuzz pedals that don't like low impedance signals. This buffer stage can be a dedicated buffer unit (such as the Axess BS2 or VHT Valvulator), or a booster or eq pedal you always leave on. But it can also be just an ordinary Boss/Ibanez type pedal, left in bypass mode. Of course, if you already have a buffered pedal elsewhere in the chain that you keep permanently active, you are already there.

(emphasis added)

..................................

Also, I realised that my DL4 is in fact true bypass, so only the last and the second last pedal on my chain is buffered (Boss EQ, Line 6 Verbzilla). So if I get a TU-2 or something like it and put it first, then sweet. Common sense tells me that all true bypass, plus two buffers right at the end wouldn't be any worse than just one buffer at the end. Right? RIGHT!? (someone say yes, don't want to replace the EQ! :P)

Of course, when quizzing my local guitar shop guy about this, who happened to be trying to sell me a Digitech Hardwire tuner, said he saw no advantage in having a buffered pedal anywhere. Funny he says that now they're pumping out Digitech pedals rather than Boss now.

[Myown1]

Originally Posted by axertes

Hmm, seems that the don't-use-true-bypass-first thing is right...

From Pedalsnake:


From AMX FX Guitar Effects Blog:


From stinkfoot.se:

(emphasis added)

..................................

Also, I realised that my DL4 is in fact true bypass, so only the last and the second last pedal on my chain is buffered (Boss EQ, Line 6 Verbzilla). So if I get a TU-2 or something like it and put it first, then sweet. Common sense tells me that all true bypass, plus two buffers right at the end wouldn't be any worse than just one buffer at the end. Right? RIGHT!? (someone say yes, don't want to replace the EQ! :P)

Of course, when quizzing my local guitar shop guy about this, who happened to be trying to sell me a Digitech Hardwire tuner, said he saw no advantage in having a buffered pedal anywhere. Funny he says that now they're pumping out Digitech pedals rather than Boss now.

YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HOW MANY BUFFERS! heheh. anyways, trying to sell you a Hardwire series tuner? Why not, they're pretty good, other than the actual footprint of the pedal, i dont see a difference in the boss or Hardwire tuner pedal====EXCEPT==== that the hardwire tuner is true bypass(unless you already know that... sorry ) therefor, not being buffer when off, key words, when off.

NOW! If I remember correctly, if someone can find the facts and back me up that'd be cool, but anyways, When a True bypass pedal is ON, it in fact, is keeping your signal BUFFERED, or INTACT. Think about it, electricity sending your signal through the pedal when on, and no electricity touching the signal when off... sounds like any True bypass pedal when left on can be used as a buffer.
What say you?

[daveko]

Hi guys,

I've read through a couple of the 14 pages on this post...

I've just bought a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for my cleans to go with my Marshall Vintage Modern/1960A 4x12" cab.

I'm gona use the HRD for clean only and the VM for overdrive and then use the switch for the hi gain dynamic range for a big ballsy sound.

Pedal-wise I have:

Boss TU-2
Boss GE-7
MXR SuperComp
Electro-Harmonix Switchblade

Is it best to just stick the tuner - GE-7 - Supercomp then A/B switch in that order?

That way I figure I'm getting the best tone I can going into both amps? Should I use the GE-7 before the compressor?

[Clewsy]

What order should I use for:-

Dunlop Crybaby Wah
Digitech Whammy
Digitech Hardwire TL- 2 Metal Distortion
Boss PH- 3 Phase Shifter
Boss GE- 7 Equalizer
Boss NS- 2 Noise Suppressor

[osito2]

Ok, I get the differences between placing Modulation, Gain, Wah and Delays ... but I wanted to ask for help on this: Where would you place .. a

Digitech Whammy 4
MXR boost
Stereo Pulsar Tremolo
Boss Acoustic Simulator
Boss Noise Supressor

Anyone? Please!!!

[Myown1]

Originally Posted by daveko

Hi guys,

I've read through a couple of the 14 pages on this post...

I've just bought a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for my cleans to go with my Marshall Vintage Modern/1960A 4x12" cab.

I'm gona use the HRD for clean only and the VM for overdrive and then use the switch for the hi gain dynamic range for a big ballsy sound.

Pedal-wise I have:

Boss TU-2
Boss GE-7
MXR SuperComp
Electro-Harmonix Switchblade

Is it best to just stick the tuner - GE-7 - Supercomp then A/B switch in that order?

That way I figure I'm getting the best tone I can going into both amps? Should I use the GE-7 before the compressor?

I like to use the GE-7 at the end of any of my effects that change the 'tone' so to say, like fuzz, distortion, compressor. That way I'm actually carving whatever tone i want out of those effects. BECAUSE I want the guitars tone to go through the compressor and fuzz and etc before it gets to what is kinda like a 'finalization' of how i want my tone to sound.
So if you don't like your guitars original tone pots limitations or the pickups performance, i can understand why you would have it right after the Tuner.
Let me know what you think! I would have the GE-7 after the Compressor personally.

[Myown1]

Originally Posted by Clewsy

What order should I use for:-

Dunlop Crybaby Wah
Digitech Whammy
Digitech Hardwire TL- 2 Metal Distortion
Boss PH- 3 Phase Shifter
Boss GE- 7 Equalizer
Boss NS- 2 Noise Suppressor

Wah and whammy can be interchangeable to your likings, I know it's not really what you were asking, but it's the truth, maybe find out some of your favorite guitarist setup for a clue of what you like. As for the others I would go TL-2 ->NS-2 ->GE-7 ->PH-3. I would put the GE-7 out of the TL-2 and NS-2 loop so I can keep adjusting the EQ without having to change the noise suppressors limit, ya know what I mean?

[Myown1]

Originally Posted by osito2

Ok, I get the differences between placing Modulation, Gain, Wah and Delays ... but I wanted to ask for help on this: Where would you place .. a

Digitech Whammy 4
MXR boost
Stereo Pulsar Tremolo
Boss Acoustic Simulator
Boss Noise Supressor

Anyone? Please!!!

Now the Boost depends on what you want to use it for... Leads? putting it at the end of your affects will boost your volume, and perhaps push your amp harder to have more breakup (if that's your intention) or put it before your pedal lineup to boost... well what the hell is it exactly you have it for? :P And the noise suppressor as well, what on your board is making soo much noise? anyways, Whammy -> Acoustic simulator -> Tremolo is what I would do, as for the other 2, let me know what you want to do with them, what's their purpose?

[osito2]

Originally Posted by Myown1

Now the Boost depends on what you want to use it for... Leads? putting it at the end of your affects will boost your volume, and perhaps push your amp harder to have more breakup (if that's your intention) or put it before your pedal lineup to boost... well what the hell is it exactly you have it for? :P And the noise suppressor as well, what on your board is making soo much noise? anyways, Whammy -> Acoustic simulator -> Tremolo is what I would do, as for the other 2, let me know what you want to do with them, what's their purpose?

Well actually the noise supressor is because I use a Proco Rat 2, a Tube screamer and a Big Muff Pi ... so in case it gets too loaded with gain or something I was thinking about getting a noise supressor .. and well the boost actually was, as you said, for lead parts like solos or main riffs. Thanks for your help man!