Ugh.... another pedal chain question

[johnbegone]

Sorry, I know these come up all the time, and there is probably a freakin' database of knowledge on the forum answering my exact question, but a quick search didn't really pull up exactly what I was looking for. Here is my current pedal chain:

 

Tuner > EB Volume > Blues Driver > TS9DX > DS-1 > Little Big Muff > Compressor (DOD FX80b)

 

Then in the chain I have TR-2 > DL4 > Small Clone > Small Stone > BBE Boost > Amp

 

So my question is, should I put my dirt pedals in the opposite order? For some reason, it made sense to have the lowest gain pedals first, going up to the big muff (I mostly use the blues driver as a boost), but then it occured to me, if I had my less gain pedals after the big muff, then I could basically boost my big muff, right? So should I put the Big Muff first?

 

Then I also think I should maybe put my compressor before any of the dirt pedals, just after the volume pedal, although I usually only use it when playing clean with the lipstick pickups in my tele. What do you guys think? Time for a re-wire?

 

One last thing, I've been reading about certain pedals (like the muff) needing a buffer between pedals, do I need to worry about that at all? I will say that I rarely, if ever, have used more than one dirt pedal at a time (with the exception of using the blues driver as a boost with another overdrive).

 

Thanks for your help.

 

For visual stimulation (just swapped out that Ibanez EQ for the Boss Tremolo, no new pictures, also just got my DS-1 and TS9 modded and true bypassed):

[TomCTC]

Sorry, I know these come up all the time, and there is probably a freakin' database of knowledge on the forum answering my exact question, but a quick search didn't really pull up exactly what I was looking for. Here is my current pedal chain: Tuner > EB Volume > Blues Driver > TS9DX > DS-1 > Little Big Muff > Compressor (DOD FX80b) Then in the chain I have TR-2 > DL4 > Small Clone > Small Stone > BBE Boost > Amp So my question is, should I put my dirt pedals in the opposite order? For some reason, it made sense to have the lowest gain pedals first, going up to the big muff (I mostly use the blues driver as a boost), but then it occured to me, if I had my less gain pedals after the big muff, then I could basically boost my big muff, right? So should I put the Big Muff first? Then I also think I should maybe put my compressor before any of the dirt pedals, just after the volume pedal, although I usually only use it when playing clean with the lipstick pickups in my tele. What do you guys think? Time for a re-wire? One last thing, I've been reading about certain pedals (like the muff) needing a buffer between pedals, do I need to worry about that at all? I will say that I rarely, if ever, have used more than one dirt pedal at a time (with the exception of using the blues driver as a boost with another overdrive). Thanks for your help. For visual stimulation (just swapped out that Ibanez EQ for the Boss Tremolo, no new pictures, also just got my DS-1 and TS9 modded and true bypassed):

I'd put your pedals in this order:

Guitar > EB Volume (tuner in tuner out) > Small Stone > Little Big Muff > DS-1 > Blues Driver > TS9DX > Compressor (DOD FX80b) > TR-2 > Amp

Loop: Send > > BBE Boost > DL4 > Small Clone > Return

That's just based on personal preference, though. Sweet jesus you have alot of buffers in your dirt chain.

Is that a Lyt board? The 32" model? If not, let me know what that is, I like the looks of it.

[IRG]

I would probably put the compressor early in the chain, right after volume. If you need the comp at all, try without. I had to put my Nano Stone in the effects loop, and I would probably put the tremolo in the effects loop too. Also, I like having OD before my Muff, sounds creamier that way, but try both and see what you like.

[PINKUSFLOYDUS]

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Dude, you are on the right track, but I can tell you from over 30 years of this dilemma there is no other way than to do "trial and error" experimenting.

I have gone as far as to match impedance specs for optimum pedal to pedal transfer, and this led me to no-where...

Keep on keepin on!

Good luck, man

[johnbegone]

Yeah thanks for the suggestions guys. IRG, you basically suggested exactly the setup I already have right now, except putting the compressor earlier, which I think I'm going to do anyway. Then when I do that maybe I'll try the dirt boxes in reverse order from what I have right now. Hmmmmmmm, I guess I'll just keep trying stuff. I actually like the way its setup right now, but I feel like if I had my muff before the overdrives, I could use them together.

[daveflave1275]

Yeah I'd say there's no right answer to your question buddy

 

as long as delay, reverb, certain modulation effects go in the loop you're good.

 

but I will say that when I had a compressor on my board I liked it more after my dirt pedals. It's a tad noisier but the tone is soooo juicy...

[Dreabfly]

Hmmm...like you, I have 3 dirt boxes in a row. Overkill sometimes, but it was hard to figure out who went first. I've got compressor first in the chain. Putting them after made my ears hurt with the noise. (oy, the noise. My studio has hardwood floors so noise is just freakin' unbearable). Then I've got them in order of how dirty I drive them because I found it helped their clarity - grit (Red Snapper) first, blues (BD-2) second, and hardcore (Rat) third. They are in front of all my spacials.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn249/femmeguitar/100_0902.jpg

Basically - you'll have to experiment, because you'll like different things than other people.

I don't understand why you're only using your BD as a boost. Seems an awful waste of a really kick-ass tone pedal.

[Dreabfly]

Nice clean spiffy board, by the way.

[johnbegone]

Nice clean spiffy board, by the way.

Thanks, I'm using the BD as a boost currently cause I don't like the way it sounds when driven harder. The plan is to get it modded very very soon, and then I'm sure I'll love it.