Where do you guys like to place your effects in the chain?

[Shreddy Mercury]

I'm trying to build this virtual board and curious how you guys like to place effects. The amp has an effects loop so I can utilize that, but here's what layout I've got going on paper as a rough draft, but I'd appreciate any input or ways you guys would run them.

Guitar->tuner->noise gate->eq->compressor->volume->wah->phaser->drives/boosts->amp

Send->flanger->chorus->delay->return

The amp has an onboard reverb, but should I choose to get a reverb pedal anyway for a variety of sounds, I'd probably place it after delay.

As far as modulation is concerned, from what little I've heard in videos, it seems I prefer phaser before the distortion but keep getting distracted by listening to hair metal tunes instead of looking for videos of flanger or chorus before or after distortion.

 

[ChurchHill]

FWIW, I usually put EQ after compression so that changing the EQ doesn't change how the compressor reacts. But it depends on what I'm using the EQ for and maybe I want to shape the tone to keep the compressor in check.

I usually like flangers before distortion, too, for the same reason I like phasers before distortion. Chorus I could go either way.

REV > DLY > CHR can provide some interesting tones. Reverb before delay can make the reverb more smeary for lack of a better term. Chorus after reverb keeps the chorus more cohesive. As always, it just depends on what I'm wanting to do. Typically, though, I go with CHR > DLY > REV as you mentioned.

 

[VonBonfire]

I'm trying to build this virtual board and curious how you guys like to place effects. The amp has an effects loop so I can utilize that, but here's what layout I've got going on paper as a rough draft, but I'd appreciate any input or ways you guys would run them.

Guitar->tuner->noise gate->eq->compressor->volume->wah->phaser->drives/boosts->amp

Send->flanger->chorus->delay->return

The amp has an onboard reverb, but should I choose to get a reverb pedal anyway for a variety of sounds, I'd probably place it after delay.

As far as modulation is concerned, from what little I've heard in videos, it seems I prefer phaser before the distortion but keep getting distracted by listening to hair metal tunes instead of looking for videos of flanger or chorus before or after distortion.

Matt it's great seeing you get back into things. You're a great player with soulful phrasing and I have no doubt the motivation behind all the pedals and gear you plan on acquiring is to annihilate everyone in the next neo-soul guitar contest. Good luck bro.

 

[japetus]

I know my way is kind of obscure. I don't use fx loops. I usually go (from right to left) OD/delay/OD/echo/EQ/looper

 

[Rackman]

I've over time gone in the direction of having nothing in front of the amp. I've got an Eventide in the serial loop or between separate pre/power units with a MIDI expression pedal set up as a global volume and then whatever FX I need. It will do more than I ever have any reason to use.

This would not work with amps that were deficient in the gain department.

I do have a board that goes in front of amps for backline use. I try to avoid that situation though.

 

[stratjacket]

Your path looks like it'd be a good path to me.

To answer the question, here is mine:
Gtr -> EQ (in a frown pushing mids) -> OD -> NoiseGate -> Amp. -> Reactive Load with IR's and stereo out-> EQ (smily face cutting mids) -> H9 (micro pitch 99% of the time) -> AxeFxIII for Delay/Reverb (have many effect presets for ryth/lead) -> Apollo X8 to Studio Monitors

Makes it extremely easy to record and reamp without having to move any cables.
Should note that I have all my amps and Synergy on a KHE Switcher

 

[Shreddy Mercury]

I know my way is kind of obscure. I don't use fx loops. I usually go (from right to left) OD/delay/OD/echo/EQ/looper

Heretic!

 

[Music&Chaos]

I like to have a switch to cut the fx loop out of the circuit. I go straight in the front 90% of the time.

In the loop though when I do run it I have a Griffin Analog PultEQ, a trem/boost, a delay, and a verb.

 

[stephen sawall]

Guitar > tuner > wah > noise gate - noise gate loop >(compressor, overdrive, distortion, fuzz). After the noise gate > modulation > boost > amp.

Amp loop > EQ > delay

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I'm trying to build this virtual board and curious how you guys like to place effects. The amp has an effects loop so I can utilize that, but here's what layout I've got going on paper as a rough draft, but I'd appreciate any input or ways you guys would run them.

Guitar->tuner->noise gate->eq->compressor->volume->wah->phaser->drives/boosts->amp

Send->flanger->chorus->delay->return

The amp has an onboard reverb, but should I choose to get a reverb pedal anyway for a variety of sounds, I'd probably place it after delay.

As far as modulation is concerned, from what little I've heard in videos, it seems I prefer phaser before the distortion but keep getting distracted by listening to hair metal tunes instead of looking for videos of flanger or chorus before or after distortion.

I recommend trying the phaser in front and in the loop. Personally if I'm using the phase more like a vibe pedal I put it out front after any boost or OD, but for everything else I like it after my dirt including amp gain.

 

[BeZo]

Wah should go up front. They tend to like the guitar signal. I would even put it before the tuner (unless the tuner is true bypass).

Noise Gate does more in the loop. Bonus points if it keys off the input (most digital units do).

EQ before the compressor will definitely change the way the compressor works. That could be good or bad depending on what you want and how you do it. EQ does more to shape character up front and tone in the loop.

Phaser and Flanger up front are more subtle, in the loop are more saturated and thick, and might be good between the boosts and amp. I like phaser in the loop or after gain for a thick swirl. I at least run them after the boost. Try them and see what you like.

Volume before the amp controls input gain, where a volume pedal in the loop works like a master. Up front, you rock back to go clean. In the loop, you can fade out at full distortion.