Don't Make This Common Boost Pedal Mistake!

If you've watched any of our previous videos, you know that we are huge fans of understanding (and experimenting) with your pedalboard signal chain!
The position of your boost pedal is no different. A lot of guitar players will put their boost pedal on their board in the spot they think is best, but not actually test out where they like it best. Beginning, Middle or End (maybe not the end, but as you'll see, it's worth a try!).
Don't make this common mistake of assuming your boost pedal should go in one particular spot without trying it for yourself. As they say, assuming makes.... boost pedals work less well.
Video
00:00 - Intro
1:30 - 3 Boost Positions
3:36 - Audio examples of common boost positions
4:14 - Explaining what's happening
5:28 - What happens when you 'break the rules' with your boost
5:54 - Audio example of boost last
6:26 - Outro

[@tonymirabelli8516]

Omg! Waking up in the middle of the night wondering about your signal chain…I thought I was alone! Lol

[@nuthinbutlove]

Thanks for the comparison. It really makes a difference hearing them back to back and just sitting back listening. I've been using it after my drive and thinking i needed to add a distortion pedal but I'm going to try putting it before my drive to see how much difference it makes, if any. Great video!

[@davidsummerville351]

It is something to always consider and keep your attitude flexible. Great info,thanks.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

flexible is the name of the game!

[@prettyruude1]

This video was so clear and answered all my questions of not more, thanks guys!!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Thanks for letting me know checking it out!

[@freeman436]

So glad I found this video. I'm building my first board. Many effects. I'm using my tuner up front for the input buffer and was thinking about the TC boost at the very end for the output buffer. Two birds with one stone. I think your option 3 sounds best. So this will perfectly suit my needs. Thanks so much.

[@Simplyalons]

Very good video. Concise, informative and on point. ❤

[@danmayes4657]

Like the graphics with the music, Easy to conceptualize.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

thanks!

[@quinn4626]

Nicely done, thanks!

[@JaredSingletonATL]

I've done all 3 and surprisingly, the boost at the end was shockingly awesome. It kind of made everything from my dirt to my modulation sound incredible

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Fairly new to Boost Effect Pedals (but now have 3, for different boards lol). I have been using at start of chain, after Tuner and Compressor and Before Drives, just because I thought that is where they go. Thanks to your excellent example samples, I Will now experiment with different Boost placement. All the Best. Cheers

[@BartoszBakVG]

Great job, grat video. I have amp with fx loop. I use clean boost in the very end of signal chain in fx loop just for overall volume boost. In these combination you get only volume boost of all your rig without additional overdrive from Amp preamp or more distorted modulation fx. Remember, the best sound is what you like most or is most usefull :)

[@erikwagonblott3334]

That's 100% what I bought a boost pedal for. Purely extra volume for leads without changing anything else.

[@stevebarry4383]

In my GT-1000 I have set up a solo boost on my clean, crunch and lead patches. I faced a problem with volume patch levels so I run the GT into my DAW and added a LUFS meter to try to match all my patches and it worked great for the EQ boost at the end of the chain as a solo switch. I don't get any unpleasant volume jumps when changing patches and the boost at the end allows for this to be done properly on the overall effects. Great video, thanks :-)

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Smart!!

[@ubertwerpify]

thank you for the clear explanation !

[@Souldoubtrocks]

For me, boost after gain but before effects. Run the volume pedal through the expression loop on my vertex boost.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

very handy way to do it. Love the Vertex boost!

[@dude_crush_]

I like boost at the end. It hits the front end of your amp a lot harder, making your signal way louder and you get really nice break-up. Great for leads

[@GoodwoodAudio]

that's my preference as well!

[@coupe-lee]

I was shocked at how much better that example sounded. I was thinking the boost might color the delay/ modulation etc. too much at the end. I guess it will really depend on the boost being used.

[@leemccullough131]

dude_crush! I have to agree with you completely everything I've read about clean boost says they belong at the end of the signal chain and that it causes overdrive's to clip in falter when placed ahead of the chain I don't know where this guy comes off

[@WilDBeestMF]

An unrelated and not necessarily fits all +1 for boost at the end? A lot of the more famous boosts have a buffer built in. Buffers are good.

[@doubled5383]

I use a Chase Tone Secret Preamp at and of chain. And a clean boost right after drives. Why can’t you have two boosts in the chain?!?!

[@RandyFricke]

Well done video. Very clear. As for me I run a boost at both the beginning of the chain and at the end. This works well because the front end boost is one with bass, treble, gain, and level controls. This mainly functions as a boost for the thinner sounding lower output of single coil pickups like on a Strat or P90s. The boost at the end is purely for boosting the overall level of the signal. A lead or solo boost if you will. The end boost is a one knob clean boost. The last pedal in the chain is an always on reverb. Since it's an always on pedal I can adjust it to play nice with the solo boost just in front of it and since it's an always on it functions as a buffer if you're running long cables from your pedal board to your amp. I have a Moorer Baby Bomb mounted on my board so I don't worry about needing a buffer since cables of 17.8 feet will be clear without high-end loss from capacitance. (Yes. They have it figured down to the .8 of an inch...) Good strummin' ya'll.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice!

[@kylecravens6501]

Early on as a guitarist, I used a Fulltone Fatboost at the end of chain to drive the signal and always got compliments on my tone - might have to try this again!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

sounds like it worked for you!

[@harveynorman8787]

I use two boost. First is before my distortion (I'm using a diezel herbert drive with 4x12 marshall amp/cab sims). Then a 20dB transparent booster with only a level knob at the end of my chain (boost i designed using an OPA 2134 soundplus opamp). But since I'm using an amp/cab sim, i bypass the preamp and go straight to the return input of the fx loop. Sounds great to me and it easily works with a PA or an amp.

[@tomduckworth8335]

I have always liked boost at the end for just the reason you showed. All I want it to do is just give a little volume boost when needed mine also has a buffer I can turn on or off as well. Many times you can get into a mess when you are stacking a number of gain pedals.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

ya, that's my preference as well. Some guys love boost first and sound way better than I ever will though... so it really is finding the one that best suits your style.

[@NicholasAmpazis]

I have mine at the effects loop of the amp which is similar to the 3rd position suggested in the video. Similarity depends on the amp having reverb and if the loop goes before or after it

[@GoodwoodAudio]

totally! Love that. Good insight.

[@helldeirch]

I use boost first in the chain since I don't really use it to have more volume on sections of songs, I use it to have a hotter signal into overdrives since I use passive pickups

[@federicoetchelecu3629]

This video is absolutely perfect on so many levels.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

thanks!

[@slowraceultra]

Very helpful thank you.

[@joetoe9207]

This is excellent. You covered an issue I’ve been wondering about for a while and I’ve never understood why it is “unconventional“ to put a boost (which I interpret as a volume boost, not a gain boost, although I realize I may be in a minority) at the end of the signal chain. Thank you for illustrating the difference and I do need to listen again to catch the tonal differences between the latter two options. Great presentation!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Thanks for checking it out Joe!

[@WilDBeestMF]

Boost can do both of these things. I have also seen boost before drive to get more gain, and boost after, for the more common purpose. I can't say it was my favourite tone ever, but it was certainly rich.

[@joetoe9207]

Thanks for your reply. I think I follow you. I’ve finally grew up enough to play with combinations for me. I’m with you. Position depends on many factors ? Tx again!

[@carminelombardi9575]

I liked the boost at the end better, it seems to allow more transients and clarity through while boosting at the same time.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

very true!

[@danceswithbadgers]

Likewise. Food for thought, or even a complete rethink/rework of my current setup.

[@richardknott2021]

Excellent tutorial..

[@user-rh9vs9mb7s]

With active pickups, I don't have much use for a booster on the front but after the drive and before fuzz it actually boosts fuzz nicely, but I don't have anything to dampen the volume. At the end it dampens any crackle without changing tone or levels up the chain. I'm still not set on what is best, but it is most useful in clean sets without distortion.

[@billw7000]

Great video. Thanks!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

thanks Bill!

[@cloudredgrave5771]

i usually place boost after the gain , after i watched your video and listen to compare which is better ,i guess ill now place my boost after modulation sounds has more story on it, more flavor especially doing any riffs or solos and not just a volume of my dry dirt signal . Thank you so much!

[@cloudredgrave5771]

New sub here

[@vovokidx9691]

so it is always on?

[@SixStrings2wheels]

I have both a boost at the very end (EP Boost), plus another boost after drives (Klone). EP Boost is on for single coils, off for higher output pick-ups (but not always). My amps are run pretty clean. I typically use Fenderish amps, Milkman Creamer, Carr Skylark, Benson Monarch. With a fuzz and drive or two along with the Klone I get many many colors!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

love it!

[@danceswithbadgers]

Possible game changer! I've been using boost after overdrive but before FX, pretty conventionally, but I thought the attack and tone was better with boost at the end of the signal chain. I guess because the FX weren't being pushed as much. I must give that a go, bearing in mind I'm using significantly more drive as my default setting (Boss OD-2, Turbo off) and a dialled down Rat 2 for boost, so my results may be different. However, other overdrives/boosts are available from my collection (of course). I feel a lengthy bout of experimentation looming!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice!

[@paulvigos1]

i have to dmit that position 3 was a excellent surprise. Initially i was pro position 2 that is AFTER GAIN AND B4 MODULATION. i tried putting the boost at the end and if ia hav eto describe it i would say that BOOST AT THE END IS LIKE U WATCH A CONCERT FROMA HUGE HOME CINEMA SYSTEM but with 15 inch tv monitor and ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGAGING THE BOOST GIVES YOU A 100 INCH SUPER TV SET!! yes its mind blowing!! thanks for this vid as it was just what i needed

[@dbombaable]

I have run clean boost for lead at the end. Just cause it was convenient position wise with other pedals. Now I know why I it works so great for me too.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice! love that you found what sounded great to you first rather than following someone else's 'rules' before trusting your ears.

[@scoobmusicnz]

I have a 5e3 delux and I use the boost pedal as a humble over drive for the amp. I also have an over drive pedal which I use as a high gain type sound. in all I use three pedals, 1st reverb into over drive into boost into amp.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice! reverb first... very interesting! If it works for you - awesome!

[@markusaurelius777]

I have my boost before Delay and EQ: Boost Delay EQ All go into the effects loop of my Marshall JCM 900 I then use: Flanger Ibanez Tube Screamer Noise gate These go into the input of my amp. I get a considerable BOOST from the booster pedal this way and can set the level I need for the boost for leads.

[@dr_fantom]

Thanks for the video! For me, Wah > Light Gain OD (gain boost) > Med-High Gain OD > Noise Gate > Phaser > Delay > Clean Boost (overall volume boost). I feel like running too many Boost/OD pedals before modulation/time-based effects would clip them

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Nice! I like it.

[@johnfrewin7717]

I’ve just returned from a rehearsal where I finally gave in and took off a couple of favourite pedals and replaced them both with a boost ( or very nearly,i.e. an od with barely any gain set) , our set is all original rock/country and so the gain stage for my lead guitar is several shades of clean / edge of breakup. For the Pedal nerds out there my signal chain is ( numbers are loops in a gig rig qm6) 1; fuzz face ( rarely used , but put it first & roll the guitar volume off its sparkling clean boost , roll up the volume & hello instant rock lead) 2; Boss DD7 just a slap and mild compression from the EHX soul preacher,I call this country mode 3; Keeley D&M Drive ( dual drive with tube screamer like boost into higher gain OD side)4; EHX soul food ( running low ish gain - like a gritty boost) 5; TC Spark boost , pure clean level up only , no gain boosting here at all , and I run my amps pretty clean 6; tuner (& humdinger to split for the dry amp, a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue)then I have just a Keeley Caverns (delay&reverb)and Harmonious Monk (trem/harmonic trem) to the wet amp( v140 super duchess by Victory uk) so as you can see I use boost throughout my gain stage, and it looks like overkill, but the flexibility it gives me to shape my tone and push it forward or back in the mix myself, with my foot, is really making a difference, I’m finding I have to fight the guitar less ( unless I feel like it) and the combinations are really working for me, love the show by the way👍🎸🇬🇧

[@GoodwoodAudio]

very cool! You've thought this through thoroughly. Love it!

[@leandro0rsantos]

I use one boost before distortions, choosing between a slightly clean boost and a slightly clean trebble boost, and an EQ pedal as a boost for solos, raising mid and upper mid frequencies, right after my modulation

[@GoodwoodAudio]

smart. I like that. Best of both worlds in a way.

[@mobydick3895]

@@GoodwoodAudio I think that is the idea behind the Foxrox 2Boost. There is a tunable one change function that you configure to apply to one boost or both boosts if you want to employ an EQ effect.

[@evgenysamarchenko]

In fact, when we put a booster just before an amp (at the end of a chain) we don’t only increase volume. Parallel with it we boost input of an amp. At the output we get a little bit distorted signal. With a tube amp it work and sound a quite ok. But if you use, for an instance like me, cabsime-booster-and after signal go to multimedia speakers or mixer, at the output we get a crackle🤷‍♂️.

[@komet1536]

Many thanks, great lesson. Boost before time based effects made those too audible, not my favorite. I think best sound was achieved when boost was as first pedal.

[@looneyinkproductions-eduard]

On my board it's: boost - overdrive - boost. The first boost is Spark Mini, (always on). Then come the overdrive and the second boost, the big brother Spark, for that extra volume kick (for one can never trust the soundman ...)

[@Trivette_williams]

I just had this idea yesterday. Im glad to see someone doing the same thing.

[@SteveMavronis]

I used to have my clean boost after my overdrive before modulation effects. Now I have it before my overdrive and I’m finally getting that saturated tube bloom tone that I’ve always wanted with that holy grail overdrive character. I had even used it in my effects loop to act as a preamp master volume but now I have a volume knob pedal there instead.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Nice! Love that you've tried both and found the one that works for you. No better feeling!

[@SteveMavronis]

@@GoodwoodAudio Thanks! I had also tried using a comp into my overdrive as a pseudo boost. It worked but the tone from a clean boost is the grail tone. I use the reissue DOD 410 into 250 pedals.

[@danceswithbadgers]

Horses for courses. The saturated sound you describe is exactly what I try to avoid, as I feel the loss of dynamics and headroom kills my technique. Funny old thing, this guitar twanging malarkey!

[@SteveMavronis]

@@danceswithbadgers I know what you mean but not oversaturated to where it blows out or anything flubby. I just use it to modify the overdrive pedal tone just a bit to go from rhythm tone to bit of lead tone boost. Think of the tone in Journey's song solo in Lights for example. My words can't describe what I meant it sounds like. It just adds a bit of body.

[@danceswithbadgers]

@@SteveMavronis I've been using solid state overdrive for decades because of the headroom thing - I had a Burnan tube preamp as a last-ditch attempt at a tube front end , having tried and rejected several high-gain amps, including a Burman 140 watt combo (4 x GEC KT88'S) and Marshall Master Volume. I'm thinking about some of the tube preamp pedals available now in place of my SS stuff into my JTM45, which is my pedal platform of 32 years standing. These new pedals seem to have better dynamics than the 70's and 80's amp front ends I was disappointed with.

[@learnonedooneteachone3822]

I do all three. I have ods and fuzzes and distortion pedals but into my Vox amps I primarily use boosts.

[@Slappaccino]

I put my boost at the end of my front chain after the dirt, and an mxr 10 band at the end of my fx loop. Works great.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice!

[@returnofthenative]

Nah, no boost cold sweats, but after Mason's periodic buffering flea in the ear, I always experience significantly elevated anxiety levels. Thanks muchly Grant.

[@janvirtanen6199]

I have my boost pedal in the FX-Chain. I use my Peavey 6505+ OD therefore.

[@Bob.Silverstein]

The way I think of it is that boost first is just like using hotter pickups. You're increasing the uncolored voltage that comes straight from the guitar. I have guitars that differ in their output voltage by almost 10x (Les Paul at 400mV, Strat at 50mV). For this reason I would say if you're using your boost to equilibrate two guitar levels when switching, maybe put it first. But if you are just using it to make the whole signal louder, last is more effective.

[@flatgroundtv7097]

Personally use it at the first signal. After watching this, I'm going to put it at the end of the chain for sure . Thank you for making my life easy with difficult choices. 🙏🏽🙂

[@2122banks]

I believe you going to like this. I use a digital amp Blackstar ID 260 and I have a paddle board. In order cry baby peda,l fender level set buffer, boss 20 EQ, angry troll, SP compressor, crunchy frog with a boost, OCD pedal, super duper boost pedal, AC Plus with a boost, Dracarys distortion pedal and my tuner and a cheap gate. The fender level set buffer and the boss EQ is my signal boost they stay on always in the rest of my board is one big boost pedal. One signal equals 10 tones from clean and 10 tones from distortion and different combinations more tone. This pedal board is a blast and I use it in my little fender LT. Love boost pedals.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nicely done!

[@CorbenEdward]

I have a drawer full of super hard on clones and love experimenting with them in all different parts of the signal chain. You can really make a light overdrive turn into a REEEALLL BADBOY with those circuits !

[@GoodwoodAudio]

100%!

[@alexandreavelar9696]

I see more and more people playing stereo rigs now that LINE playing is becoming the standard. If they want tô place boost as last pedal, they would need 2 of them... If possível, Wired tô the same footswitch 😅. Great vídeo!

[@MikeJBlues]

I like option 2, seems to sound the best 👌

[@masonkanterbury3007]

I just did this using my LR baggs pickup with the first effect being the cab simulator to modulated reverb, and my TC Helicon boost as last. This was after a million combinations. It soun!ds really good like this.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

good idea!

[@BishopEddie5443]

Inspirational.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Thanks for checking it out!!

[@dagr8nico]

My setup is like an example 2-a lol. It's after my drives but 1st in my effects loop. Creates a super clean volume boost

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Nice! I like it. After the 'overdrive' of your pre-amp. Great spot.

[@Souldoubtrocks]

Also run it through your amps effect loop.

[@RyanMcQuen]

I have tried all 3 and still prefer boost early/first. Same thing with delay -> reverb, I know some studio signals prefer reverb -> delay, but it has never sounded as good to me.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice! main thing is that you've tried all the options and know what you like!

[@christianvead6865]

That intro was great

[@mattg082]

Yeah I find it effects my Boss CE-2W chorus and Collider too much. It makes the effects very trebly as they have EQ as well. If running straight into amp, I feel running a boost last is great for tone. I don’t need to max my fx headroom out and drive them. Some just really hate that and better to run effects in send or if front…boost after. It makes since to run before gain to thicken up, if you use an always on pedal like a Timmy or Morning Glory Vs your amps tone. I use those types of pedals for medium gains off and on. Using you amps base tone a transparent or EP last is perfect. Also it’s analog always on after a digital…some people hate digital as the last pedal 🤷🏻‍♂️. Radiohead guitarist swears by an EChoplex boost post Strymon always for that reason. And then another EP upfront for boosting the overall sound as needed. See that pedal show for that new episode. It’s pretty much says it all! Just leave it on all the time and gainstage. Or turn it off to back down or boost a solo. Gives you the option to run your amp naturally at low breakup with a clear signal to the amp. I love that sound more than a BluesBreaker. But depends widely on your amp. Fender and Vox style amps this is great!

[@gustferronato]

Nice ... i use boost vol in the efx loop... after "gain" pre amp. 👍

[@GoodwoodAudio]

love that!

[@staalklang]

I use an EPboost after buffer and compressor at the start of chain, and then one katana boost after drives before fx pedals.Then I dont need to overcompensate any of them and tone is overall better.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice!

[@MarioCastro_o]

I have a question, if I put my boost pedal at the beginning followed by distortion-overdrive-reverb-delay, the distortion will rise a bit but if I turn distortion off, my modulation pedals will keep the volume high right? I want this because sometimes clean signal is weak, and with the boost rise a bit am I ok?

[@frankpfau9054]

tuner>boss eq 200>ep boost> nobels odr>modfx or sometimes tuner>ep boost>nobels odr> boss eq 200>modfx

[@prometherion3089]

I find the best spot is in your FX loop. I was surprised you didn’t mention this way because tons of players put the boost in their loop.

[@kmwalsh84]

I have a boost I'm the middle and at the end and only activate the boost at the end for harder hitting solos and rhythms

[@personalfreedom2700]

I’d imagine the quality of the buffer in the boost makes a difference, along with the input and output impedance levels of the buffer. Do you recommend any buffered boost pedals? I hear the vertex boost is awesome but maybe a cheaper option the mxr boost/line driver? Curious to hear what you recommend.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

I really like the vertex boost. A cheaper option that is not sexy by any means but has a very powerful EQ is the RC booster. Big fan of that one as well. I haven't spent much time with the MXR boost, but honestly, if you like the sound of it... do it. Wish I could give more of an opinion on the MXR in this case!

[@jamiejupiter4503]

Im really enjoying the DOD bifet boost. Adds a little breakup, but not too much. Has a buffer on/off switch.

[@brandonprice3664]

I’ve been putting my boost (mini Spark) at the end for about a year or two. My thought process was that I wanted an overall boost to my signal. I had it in before my drive pedals but didn’t like the sound. It’s nice to know others do this. Love these videos.

[@johnfrewin7717]

Yup me too- I love the Spark after the other gain stage pedals, I think the Spark has some compression and eq shaping built in which suits this... perhaps you could try a favourite overdrive set with low gain or no gain at all, in the first slot, a Tube Screamer (or similar)set like this really works well for shaping mid gain tones, or for higher gain sounds classic treble boosters are awesome 👍🇬🇧🎸

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Love that you've tried both and know what you like now. perfect! Thanks for checking the vids out.

[@MarioTorre]

I usually keep all my drives in order but have a green wonder at the end of the chain

[@ryanhays7917]

I'm boring. I have a boost/buffer at the beginning. I have a Boss delay at the end. I guess I centered on buffers for a while cause a had a muddy sound. My tone got a lot better. The boost at the end kind of reminds me of the difference between a digital and an analog delay. I'm no engineer, but I thought maybe the bucket brigade chip has a gain stage kinda.

[@darwinsaye]

I think historically, when people first started using things like EP tape echo units and Grampian reverb units etc. for boosting, they were right before the amp. So not that unusual to use the boost at the end.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Good thought. Didn't think about that.

[@brianberry8902]

boosty collins at the end, for the win!

[@mikecorey8370]

Boost at the end. No question. You already have your gain pedals set, if you're using more than one. If you're running clean, then yeah, guitar into boost.

[@heyou429]

@4:58 does this still apply if the boost goes into the amp and then the amp's fx loop handles all the modulation pedals?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Depends on your FX loop! Some effects loops bump you up to line level (hotter signal) and can cause clipping as well. Not something I run into often, but worth being aware of so you can adjust settings in case you run into this sort of thing.

[@Don-ih4st]

Where would you suggest placing a compressor in the chain?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

great question... totally up to the player. either early in the chain (after buffer sensitive pedals but before overdrives) or late in the chain (after overdrives / distortion but before modulation / wet effects)... both with give you slightly different results. I love it early, but plenty of players love it late. There's not a 'correct' way - just whatever sounds better to you.

[@michalis66]

Were to place a clean boost if i use and a compression pedal too?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

up to you! I'd experiment, but also depends if you're running compression pre or post ODs and how hard you're running it. If you're running a lot of compression and a boost BEFORE... the boost might not do much as far as level.

[@randyortogero3814]

two boost I have on my board, both at the end

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Nice! I assume two different boosts for different tones?

[@elpastor7155]

i use an ocd and a tube screamer and an ep booster after the dirt pedals, but guitar solos dont boost enough (volume increase) and cut through the mix. any tips? p.s my modulation pedals are a marshall rf1 reverb and tc electronic flashback delay pedal

[@GoodwoodAudio]

it would depend on how you're running the pedals (are you stacking / what is the order of the 2 drives). If you're running OCD into Tube Screamer I think that's a great start. I'd be curious how dark your guitar is, would also be curious how your amp is mic'd / how bright it is as a standard tone. A lot of this is subjective which also makes things tricky... Have you tried treble boosters or a boost with more EQ control so that when it's 'on' you can boost top end / and/or cut bottom?

[@terrywitzu7874]

I assumed the go to was after Overdrive, but I really liked what I thought was the stupidest idea - At the end of whole chain. Funny though, I have an Xotic EP Boost too. Toggles set to "Vntage" and play it w/ the boost knob competely rolled off, and get a fatter, moe evenly dispursed TONE. Like more PRESENCE rather than BOOST. If I set mine at NOON it would be too loud for the human ear. Any idea what's going on w/ that?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Sorry, for some reason I wasn't notified of comments anymore. Great question... that sounds a bit out of hand. First thing I'd try is just guitar - boost - amp and see if it behaves the same way.

[@terrywitzu7874]

@@GoodwoodAudio Okay! Tried that and it not oly retained it's clarity, but putting it back in the chain has has now kept that quality. You fixed it! How'd you do that??? :)

[@GoodwoodAudio]

@@terrywitzu7874 haha I wish I knew. Might have just been a jack that needed to be reseated. Glad it worked!

[@JayGoreGuitar]

Boost in the effects return. Hits the big power tubes harder.

[@10sassafras]

My trem pedal is also my boost so it boosts drives and delay then the signal hits analogue chorus. Works great.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice! What trem?

[@10sassafras]

@@GoodwoodAudio VFE Old School. No longer around.

[@lukewarren7857]

I have a feed back buffer stereo in+out for my effect loop besides a mono in / out that has lower buffering I seem to still lose my bite on my guitar only signal Meaning, before or after this " stage to mixing board split" what are your suggestions?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

can you clarify what you mean by feedback buffer and the mono in out with lower buffering? Are you using a specific buffer I can look up? Or is it custom?

[@-jank-willson]

@GoodwoodAudio If you slammed, say, 5 boosts into an overdrive, would it turn into an overdrive-distortion?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

At that point I think it's called a tone milkshake. Too much of a good thing.

[@-jank-willson]

@@GoodwoodAudio what about 2 boosts into an overdrive? Would that get the 'overdrive-distortion' effect from a regular old overdrive pedal?

[@carminelombardi9575]

I'm wondering what would happen if a boost was placed at the start of the chain to give overall boost at the beginning and another at the end of the chain and set them to give to find a sweet spot.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

You'd probably find that the boost at the beginning would need to be set quite low so as not to destroy the front end of your OD section (causing a ton of extra clipping)... You could also try more of an always on OD / tone shaper closer to the front which is less about volume and more about setting a sound that your ODs can build off of. I've done this on my personal board and really enjoyed it.

[@carminelombardi9575]

@@GoodwoodAudio That makes sense, thank you.

[@Moonshot568]

I prefer my boost after my overdrive pedals before my delay into the effect loop .

[@GoodwoodAudio]

agreed!

[@BaritoneOneFive]

I run a SHO at the end of my signal chain. It pummels my amp and I get power tube distortion. Back off on my guitar volume and my signal gets really clean and percussive.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice! such a great pedal.

[@robsmith6443]

If I'm using it to strengthen the signal because of having many pedals that aren't always on and have uncolored true bypasses, should I place it before or after most of the pedals that aren't always on?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

I'd first ask what buffer you're using and where it is in your chain before I got into boost placement... Having a buffer as close to the front of the chain (after buffer sensitive pedals) as possible will do a huge service to your signal strength. If that's already the case, then I'd try putting it early on. Run it in both places though to see what you like best.

[@H_row24]

i have just bought a boost pedal, the model is elctro-harmonix and the pedal is an LPB-1, i have a vox valvetronix amp that can take 40w. i have plugged my boost pedal at the start of my chain before my overdrive and whammy/detune pedal and when i turn the boost pedal off i cant hear anything out of my amp. what should i do?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

I'd start by plugging your guitar straight into your amp, making sure that works, set your level with guitar and amp only (at a level you feel is appropriate) then add 1 pedal into your signal chain at a time to make sure they are working. Once you get to your boost, just make sure it's adding only a bit of extra volume, not a huge amount.

[@H_row24]

@@GoodwoodAudio thank you, i have just tried that and now my amp sounds gritty and quiet. is this due to there not being any headroom left in the amp?

[@jasonroyce3587]

boost at the very end 100% for me.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice!

[@jesterraj]

Will this work for processors like line 6 or boss gt1000

[@GoodwoodAudio]

same principle, yes

[@gemgem0209]

how to use booster for volume if using built in distortion of guitar amp. pls help

[@GoodwoodAudio]

If you're amp has an FX loop, you could run boost after the FX send of your amp (in the FX loop). Is that an option?

[@alessiograziani6355]

I noticed that using the booster before the overdrive really impacts the voice of the overdrive

[@GoodwoodAudio]

100%

[@AlanSheraton]

I've always placed the boost at the end of the chain. I thought it was pretty usual haha

[@GoodwoodAudio]

that's where I like it!

[@thebutton7932]

every example where the boost was last position before the amp, the amp was working harder, so it sounded better

[@GoodwoodAudio]

that's my preference as well.

[@CaptainAhab-im3kd]

Boost after modulation prevents the increased volume from overloading your modulation pedals, a fact that seems to escape the minds of most.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice!

[@loutielli]

For me, boost before gain stage, but I run my gain pedals low.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

very cool! There are so many variables that go into it.. .low gain vs. high being one. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[@KordTaylor]

I use it at the end so it makes whatever basic tone I have louder for solos or special parts. Certainly don’t think breaks any rules either. 😂

[@GoodwoodAudio]

nice!

[@LloydTheHuman]

Can i purchase goodwood audio, I'm from Philippines. Thank you!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

We ship to Philippines. if you can't access shipping through our website, just email me. [e-mail]

[@user-nh8xm2om6k]

what about Boost on the FXloop?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

if you run your amp channels / dirty amps, I'd try it first up in your amps FX Loop (after your pre-amp/FX send)! Pretend your amp channels is another 'overdrive' on your pedalboard... Boost after or before the head will change the sound.

[@perro0076]

Oh man. This is so broad. The main principle is that you want to drive those valves. So you place your booster just in front of the valves. It also really depends on whether those valves are on the pre-amp or power amp stage, or both. The Orange Micro Terror for example, has valves on the pre-amp stage and solid state on the power amp. Some amps have loop out-in. In which case you may want to place your pedalboard in that loop and just drive the power amp stage. In the end it is really what floats your boat.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

that's what it comes down to! Experiment and see what works for you.

[@LysanderLH]

Aside from being an EchoPlex thingy, I can’t hear how it does anything different to other boosts. Many say it warms the tone but I have no idea what this even means. It does boost the signal output but aside from this, what else does it do?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

pushes the amp into breakup (after the overdrives) and oversaturates the overdrives (when put before them) - that's really the main part / point of this. It can be subtle, but effective when used well.

[@LysanderLH]

@@GoodwoodAudio thank you very much. So does Echoplex boost circuit ie. The EP pedal, colour the tone in a specially specific way or is boost, boost?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

it definitely has a 'sound' to it. Subtle...but it's there. Boost is never just a boost haha. Wish that was the case sometimes. @@LysanderLH