That Pedal Show - Clean Boost, Compressor, Treble Boost and Overdrive: What Order?

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Should you boost your overdrive or overdrive your boost? Compress your drive, or drive your compression? And just what the flip is a treble booster anyway?
In this video, Daniel and Mick get to grips with these fundamental electric guitar effects and demo how their placement in your signal chain radically affects the tone.
Serving up the sounds are an AnalogMan King Of Tone, AnalogMan Beano Boost, original MXR Script Logo DynaComp and Bob Burt Clean Boost… all controlled by TheGigRig G2.
Daniel is playing his Fender Custom Shop ’63 Telecaster and Mick is playing his PRS DGT. The amp is a 1964 Vox AC30.
Enjoy!

[@T-Hawkeyes]

OD > COMP 2:22 COMP > OD 2:55 __________________ OD > COMP 5:45 COMP > OD 5:53

[@Psyfonify]

its a shame about the volume differences, this would have been a great comparison but louder always sounds better haha

[@TiagoFrancomusic]

this channel is getting better and better! 2 great players, great sounds, explanations, etc etc... oh yeah! Thank you

[@rustymcnally]

What a fantastic video! Trawling through your back catalogue of videos is an absolute pleasure. Keep it up guys!

[@MNGuitars]

Another great video Daniel!! Every serious guitar player should watch these! So informative!

[@williambejar5874]

TKS, guys!!! You helped to open my eyes, mind and ears to a change I've been thinking for a long time in my pedalboard: Booster into the OD. :) Tried it today and was way better and close to what I was looking for!!!

[@Astorath04]

Thanks guys! Already had a booster for a long time, and i didn't get it, so I never really used it. After watching this video I finally know how the pedal works! Plugged the box in and I was amazed how it can add that nice crispy touch on your overdrive.

[@laytonturpin6293]

hello, from Southaven, Mississippi! I just stumbled on your show today. I've now been watching for nearly six hours. I've been building effects pedals now, by the numbers of course, for about three years now. I'm now understanding placement and how to use them in a whole new light. thanks a million for doing what you do.

[@OrestLubinets]

I am playing guitar 10 years already, but this show educates me as I am a total beginner. Love it))

[@tylerbruner8203]

You guys are fantastic. I just found your channel the other day and it provides such good material and information that I have always wondered. Much respect and great knowledge and musicianship. Keep it up guys and thanks again!

[@johndubchak]

Great info and it's nice to hear the demonstrations because it really gives me something to think about and some points of reference. Thanks.

[@jhut5150]

This video and playing my buddy's treble booster through my AC15 have led me to purchase my first treble booster. Thanks guys! I picked up the 65 Amps Colour Boost. Sounds amazing!

[@dannylee214]

Guys! What awesome demos. You have a fundamental understanding of gain structure and you manage to convey that knowledge clearly and simply. Freaking awesome. Thanks for your hard work in putting these together.

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

Ah, cheers Daniel, so glad you like them :)

[@1991stratplus]

+Daniel TheGigRig I have a wampler plexi-drive and this pedal is an amazing tool used for clean boost. Along With my Boss parametric EQ i can get pretty close to a black face twin tone. I have a 1988 red knobbed twin and some people hate this amp. But used with these 2 pedals i can get some pretty nice classic tone out of it. Thanks for the great videos. Subbed & liked.

[@mantashaft]

Revisiting this before an all too rare weekend garage jam. Now my gain section has doubled after I vowed to bring a simple board! Rock n roll gentlemen

[@Guitarmike]

Very helpful. You are both amazing guitarists and the knowledge you share about tone and pedal structure has helped quite a bit! Cheers!

[@chescajimenez3204]

Thanks for this one guys! Really helpful and educational for anyone playing electric. I've been one for a few years and I really did not get compressors and boosts - now I do.

[@boyoftonedickey6004]

Love your show. Tried your recommendation of compressor after the overdrive and have not turned back. Love, love love it ! Keep on doing what you are doing!

[@jukkapesonen8511]

2 minutes into this video and already blown away how friggin good the analog man sounds!

[@KestrelJo]

Just discovered you guys and have been sitting here learning from you. So informative, and you've got such engaging personalities. Thank you!

[@Roman_andtheprey]

Ge7 to EP Boost into the Jetter 124, then to my DD500, stereo to a early blues deville and a supro. With my Marrguar. I've learned so much from you guys! I've discovered so much wonderful stuff! Long Live The Pedal Show!

[@caleshtcincredibles]

I wish I could give you guys 100 likes !! tried and test compressor AFTER overdrive , rich fat tone , wow !! I have always been programmed to set the compressor at the front ....I'm over that ! many many thanks gentleman !! 100 thumbs up !

[@Convisis]

These segments are always so great, I learn something new and helpful every time. Cheers guys.

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

Our pleasure, so glad you're enjoying them ;)

[@Wakeman8791]

LOVE the description of fuzz at 12:10😂 very informative video, thanks so much y’all!

[@Mike2of5Martin]

My new favorite youtube channel. Cheers, Guys!!

[@metalicheadnz]

I always scratch my head about how to get that warm aggressive sound from the guitar solos. Now I know Treble Boost into the Overdrive from the Humbucker pickups would do just that! Thanks guys!

[@healykieran]

Seriously interesting guys!!! Learning so much from these videos! thank you!!!

[@TheRytteren]

Really helpful video! I will definitely be trying my SP comp out after my OD pedals after watching this!

[@MrStraty13]

love they way they dig each other's guitar tone

[@Bhsherwood74]

this is my new favorite channel!

[@Giggity230]

love these educational pedal videos LOVE IT please post more!!

[@Worshipcaster]

Great video as always. when it comes to boosters I feel the same way as with volume pedals, if you place them before your gain stages they act more like gain knobs but placed after your gain is where they behave more like a volume control/boost.

[@dykeneuk]

The treble booster was a real revelation. I've been playing 35yrs and never considered that option. And the compressor after overdrive is so counter intuitive, but so obvious when you hear how good it is. Thanks so much for this show, mmm I'm loving it.

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

Our pleasure Raymond :)

[@rikh78]

great video, you can hear that Brian May signature tone coming through with the treble booster, and the comp after OD is a revelation!

[@EmbarrassedComposer]

That was incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[@veson3d480]

They love what they do and that's why they know so well what their talking about

[@johnroberts838]

Hi Dan, I just got for Christmas a MXR mini Compressor, you helped answer my question, Thank you. I was Lucky enough to get hold of a Keeley Vintage Germanium Ecstasy Treble Booster and it is Brilliant, I do keep it in front of the Pedal Chain with Brilliant results, also have a Laney Black Country Customs TI Treble Booster with some added features, Absolutely Brilliant Pedal also. Take care, Happy 2020♥️👍. Melbourne, Australia.

[@rodolfolarrea8493]

as usual it was deeply useful , cheers !

[@christianboddum8783]

Really, really close to early Billy Gibbons tone with the treble booster at the end , Kudos!

[@TheDjangojunkie]

Learned a lot from this video. Thx guys

[@r.llynch4124]

great video guys of course with G2 's pre/post volume one can drive in front of OD or boost and clean up OD after OD without a boost pedal.Love my G2 :)

[@zrnagle]

I love these videos ! :) Thanks so much!!!

[@ChrisYid]

Brilliant video. So informative. I'm getting an analog man sounds awesome!

[@shred5]

The hardest one for me is do I put my clean boost before or after my compressor pedal. It usually serves as a solo boost and before the compressor will cause the compressor to compress more which works and after the compressor will boost the volume. Both work very well in their own right.

[@mnpestudio]

You know what? I absolutely LOOOOOOVE compressors. Even in my studio I use them a lot. I'm not a soloist guitar player, but rather a rhythmic guitar player. I do more chords than solos. That's just my thing. I HAVE to move on stage. That being said, I like having the compressor at the beginning of the signal, since I like everything compressed already. I tried to put it after my overdrives and distortions, but it wasn't the same for me. All of my distortions were squashed by the compressor, and that's why I changed it back to the beginning. After watching this video and listening to the guitars that you guys played before and after, I immediately changed the compressor (I have the new version of the MXR Dyna Comp) to the end of the signal (2 overdrives and a MetalZone) and gave it a second chance... let me tell you that it blew my mind with the overdrives. It gave them a nice boost (by the way, I have an MXR Custom Badass Modified Overdrive and a Behringer Blues Overdrive). Not so much on after the MetalZone... and taking in consideration that I did some major tweaking on it to get just the right sound, but it's just a matter of getting it right. Thanks for the advise, man. Much appreciated...

[@DRRIFF666]

Really useful information here. Thanks.

[@nickcoupe2964]

I've always used my compressor for clean but never liked it for overdrive. Now I have something new to try.

[@PaisleyWilde]

I appreciate this a lot. I've been using my beano boost wrong!!!!!

[@jonesisdying]

THANK. YOU. SO. FUCKING. MUCH. Seriously... the best and clearest advice about a subject that's perplexed me for years. INSTANT tone improvement. :-)

[@fraenkiboii]

And again you guys made my day. I've been using a compressor as boost before my OD all this time not realizing how much more potential it has after the OD! Thank you!!!!

[@bixxii554]

Thank you for the content! This was really helpful for me! Maybe if you could discuss about the difference of having fuzz pedal in the effects loop and having it through the front of the amp?

[@RogerinFinland]

You guys are great! Now I have some idea on how to arrange my 6 dirt pedals and actually get something useful out of it!

[@EzyoMusic]

You are making the wait for a King of Tone really annoying. I love it more every time it's featured in a video. You're actually most of the reason why I want one. Great stuff.

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

Ha! Sorry Cue, but you will LOVE IT!

[@GinoMarks]

Cue Zephyr are you still waiting? Lol cuz I just checked and it’s like 2 years or something like that

[@michaelgreen5206]

@@TheGigRigDaniel KoT is great OD pedal but am getting a better one than that and that's the Origin Effects Compact Revival. Am not fond of companies that control production to create shortages, thereby, driving up prices in the used market!!! Bye-Bye KOT, hello Origin Effects.

[@57too]

Major thanks for the info! I just bought EHM Graphic Fuzz and a EHM Soul Food. Tried the Guitar (Hallmark Swept Wing) to Soul Food then Fuzz into amp (Fender Excelsior)....sounded brittle and I couldn't stand it, but when I changed that order (Fuzz into Soul Food), thanks to you, sounds freakn' amazing!!! I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box and if not for your info, it probably would have taken me a long time before something as simple as correct chain placement would have occurred to me. I always thought it never mattered what order the chain was, but now I stand corrected. Your videos are invaluable info for 'little brains' like myself! Hahahaa!!!! Cheers and thanks!

[@MrDT543]

Fuzz is a whole different animal! I always find it sounds best when its closest to the pickups. I have mine before my tuner in the signal chain.

[@philippo54]

What a fascinating video! I'm afraid I've got a silly smile on my face now. Really great. Thankas a million. P

[@philippo54]

Phil Daniels Can't even type. Goodness me.

[@JT-gd7he]

Went and switched my compressor and overdrive and holy mackerel. What a difference!

[@defin99]

very helpful.thanks guys.

[@grega1207]

Wow, I've watched this several times now and still getting good nuggets of info, thanks Mick and Dan for the education. I already have the Strymon Sunset for the overdrive and an Empress ParaEQ which also has a boost switch for the front side. I've been thinking about adding a compressor to the overall rig and the Strymon OB1 seems like a good fit on the backside of the Sunset since it has the compressor function as well as a boost switch. The nice thing about the OB1 is it also has a boost switch that can boost either treble, mids, or flat, so you have your choice! I think that could be a really killer and versatile threesome of pedals on the front end. What say you?? I've been torn with compressors so far and haven't picked one quite yet. I currently play acoustic more than electric so a quiet compressor is a must. I have looked at the Keeley Compressor Pro and I like the "soft knee" for acoustics, but I believe based on what I've been hearing and reading the OB1 is much quieter. Have you compared those two pedals side by side and reached similar conclusions? Thanks.

[@calebchristopher9283]

Answered my question Thank you

[@TheBigAngry]

If you use the Timmy pedal after the overdrive for a boost, You can add gain and make it so it gives more volume and a touch more hair but really effective.

[@brammanck]

Very interesting. I tried it both and to my ear it all depends on how you want to use the compressor. I use it for funk so i use quite some compression. On a clean signal it sounds great. A Odie classic overdrive ( ts style pedal ) after it sounds good but you miss some top end. But putting it after is even more squashed so i like it better before. For soul i use a light compression and then it sounds better after the overdrive. So the answer, there is no answer, you need 2 compressors ;)

[@Cheguebuddha]

I've heard that Steven Wilson uses his compressor after the OD. I sure do so and it sounds fantastic! I have a Dumble style OD CKK Lunar Drive and CKK Gears (Ross style) compressor.

[@davidhoyt4006]

Excellent, thanks!

[@brentstewart4360]

Thanks - that was great

[@jonathanstewart5269]

Sorta sounds like you'd like to have a compressor/booster in the middle with an OD on either side so you can get all the effects from the different signal paths

[@danielleamaranorlinger5610]

great job boys

[@christianboddum8783]

For worship I've had good luck putting the OD before the compressor, to tame the output some, in effect getting more control, and no tone change worth mentioning :-) I'm not a big fan of compressors, but some limiting can be nessesary when strumming hard....

[@markchua5954]

Interesting. I always turn my compressor off when using overdrive as it tames the sound. I'll try compressor after overdrive.

[@joethrelfall6370]

A treble booster is awesome. Iam a queen fan so it's a Brian May guitars red special into a Mooer pure boost straight into a full blown vox ac30vr

[@creamydistortion]

Ever try the Vox Brian May Recording amp? It was based on the John Deacon 'Deaky' amp with a treble boost built in. It was a small white Rolex combo. Absolutely beautiful tone!!

[@timothysavage4958]

If compressors should general come after overdrives, would/should I put my compressor in my effect loop to come after my Mesa Mark V's gain channels? Thanks for the great videos!

[@thomashogan1985]

Had a comp post od for about ten years, lovely sound! Although I find that my comp reduces the volume (it's an boss cs3) is a dyna comp more flexible with volume and dynamics?

[@guitarguru4492]

I learned a lot from this.

[@chrisliu254]

If we want a uniform tone to every note, it's certainly better to use the compressor. But by putting the compressor after the overdrive you can find a way to subtly alter the tone without affecting the volume, since depending on your settings your OD might behave very differently wrt the strength of your picking. Thus if you want more subtle dynamics in your playing, you should also try out comp after OD.

[@AndresGonzalez-lg4ki]

So jealous you got to meet Andy Timmons. Really enjoying this series!

[@proc007]

@Daniel TheGigRig Big fan of the show! I am wondering if you guys have any advice regarding the placement of an envelope filter in a pedal chain. Currently, my signal path goes from my guitar -> TWA Triskelion MKII (set similar to a treble boost) -> 1st side of KOT -> Velvet Minotaur (Klon clone set more like a transparent drive / clean boost) -> original Ross Compressor -> Digitech Whammy II -> 2nd side of KOT -> Electroman Analog Delay -> Boss DD7 -> Strymon blueSky I have an envelope filter that I'd like to include, but I am not sure where it should go. Any tips you could offer me?

[@jimkiousis]

Awesome thanks!

[@mattsaysvideo]

I want to hear the treble boost with p90s. Also, given what I have learned from both of you, the way I have come to think of gain staging is simply in terms of understanding how each pedal will ultimately compress the next, depending on what you run into what. Correct me if I’m wrong. But to me, that seemed a simpler way to think of it.

[@NunoGuitarsSilva]

Amazing video again :-) how about compressor in the Loop? I have a JCM800 2210 and never sounded good there, only in the front (Keeley compressor, the 1st version). Any thoughts or tips? Cheers.

[@joshuarabine-johnson2489]

Couldn't quite find in the comments if these questions were answered, but do you remember where the selector switch was on the beano boost (up, middle, down), and where you straight into the normal channel on the vox? Also you guys are the best! This channel is necessary!

[@ishancooper]

Hey Dan, have you ever tried the Ulbrick Megalodon clean boost? It's an 'always on' pedal for me with a Strat and clean amp.

[@VEGAN-X]

DYAN COMP BEFORE OVERDRIVE AND ANY OTHER PEDALS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR ME BECAUSE IT REALLY BRINGS DOWN A VERY LOUD AMPS VOLUME,

[@moshezarviv1252]

great job you did , guys. i have a question though... what if i have compressor , 2 overdrives in stacking mode and a clean boost and want to achieve a john mayer style tone (say , the belief solo tone) ? in wich order i have to chain them all ? in this video , nothing said about using compressor , boost and overdrive all together. someone has a answer for me ?

[@johnroberts838]

Hi Guys, Just the information I was looking for. I recently bought the Laney Blck Counry Customs TI Boost, brilliant Pedal everything from Sabbath to just Great Distortion which is very tweakable , however I also bought the Keeley Germanium Ecstasy T-Booster. I tried running the Keeley into the Laney TI Boost and that resulted into what sounded like Oscillation, do you have any advice. PLEASE??? I also have an OCD ver1.7 that I just Love, which I am keeping on my Board as well. Mick, that PRS sounds Killer. Many Thanks, especially being the BEST PEDAL channel, the only downside is that I have a Pedal on Lay-By , I have a Pedal addiction! Melbourne, Australia.

[@haloford]

hello i learn a lot from this episode, i already got a clean boost at the first chain as a gain boost for the overall tone, and decided to get a boss cs -3 after my OD and plan to use it as a volume boost also, does turning the level knob increase the overall volume or just increase the volume of the cs3 it self (if that make sense)? thank you very much for anawering friends, i really need this

[@DustinHaggerty-lj1ix]

Thank you guys so much!!!!!!!! So currently i am using my soul food pedal as a booster in front of my od's and i keep my rig a little louder than i might need so i can use the volume on the guitar to get bigger and smaller. What do you think of this strategy for someone who play some rythem but mostly leads?

[@nigelvonshredman]

That DGT has tone for days...weeks in fact!

[@jasfiona]

Hi guys. I was very surprised that you didn't use/leave a compressor on your board for your desert island pedals. Very versatile for sustain, and boost

[@joemredwine75]

i wonder if using your gig rig has anything to do with it but i love my compressor first. you had me moving everything around though for a day just to see. i use the philosophers tone with the blend all the way up

[@pedrostorms]

Excellent video! Is the same "rule" for fuzz boxes?

[@VivekAyer]

Hi Daniel, this is great. Can you do the same show but with a fuzz face? :)

[@Auxend]

I'm thinking logically that you could use a clean boost after the guitar, on a single coil to give it more "hum bucker" type volume, for a downstream chain that favors a hotter signal, but that in some cases where your chain likes a low input a boost could be too much?

[@sarahwaters1103]

can you guys recommend a tremolo or tem parts for a strat and ibanez rg 12O? . . floyd? . . FLOATING!. . for someone who uses a trem a lot surf-style and metal style-speed metal style-dives! . . here in the states?

[@diwanna123]

So one question unanswered for me. I run my amp(Blackstar HT40) slightly dirty and use a boost and a fuzz into the amp to get my core tones. I'm now looking to add a compressor. To get the same effect you described as using the compressor after the KoT, should I run the compressor in the effects loop or just after the fuzz? I've ordered a Philosopher's Tone, which does have a blend control.

[@slopiecki]

Hi all , can i use treble booster with mxr dynacomp? After or before Treble booster ?? Vox ac 15 cx1 - TB - Mxr dynacomp....??? Thx

[@VictorAmati]

Thank you!!!

[@misterias]

HI !... I tested a clon of Brian may's treble booster connected to the first loop of a musicomlab controller and then to the victory amp... the sound was thinner and trebly... but when I connected it after the guitar out of the controller and direct to the amp was fuller with more harmonics... is the buffered signal of the loop of musicomlab responsible of thinner sound (and a little bit of ground noise)?... it will have the same behaviour an analogman beano connected in a loop of the controller?, or why I have that behaviour if the treble booster... thanks for your time!... greetings

[@GrrumpDaddo56]

Great video guys......good length for us low attention span autists, but well useful info.......gona have to rearrange my pedal board now ;)

[@johnhendricks8140]

I actually like sound of the guitar plugged into the compressor first and the overdrive, the guitar sounds more tight and less messy.

[@jasonhobert498]

Any idea why the Keeley Tone Workstation has the compressor before the 2 overdrives?

[@NorthernThrone]

7:39 when he just wanted to say: "...one louder" :D

[@-b0j-]

Dan, Question: if my main overdrive tone is quite mid heavy, ideally do I want a treble boost to lift my tone for leads to stand out?

[@timfender0740]

I'd love to know your opinion on The Diamond compressor Dan?