Explained : Compressor should go before overdrive, or after overdrive?

 Should compressor go before overdrive, or after overdrive? I saw many of this questions on Internet.

There is no correct answer for this, and many videos and forums explain the difference with excellent demos. In this article I will explain from more technical point of view by using some oscilloscope screenshots.

What is compressor, what is overdrive?

Before we check graphs, I want to explain what the compressor is and what the overdrive is. Basically compressor compresses the signal when input signal reaches threshold and more. Overdrive pedals do very similar thing. Actually, overdrive can be described as boost + high compression ratio compressor. So there is no wonder the fact that overdrive hides compressor result. If you give extreme gain to overdrive, there is no difference to add compressor (In perfect world. In real world, there are another factor like tone circuit gonna change the tone, so there is the difference).

1. Compressor AFTER overdrive

Compressor after overdrive

Here is real screenshot of oscilloscope. Blue is the result of big signal, and yellow is the result of small signal. All input signal is sine wave.

As you see, big signal is clipped by overdrive, and compressor doesn't do much for the big signal. For small signal, compressor enhance the volume. In result, this configuration keeps your picking nuance, but equalizes the volume. Other words, when you play weaker note, you will hear tone difference (less distortion), but volume will be kept.

2. Compressor BEFORE overdrive

Let's move on next. This graph shows the result of Compressor before overdrive configuration. Difference of big and small signal is much less than first configuration because compressor equalizes the volume to overdrive. This will hide signal size difference and the signal will be more equally clipped by overdrive section. Your playing will be more equalized and tone will be constant regardless how hard you pick the string. This configuration is suitable when you prefer more consistent tone and volume.

I hope this article helps to understand the difference!

2969 comments

fyhikyulo

https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Magyarul-Teljes-Film-Videa-4K-UHD
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-N-zd-Online-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Magyar-Teljes-Film-
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024-es-Magyar-Film—-Teljes-Online
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Magyar-Nyelven-Teljes-Film-Online
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-N-zd-Most-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Teljes-Film-Magyarul-Online
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Magyarul-Online—-Teljes-Film
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Videa-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024-es-Magyar-Kaland—-Teljes-Film-
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Magyar-Teljes-Film—-N-zd-Online-
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Teljes-Magyar-Film-Videa
https://github.com/SE4LFLIX/-Deadpool-Rozsom-k-2024—-Teljes-Film-Magyarul-Online-N-zd
https://pastelink.net/sp2g81eo
https://wokwi.com/projects/410642366968161281
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/4a05f577
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/91cede82
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/2d4a07a4
https://paiza.io/projects/IOtapY5H4Vk3J1wyHm5BRg?language=php
https://hackmd.io/lMgbtdflRueo0aP7Lq31mA
https://jsfiddle.net/1vg6ufs0/
https://telegra.ph/gtsrgrf-10-02
https://p.ip.fi/tqrP
https://paste.myst.rs/japffzte
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/48786bd1
https://glot.io/snippets/h0hc6po9fj
https://paste.kodi.tv/evokuxeqar

aqwsedrftgyhj

https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/318063-watchfull%E2%80%94the-wild-robot-2024-fullmovie-availa/
https://github.com/nowsingups/nowtvhdpc/discussions/1
https://github.com/nowsingups/nowtvhdpc/discussions/2
https://github.com/nowsingups/nowtvhdpc/discussions/3
https://github.com/singuping/toptvhdpc/discussions/1
https://github.com/singuping/toptvhdpc/discussions/2
https://github.com/singuping/toptvhdpc/discussions/3
https://github.com/hdservicing/handovers/discussions/1
https://github.com/hdservicing/handovers/discussions/2
https://github.com/hdservicing/handovers/discussions/3
https://github.com/openingpctv/fornewyork/discussions/1
https://github.com/openingpctv/fornewyork/discussions/2
https://github.com/openingpctv/fornewyork/discussions/3
https://github.com/instanting/happyposts/discussions/1
https://github.com/instanting/happyposts/discussions/2
https://github.com/instanting/happyposts/discussions/3
https://paste.centos.org/view/8c3583f5
https://pantip.com/topic/42999423
https://www.bankier.pl/forum/temat_fthyrfgutyt,68437703.html
https://www.pastery.net/kyfnzg/
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/f85d3e74
https://paste.thezomg.com/227810/78692471/
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/0929925a
https://www.wowace.com/paste/07c868ae
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/0c4904cc
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/9e210b14
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/03da5c9c
https://jsfiddle.net/5sf26mpt/1/
https://pastelink.net/8scqluu0
https://jsitor.com/2g7zDE96Uh
https://glot.io/snippets/h0h88jj3fi
https://snippet.host/dgabfo
https://paiza.io/projects/rF7x_djBS_kEKYzMqsTFFw?language=php
https://paste.ofcode.org/32ZQfjmb8g6esRg8Ssu5tCy
https://hackmd.io/RU3ff1ynSi-_XJJICww7hg
https://yamcode.com/segtrdtrdytr
https://pastebin.com/0davYskT
https://bitbin.it/cD8UJJ0Y/
https://www.forexagone.com/forum/questions-debutants/retydrytuytuy-170253#268927
https://wokwi.com/projects/410633584591078401

fgrtgd

https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568967630848/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568961339393/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568938336256/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570146197504/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570257346560/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570406244352/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570867781632/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571077332992/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571167510528/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571811368961/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571926777857/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572023181313/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572312588288/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572406960128/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572499234817/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572816035841/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572908310529/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572987936768/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573260632064/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573354840065/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573436661760/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573761785856/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573881257985/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573979955200/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574265102336/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574369959937/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574460137472/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574774710272/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574873341953/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574959161345/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623576525897728/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623576630689793/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623576720801792/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623577056313344/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623577142296577/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623577243058176/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579233255424/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579319238657/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579424030720/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579872821249/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579962998784/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580036464641/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580344745985/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580426469376/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580512583680/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583085658112/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583169609729/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583242911745/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583744229377/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623585681997825/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623585759526912/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586451652608/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586524987393/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586608939009/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586841722880/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586990620672/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587091349504/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587739238401/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587869392897/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587961503745/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588221583360/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588316020736/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588464820224/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588754227200/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588829757440/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588915707905/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623589437898753/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623589525979136/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623589614059521/

fgrtgd

https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568967630848/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568961339393/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568938336256/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570146197504/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570257346560/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570406244352/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570867781632/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571077332992/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571167510528/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571811368961/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623571926777857/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572023181313/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572312588288/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572406960128/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572499234817/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572816035841/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572908310529/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623572987936768/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573260632064/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573354840065/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573436661760/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573761785856/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573881257985/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623573979955200/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574265102336/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574369959937/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574460137472/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574774710272/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574873341953/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623574959161345/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623576525897728/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623576630689793/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623576720801792/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623577056313344/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623577142296577/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623577243058176/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579233255424/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579319238657/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579424030720/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579872821249/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623579962998784/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580036464641/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580344745985/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580426469376/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623580512583680/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583085658112/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583169609729/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583242911745/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623583744229377/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623585681997825/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623585759526912/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586451652608/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586524987393/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586608939009/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586841722880/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623586990620672/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587091349504/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587739238401/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587869392897/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623587961503745/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588221583360/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588316020736/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588464820224/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588754227200/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588829757440/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623588915707905/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623589437898753/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623589525979136/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623589614059521/

rsgyte

https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623529985736705/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623530021486592/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623530055106561/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623531034476544/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623531093131265/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623531135139841/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623531858526208/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623531814551553/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623531774640129/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623535111208960/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623535142797312/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623535211872256/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623539492126721/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623539527778304/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623539561332737/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623540773519361/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623540735901696/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623540695891968/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623542457499648/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623542023421953/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623542260465665/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623543334109185/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623543373955072/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623543413800961/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623545729056768/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623545777324033/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623545871663105/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623547199324160/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623546955923456/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623546888945665/

https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623549193584640/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623549225107456/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623549264953345/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623550378442753/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623550258905088/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623550204379137/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623551607472129/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623551548686337/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623551439601664/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623552467369984/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623552511279104/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623552609976321/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623553232699392/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623553280999424/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623553314553857/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623554015002625/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623553973059584/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623553933148160/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623564672794624/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623564628688897/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623564578291713/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623566815920128/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623566895710208/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623567025668097/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623567713665024/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623567744958465/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623567744958465/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568615309312/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568653025280/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623568697163777/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623569831723009/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570024660992/
https://www.honor.com/globalgm/club/topicdetail/topicid-3623570068602881/

https://github.com/BeetlejuiceBeetlejuicemediartopic/-123-s.-Beetlejuice-Beetlejuice-
https://github.com/BeetlejuiceBeetlejuicemediartopic/-.Downl-ad-Beetlejuice-Beetlejuice-on-English
https://github.com/BeetlejuiceBeetlejuicemediartopic

Leave a comment