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
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!
4797 comments
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/82bw.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/lqwu.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/ghab.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/pbpc.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/6jr6.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/y8rz.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/zjl0.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/wdk7.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/1oqu.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/qa2f.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/vf9g.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/n0j8.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/b813.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/tzc8.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/fm1m.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/i0d9.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/5ptq.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/z45q.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/tlu6.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/pun6.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/zoq3.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/4tyu.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/2z80.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/npaq.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/zc9w.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/h6am.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/zaup.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/qjqo.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/lgs5.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/f7ca.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/1533.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/ss8u.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/88c7.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/gjfy.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/mvmk.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/zl24.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/ftjb.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/zoun.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/s5o6.pdf
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/formidable/25/ormn.pdf
https://paste.ee/p/nNbmz
https://pastelink.net/y6diop9z
https://minecraft.curseforge.com/forums/modding-java-edition/java-mods/272980-kaagradetso
https://telegra.ph/ridlidefe-06-19
https://pastebin.com/C5DJtbKy
https://rentry.co/tx343izf
https://glot.io/snippets/gx94fef27p
https://yamcode.com/untitled-93675
https://controlc.com/4c69e379
https://notes.io/wzSgu/
https://jsbin.com/cugabajowo/edit?html,output
https://paiza.io/projects/1SE8DvBtgPsEvH0_8Hx_8g
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/a5180890
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/ed042573
https://tempaste.com/pOJ1VIzPEQn
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/7f036c8d
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/9b70f007
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/f227be9a
https://www.wowace.com/paste/a7000a60
https://binshare.net/4pb301NXPLFX5OAOZvRG
https://paste.myst.rs/hrfbfyx2
https://paste.firnsy.com/paste/00jAawrIy9S
https://paste.kodi.tv/asikovimop
https://jsfiddle.net/delayer/c09espu3/
https://matters.town/a/hc89djo22vg4
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/askextension/thisQuestion.cfm?QuestionID=29781&catID=162&AskSiteID=75
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/81264-rabneumocha
https://heyform.net/f/9rW7bkaF
https://demo.hedgedoc.org/s/adldKWjPY
https://hackmd.io/@harveybravo/HJgaeyg8C
https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/defray/diary/202406190002/
https://zenn.dev/defrayxenon/scraps/7ce58dce653b3a
https://wiredforwar.org/topic/1538/tiociadachab
https://community.thoracic.org/news/dunslistbedspass
https://lifeisfeudal.com/Discussions/question/chisarede
https://www.forexagone.com/forum/questions-debutants/efdifrejas-123926
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/inside-out-2-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/bad-boys-ride-or-die-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/the-garfield-movie-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/haikyu-the-dumpster-battle-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/the-watchers-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/if-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/the-fall-guy-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/the-strangers-chapter-1-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/tuesday-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/tarot-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/treasure-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/firebrand-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/challengers-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/i-saw-the-tv-glow-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/babes-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/in-a-violent-nature-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/robot-dreams-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/ezra-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/sight-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/civil-war-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/ghostlight-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/summer-camp-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/escape-from-germany-full-on-19june.pdf
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/the-dead-dont-hurt-full-on-19june.pdf
https://m.taptap.io/post/7598834
https://www.taptap.io/post/7598884
https://www.taptap.io/post/7598924
https://www.taptap.io/post/7598944
https://www.taptap.io/post/7598957
https://www.taptap.io/post/7598973
https://www.taptap.io/post/7598980
https://www.taptap.io/post/7598989
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599042
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599058
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599066
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599080
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599093
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599108
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599163
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599178
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599183
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599237
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599246
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599256
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599269
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599283
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599290
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599345
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599357
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599364
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599371
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599376
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599381
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599387
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599400
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599403
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599411
https://www.taptap.io/post/7599458
https://www.scoop.it/topic/2024-by-easydoo
https://nets-flix.xyz
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119883600292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119884902292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119885616292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119886762292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120169806292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120170172292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120171156292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120171660292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120172692292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120172950292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120173364292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120173652292352
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122120173916292352
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815517
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815773
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815741
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815110
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815164
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815303
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815471
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815488
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815936
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547815998
https://pastelink.net/p6vmjhqm
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/183fc61d
https://www.wowace.com/paste/a147cac5
https://glot.io/snippets/gx8xk05bg7
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/6c158865
https://paste.ee/p/QUUm8
https://paiza.io/projects/HeChYrA6QmMFQb4afXMKag?language=php
https://jsfiddle.net/h18rc3q6/
https://jpn.itlibra.com/article?id=22539
https://tempaste.com/09avaAHHlTd
https://rentry.co/t9zirf2r
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/e8a82150
https://hackmd.io/@jablay01/S1gXNjJ80
http://www.shadowville.com/board/general-discussions/vdeefed#p606532
https://matters.town/a/nxj04cjhm7wu
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/c95dc4e8
https://www.forexagone.com/forum/questions-debutants/decfedfedd-123906#221664
https://lifeisfeudal.com/Discussions/question/ssdewrrfdd
https://www.scoop.it/topic/le-deuxieme-acte-streaming-vf-film-complet-en-francais-2024
https://www.scoop.it/topic/voir-film-le-deuxieme-acte-en-streamingvf-en-francais-vostfr
https://www.scoop.it/topic/voir-le-deuxieme-acte-streaming-vf-en-vostfr-francais
https://www.scoop.it/topic/le-deuxieme-acte-streaming-vf-film-complet-en-francais-2024-by-ralidac933
https://www.scoop.it/topic/voir-le-deuxieme-acte-2024-streaming-vf-vostfr
https://www.scoop.it/topic/voir-film-le-deuxieme-acte-en-streaming-vf-fr-francais-vostfr
https://www.scoop.it/topic/voir-le-deuxieme-acte-streaming-vf-2024
https://www.scoop.it/topic/voir-film-le-deuxieme-acte-en-streaming-vf-en-francais-vostfr-by-voir-le-deuxieme-acte-streaming-vf
https://www.scoop.it/topic/voir-le-deuxieme-acte-streaming-vf-en-vostfr-francais-by-voir-le-deuxieme-acte-streaming-vf
https://www.scoop.it/topic/le-deuxieme-acte-2024-streaming-vf-film-complet-en-francais-2024
https://www.scoop.it/topic/watch-a-quiet-place-day-one-2024-watch-fullmovie-free-online
https://www.scoop.it/topic/watcha-quiet-place-day-one-2024-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movie
https://www.scoop.it/topic/download-123movies-a-quiet-place-day-one-mp4-720p-1080p-on-english
https://www.scoop.it/topic/a-quiet-place-day-one-2024-fullmovie-download-free-720p-480
https://www.scoop.it/topic/watch-a-quiet-place-day-one-fullmovie-free-online-on-english-sub-disney-and-pixar-s
https://www.scoop.it/topic/watch-a-quiet-place-day-one-2024-fullmovie-online-on-streamings
https://www.scoop.it/topic/watch-a-quiet-place-day-one-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies-hd
https://www.scoop.it/topic/downloada-quiet-place-day-one-movie-2024-full-hd-free-4k-filmyzilla
https://www.scoop.it/topic/watch-a-quiet-place-day-one-2024-fullmovie-online-on-english
https://www.scoop.it/topic/download-123movies-inside-out-2-mp4-720p-1080p-on-english-by-download-123movies-inside-out-2-mp4-720p-1080p-on-english-10
https://www.scoop.it/topic/vice-versa-2-streaming-vf-2024-film-complet-en-francais
https://pslk.net/dmm70jbl
https://pastelink.net/qrkyt0qt
https://pastelink.net/bkakexa2
https://pastelink.net/v5oxey91
https://www.scoop.it/topic/watch-inside-out-2-2024-fullmovie-free-online-leak-on-reddit
https://hybrid-analysis.com/sample/388b44173d8f253ba7324b91959d803122db16d84f94ae83459b4f3864f6f112
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/4320c4f6