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!

4848 comments

gvt erte

https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/1
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/2
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/3
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/4
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/5
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/6
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/7
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/8
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/9
https://github.com/ADUKACONK/BEKNASENGAK/discussions/10
https://pastelink.net/ohgxdoiu
https://wokwi.com/projects/415075076297439233
https://paiza.io/projects/PYprU3-yvC_p0QKUAtzcXg?language=php
https://jsfiddle.net/fayx7egk/
https://telegra.ph/aws-11-20
https://p.ip.fi/NWPC
https://paste.myst.rs/paste
https://glot.io/snippets/h1za8o8bj9
https://paste.kodi.tv/tiwusavusi

Raphael

https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jOTyqN1hsJE
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pzZTTld5QqA
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/iMO9cPkjF-M
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/r5XwZ-1ujZs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/txldCqMV-Xs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pxAti4b7C0U
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/s5tdMqq86lc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jFm8cKcim_M
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rtuf43nqWfk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gK3rzmFjUJ0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lKICtyBUHE4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/n-zTW9N3fuc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hHWACKVeRMU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/uUKYSc8OOrQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lYUs8l8OiX4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sryx3zwgOiU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hmeXP2P5nKE
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tH1rkDWTqJQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/n3KygmEdzK8
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mqBuSaHKhsU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/iE_nUqK8ZMk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tHVJfRHflxs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sDT5t1jl9yM
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rxEwjLVWy5U
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qS2M7KZUQ2M
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gtezwgVR4t0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/inKcalXZCh4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qm2exmiphDk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/p9ijx2csicI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/g3gpgbuAVzI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sAv3UVhciCk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/s5qL3xDnNr4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pPyO61-kmv4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/i3X31MclI4o
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tYb1fki4iRQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rPYKZu7C__8
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/nj99fHjhslc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/l27DDjA2XAk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rQPAwTISsL0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/uilobKsXHxo
https://taplink.cc/sadkhbsakdb
https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/19346/sadsa
https://forum.instube.com/d/177554-sasada
https://wokwi.com/projects/415011102602528769
https://groups.google.com/g/bismilahhh/c/73lYDZ5-U0M
https://medium.com/kujahal766/sdfs-c17e000c9e67 https://web3devcommunity.com/topic/40087/dsfsfs https://jsitor.com/mmHHnLFUNF https://hackmd.io/kentang123/BJ5FIPczkx
https://paste.ee/p/E6PPs
https://snippet.host/qbcfhh
https://pastebin.com/Yh9ETTqG
https://www.etextpad.com/gwwdiv1vsp
https://glot.io/snippets/h1yia2t289
https://justpaste.it/advvo
https://paste.enginehub.org/zeHB-883r
https://paiza.io/projects/CDoTiYrH3NrMdWhlPNUKIA?language=php
https://www.pastery.net/sckyby/
https://paste.intergen.online/view/4d24a798
https://yamcode.com/jhbjb-1249
https://ideone.com/owLnMI
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/f05530e7
https://www.wowace.com/paste/19a65048
https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/movieanytime/diary/202411200000/
https://challonge.com/g5d5ii7a
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/3m9ZFOIuWLhXy6Rl
https://rentry.co/87×3babq
https://pastelink.net/ac2qdi9k

Raphael

https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jOTyqN1hsJE
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pzZTTld5QqA
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/iMO9cPkjF-M
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/r5XwZ-1ujZs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/txldCqMV-Xs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pxAti4b7C0U
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/s5tdMqq86lc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jFm8cKcim_M
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rtuf43nqWfk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gK3rzmFjUJ0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lKICtyBUHE4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/n-zTW9N3fuc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hHWACKVeRMU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/uUKYSc8OOrQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lYUs8l8OiX4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sryx3zwgOiU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hmeXP2P5nKE
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tH1rkDWTqJQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/n3KygmEdzK8
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mqBuSaHKhsU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/iE_nUqK8ZMk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tHVJfRHflxs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sDT5t1jl9yM
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rxEwjLVWy5U
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qS2M7KZUQ2M
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gtezwgVR4t0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/inKcalXZCh4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qm2exmiphDk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/p9ijx2csicI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/g3gpgbuAVzI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sAv3UVhciCk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/s5qL3xDnNr4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pPyO61-kmv4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/i3X31MclI4o
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tYb1fki4iRQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rPYKZu7C__8
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/nj99fHjhslc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/l27DDjA2XAk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rQPAwTISsL0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/uilobKsXHxo
https://taplink.cc/sadkhbsakdb
https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/19346/sadsa
https://forum.instube.com/d/177554-sasada
https://wokwi.com/projects/415011102602528769
https://groups.google.com/g/bismilahhh/c/73lYDZ5-U0M
https://medium.com/kujahal766/sdfs-c17e000c9e67 https://web3devcommunity.com/topic/40087/dsfsfs https://jsitor.com/mmHHnLFUNF https://hackmd.io/kentang123/BJ5FIPczkx
https://paste.ee/p/E6PPs
https://snippet.host/qbcfhh
https://pastebin.com/Yh9ETTqG
https://www.etextpad.com/gwwdiv1vsp
https://glot.io/snippets/h1yia2t289
https://justpaste.it/advvo
https://paste.enginehub.org/zeHB-883r
https://paiza.io/projects/CDoTiYrH3NrMdWhlPNUKIA?language=php
https://www.pastery.net/sckyby/
https://paste.intergen.online/view/4d24a798
https://yamcode.com/jhbjb-1249
https://ideone.com/owLnMI
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/f05530e7
https://www.wowace.com/paste/19a65048
https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/movieanytime/diary/202411200000/
https://challonge.com/g5d5ii7a
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/3m9ZFOIuWLhXy6Rl
https://rentry.co/87×3babq
https://pastelink.net/ac2qdi9k

raihansyaputhra

https://github.com/DAGDIGDUGDER/DAGDIGDUGDER/discussions/1
https://github.com/DAGDIGDUGDER/DAGDIGDUGDER/discussions/2
https://github.com/DAGDIGDUGDER/DAGDIGDUGDER/discussions/3
https://github.com/DAGDIGDUGDER/DAGDIGDUGDER/discussions/4
https://github.com/DAGDIGDUGDER/DAGDIGDUGDER/discussions/5
https://github.com/DAGDIGDUGDER/DAGDIGDUGDER/discussions/6
https://github.com/NINIGELINDING/NINIGELINDING/discussions/1
https://github.com/NINIGELINDING/NINIGELINDING/discussions/2
https://github.com/NINIGELINDING/NINIGELINDING/discussions/3
https://github.com/NINIGELINDING/NINIGELINDING/discussions/4
https://github.com/NINIGELINDING/NINIGELINDING/discussions/5
https://github.com/NINIGELINDING/NINIGELINDING/discussions/6
https://github.com/UDUDMASTTENG/UDUDMASTTENG/discussions/1
https://github.com/UDUDMASTTENG/UDUDMASTTENG/discussions/2
https://github.com/UDUDMASTTENG/UDUDMASTTENG/discussions/3
https://github.com/UDUDMASTTENG/UDUDMASTTENG/discussions/4
https://github.com/UDUDMASTTENG/UDUDMASTTENG/discussions/5
https://github.com/GOTOLAHIRAAN/GOTOLAHIRAAN/discussions/1
https://github.com/GOTOLAHIRAAN/GOTOLAHIRAAN/discussions/2
https://github.com/GOTOLAHIRAAN/GOTOLAHIRAAN/discussions/3
https://github.com/GOTOLAHIRAAN/GOTOLAHIRAAN/discussions/4
https://github.com/GOTOLAHIRAAN/GOTOLAHIRAAN/discussions/5
https://github.com/AAESKRIMEUY/AAESKRIMEUY/discussions/1
https://github.com/AAESKRIMEUY/AAESKRIMEUY/discussions/2
https://github.com/AAESKRIMEUY/AAESKRIMEUY/discussions/3
https://github.com/AAESKRIMEUY/AAESKRIMEUY/discussions/4
https://github.com/UDUDKERETEKK/UDUDKERETEKK/discussions/1
https://github.com/UDUDKERETEKK/UDUDKERETEKK/discussions/2
https://github.com/UDUDKERETEKK/UDUDKERETEKK/discussions/3
https://github.com/UDUDKERETEKK/UDUDKERETEKK/discussions/4

asv asdsa

https://github.com/kebo-giro/CONGORz/discussions/1
https://github.com/kebo-giro/CONGORz/discussions/2
https://github.com/kebo-giro/CONGORz/discussions/3

https://github.com/VALUECINEESs/Obahh/discussions/1
https://github.com/VALUECINEESs/Obahh/discussions/2
https://github.com/VALUECINEESs/Obahh/discussions/3
https://github.com/VALUECINEESs/Obahh/discussions/4
https://github.com/VALUECINEESs/Obahh/discussions/5

https://bento.me/venom-son-dans-izle-fullhd
https://bento.me/venom-3-the-last-dance-izle-hd
https://bento.me/izle-hd-venom-son-dans-2024-filmleri
https://bento.me/venom-3-son-dans-2024-flmi-izle-1080i
https://bento.me/venom-3-son-dans-izle-2024-turkce-dublaj
https://bento.me/filmul-vezi-gladiatorul-ii-film-online-4k

https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/uE4JUFbLmbI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gnO8aTYWeRU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/h_anWtNR2iw
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/oG9N9I3AY3E
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/scthuhERSE4

https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/g9Iig2RQp6o
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lUPjAH_K38k
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pKMQSlnmm-Y
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rAf3LNS31Jc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/ssvshvcecrk

https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gsZWU2MCkSQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/ihIMGyl4QDU
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mUuyL7-bztI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/r1RLRJpfi6M
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/u4yDkWzhFYo

https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/r4zGQZwhOx8
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/iHLWVyoOGwM
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/l6aEwp8Zlto
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qv2xeiK_EEM
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tbpALmLhIzU

https://tinhte.vn/profile/red-one-2024-hd-1080p.3125098/
https://www.intensedebate.com/people/jikonacoki
https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/jikonacoki/profile
https://wokwi.com/projects/414882709893339137
https://topmate.io/alex_kelex/1311732
https://hackmd.io/@flixhd4k/B16FOt_z1g
https://lebanonhub.app/posts/46140
https://graph.org/eplehh-11-18
https://jsitor.com/dEFO6Jx8Y3
https://jsbin.com/forokiyeti/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/jikonacoki/gztpxave/
https://paste.ee/p/IChER
https://pastecode.io/s/rq52j1de
https://snippet.host/curuuz
https://pastebin.com/i9pb9CUS
https://pastelink.net/t71qafbz
https://www.etextpad.com/bzt20zn7xb
https://justpaste.it/7ifws
https://tempel.in/view/JfHdtv
https://glot.io/snippets/h1x02aepng
https://paste.enginehub.org/TlMbhto8W
https://www.pastery.net/jhkbzs/
https://paiza.io/projects/jZ3lCMnGK0OfHI2dvIguAA
https://yamcode.com/vcgttweeeeeeerr
https://paste.intergen.online/view/ecad4c18
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/dd35c0f2
https://rextester.com/WKJS65235
https://dictanote.co/n/1109344/
https://rentry.co/k6drqm7k
https://onlinegdb.com/5ef5ZJ3Wl
https://notes.io/w7t49
https://paste4btc.com/t4YBqdxy
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/2c7e902f
https://www.wowace.com/paste/d7ef3d3f
https://justpaste.me/Czfq1
https://sharetext.me/se16gah5zh
https://www.pixiv.net/novel/show.php?id=23434193
https://paste.centos.org/view/794a6bb0
https://freepaste.link/p6uj9et3mx
https://dotnetfiddle.net/IBzXLs
https://controlc.com/60fee8ea

Leave a comment