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!

4644 comments

srthsrthrsth

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102116544499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102116496499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102124332499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102124410499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102125604499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102125766499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102125952499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102126018499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102129144499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102129078499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102129012499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102129000499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102128994499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102126066499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102129684499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102130122499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102130434499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102130662499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102131520499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102131550499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102131640499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102131712499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102131838499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102132552499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102132582499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102134640499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102134616499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102134562499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102132906499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102132768499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102132630499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102135114499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102135084499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102135024499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102134988499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102134718499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102134688499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102135138499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102136218499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102136272499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102136308499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102136392499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102137688499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102137526499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102137394499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102137376499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102137370499695&type=3

srthsrthrsth

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102029286499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102030888499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102031116499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102031452499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102031668499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102031920499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102032034499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102082188499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102082350499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102082368499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102084234499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102084390499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102084558499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102084726499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102084912499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102085164499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102086358499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102086436499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102086472499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102086514499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102087624499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102087666499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102088032499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102088296499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102088416499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102090030499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102090096499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102090186499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102090234499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102092424499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102092346499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102092238499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102092046499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102091638499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102090282499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102112860499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102112950499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102113028499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102113112499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102114774499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102116454499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102116418499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102115122499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102115056499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102115038499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102114846499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102124266499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102124242499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102124146499695&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102117420499695&type=3

srthsrthrsth

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LOoVRzFyDqWi2n6RSqQId
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7K7ookqKW0XrJ50HMRq6id
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RyrCJNqOAuXyf9KjROng7
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tWn15VYPnEuJYW7BK3B0U
https://open.spotify.com/episode/23zVkxgv1joQyw2aO8imI6
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IVtFtkvZzifJX5qNKFw3G
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fG6IAboY3G0NUBXtNC6rY
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oh6PyLfiEjmMR0shnuKIy
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oh6PyLfiEjmMR0shnuKIy
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3tggTHUNdOUhOcmFoscVwy
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HjsouZ4AdR3A6cqlPox0G
https://open.spotify.com/episode/25e3mgcm8JFq8wN3DgxQEG
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Izw0o5cwUzqzdPxS8PKYd
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1h8EYSxwo8F9BlXT2u2MTk
https://open.spotify.com/episode/58cJvyVLqneBYRXJU5pcka
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uALJTuammMBfgKZ7rrV0P
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6iO1kal2NocQWrA7GYihSr
https://open.spotify.com/episode/17In1tv0xq4or1sIrn9yN7
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2syYLneWPmU9kIh2WrUviM
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MB3LmhH0eWKk5ZjglJ19z
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5QrIp4Wv0UYelricfrrw1v
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5QrIp4Wv0UYelricfrrw1v
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LgVmsgUkdcz83zkTUfuNg
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Pza7TvyoDiqpyXmM3THrp

fgfdgdrtgesr

https://www.remotehub.com/services/details/stree-2-2024-downlad-dual-audio-1080-66d1f6b1edae3a475813e747
https://www.remotehub.com/services/details/watch-stree-2-2024-fullmovie-online-english-66d1f8d9edae3a4a0d650482
https://www.remotehub.com/services/details/wach-stree-2-2024-ullovie-mp4720p-1080p-hd-4k-66d1fa0aedae3a475813e74b
https://www.remotehub.com/services/details/downloadofficial-stree-2-2024-online-at-66d1facfedae3a475813e74c
https://www.remotehub.com/services/details/stree-2-2024-fullmovie-download-free-720p-66d1fdd4edae3a47a22f78f6
https://www.facebook.com/SiddharthRoy.FullmovieDownload/
https://www.facebook.com/siddharthroymoviedownloadfilmyzilla/
https://www.facebook.com/SiddharthRoy2024FullMovieDownload/
https://www.facebook.com/SaripodhaaSanivaaramMovieDownloadFilmyzilla/
https://www.facebook.com/SaripodhaaSanivaaramMovieDownloadHindi/
https://www.facebook.com/munjya2024moviedownloadfilmyzilla/
https://www.facebook.com/WatchMunjyaMovieDownload/
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/5c39ee57
https://www.wowace.com/paste/9c5f8999
https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/koinong65/profile
https://wokwi.com/projects/407672468661745665
http://paste.jp/bd7eb8d8/
https://pastelink.net/uqywt7li
https://bitbin.it/GTPQQRdI/
https://pastebin.com/S4T2jGWV
https://matters.town/a/34xkkpr2bzte
https://lifeisfeudal.com/Discussions/question/asdfdsfzafseafes
https://paste.gd/WrzBCm5L
https://hackmd.io/@JmHXn_G4SFieqoqG3jZI5w/r1hg5cJhA
https://www.forexagone.com/forum/presentation-traders/xfgdxgeresr-146715#244995
https://www.etextpad.com/jn7ai3exms
https://dictanote.co/n/1059338/
https://ads4u2.com/upayments/payments?&itemId=225067&productType=801

gvt erte

https://www.facebook.com/events/1041443470364029/
https://www.facebook.com/events/515169117866099/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1052890713083752/
https://www.facebook.com/events/8138172856277254/
https://www.facebook.com/events/479851631558214/
https://www.facebook.com/events/2263100974060508/
https://www.facebook.com/events/897567252185619/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1264432044543725/
https://www.facebook.com/events/320046421132097/
https://www.facebook.com/events/903537668306602/
https://www.facebook.com/events/876920307178493/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1215550092918758/
https://www.facebook.com/events/869976611271636/
https://www.facebook.com/events/940128954542500/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1205217617351088/
https://www.facebook.com/events/441067758248379/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1538730133422454/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1730281444407640/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1041202084317615/
https://www.facebook.com/events/381181421510208/
https://www.facebook.com/events/907859048048654/
https://www.facebook.com/events/531797989407996/
https://www.facebook.com/events/390671954073262/
https://www.facebook.com/events/2226863971027178/
https://pastelink.net/vwdwbb2y
https://wokwi.com/projects/407659852374605825
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/04bb695f
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/b2c68455
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/dc95898e
https://paiza.io/projects/jH5pwBlwYvEY0bfRDaKH8w?language=php
https://hackmd.io/pNI-nvVuREiP6uR33v6y8g
https://jsfiddle.net/xa7r3vo0/
https://telegra.ph/qaert-08-30
https://p.ip.fi/EiMa
https://paste.myst.rs/tw33bv6n
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/c29f0209
https://glot.io/snippets/gzh1kokynf
https://paste.kodi.tv/fanoyavuzo

Leave a comment