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!
4118 comments
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls599764110/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls599764399/
https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls599781120/
https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls599781320/
https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls599781616/
https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls599781234/
https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls599781407/
https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls599781498/
https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls599783028/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599350986/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599355011/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599355176/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599355652/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599355203/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599355416/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599355910/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599357016/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599357149/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599351677/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599351474/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599354586/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599354738/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599354307/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599353893/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599356551/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599356371/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599356345/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599356673/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599352298/
https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls599352907/
https://soundcloud.com/onlysleeptzy/ver-lilo-y-stitch-2025-online-latino-y-espanol
https://soundcloud.com/onlysleeptzy/ver-f1-pelicula-2025-online-latino-y-espanol
https://soundcloud.com/onlysleeptzy/f1-pelicula-pelicula-ver-online-completa-en-espanol-y-latino
https://soundcloud.com/onlysleeptzy/padre-no-hay-mas-que-uno-5-pelicula-ver-online-completa-en-espanol-y-latino
https://soundcloud.com/onlysleeptzy/ver-padre-no-hay-mas-que-uno-5-2025-online-latino-y-espanol
https://peliculashd8167.graphy.com/courses/ver-como-entrenar-a-tu-dragon-gratis-hd
https://prezo.ai/public/ver-cmo-entrenar-a-tu-dragn-2025-gratis-hd-en-espaol-y-latino—084912df-6aba-49f0-8faf-0def83b2fa69#293bf2e6-d3fc-4356-8d9c-818e6d6987a4
https://prezo.ai/public/Cuevana-8—Ver-M3GAN-20-2025-GRATIS-HD-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—a42e4167-002a-4e8a-9091-ab5737a4d944
https://prezo.ai/public/Cuevana-8—Ver-Cmo-entrenar-a-tu-dragn-2025-GRATIS-HD-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—edd2ee77-467c-4b1c-9466-45cd838767e9#36f07b85-e4cc-4c33-a302-d9d81312ddaa
https://prezo.ai/public/Cuevana-8—Ver-28-aos-despus-2025-GRATIS-HD-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—881ea4c8-f80e-4639-98b8-49ac88f8ce6b
https://prezo.ai/public/Cuevana-8—Ver-Materialistas-2025-GRATIS-HD-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—08c8f94e-fa88-43ed-9298-b09ad2b30ebe
https://prezo.ai/public/VER-M3gan-20-2025-ONLINE-GRATIS-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—CUEVANA3—af66a954-38c4-4c33-a432-6db2de5bd7ad
https://prezo.ai/public/VER-F1-la-pelicula-2025-ONLINE-GRATIS-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—CUEVANA3—18ea1baf-0cc2-4b9d-a100-4d67dcc56196
https://prezo.ai/public/VER-Misin-imposible—-Sentencia-Final-2025-ONLINE-GRATIS-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—CUEVANA3—d17c99fc-a43f-4d2d-8baf-bfb8624847fb
https://prezo.ai/public/VER-CUEVANA-3-VER-28-Years-Later2025-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—2025-ONLINE-GRATIS-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—CUEVANA3—b52b237d-9939-4f3a-84eb-018efe8bab42
https://prezo.ai/public/VER-Cmo-entrenar-a-tu-dragn-2025-ONLINE-GRATIS-EN-ESPAOL-Y-LATINO—CUEVANA3—c9e8287e-544e-4a98-a6e7-b8fa7bb8bc74
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarF1rTheMovie2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDubed
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarMaterialists2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDubed
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarFORMULA1TheMovie2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDubed280
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarFormula1-TheMovie2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDubed
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarF1TheMovie2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDubed254
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarLiloandStitch2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDubed627
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarHowtoTrainYourDragon2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDub581
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarm3gan2dot02025plusfumovedownladfre1080slash720slash480hhididubed571
https://filmfreeway.com/starstarHowtoTrainYourDragon2025plusFuMoveDownladFre1080slash720slash480HHIDIDub853
https://pastelink.net/f4nbrqyj
https://matters.town/a/2tr0aalks94b
https://wokwi.com/projects/435210696035553281h
ttps://hackmd.io/oTqFzUZiSMCSf6xRcBVvWA
https://paiza.io/projects/T9WZvb7YdOkGN_QXr-tNmQ
https://pastebin.com/htGeU4Z1
https://paste.myst.rs/ohnqrhop
https://www.pastery.net/xhajur/
paste.feed-the-beast.com/k-WZ47bf0zl
https://paste.chapril.org/?b177876f769d88d0#DLRNd7zq3HQBj8LNrDy1M2tFbqk4EWnMVN6BUGcwzhmx
https://paste.imirhil.fr/?3a9f5942b2a054ec#cPWNFVBtZlJBJhKEnK7ZKosPMkS27Y2asviW3CCB8ms=
https://onecompiler.com/html/43pbbc9t6
https://ideone.com/iIX86y
https://rentry.co/3vpmhob8
http://nopaste.ceske-hry.cz/1547876
https://paste.intergen.online/view/61a88435
https://paste.centos.org/view/d04b09a8
https://pastecode.io/s/3vjoai03
https://www.wowace.com/paste/dbcb8c5e
https://penzu.com/journals/31329148/108527767
https://justpaste.it/k9nnz
https://ctxt.io/2/AAD4QLuEFA
https://paste.laravel.io/741e53af-6eee-44e2-871b-6f29f634cdb0
https://rextester.com/LDYQN48072
https://glot.io/snippets/h8sddpjak0
tech.io/snippet/oWERe9W
https://ivpaste.com/v/rxJw7OIQrL
https://telegra.ph/dfgfderdf-06-30
https://paste.thezomg.com/351406/75131196/
https://www.taptap.io/id/post/9909304
https://paste.toolforge.org/view/3363cf49
https://jsitor.com/h6Jt98CQHXs
https://paste.jp/6213a59a/
https://paste.ee/p/5Iulv4p6
https://healthmartblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces.html
http://pineal10x-usa.systeme.io/
https://www.facebook.com/Pineal10x/
https://events.cancer.gov/sites/default/files/webform/office_of_data_sharing_abstract/146077/Pineal-10x-OFFICIAL-REPORT.pdf
https://www.pinterest.com/pineal10xofficial/
https://medium.com/@pineal10xofficial/
https://sites.google.com/view/pineal-10x/
https://pineal-10×.jimdosite.com/
https://pineal-10×.webflow.io/
https://pineal-10×.mystrikingly.com/
https://pineal-10×.mywebselfsite.net/
https://pineal-10x-8e044yi.gamma.site/pineal10x
https://pineal10x.quora.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pineal10x/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/d315a485cf.html
https://pdfhost.io/v/ssvfRaUuXY_Pineal_10x__OFFICIAL_Report__Reduces_Brain_Fog__Mental_Tiredness_To_Enhanced_Memory
https://online.visual-paradigm.com/community/bookshelf/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-27oozwl8g5
https://medium.com/@pineal10xofficial/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-a5509c8c80c4
https://www.dewalist.com/services/health-beauty-fitness/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-me-avon-park-539135.html
https://indibloghub.com/post/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://cscourse.ustc.edu.cn/vdir/Gitlab/compiler_staff/jianmu-supplemental/-/issues/6032
https://www.globhy.com/article/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://groups.google.com/g/pineal-10x/c/CdsriiszxV0
https://www.fbamd.org/pineal10x
https://www.hashtaglunchbag.org/pineal10x
https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/pineal10x/pineal_10x_official_report_reduces_brain_fog_mental_tiredness_to_enhanced_memory
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/ef3f2e17-c510-410d-8a8a-9f926e3acc74
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1cBSSukggDq5in94riQXYte67KWivavuO?usp=sharing
https://www.grepmed.com/Pineal10x
https://haitiliberte.com/advert/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
https://git.skyviewfund.com/Pineal10x/Pineal10x/
https://gitcq.cyberinner.com/Pineal10x/Pineal10x/
https://hellobiz.in/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-788513594
https://sfero.me/podcast/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain
https://hackmd.io/@Pineal10x/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://solo.to/pineal10x
https://www.provenexpert.com/pineal10x-official/
https://www.invastor.com/blog/175692-Pineal-10x-OFFICIAL-Report-Reduces-Brain-Fog-Mental-Tiredness-To-Enhanced-Memory/
https://pineal10x.hashnode.dev/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://nas.io/pineal10x/challenges/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://nexusstem.co.uk/community/main-forum/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
http://pineal10x.alboompro.com/portfolio/health-wellness/1525974-pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/896990450797789080/
https://blog.mycareindia.co.in/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
https://github.com/pineal10xofficial/Pineal10x/
https://gitlab.com/pineal-10x/Pineal-10x
https://differ.blog/p/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-en-5b4bc3
https://fmcreators.com/index.php?threads/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory.22628/
https://quickfinds.in/jobs/healthcare/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory_i456565
https://www.runelister.com/forum/topic/what-is-pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/#postid-50198
https://forum.g-ac.su/index.php?threads/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory.20442/
https://letterboxd.com/Pineal10x/
https://www.data-medics.com/forum/threads/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory.99264/
http://mocfun.vn/index.php?threads/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory.177667/
https://healthmartblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces.html
http://pineal10x-usa.systeme.io/
https://www.facebook.com/Pineal10x/
https://events.cancer.gov/sites/default/files/webform/office_of_data_sharing_abstract/146077/Pineal-10x-OFFICIAL-REPORT.pdf
https://www.pinterest.com/pineal10xofficial/
https://medium.com/@pineal10xofficial/
https://sites.google.com/view/pineal-10x/
https://pineal-10×.jimdosite.com/
https://pineal-10×.webflow.io/
https://pineal-10×.mystrikingly.com/
https://pineal-10×.mywebselfsite.net/
https://pineal-10x-8e044yi.gamma.site/pineal10x
https://pineal10x.quora.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pineal10x/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/d315a485cf.html
https://pdfhost.io/v/ssvfRaUuXY_Pineal_10x__OFFICIAL_Report__Reduces_Brain_Fog__Mental_Tiredness_To_Enhanced_Memory
https://online.visual-paradigm.com/community/bookshelf/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-27oozwl8g5
https://medium.com/@pineal10xofficial/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-a5509c8c80c4
https://www.dewalist.com/services/health-beauty-fitness/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-me-avon-park-539135.html
https://indibloghub.com/post/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://cscourse.ustc.edu.cn/vdir/Gitlab/compiler_staff/jianmu-supplemental/-/issues/6032
https://www.globhy.com/article/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://groups.google.com/g/pineal-10x/c/CdsriiszxV0
https://www.fbamd.org/pineal10x
https://www.hashtaglunchbag.org/pineal10x
https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/pineal10x/pineal_10x_official_report_reduces_brain_fog_mental_tiredness_to_enhanced_memory
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/ef3f2e17-c510-410d-8a8a-9f926e3acc74
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1cBSSukggDq5in94riQXYte67KWivavuO?usp=sharing
https://www.grepmed.com/Pineal10x
https://haitiliberte.com/advert/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
https://git.skyviewfund.com/Pineal10x/Pineal10x/
https://gitcq.cyberinner.com/Pineal10x/Pineal10x/
https://hellobiz.in/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-788513594
https://sfero.me/podcast/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain
https://hackmd.io/@Pineal10x/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://solo.to/pineal10x
https://www.provenexpert.com/pineal10x-official/
https://www.invastor.com/blog/175692-Pineal-10x-OFFICIAL-Report-Reduces-Brain-Fog-Mental-Tiredness-To-Enhanced-Memory/
https://pineal10x.hashnode.dev/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://nas.io/pineal10x/challenges/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://nexusstem.co.uk/community/main-forum/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
http://pineal10x.alboompro.com/portfolio/health-wellness/1525974-pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/896990450797789080/
https://blog.mycareindia.co.in/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
https://healthmartblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces.html
http://pineal10x-usa.systeme.io/
https://www.facebook.com/Pineal10x/
https://events.cancer.gov/sites/default/files/webform/office_of_data_sharing_abstract/146077/Pineal-10x-OFFICIAL-REPORT.pdf
https://www.pinterest.com/pineal10xofficial/
https://medium.com/@pineal10xofficial/
https://sites.google.com/view/pineal-10x/
https://pineal-10×.jimdosite.com/
https://pineal-10×.webflow.io/
https://pineal-10×.mystrikingly.com/
https://pineal-10×.mywebselfsite.net/
https://pineal-10x-8e044yi.gamma.site/pineal10x
https://pineal10x.quora.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pineal10x/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/d315a485cf.html
https://pdfhost.io/v/ssvfRaUuXY_Pineal_10x__OFFICIAL_Report__Reduces_Brain_Fog__Mental_Tiredness_To_Enhanced_Memory
https://online.visual-paradigm.com/community/bookshelf/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-27oozwl8g5
https://medium.com/@pineal10xofficial/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-a5509c8c80c4
https://www.dewalist.com/services/health-beauty-fitness/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-me-avon-park-539135.html
https://indibloghub.com/post/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://cscourse.ustc.edu.cn/vdir/Gitlab/compiler_staff/jianmu-supplemental/-/issues/6032
https://www.globhy.com/article/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://groups.google.com/g/pineal-10x/c/CdsriiszxV0
https://www.fbamd.org/pineal10x
https://www.hashtaglunchbag.org/pineal10x
https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/pineal10x/pineal_10x_official_report_reduces_brain_fog_mental_tiredness_to_enhanced_memory
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/ef3f2e17-c510-410d-8a8a-9f926e3acc74
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1cBSSukggDq5in94riQXYte67KWivavuO?usp=sharing
https://www.grepmed.com/Pineal10x
https://haitiliberte.com/advert/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
https://git.skyviewfund.com/Pineal10x/Pineal10x/
https://gitcq.cyberinner.com/Pineal10x/Pineal10x/
https://hellobiz.in/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory-788513594
https://sfero.me/podcast/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain
https://hackmd.io/@Pineal10x/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://solo.to/pineal10x
https://www.provenexpert.com/pineal10x-official/
https://www.invastor.com/blog/175692-Pineal-10x-OFFICIAL-Report-Reduces-Brain-Fog-Mental-Tiredness-To-Enhanced-Memory/
https://pineal10x.hashnode.dev/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://nas.io/pineal10x/challenges/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://nexusstem.co.uk/community/main-forum/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/
http://pineal10x.alboompro.com/portfolio/health-wellness/1525974-pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/896990450797789080/
https://blog.mycareindia.co.in/pineal-10x-official-report-reduces-brain-fog-mental-tiredness-to-enhanced-memory/