Compressor pedal vs Maxon OD808 to thicken up the tone

[Lucas]

Hi, few days ago I changed my set up quite a bit and started using amp`s valve distortion instead of stomp boxes. I`ve been always a pedal guy having few distortion/overdrive pedals but now got rid of them and cranked my Orange Dual Terror to get distortion out of the amp instead.

My question is... what would be better option to 'thicken up', beef up the tone of the amp? I`ve seen loads of people using overdrive pedal in front to do that eg. Maxon OD808, but how would compressor pedal work? I have compressor pedal laying idle around and wondering if I can use that to enhance the tone a bit. Ideally I would keep that on all the time.

and another question, as my amp doesnt have FX loop, is there anything that I can do to still use delay pedal in front of cranked amp? I know all modulation and time based effects should be placed after distortion but now it`s not an option and need delay sometimes for leads.

many thanks

[CommonCourtesy]

I'd use an overdrive in front of the amp on the dirty channel whether its an OD808 or tubescreamer, I find for me it does tighten up the tone and makes it less "flubby" whilst compressing it slightly and making it richer in the mids. Every amp and guitar set up is different though but I find its most common for drop tuned metalcore bands and stuff. Basically dial back some gain on the head and then keep the drive low on the pedal, and level around 75% of the way up.

A compressor is something I'd consider using for cleans to balance out the string volumes when doing picking for example, more sustain, etc. I haven't considered using it for the dirty.

As for the delay some pedals can sound good in front of the amp, if using the FX loop isn't an option. You do want to keep it after the overdrive in the signal path though, otherwise you'll be distorting your delays.

[Lucas]

Thanks for quick reply.
Thing is, in my playing I switch between clean/distortion quite often. One channel of my amp is dirty, the other is clean. Turning on/off overdrive pedal at the same time while switching channels might be tricky, I`m not good at tap dancing :)
I have compressor pedal laying around and not being used. Was wondering if I can use it and ideally keep it on all the time to enhance the tone (yes, it will help with cleans, what sort of the impact will it have on distortion channel?)

Delay, I`m totally aware that time based effects should be placed after distortion but my amp does not have FX loop. So it means that I have to drop delay and there`s no settings ect whcih will be usable in front of the amp? I use delay for some leads

cheers

[CommonCourtesy]

I have the same deal in my current bands, but luckily I play on distortion channel 80% of the set. If I do switch to clean I sometimes leave it on as I like how it gives a bit of dirt to the sound (I usually push the crunch button and turn the gain down to give it some breakup). So its not like I play on a squeaky clean clean sound, I like some dirt there. You could use the volume knob to roll off some gain as well, sometimes I do this if I'm not acting like a lunatic out in the crowd haha.

I haven't used a compressor on the dirty channel live so I can't really help on that, someone else will probably know and advise better than me.

As for the delay you can still run it in the chain, it'll just be in front of the amp that's all, so place it after your distortion and into the input of the amp. Some people actually prefer it in front, personally if the amp has an FX loop I use it via that. But if using, say a combo amp I don't have any other option.

[gwEm]

I used a compressor on the dirty channel for a couple gigs in 2007.

I thought it would help to increase the harmonic feedback from my gear. That did work, but actually it was kind of a menace - difficult to setup for each venue so I stopped bothering. Didn't really notice my tone was thicker.

[Dave Sloven]

I would use either an overdrive (e.g., Maxon OD808 or MXR M77) with the level maxed and the gain as low as you can manage - or if it has a LOT of gain (like a Peavey 5150) you could just use a clean boost like the MXR/CAE MC401

The other alternative would be an EQ pedal with plenty of boost like the MXR 6-band

If you just want to 'thicken' and add gain a clean boost can work

If you specifically want to cut lows and boost mids then an overdrive could be better, or an EQ.

The MXR M77 is quite adjustable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwOtEPU2GOE

[Lucas]

cheers gentlemen!
another option that I consider is adding little bit of chorus. That would help especially with cleans, I`m only only one guitar in the band and while on cleans it sounds too raw.
Chorus would make clean parts richer plus would thicken up distorted parts. Just think Zakk Wylde. In my case I would use much much much less chorus, just a bit to hear the difference, very subtle.
And again... chorus in front of distorted amp? Apparently MXR Zakk Wylde chorus was designed to use this way. Can anyone confirm that?

Delay... I just wrote an email to TC Electronics to recommend me some Tone Print (I use Flashback delay) which would work better before distorted amp.
no FX loop, but at the moment changing an amp is not the option either.

[Dave Sloven]

Yes I have the Wylde MXR chorus and use it that way

Keep in mind that their Analog Chorus is the same pedal with a different pedal.  Just get whichever is cheaper or more to your liking aesthetically

I use the MXR chorus pedal for both gothic style clean parts and black metal tremolo-strummed octave chords

[Lucas]

If you just want to 'thicken' and add gain a clean boost can work



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwOtEPU2GOE

Actually you have put an idea into my head! :)
I also have Xotic EP booster which I placed at the end of the chain, I use it only as volume boost for solos. As far as I know people use it in front as well and it does different job.
placing EP booster in front and keep it on, and using compressor pedal at the end of the chain for volume boost on solos?
Would that work?

the whole problem is that I have to re-arange the whole setup as I stopped using distortion pedals and started using amp distortion instead.

[Dave Sloven]

I'm not sure how the compressor would work at the end of the chain ... would depend on the unit and how you set it up, but they can be very noisy ... but try the boost in front of your amp as a baseline to see what you like about it and if there are any negatives.

Sounds like you might benefit from an EQ pedal.  You could put that in either spot.  Possibly more useful as your solo boost and you could add mids or whatever

[Lucas]

Yes I have the Wylde MXR chorus and use it that way

Keep in mind that their Analog Chorus is the same pedal with a different pedal.  Just get whichever is cheaper or more to your liking aesthetically

I use the MXR chorus pedal for both gothic style clean parts and black metal tremolo-strummed octave chords

That`s good news, so I can keep MXR chorus on all the time with subtle settings in front of distorted amp. it will work.
what about compressor then? is it worth placing it anywhere? I have one and never use it

[Dave Sloven]

There are a lot of videos using the MXR with gain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=merGvga39Yo

I route my chorus, harmonist, and delays (Carbon Copy and DD-7) through a Boss LS-2.  Any looper circuit will help in reducing frantic tap dancing.  I should underline that these are all in the effects loop, after gain.

I have a compressor too and barely use it!  Good for cleans, or if you want a shrill, distorted mess with high gain at the end of a set!

[Dave Sloven]

Sorry I missed the 'in front of' bit when I first replied.

As far as I know chorus can be used in front of gain, it will just sound different

I'd recommend the MXR there too.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/a-good-simple-chorus-for-for-before-overdrive.1580703/

[Lucas]

  I should underline that these are all in the effects loop, after gain.

that`s my problem, no FX loop

how do you find using MXR chorus in front of distortion?

[Dave Sloven]

I haven't used it but all MXR pedals seem to have a good reputation with gain and this one does too, and according to that link above it works well in front of the amp.

Avoid the simpler chorus pedals.  The low, high, and depth controls can be quite useful