When you think about your pedalboard and the order of your various pedals, the gain stage can be a real headache and can have a significant impact on your overall sound.
If you have multiple gain, overdrive, distortion and fuzz pedals (yes, yes, we’re all the same, the more the better!!), you’ve probably already wondered how to arrange them to get the most out of each effect and achieve the best possible sound?
In this article, we’ll explore two main approaches: placing gain pedals one after the other in ascending or descending order of gain.
The importance of the order of gain pedals
Before exploring the different approaches, it’s essential to understand that this question only really arises when you’re using several gain pedals at the same time. When layering saturations, the order of the pedals can greatly influence the character and dynamics of your overall sound. For example, if you place a fuzz behind a transparent overdrive, it won’t sound at all the same as if you place that same overdrive before that same fuzz…
Choice 1: in ascending order of gain (from lowest to highest gain)
The ascending order of gain approach consists of placing the gain pedals with the lowest gain first, followed by the pedals with progressively higher gain.
Overlaying your drives
Like an amp you’ve just pushed, some big distortions can appreciate that the input signal has already been worked on and saturated. Big distortion and fuzz pedals also tend to compress the signal further and add more aggressive saturation. By placing them after pedals with less gain, you have greater control over the amount of saturation added at each stage, which can result in a more complex and nuanced sonic texture.
Sculpt your sound before it goes to hell
Pedals with less gain, such as transparent overdrives like the Klon Centauradd saturation in a more subtle way. By placing them upstream, you preserve the clarity and dynamics of your initial signal, enabling better note definition and a more natural response to your playing.
Choice 2: in descending order of Gain (from highest to lowest)
Conversely, the descending order of gain approach involves placing gain pedals with the highest gain first, followed by pedals with progressively lower gain.
Your last favorite
A common answer to this question is to place the most impactful gain pedal (your little pref’) last in the effects chain. This approach allows the last gain pedal to have the greatest effect on the overall character of your drive sound. It also makes it easier to manage tone and compression at the output, which can improve the integration of your sound into the overall mix.
Also note that by placing the most “aggressive” gain pedals upstream, you maximize the level of saturation and sustain right from the start, which can be ideal for powerful solos and punchy riffs.
Managing background noise with large upstream distortions
Fuzz and other large distortions are notorious for producing interference and unpleasant background noise. Placing these pedals at the beginning of the gain chain minimizes interference and disturbance of the initial signal, and allows other pedals to follow and finish sculpting your sound.
The special features of vintage fuzz pedals
For some vintage fuzz pedals, like a fuzz face or a Tone Bender for example, some people recommend placing them first in your chain, even before your tuner or compressor. Indeed, because of their sensitivity to signal impedance, they react much better when they have a “clean”, raw signal coming from your guitar. A Big Muff, on the other hand, can be placed a little further down the chain for optimum results.
Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to placing gain pedals on your pedalboard. The key is to experiment with different configurations to discover what works best for you, your gear and pedals, and the sound you want to achieve.
Take the time to explore the different possibilities, test different combinations and find the perfect balance for your setup. After all, it’s this quest for the perfect sound that makes the process of creating your pedalboard so rewarding.
