Compressor vs. that elusive tone

[krauthammer]

Hi guys,

First, let's get the set up out of the way:

Marshall JCM 2205c

MXR Dyna Comp first pedal running through the effects loop

Les Paul Studio

Me = totally amateur guitarist just trying to get better

So.... I am noodling around, trying to get a good tone. Figured I should try to run my pedals through the effects loop on my high gain amp. I've got the compressor, then a chorus, then a phase 90, then a delay, into the loop. Nothing is bowling me over, And then it happens:

I turn off every pedal, except the compressor. The amp is on the crunch side, orange channel. And there it is...

Pinch harmonics

Sustain

Creamy crunch

Hubba Wha????

I had no idea. When I turn the effects loop off, the amp doesn't sound as dreamy. Turn it back on again, there it is.

So, my question is....

Should I be running my compressor at the front of the amp, before the pre-amp stage, so that I can get that positive effect across all channels?

Should I not mess with success, and leave it where it is? Doing so would be a little trickier while playing with the band.

Is it giving me this type of effect because it's after the pre-amp stage, or will it work before the pre-amp?

Are you guys finding similar results? Where do you use it, if you use it at all?

Very interested in what you guys think, and what you guys have discovered. I apologize if this is old hat to seasoned players, but this has been quite a revelation to me.

Respectfully,

Your Hammer

 

[Side Burns]

I have my compressor as the second only to my tuner. So all my pedals including overdrive and or distortion are after the compressor & into the front of my amp.

My custom comp is perfect for solos, for some sweet squeal on a held note or for even for non-distorted clean tone to fill it out.

I don’t leave it on all the time tho. I like it off for good rhythm attach on some chugs to clean it up.

 

[jaycoyoyo]

Running a compressor after a gain stage is a fun trick that I like to use. You can back off your guitar volume to clean up the dirt, and not lose volume, because the compressor maintains the level. I've not tried a compressor thru an effects loop, but I would imagine it's a similar thing, with the loop being after the preamp stage. If you like it then stick with it!

-Jay

 

[morbidalex666]

There are no rules - guitarists break them all

I recently found out that Mustaine of Megadeth used a Rockman headphone amp to boost a Fender Twin and get a lead sound. There are people using old film projectors as guitar amps.

My point is: do it the way it works for you. Experiment and form your own opinion first hand. I am saying this in the most encouraging way I can.

Compressor before or after gain stage can be determined by what sounds good to you and most probably the way it affects noise (which is of course dependant on the amount of gain and the compression ratio you use).

Cheers!