Effects Chain Orders

[Dy-nasty]

So I figured I would create a thread on effect chain orders. This can be helpful for me and many others. I do know that sometimes there is no "right way" to arrange an effects chain...on the otherhand sometimes there is a "right way" that should absolutely be followed. It all depends on the sound you are going for.

Please post suggestions on effects chain orders. As they are posted I will put them in this original post so we can get a comprehensive list going. Any suggestions will help...for instance if you know how to achieve a certain effect or sound with a specific effect chain order, share the knowledge whether it is chain rules (ex most of the time compression comes before eq...compression-->EQ) or creative ways to arrage them to achieve a unique sound...I want to hear them! I will start with the first chain order (something simple because I am not the best at this):

X-->Y. . .--> EQ EQ always should go last in a given effects chain and sometimes first if additional tweaking is needed.(Sonika)
Synth-->EQ-->Distortion-->Compression-->EQ (Dy-nasty)
Whitenoise----> distortion----> Eq------> Filter For crunchy yet crisp whitenoise sweeps. (Chris Mack)


If you post a chain order please use this build and give an explanation

Note: I know much of this can be both opinion or just plain theory...I have only recently been paying attention to the orders of effects, so if you disagree with my first chain order say so! I want to have a nice list going so feel free to talk about any order placed here in the future.

[elyhess]

Nobody has anything to say? I want to hear this shit

[Dy-nasty]

I agree..I figured people would be all over this?

[Chris mack]

Whitenoise----> distortion----> Eq------> Filter. For crunchy yet crisp whitenoise sweeps.

[Attila]

For a really gritty saw I usually do

Synth-->Multiband comp-->Comp-->Multiband comp-->Saturation--->Multiband comp-->Comp--->Multiband comp-->Filter Delay--->Utility

And a lot of tinkering/subtle automation. The filter delay and utility only goes on if I want to widen the sound. I've kept this as a Live effect rack...throw 3 or 4 instances on and automate til my tits turn blue.

[alpz]

You put 6 compressors on one track?

[Sonika]

Always always always EQ last. Sometimes I'll EQ first just to get the sound right and then add other effects and then copy the EQ and open it and the end of the fx chain

[narcissus]

my usual effect chain for basses is

synth -> distortion -> compression -> brickwall limiter -> distortion -> distortion -> reverb -> distortion -> delay -> distortion -> tube saturation -> brickwall limiter -> gate -> EQ -> distortion -> multiband compressor -> multiband compressor -> multiband compressor

gets that nice growling diarrhea wobble bass. make sure to set compressors to 1:1 ratio. this step is very important.

[Huts]

6 compressors lol? the only thing I always do is EQ first, EQ after filters, and EQ after distortion. Can't really coin a 'chain' I use because each effect sounds different on each sound. compression > distortion > EQ > filter could sound great with 1 bass sound, but maybe filtering first sounds better on another. Just understand what each effect in the chain is and place them accordingly, everyones always looking for some kind of magic formula

[Attila]

You put 6 compressors on one track?

Yep..well I usually copy the chain 3 or 4 times so it's between 18-24 compressors. Usually no more than 6-8 running at the same time though. Dialing in mulibands just takes the grit and clarity to the next level. I'm still no master at this by any means, so eventually I'll probably be able to cut it down to 3-4, but being half clueless and experimenting, this is the best chain I've come up with so far.

[narcissus]

............................................................................................................... wow what the hell -__-

[Huts]

Yep..well I usually copy the chain 3 or 4 times so it's between 18-24 compressors. Usually no more than 6-8 running at the same time though. Dialing in mulibands just takes the grit and clarity to the next level. I'm still no master at this by any means, so eventually I'll probably be able to cut it down to 3-4, but being half clueless and experimenting, this is the best chain I've come up with so far.

[alpz]

wow what the hell -__-

[syrup]

Synth-compressor-compressor-limiter-compressor-distortion-bitcrusher-chorus-compressor

[alpz]

Kick - EQ > EQ (steeper shelves)
Sub - Saturator > Filter > EQ > Compressor
Midrange - Distortion > Filter > PPDelay > Reverb > EQ > EQ

I'm a firm believer in keeping it simple.

[syrup]

Need some more compression in there bro

[Fauster]

For a really gritty saw I usually do

Synth-->Multiband comp-->Comp-->Multiband comp-->Saturation--->Multiband comp-->Comp--->Multiband comp-->Filter Delay--->Utility

And a lot of tinkering/subtle automation. The filter delay and utility only goes on if I want to widen the sound. I've kept this as a Live effect rack...throw 3 or 4 instances on and automate til my tits turn blue.

Whoa whoa whoa hold up. There is absolutely no reason to go comp -> comp -> comp. Especially two separate times in one chain. That's just silly.

[alpz]

Need some more compression in there bro

[NinjaEdit]

I like Eq at the beginning and end.

For something like snare or synth, I might:

EQ
Parallel distortion/overdrive
Reverb
Parallel compression
EQ

Yes, I compress after reverb. It's an interesting sound. I can usually go back and turn the reverb up 10% when it's compressed.

[Perfecture]

Kicks - EQ-->Compress-->Enveloper-->Limit (Send to bus for Parallel Compress)
Snare - EQ-->Compress-->Enveloper-->Compress-->Limit (Send to bus for Parallel Compress)
Sub - EQ
Synth - EQ-->Compress-->limit
Basslines - EQ-->Overdrive-->Chorus/Phaser-->Distortion-->bitcrusher-->Limit
FX - EQ-->Compress-->limit

This is how the order of my chains generally go (on individual tracks not busses to be clear), but there are always variations depending on the sound at hand, so the effects chains are not always as above.

Hard and fast rule for me though is I ALWAYS EQ first and ALWAYS limit last.

One more thing, I don't believe in whacking over 9000 compressors and distortion plugins on one sound/track, I believe in using the least amount of plugins as possible to get the final sound, This also helps you to develop because you learn how to utilise each plugin to it's best potential (why use 5 eq's when you can use 1 and get the same result)