boosting pedals

[SGJarrod]

as the poll states... when u use a boost to boost another pedal do u put it before or after the pedal u want to boost?... Please share thoughts and experiences....

And I have a cleanish boost pedal in mind to boost my others... I know there is not really a right answer on this issue but would like to hear both sides..

Thanks
J

[theshadowofseattle]

Put it after the distortion to avoid the usual pedal-distortion-volume-drop.

Although few things sound cooler than just hammering the input of a distortion or fuzz with a ridiculous amount of volume.

[dezb1]

After overdrive but but before fuzz...

[aen]

Ive only really used boosters to make up gain from fuckhead fuzz pedals that drop volume. (after)

[ultratwin]

Usually at the end o' the chain for "more of the above", unless I want my distortion pedal du jour to break up even more. Just the same, how drives react to more cleanish input depends on the pedals themselves. Here's my very subjective opinion:

The samey sounding red colored pedals I juggle around (BJF Dyna Red, Dano Coolcat Dist, Stompleague Gainaholic2) are all of the highly compressed 80s Marshall distortion type with differing degrees of squash, and pretty much all sound worse to my ears when boosted than better(although the Dyna Red likes my BJF EGDM very much), and tend to sound better when their output volume is at a "sane" level and I choose to rather push the amp with a clean boost.

The Moollon Distortion is a mid-gain OD with a flat EQ that to me sounds really amp-like, and does well being boosted by another midrangey drive pedal or clean boost (I'm presently using OD Moollon Bass Drive) into the Super Reverb/Twins set no louder than "3" I'm playing on tour right now, since I'm just a lowly rhythm guitarist playing power chords. The aforementioned "red pedals" all had me lost in the mix as 2nd guitarist, yet naturally amp break-up via teh Fenderz and the Moollon pair fit my bill. The "loud-n-punchy Fender amp tone without hearing damage" makes it a winner for me.

All in all, I think it's what your pedals can do for you coupled with what exactly you want.

[Mike]

I use them for all sorts:

- Smacking pedals into more overdrive/distortion/fuzz
- Smacking an amp on breakup into Overdrive
- Making my HOT LIXX louder
- Making picked Clean Parts stick out in a band situation

[johnnyseven]

I always used to use them after dirt just to make my guitar louder for leads/loud bits of songs. Then I moved to putting my boost before to drive my dirt pedals. but some pedals don't like to be boosted so i've now gone back to putting my boost after my dirt.

[lorez]

i'm a before man to smack the pedal/amp in to breakdown

[Fran]

Depends which pedals. EHX as a brand seem to react differently to others, the Double Muff for instance wants to be first in the chain and i found a Big Muff before a Tubescreamer works better than the other way round.

[S. Thompson]

Before! I like driving my distortion/fuzz into nasty territory with the boost!

- Steve

[cleo]

i'm a before man to smack the pedal/amp in to breakdown

dito.

I always use my vintäääätsch EHX LPB2 in front of my other dirt pedals.
It makes every OD/DS pedal really mean and grumbly

greets

[GreenKnee]

Both. I have one in front of my 'dirt' pedals to drive them harder for some extra balls, and one at the end of my chain for boosting clean tones above the mix when required.

[Doog]

Totally different applications, braaaaaaaah!