Gain staging pedals and effects

[dpaterson]

Hi.

Just curious if anybody gain stages their pedals and effects (as you would, or SHOULD anyway, with plug-ins in your DAW)???

If there a point to even attempting to do this???

Using something like this maybe:

In other words: is there a point to ensuring that the input/output levels throughout the chain remain constant (unless you are specifically adding boost at some given point in the chain)???

Does anybody do this???

I suppose the main reason I ask is because I have modelling amps. (Marshall CODE amps.) and they are EXTREMELY susceptible to even the slightest change in input levels (affects distortion and gain hugely). And if you've got three different guitars all with different pickups and output levels well, then, it can become "challenging" (for want of a better word).

I have spent some time looking around the Internet but the info. out there seems a bit "iffy" (again for want of a better word).

Regards,

Dale.

 

[devastone]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I'm not currently, I have heard of it being done. The thing to remember is that it works really well to hit the front end of a tube amp really hard to get it to compress more and it sounds good (most of the time), hitting digital with too hot of a signal can introduce digital clipping which doesn't sound good unless you are Trent Reznor.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I run certain pedals at Unity through them and others smacked with elevated gain on the front end from the previous pedal's boost depending on how the pedal reacts, what sound I'm trying to achieve through the output, if I'm switching the pedal in and out (if so how does the buffer headroom interact) and ultimately what level above the unity level through modulation do I need at the pre amp input of an amplifier.

At the end of the chain, I have an Xotic EP booster in line (for an always on boost) to hit my Tremelo with a very high level because it performs and sounds better.

At the front of the chain I use a Greer Lamplighter compressor and hit it with an Archer IKON Gold or and an MXR Custom Badass -The compressor knocks the boost down but makes it super fat.

I run Unity through the Boss GE-7 and through modulation effects

 

[Securb]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I have only done it with tube amps and have gotten some stellar results. I always play with some type of overdrive/distortion and a boost of some type. I think the king of gain staging is The Rev Billy, he has a very intresting signal chain.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Just by ear. Some pedals/effects I want unity, others I want boost. I use tube amps that respond favorably to increased input level. When I had modeling amps, they hated being boosted and I found I got the best sounds by simply tweaking the built in effects as opposed to using external effects.

In terms of different outputs for different guitars, I asked this several years ago and the overwhelming response was “that’s why I use different guitars, to sound different.” Now I might put an EP Booster at the beginning of the chain to slightly fatten and boost a low output Strat, but for the most part it’s plug it in and go. That might go back to the previous point, my primary amp is a Princeton Reverb, pretty easy to get compressing so there isn’t much of a volume difference between guitars, more of a tonal difference.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Hell (again) everyone.

Don't I know you all from somewhere else??? LOL!!!

hitting digital with too hot of a signal can introduce digital clipping which doesn't sound good

Yeh. That's pretty much why I've been wondering about this. For one thing and as you know: I pretty much only use wireless but I'm pretty much having to guess level adjustments depending on which guitar is plugged in. One guitar may sound great with the wireless receivers output levels set, at, say 3 'o clock. But then with another guitar (the one with the DM SD in it at present for example) I have to dial back the wireless receivers output SUBSTANTIALLY otherwise everything is just "too much". So I was kinda figuring that if I could find out the exact output coming from a particular guitar using an instrument cable I could then use that as the "standard" or "yardstick" and obviously clearly mark the different levels for each guitar on the wireless receivers. Dunno if that makes sense. And I also never know if a signal is being clipped or not (only the wireless receivers inform me of this if the gain on the transmitter for a particular guitar is set too high).

I run certain pedals at Unity through them and others smacked with elevated gain on the front end front the previous pedals boost depending on how the pedal reacts, what sound I'm trying to achieve through the output, if I'm switching the pedal in and out (if so how does the buffer headroom interact) and ultimately what level about unity do I need at the pre amp input of an amplifier.

At the end of the chain, I have an Xotic EP booster in line (for an always on boost) to hit my Tremelo with a very high level because it performs and sounds better.

At the front of the chain I use a Greer Lamplighter compressor and hit it with an Archer IKON Gold or and an MXR Custom Badass -The compressor knocks the boost down but makes it super fat.

I run Unity through the Boss GE-7 and through modulation effects

Again yet another reason for me wondering about this. A supposed unity gain setting on one pedal is not the same as on another. Like with the Boss GE-7: unity gain as far as I know is when the level slider is in the middle (pretty hard to muck that one up). But like with the Boss DD-7 it is SUPPOSED to be at 3 'o clock but I dunno if I trust that information to be honest (because it doesn't "click in" like with the GE-7).

Also and with my amps. what I've found is that if you lift, for example, a certain frequency on the DD-7 then you have to compensate by lowering the output level i.e. with my amps. they seem to interpret a frequency boost as being "a frequency boost PLUS a increase in input level" which increases distortion proportionately.

I have only done it with tube amps and have gotten some stellar results. I always play with some type of overdrive/distortion and a boost of some type. I think the king of gain staging is The Rev Billy, he has a very intresting signal chain.

View attachment 94515

View attachment 94514

As you say: that is a pretty interesting signal chain!!! LOL!!! And I thought I was complicating matters!!! LOL!!!



Suppose what I'm getting at (and dunno if this is done hence my asking) is that if I could gain stage the (few) pedals that I have i.e. so that the given initial output from the guitar doesn't increase (or decrease for that matter) after each pedal no matter whether the pedal is off or on. Then when I want boost I boost on the amps. themselves (which have their own footcontrollers which are independent of the stompbox chain). This should keep the amp. distortion and any possible clipping "in check" not???

Regards,

Dale.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

When I had modeling amps, they hated being boosted and I found I got the best sounds by simply tweaking the built in effects as opposed to using external effects.

In terms of different outputs for different guitars, I asked this several years ago and the overwhelming response was “that’s why I use different guitars, to sound different.” Now I might put an EP Booster at the beginning of the chain to slightly fatten and boost a low output Strat, but for the most part it’s plug it in and go. That might go back to the previous point, my primary amp is a Princeton Reverb, pretty easy to get compressing so there isn’t much of a volume difference between guitars, more of a tonal difference.

Pretty much what I'm finding I think (the "hated being boosted" thing that is).

Noticed this with my Boss SD-1. Never quite know where to set the darn thing. But I've kinda worked out it's better to set the output level higher and the drive lower and let the amps. deal with what's coming their way out of it. Just wondering if there's not a more "scientific" method of getting these levels right I guess (not to sure I trust my ears for this kind of thing) ("tone" no problem!!! LOL!!!).

Oh well. Food for thought.

(Possibly a moot point too though i.e. apparently next year I have to ditch the lot and go buy some "hot rodded" JCM800 full stacks and have done with it!!! LOL!!!).

Regards,

Dale.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Hell (again) everyone.
Again yet another reason for me wondering about this. A supposed unity gain setting on one pedal is not the same as on another. Like with the Boss GE-7: unity gain as far as I know is when the level slider is in the middle (pretty hard to muck that one up). But like with the Boss DD-7 it is SUPPOSED to be at 3 'o clock but I dunno if I trust that information to be honest (because it doesn't "click in" like with the GE-7).

This is correct -all pedals are different based on the headroom and type or reaction to high gain -there isn't a perfect level like with professional audio +4dB 1.23V or -10dBV 316 mVolts for Consumer unbalanced -it's much more subjective on a case by case basis

Also and with my amps. what I've found is that if you lift, for example, a certain frequency on the DD-7 then you have to compensate by lowering the output level i.e. with my amps. they seem to interpret a frequency boost as being "a frequency boost PLUS a increase in input level" which increases distortion proportionately.

. Yep, if you want Unity -for every band that rises the master must be lowered and the opposite is true.

I suppose what I'm getting at (and dunno if this is done hence my asking) is that if I could gain stage the (few) pedals that I have i.e. so that the given initial output from the guitar doesn't increase (or decrease for that matter) after each pedal no matter whether the pedal is off or on. Then when I want boost I boost on the amps. themselves (which have their own footcontrollers which are independent of the stompbox chain). This should keep the amp. distortion "in check" not???\

Regards,

Dale.

you are talking about maintaining unity gain through the entire pedal chain and boosting at the amp preamp with an amp switching pedal? - this will preserve more of your guitar's original sound and preserve more clarity and detail in the overall sound usually -depending on your Amp and boost type.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Here's a thought:

What about determining the output level from a guitar and then putting white or pink noise through the stompbox chain at the same level as the guitar signal was at and then using an audio interface and VST level meters to calibrate??? Then just mark on the pedals (and whatever else) where "true" unity gain is for each pedal and for the stompbox chain as a whole???

(Sorry: these things come to me as I type them!!! LOL!!!).

Regards,

Dale.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

you are talking about maintaining unity gain through the entire pedal chain and boosting at the amp preamp with an amp switching pedal? - this will preserve more of your guitar's original sound and preserve more clarity and detail in the overall sound usually -depending on your Amp and boost type.

Exactly. Remember I have 100 preset slots on the amps. themselves so I can simply duplicate a particular preset, assign that to another patch on the footcontrollers, and adjust volume, gain, or whatever else for that particular "boost" preset. So I'm (would be) boosting at the amp. not before the amp.

Maybe my little situation is unique??? Dunno. Was just wondering if this type of thing is actually bothered about generally is all (even with tubes).

Regards,

Dale.

 

[devastone]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Was just wondering if this type of thing is actually bothered about generally is all (even with tubes).

99% of the time, no, not to this detail. Turn knobs until it sounds good, remember those settings, or at least where the ballpark is.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I goose the front of my amp with a Friedman Buxom Boost but otherwise I don’t really gain stage. I don’t really need to with a Quickrod.

 

[LLL]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Billy F. Gibbons is one of the biggest tone BSers out there... from "amp cabins" to a line of Expandoras...

10 bucks says there's an old vintage fender hidden away somewhere.

 

[LLL]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I used to "gain stage" in the 80s with my old BOSS pedalboard and BOSS stomps... OD into Distortion into etc...

No wonder I sounded like thin, tinny, buzzy ****.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Billy F. Gibbons is one of the biggest tone BSers out there... from "amp cabins" to a line of Expandoras...

10 bucks says there's an old vintage fender hidden away somewhere.

i agreed with you he is a huge bs artist when it comes to what he is using. no way he used all those expandoras for anything but maybe a bit part in the studio or something silly. his live rig hasnt changed much since he went to the jmp1 preamp and the eq. back in the day it was a lot of brown deluxe and tweed amps in the studio. hell, the brown deluxe was a live amp for a long time too

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I used to "gain stage" in the 80s with my old BOSS pedalboard and BOSS stomps... OD into Distortion into etc...

No wonder I sounded like thin, tinny, buzzy ****.

Yes. But I bet you were going into a HOT RODDED Marshall that could handle, and maybe even preferred, being driven to hell and gone going in!!! LOL!!! These modeling jobs are the opposite I think. Dunno. Will see. Want to check something on this tomorrow. Will post my findings if my suspicions are correct.

 

[LLL]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Yes. But I bet you were going into a HOT RODDED Marshall that could handle, and maybe even preferred, being driven to hell and gone going in!!! LOL!!!

Pretty much :lol: - although it was just a stock 2210. It's hilarious the amount of gain I needed (or thought I needed) to play back then...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I never think about gain staging. My setup isn't that complex.

 

[Securb]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

I never think about gain staging. My setup isn't that complex.

Mine is not that complex either. Typically BOOST>OD/DIST>MOD>DELAY>VOL/WAH.

The boost and the OD rotate depending on the tone I am chasing but typically the boost will be my BBE Bohemian Treble Boost or Triskelion Harmonic Energizer going into an MXR D+ or my Decibel 11 Dirt Clod. Those pedals with the amps natural distortion give me a full thick chuggy sound.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Gain staging pedals and effects

Hmmmnnn...

Well I just did my little test on this and I'm surprised at what I've found (a tad confused at the same time).

Test was done by simply taking output from the pedal chain into audio interface. Calibrated using iZotope Insight. Baseline value taken as the dry guitar signal with all pedals off peaking at -6dB.

Chain was guitar->MXR DynaComp->Boss GE-7->Boss DD-7 (simple as that).

Here's what happened (nothing like I expected):

Guitar only and signal PEAKS at -6dB (as calibrated above).

Engage MXR DynaComp and signal PEAKS drop by at least 6dB (-12dB).

Engage Boss GE-7 and signal PEAKS climb back up to roughly the same as the dry guitar signal (-6dB).

Engage Boss DD-7 and signal PEAKS jump to around 6dB hotter (0dB) than dry guitar signal (this for a pedal that's not supposed to be doing anything else other than providing delay!!!).

Bearing in mind I'm talking modelling amps. here (this may or may not be an issue at all with tubes) this means that my amps. with my current pedal settings are getting at least +6dB MORE signal than they're "expecting" from a guitar. Whether or not this is causing clipping I don't have the faintest idea (which was kinda the reason for asking about this and doing this test).

Dunno what to make of this.

What's obvious to me though is that you cannot gain stage pedals in this fashion for the simple reason that the level knobs (at least on these pedals) are not level knobs but EFFECT level knobs (two very different things) (I seem to think that this was mentioned earlier OR on the other thread re: true bypass vs. buffered bypass).

I'm also pretty sure that using PEAKS for this excercise is not valid. I say this because even although the guitar signal drops considerably post compressor it SOUNDS louder with the compressor engaged.

I've got a MXR Custom Comp. which I did not try in this test (for some reason or the other I cannot seem to get the same "brittle bite" with the Custom Comp. as I do with the the DynaComp).

I'm thinking now that the only way to achieve what it is that I was trying to achieve is to simply ensure that the final output of the pedal chain is equal to the dry guitar signal and not bother with what happens in between. How to do that is another story. Would probably have to take the form of a volume control pedal at the end of the pedal chain and before some type of VU meter pedal. Or I could use my Boss CS-3 (which I don't use) and configure as a limiter (that's the one pedal where the level knob actually controls the output level as opposed to it being an effect level if "Sustain" is fully counterclockwise).

Would sure be nice if amps. like these had input level meters!!!

Problem with these things is that unlike tubes (where distortion will simply increase and be palatable and even desirable) these things get to a point where the distortion gets distorted type of thing.

Regards,

Dale.