Delay pedals are one of the most popular effects pedals among guitarists. They can be used to create a variety of sounds, from subtle echoes to long, swirling reverberations. But where should you put your delay pedal in your signal chain?
There are two main schools of thought on this topic: some people believe that delay pedals should be placed before the distortion, while others believe that they should be placed after the distortion.
Arguments for putting delay before distortion:
- Placing delay before distortion allows you to interact with the delay effects more directly. For example, you can use the delay pedal to create a “slapback” echo that you can play along with.
- Placing delay before distortion can give you a more organic sound. This is because the delay effects will be affected by the amp’s distortion, which can create a more complex and textured sound.
- Some delay pedals have their own preamp, which can boost your signal and give you a brighter sound.
Arguments for putting delay after distortion:
- Placing delay after distortion allows you to keep your distortion pedals out of the way of the delay effects. This is because distortion pedals can often muddy up the sound of delay pedals, especially if they are placed before them in the signal chain.
- Placing delay after distortion allows you to have more control over the overall sound of your delay effects. For example, you can use the amp’s preamp gain and EQ to shape the sound of your distortion pedals, and then use the delay pedal after the amp to add modulation and delay effects without affecting the overall gain or EQ of your sound.
Which is the best option?
The best way to decide whether to put your delay pedal before or after the distortion is to experiment with both and see what sounds best to you. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best option for you will depend on your individual preferences and the type of music you play.
Here are some general recommendations:
- If you want to interact with the delay effects more directly, you may want to put your delay pedal before the distortion.
- If you want a more organic sound, you may want to put your delay pedal before the distortion.
- If you use a lot of distortion pedals, you may want to put your delay pedal after the distortion.
- If you want more control over the overall sound of your delay effects, you may want to put your delay pedal after the distortion.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to experiment with both and see what sounds best to you.
I hope this article helps you decide which option is best for you.
Here are some additional things to consider when deciding where to put your delay pedal:
- The type of delay pedal you have. Some delay pedals have their own preamp, which can boost your signal and give you a brighter sound. If you have a delay pedal with a preamp, you may want to put it before the distortion to take advantage of this feature.
- The type of amp you have. Some amps have a built-in delay effect. If your amp has a built-in delay effect, you may not need to use a separate delay pedal.
- The type of music you play. If you play a lot of clean guitar, you may want to put your delay pedal before the distortion to get a more organic sound. If you play a lot of distorted guitar, you may want to put your delay pedal after the distortion to keep your distortion pedals out of the way of the delay effects.
Experimentation is the best way to decide where to put your delay pedal. Try both placement options and see what sounds best to you.
