Chain order

The sequence in which pedals are connected, which changes the result as much as the pedals themselves do.

Two principles govern most decisions. Pedals that react to input level, such as wah, filters and compressors, belong early so they see the guitar's own dynamics; pedals that add dirt are placed after the filters and before modulation and delay, since a delay fed into distortion turns into noise. Volume and tuner pedals usually go first, a boost or overdrive next, then modulation, then delay and reverb, with a looper last. There is no rule that cannot be broken on purpose.

Example: moving a fuzz pedal from after the wah to directly in front of it changes it from a smooth, sustained sound to a sputtering, gated one.

Chain order

See also