Chorus Before or After Delay: What's the Best Setup?

Music Production
1

Seeking Advice on the Best Effects Chain

I’ve been experimenting with some effects in my recordings, and I’m particularly curious about the placement of chorus and delay in the signal chain. From what I understand, both effects can add a lot of depth and texture to music, but I’m not exactly sure how their order can affect the overall sound.

Here’s what I’m considering:

  • Chorus before delay: I’ve heard some producers say that placing the chorus before the delay gives a more animated sound, as the modulation of the chorus might create interesting echoes when hitting the delay afterward. It could really add a lush, sweeping quality to the tail of the notes.
  • Chorus after delay: On the other hand, if I place the chorus after the delay, it might enhance the spatial feel even more by modulating the echoes themselves. This seems like it could create a thicker, more immersive sound.

Questions I have:

  1. Sound Characteristics: How does the order really change the tonal characteristics? Does anyone have examples of how it’s affected their recordings?
  2. Live Performance: For those who perform live, have you found one way works better than the other? I want to avoid any unexpected feedback or muddy sounds on stage.
  3. Personal Preferences: In terms of genres, does one configuration work better than the other for specific styles?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or any technical insights you might have about this topic. Thanks in advance for your help!

2

I’ve been experimenting with different setups, and I’ve found that placing the chorus before the delay creates a more spacious sound. The chorus thickens the signal, and the delay adds depth. What do you all think?

3

That’s interesting! I always thought delay should go first to capture the full tone of the instrument. Isn’t there a risk of losing clarity with the chorus first?

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4

In terms of signal processing, it’s key to remember that the order can drastically change the sound. Chorus before delay gives a modulated repeat, while delay first provides more clarity to the echoes!

5

Exactly! I feel the tonal character changes with the order. Maybe it also depends on the style of music we play?

6

Great point, brittanyvaldez! For ambient music, a chorus before delay seems to work wonders. But for rock, I lean towards using delay first for that punchy sound. What genres do you all play?

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7

I play a mix, but I’ve experienced both setups. Honestly, it’s a matter of personal preference. Support your choice with some trial and error to find what best suits your sound!

8

Totally! Testing different orders can be fun. Just be mindful of how the chorus might distort the delay effects when placed first.

9

That makes sense! But isn’t the distortion part of the charm? Sometimes imperfections can create unique sounds!

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10

It sure can! But if you’re chasing a more polished effect, clear up the signal chain first. It’s all about the desired sound. Anyone else have tips on this?

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11

What about using both setups in different tracks? It’d be cool to see how they compliment each other based on the arrangement.

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12

Great idea! Mixing it up can definitely keep things fresh. Just be careful to not overcomplicate the sound.

13

I once used chorus and delay on a track but felt it got too muddy. Sometimes less is more; have you all noticed that effect?

14

Absolutely! Finding that perfect balance can be tricky. It’s easy to overload a mix. A good practice is to remove one effect and see what happens!

15

Exactly! It’s like cooking—seasoning too much can ruin the dish! Sometimes I think about effects in that way.

16

I’ve always found that placing chorus before the delay gives a more lush sound. The chorus thickens up the signal before it hits the delay, creating a nice depth. Has anyone else experienced this?

17

That’s interesting! I usually put my delay before the chorus. It feels like it adds a bit more complexity to the sound. What do you think about that approach?

18

I think it really depends on the type of music you’re producing. For a more ambient sound, I’d lean towards your setup, yreed. But for something upbeat, like a pop track, the delay before chorus can really add a punch.

2 Likes
19

I usually experiment with both setups. Sometimes starting with delay creates an interesting echo effect which can be fun, especially for guitar tracks. Has anyone tried using a multipurpose pedal for both effects?

20

Yes! I’ve used a multi-effect pedal before. It can be tricky getting the right sound, but it’s a great way to explore creative options without buying tons of gear.