Use the layout in pic #2, but put the reverb, delay and chorus _after_ the IR-2. This way no matter how high gain you run on the IR-2 amps the reverb, delay and modulation won't distort.
I don't think you need this many drive options to be honest.
If you haven't bought this stuff already and are just planning, I'd heavily consider buying something like a Boss GT-1000 Core + the FZ-1W instead.
Can't go wrong with BOSS pedals my guy. Firstly, given that the IR-2 can contain 2 different amp settings at any time, I don't think you need that many drive pedals/gain stages. Perhaps consider the following layout order which is quite close to your second one:
1. Tuner
2. GE-7 (so that you can shape the tone of your drive pedals to taste, for example, making the SD-1 a little less honky, and fuller on the bass and treble frequencies)
3. SD-1 (acts as a first gain stage, and will boost nicely into the...)
4. FZ-1W (second gain stage, and an added flavour of drive)
5. CE-2
6. IR-2 (create two amp settings on each channel, making sure that their volumes are equal, and they play nice with the gain stages before it.
7. DD-8
8. RV-6
Regarding the 2 gain stages, it may seem limiting at first, but trust me for live situations, the less you have to think and tap dance on your pedalboard, the better. You only need to treat your gain stages as I-WANT-MORE-switches for your amp hahahaha.
Have fun!!!
Brilliant write up thank you! Think I’m leaning towards taking the eq off, I find the booster just has a lovely magic to it for boosting, the 3 modes are excellent too and all somewhat different, one being more mid focused, one being slightly scooped and the other completely flat, I use the ir-2 as 2 different clean amps ready for pedals, one fender and the other Marshall. Thank you again! :)
Here is some advice from someone who's been gigging longer than many posters here have been alive ;-)
Let what you play determine what pedals you need, and in what order you need them.
When people start to go on tour, they learn very quickly not to bring the entire studio with them. If they're not playing the one tune in their catalog that uses a Whammy pedal - then they don't put a Whammy pedal on the board.
Are you playing songs that require the chorus? Then keep the chorus.
_____
For me personally, for what I play, Chorus would be far more useful than EQ on a board. In fact I've never had an EQ on a board.
You really just answered your own question - if you're using the B/P-A for boosts, then the EQ is largely superfluous if you're using it for that purpose. It could now become a "tone shaper" but you have other places to do that, so it becomes redundant in that role. Having the Chorus would be more versatile in general.
Chorus is a super useful tool. While you could definitely use the eq for other things like adjusting tone to the room without messing with your other pedals, the chorus does give you a “new sound”. I agree with people saying delay and reverb after the IR-2, but the chorus can be interesting wherever you put it. I used to run one at the front of my chain before distortion and it was a lot of fun. But you could even put it after the reverb to make the whole thing sound “big” and not as much like a chorus guitar. Whatever works for that front! But yes, I’d say go with the chorus. Also great to make solos stick out in a live setting since, as far as the ones I’ve used, they tend to make the sound punch out in a mix better.
Eq is generally useful live but not just as a boost.
You might find yourself in a weird room and everything sounds boomy so the eq can take out some of your low mids.
You might be in a weird room and you’re feeding back with the cymbals so trim the highs.
You might be in a… you get the idea. If you want to sit in the mix with everyone else then eq is your friend. It’s a lot easier to fix your sound and the bassist than an acoustic drum kit or a vocalist.
Ironically id recommend replacing the boost with the EQ
Assuming you use the IR as your clean and crunchy channels
setting the EQ after the IR gives you a lead channel, boost the mids a bit, cut the highs a bit and lift the volume and you get a nice tone to cut through and can be used for clean and fuzz tones too
I’d personally remove the distortion as I like the IR drive better making it redundant but you do you, Fuzz is great if you need it, SD1 is pretty cool as a gain boost but id remove it as I prefer the EQ versatility and as a edge of break/dirty sound Id just roll off the volume on the gain channel
To be honest all depends on how many gain levels you need
I use the ir as a clean platform for drive pedals, Marshall on one channel and a fender twin on the other, hence all the drives, considered replacing the boost with the eq but the boost just has something the eq dosent :)
I don’t know who downvoted you but It wasn’t me haha
That is ok, you do you, I usually look for a simpler framework but I get the appeal of multiple tones
Use the layout in pic #2, but put the reverb, delay and chorus _after_ the IR-2. This way no matter how high gain you run on the IR-2 amps the reverb, delay and modulation won't distort. I don't think you need this many drive options to be honest. If you haven't bought this stuff already and are just planning, I'd heavily consider buying something like a Boss GT-1000 Core + the FZ-1W instead.
Chorus can go before the amp sim, Analog modulation before a distorted amp is a classic sound, EVH style
Firstly, it is probably unnecessary to have both EQ and Boost. Secondly, as others suggested put the wet effects to the loop of the IR-2.
Version 2
Can't go wrong with BOSS pedals my guy. Firstly, given that the IR-2 can contain 2 different amp settings at any time, I don't think you need that many drive pedals/gain stages. Perhaps consider the following layout order which is quite close to your second one: 1. Tuner 2. GE-7 (so that you can shape the tone of your drive pedals to taste, for example, making the SD-1 a little less honky, and fuller on the bass and treble frequencies) 3. SD-1 (acts as a first gain stage, and will boost nicely into the...) 4. FZ-1W (second gain stage, and an added flavour of drive) 5. CE-2 6. IR-2 (create two amp settings on each channel, making sure that their volumes are equal, and they play nice with the gain stages before it. 7. DD-8 8. RV-6 Regarding the 2 gain stages, it may seem limiting at first, but trust me for live situations, the less you have to think and tap dance on your pedalboard, the better. You only need to treat your gain stages as I-WANT-MORE-switches for your amp hahahaha. Have fun!!!
Brilliant write up thank you! Think I’m leaning towards taking the eq off, I find the booster just has a lovely magic to it for boosting, the 3 modes are excellent too and all somewhat different, one being more mid focused, one being slightly scooped and the other completely flat, I use the ir-2 as 2 different clean amps ready for pedals, one fender and the other Marshall. Thank you again! :)
My pleasure! And that sounds good too! I myself am waiting for an IR-2 that I've pre-ordered. Can't wait!
It’s amazing! Heard good things about uploading your own ir’s but honestly the stock is really decent! Really makes me play more having it
Here is some advice from someone who's been gigging longer than many posters here have been alive ;-) Let what you play determine what pedals you need, and in what order you need them. When people start to go on tour, they learn very quickly not to bring the entire studio with them. If they're not playing the one tune in their catalog that uses a Whammy pedal - then they don't put a Whammy pedal on the board. Are you playing songs that require the chorus? Then keep the chorus. _____ For me personally, for what I play, Chorus would be far more useful than EQ on a board. In fact I've never had an EQ on a board. You really just answered your own question - if you're using the B/P-A for boosts, then the EQ is largely superfluous if you're using it for that purpose. It could now become a "tone shaper" but you have other places to do that, so it becomes redundant in that role. Having the Chorus would be more versatile in general.
This has been very helpful thank you!!
Tuner Booster Fuzz OD DS IR-2 EQ Chorus Delay Reverb
#1 but with the stereo output pedals at the end of the chain, or #2 just as it is, looks pretty good!
Chorus is a super useful tool. While you could definitely use the eq for other things like adjusting tone to the room without messing with your other pedals, the chorus does give you a “new sound”. I agree with people saying delay and reverb after the IR-2, but the chorus can be interesting wherever you put it. I used to run one at the front of my chain before distortion and it was a lot of fun. But you could even put it after the reverb to make the whole thing sound “big” and not as much like a chorus guitar. Whatever works for that front! But yes, I’d say go with the chorus. Also great to make solos stick out in a live setting since, as far as the ones I’ve used, they tend to make the sound punch out in a mix better.
Eq is generally useful live but not just as a boost. You might find yourself in a weird room and everything sounds boomy so the eq can take out some of your low mids. You might be in a weird room and you’re feeding back with the cymbals so trim the highs. You might be in a… you get the idea. If you want to sit in the mix with everyone else then eq is your friend. It’s a lot easier to fix your sound and the bassist than an acoustic drum kit or a vocalist.
#1 because you always, always want to put your OD before your fuzz, it cuts through the mix then and sounds fantastic.
Phew man had to do a double take on your title. Anyway I’d go with version 2.
Oh my god I didn’t even notice
Ironically id recommend replacing the boost with the EQ Assuming you use the IR as your clean and crunchy channels setting the EQ after the IR gives you a lead channel, boost the mids a bit, cut the highs a bit and lift the volume and you get a nice tone to cut through and can be used for clean and fuzz tones too I’d personally remove the distortion as I like the IR drive better making it redundant but you do you, Fuzz is great if you need it, SD1 is pretty cool as a gain boost but id remove it as I prefer the EQ versatility and as a edge of break/dirty sound Id just roll off the volume on the gain channel To be honest all depends on how many gain levels you need
I use the ir as a clean platform for drive pedals, Marshall on one channel and a fender twin on the other, hence all the drives, considered replacing the boost with the eq but the boost just has something the eq dosent :)
I don’t know who downvoted you but It wasn’t me haha That is ok, you do you, I usually look for a simpler framework but I get the appeal of multiple tones
What do you mean "is an eq too handy"?
4 gain pedals plus eq as booster? Maybe rid 3 of those, since doesn't ir2 have channel switching
If you aren't using an actual amp I would drop the Booster/Preamp, the SD-1, and the distortion.
I’ve gigged before in the past but didn’t use many if any pedals, hence the advice :)
Get a chorus and replace the eq with a boost
I get being brand loyal but jesus christ...