FX chain for any sound as standard

[matthewisgrand]

What are a few decent FX chains for standard GM instruments
Please state in a generic way
Such as reverb as apposed to brand name

[BertKoor]

None. Depends on taste and use case at hands. Paintings by numbers don't look too nice.

It actually works like this: hmmm, it would be nice if we put a compressor /delay / reverb / flanger / phaser / bitcrusher on that track.

So picking effects is a creative process.
Except maybe for EQ. It's always handy to shape instruments tones with a basic parametric EQ.

[matthewisgrand]

Ah ok fair dues
Some people on about putting compression - distorion/amp - eq - modulation - delay - reverb and back to compression as one

[BertKoor]

Such things are all about artistic choices. Do you want to distort the reverb, or reverberate the distorted sound?

[Ah_Dziz]

Since you were referring to GM sounds and those cover a pretty standard array of specific sounds, I would say a compressor and an eq are always nice to have for covering your tonal options. You can go further than that if you're going for a specific sound , but those two are pretty useful in very many cases. Are you using a specific GM bank?

[thermal]

Reverb and delay are always good to have at the ready. My Logic template has a reverb on send 1 and different delays on sends 2 (stereo delay) and 3 (tape delay). Often end up with many more fx chains, but I know I’ll always need a verb and a couple echo fx.

Compression is perhaps the hardest type of processor to wrap your head around. Took me years. Might want to wait with that for now (or try some presets and only move the threshold and output gain controls). Play with the fun stuff instead: reverbs, delays, chorus, flangers, phasers, maybe even a cheeky ring modulator or frequency shifter.

Distortion/overdrive is also fun, just be aware that it helps a tonne to have an equaliser both in front of and after the distortion. The first (pre) EQ to get the desired distortion character (EQing out bass will make a big difference, for instance, as it will push the midrange forwards) and the second (post) EQ to smooth out any imbalances such as harshness or bass mud caused by the distortion. The chain EQ-Dist-EQ gives radical tone shaping options.

Distortion also gives modulation fx more harmonics to chew on - try a chorus, flanger or phaser after the distortion plugin...or a resonant filter! Yum yum.

[imrae]

GM instruments usually sound pretty compressed and equalised out-of-the-box, so I wouldn't even agree that those are necessarily useful.

General mixing reverbs should be on busses, so it doesn't make sense to put them into a channel template.

Modulation, distortion fall more heavily on the "creative" side than general mix tools. You're never going to want the same chorus effect on every track.