Pedals that stack with the Strymon PCH-1

clean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (high headroom → high gain)

The high headroom tone has headroom to spare — Airis Effects SPEC-Defier leans it toward high gain to fill it in

clean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (high headroom → low gain)

Into a high headroom tone, Origin Effects DCX Boost brings a pull toward low gain that's missing

Comes earlier in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Put Boss BF-2 Flanger after Strymon PCH-1 in the signal chain, clear of Strymon PCH-1's own gain stage

Comes earlier in the signal chain

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.

Strymon PCH-1 leans toward high headroom, and that's a real, usable character to pair with

Comes earlier in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo's pristine voice goes after Strymon PCH-1 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Strymon PCH-1's own high headroom character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Keep Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay after Strymon PCH-1 in the signal chain, clear of Strymon PCH-1's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain