compressor: mono or stereo

[blackmusic]

Hi. I'm thinking of buying a compressor for my rack (I play guitar) but I am not sure if I should go for a mono one or a stereo one. If I did have a mono one, It would at the beginning of my setup. If I had a stereo one, it would be at the end. Thing is I have never put a compressor at the end of an effects chain (this would go right before the noise reduction, which is right before the power amp). Reason for wondering for wondering about this is $150. How would it sound at the end? Would it sound pretty much the same like at the beginning of the effects chain? I'm assuming not. What can you guys tell me?

~thanks

 

[TexRoadkill]

The main difference will be if you put it at the beginning you will only compress the dry guitar signal. This will give you that santana sustain and creamy smooth distortion.

If you add it after the other effects you will be compressing everything as more of a dynamics control over the entire sound so bad notes dont jump out and your feedback and delays dont jump out at you if you get a little too agressive on a few notes.

Both are viable methods but will give you different results.