5 replies to this topic

[BakesaleE]

Is there any difference when comparing plugging your guitar into a pedal or two, then having that lead into the amp?

[superfuzz]

an arguement could be said about signal strenght into the amp, but if its a valve amp you could use it to make a pedal driv eit. most fx loops make the pedals sound a bit worse, but my fx loop isnt that god. if its a valve effects loop it could aid wonders.

[Spitfire]

Good question. I've always found you have more control by notusing the fx loop. However on the new AC30s you can switch the fx loop to operate at +4dB so you can patch into studio equipment. My other amps don't have this. I've been experimenting with patching ProTools plugins and 'Reason' into the amp which is pretty mind blowing.

[jellybelly]

Basically its supposed to maintain your signal strength (only gain and wah wah pedals go straight in) and put all your modulation pedals after the gain stage in your amp (just like you wouldnt put a distortion after a delay or somthing). Its not a big deal, using it does make your pedals sound a bit more...rubbish (for lack of a better word) and requires loads more leads and crap like that. Its not a big deal, I wouldnt say anyone was in desperate need of one.

[Dunxy]

Effects loop bassicly tap into the signal path at least after the 1st or 2 gain stages sometimes after the entire pre-amp.The main idea is that you don't distort and degrade whatever effect you may wish to use in the amps first couple of gain stages which are normally the hottest, this is great for stuff like reverb,delay and wah etc because you dont end up distorting the effect if you have an amp with a high gain front end as well as not excessivly ampflying any white noise all pedals create.

That being said not all effects loops are usefull, all the ones i have tried on budget amps are next to useless, but the fully controllable from series to paralell, tube driven effects loop on my top notch amp is very handy indeed. much better results when using delays,flanger,reverb,trem or wah that plugging straight into the front end.

[jellybelly]

Fair comment...but dont choose an amp based on it. if its got a good one then use it, if not then plug in the front.

Effects loop bassicly tap into the signal path at least after the 1st or 2 gain stages sometimes after the entire pre-amp.The main idea is that you don't distort and degrade whatever effect you may wish to use in the amps first couple of gain stages which are normally the hottest, this is great for stuff like reverb,delay and wah etc because you dont end up distorting the effect if you have an amp with a high gain front end as well as not excessivly ampflying any white noise all pedals create.

That being said not all effects loops are usefull, all the ones i have tried on budget amps are next to useless, but the fully controllable from series to paralell, tube driven effects loop on my top notch amp is very handy indeed. much better results when using delays,flanger,reverb,trem or wah that plugging straight into the front end.