Effects Loop..

StephenG

ok, so i am sure this is a really really stupid question..

but what is the difference/ purpose of the effcts loops in and out ports on an amp - compared to putting your effects pedal in-line on the way to the main guitar in port ??

when do you use the efects loop, and what really goes there?

cheers

AlanRatcliffe

It's not a stupid question - but it is a common one. ?

The effects loop lets you put effects in between the preamp and power amp of a guitar amplifier. Most distortion in an amp comes from the preamp, so think of the preamp as another (bigger) overdrive pedal. Any effects you would usually put after distortion (delay, reverb, pitch and some modulation) work best in the FX loop.

One thing to be careful of is level - unless specially designed to work at instrument (pedal/-20dB) levels, an effects loop is usually line level (+4dB, or over 100 x the power). Many stomp boxes will fry at these levels...

StephenG

thanks Alan - so a blues driver is best used inline and not in the loop then ?

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah, any kind of drive or distortion is best used up front of the preamp rather than in the loop.

BluJu

Should I put my loop pedal in the fx loop?

AlanRatcliffe

Usually, yes - it's a time-based pedal (basically a fancy delay ?). Especially if you use drive...

21Fretter

How do you when a pedal can be used in the fx loop. Will the specs say, "usable in FX Loop" or something?

AlanRatcliffe

Usually they will mention it - especially on those pedals that have a switchable in/out level like the Eventides, but if not, the specs should say what the nominal input levels are (+4 dB is what you want).

It's also worth noting that many newer amps have lower (or switchable) level loops themselves, specifically so they can run instrument level effects.

makepeace

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: It's not a stupid question - but it is a common one. ?

The effects loop lets you put effects in between the preamp and power amp of a guitar amplifier. Most distortion in an amp comes from the preamp, so think of the preamp as another (bigger) overdrive pedal. Any effects you would usually put after distortion (delay, reverb, pitch and some modulation) work best in the FX loop.

One thing to be careful of is level - unless specially designed to work at instrument (pedal/-20dB) levels, an effects loop is usually line level (+4dB, or over 100 x the power). Many stomp boxes will fry at these levels...

Will the effects of using modulation effects without an effects loop be dramatic?

AlanRatcliffe

Clean sounds there is only a relatively subtle difference, but when there is preamp distortion, the modulation effect usually becomes a lot more dramatic in the loop than in front of the amp because the distortion adds a more frequencies for the modulation to play with. This is more true with those types of modulation that have an effect on the frequency spectrum (Phasers, Flangers, vibrato, chorus) than those that affect volume (tremolo, pan).

However, which sounds "best" is down to the individual effect and your taste.