Home › Forums › Help/Technical Questions › Should I use my amp’s effects loop?

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • June 7, 2010 at 10:48 pm #80325
    scoffer11
    Member

    So there seems to be quite a mix of feelings in regards to FX loops. I was wondering if anyone has any input on this subject.

    I have a David Eden WT800 amp head that has two FX loops: one Mono Pre EQ and the other Stereo Post EQ. In the manual, it says use line level effects and that instrument level effects will be overloaded…

    Any input or help would be appreciated.

    June 8, 2010 at 2:05 am #102507
    Cryabetes
    Participant

    Here’s how I understand effects loops; there are some people who disagree with me on this but in general, this is how they work:

    Your amp has three sections: the Gain/Distortion section, the EQ section, and the Power Amp Section. Imagine it like a string of pedals- Guitar -> (Distortion)-> (EQ) -> (Power Amp) => Speaker Cab

    Effects loops are the input and output of the different sections.
    So for your particular amp it goes like this:

    guitar -> (Distortion) -> [Effects loop 1] -> (EQ) -> [effects loop 2] -> (Power Amp) => Speaker Cab

    And consequently, like most pedal lines, its order should be determined by your mind (no compressor in loop two unless you REALLY feel it’s necessary) and your ears (everything else).

    Also the ‘instrument level’ thing is referring to things like Germanium-transistor pedals- they need the high impedance load of a guitar signal driving them directly from the pickups, the 1K ohm load from the output of another pedal won’t cut it. A preamp (gain stage or eq-based [ie, from either one of the fx loop outs on yr amp]) is going to be the same kind of low impedance that a pedal outputs.

    Hope this helps explain it.

    Sam

    June 8, 2010 at 2:06 am #102357
    Cryabetes
    Participant

    Also what’s kind of neat about your amp is the ability to completely bypass your EQ section- run a patch from the out of FX loop 1 into the in of FX loop 2.

    June 8, 2010 at 3:16 pm #102320
    The Ghost of Sim Tut
    Member

    To answer the original question, you should tell us what pedals you’re using. Some will be good in the loop and others will not. I will say that distortion/fuzz never really sounds good in an fx loop, for reasons including those described by Cryabetes. So yeah, whaddaya got?

    June 8, 2010 at 8:05 pm #102247
    scoffer11
    Member
    Quote:
    To answer the original question, you should tell us what pedals you’re using. Some will be good in the loop and others will not. I will say that distortion/fuzz never really sounds good in an fx loop, for reasons including those described by Cryabetes. So yeah, whaddaya got?

    Yeah I should have given you the run down…

    EXH:
    Bass Big Muff Pi
    Enigma Q Balls
    Bassballs
    V256

    DigiTech:
    XBW Bass Synth Wah
    XBC Bass Multi Chorus
    XBD Bass Driver Overdrive
    Talker
    DigiDelay

    Dunlop:
    Crybaby 105Q Bass Wah

    DOD:
    FX91 Bass Overdrive
    FX72 Bass Stereo Flanger

    I rarely use a few of these pedals, however I figured I might as well give the “complete” rundown.

    I understand the concept of putting time-based pedals (chorus, flanger, delay…) at the end of the line. I also agree that distortion, overdrive, and fuzz pedals sound best straight in.

    Also understanding (and appreciating) the Pre/Post EQ FX Loop concept. So with all that said, what should go where?

    Thanks!

    June 8, 2010 at 8:10 pm #107956
    scoffer11
    Member
    Quote:
    Also the ‘instrument level’ thing is referring to things like Germanium-transistor pedals- they need the high impedance load of a guitar signal driving them directly from the pickups, the 1K ohm load from the output of another pedal won’t cut it. A preamp (gain stage or eq-based [ie, from either one of the fx loop outs on yr amp]) is going to be the same kind of low impedance that a pedal outputs.

    Hope this helps explain it.

    Sam

    Thanks a bunch, that makes total sense. Based on the pedal line up I just posted, I shouldn’t have any issues correct?

    June 8, 2010 at 8:26 pm #102646
    Cryabetes
    Participant

    yeah the only thing I’d look out for is don’t throw the Dtech XBW at the end of the line- the sensitivity control becomes a lot less predictable and there’s kind of a volume cut, especially after an overdrive/fuzz/distortion.
    I only know this because I have the same pedal. use mine on synth though.

    Also the FX91- that isn’t a FX91B/C? how’re you liking it?

    June 8, 2010 at 8:33 pm #102620
    scoffer11
    Member
    Quote:
    yeah the only thing I’d look out for is don’t throw the Dtech XBW at the end of the line- the sensitivity control becomes a lot less predictable and there’s kind of a volume cut, especially after an overdrive/fuzz/distortion.
    I only know this because I have the same pedal. use mine on synth though.

    Should I not use it the FX loop then?

    June 8, 2010 at 8:50 pm #102618
    scoffer11
    Member
    Quote:
    Also the FX91- that isn’t a FX91B/C? how’re you liking it?

    The FX91 is OK, I don’t really use it that much. It does have quite a “crunch” to it though, which has proven useful a couple of times. I think it was the first pedal bought… so it’s probably 10 years old. It sounds pretty sweet when used with the Dunlop 105Q in front of it.

    June 8, 2010 at 9:05 pm #102591
    Cryabetes
    Participant
    Quote:
    Quote:
    yeah the only thing I’d look out for is don’t throw the Dtech XBW at the end of the line- the sensitivity control becomes a lot less predictable and there’s kind of a volume cut, especially after an overdrive/fuzz/distortion.
    I only know this because I have the same pedal. use mine on synth though.

    Should I not use it the FX loop then?

    correct.

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.