I am going in raw

[Seashore]

That’s because those don’t work well in the loop. Well, a clean boost would for a kick in volume for leads but the effects loop sits between the preamp and power amp so better suited for modulation and time based effects.

Yes. Thanks. I tried anyway. I thought maybe some kind of light distortion could work as an extra gain stage, or the right combination of compression and EQ in the loop could get the smooth sustain I was looking for. Got close but it was never good enough. Whereas any decent tube screamer or even an EQ pedal with a little high mid boost in front gives me exactly what I need, but then I also need to turn on the delay, which I'm not doing live while I'm doing vocals, which is why after hemming and hawing about it I got an HX Effects a few years ago, and now I can do everything in 4CM with one footswitch at a time. It's fine. The difference is really subtle. But every time I plug straight into the amp, everything feels better, and I remember what I'm giving up on the compromise.

[Securb]

If I could get around needing a noise gate, and a boost or OD in front for lead parts, I would be way happier straight in. I've just never found a good lead sound putting any kind of boost, od, or compression in the loop.

The Carvin has a built-in boost I have been using the past few weeks

[Seashore]

The Carvin has a built-in boost I have been using the past few weeks

The VHT has a great tube boost stage as well, I just always leave it on because I love the way it sounds. When I get to crank up I actually don't need it, especially with two guitars. I usually play and record quietly at home, but maybe the solution is just to record with a cranked amp and use the boost for leads, like Fryette intended. Really make friends with the neighbors.

[ehdwuld]

my Carvin has a Diode based lead channel called "SOAK"
its like having a built in DS-1
as that is exactly what it sounds like

my H&K Tubemeister
has a lead channel and a boost
boosted clean is just what you think it is
the lead channel sounds like the clean with a DS1
the lead with the boost sounds like the MT2

[Seashore]

This thread inspired me to mess around more with the loop on the VHT and see if I could finagle something into a lead channel entirely in the loop using the HX Effects, rather than hitting the front with a drive. I'm still tweaking but there are a couple of dirt pedal models that are full-range enough to actually use. Right now the loop is gate > parametric EQ cutting a little high end and boosting mids around 600Hz > Alpaca Rouge (Red Llama overdrive model) > delay, and I have the EQ, OD, and delay all on one switch, so it's an on/off lead effect that sounds great through either the dirty or clean channel of the amp. Teemah (Timmy model) also sounded good. This way, I can enjoy the extra definition and nuance of plugging straight into the amp without giving up a sound I use a lot. I'm back to going in raw.

[ehdwuld]

Seems like mt2 in the loop would work

Alternative preamp

[DankStar]

Did you post any mixes from the studio sesh?

[Securb]

Did you post any mixes from the studio sesh?

Yes I posted the first mix in this thread

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-sound-room-off-topic/6269286-all-packed-up-and-ready-to-go-for-the-recording-studio-tomorrow?p=6283757#post6283757

[NotDemanic]

About the only thing that I would add would be a compressor in front, not the loop. I find that I like the sound of true singles through a compressor just a bit better than straight in.
That Carvin will get the job done. What are you going to be using for a cab? Or will you go direct into the board?

[Securb]

About the only thing that I would add would be a compressor in front, not the loop. I find that I like the sound of true singles through a compressor just a bit better than straight in.
That Carvin will get the job done. What are you going to be using for a cab? Or will you go direct into the board?

No Carvin in the studio. The AC30, JCM 2000, and a clean signal before the guitar the board for reampping if needed.