How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

[Pierre]

The way I see it, the send allows you to use pedals before the preamp, so the effects of the pedal aren't distorted, or to use a Boost there, and the return bypasses the preamp. So how would you plug in the pedals? Output to send and input to return, and the guitar plugged in normally...? But wouldn't that bypass the preamp then, or does it do that only when there is nothing in the effects send?

[Kac]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

Take the cord from Send to your pedalboard input, then from the pedals output to the return on the loop.

The pedals will now be after the preamp.

If you plug your guitar into the regular amp input the preamp will still be working but the pedals will be after it, so they won't effect the preamp's sound.

[shredaholic]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

Effects loop are placed AFTER the amp's preamp, and before the phase inverter. That means you can put the pedals inbetween the preamp and phase inverter, in the signal path there. Even with the phase inverter on max distortion, my delay pedal sounds sweet and ambient unlike before the amp

[Pierre]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

So pedal's input to send, and outputs to return. Makes sense. You then get guitar -> preamp -> effects -> poweramp instead of guitar -> effects -> preamp -> poweramp. Cheers!

[shredaholic]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

So pedal's input to send, and outputs to return. Makes sense. You then get guitar -> preamp -> effects -> poweramp instead of guitar -> effects -> preamp -> poweramp. Cheers!

That's right, think of it in how the signal path travels, ie. send to pedals input, it gets processed through the pedal, then out of output into the return jack where the signal returns to the amp to go to the poweramp.

[Buckeyedog]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

usually drive/boost/distortion/wah pedals are used before the pre amp, then pedals like delay/chorus and EQ are used in the loop.

[DesertRose]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

So I see .. EQ can also be used in the FX loop.
I always thought it was only the delay, chorus and phaser

[Buckeyedog]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

Yes, the EQ in the loop will shape the tone and give you a volume boost if you wish. In front of the amp, it will just slam the pre amp harder giving you more gain/compression. Works great both ways.

[Jeroen]

Re: How to use an effects loop: Send and return...

You may find this article very helpful:

http://www.guitarnoise.com/article.php?id=227