Bogner Shiva FX Loop Q: +4, or -10 special cable...

[RockStarNick]

Hey guys.

Here's my current rig: Bogner 02 Shiva EL34, Boss DD20 in the loop. (***This is the older Bogner Shiva where you gotta use that homeade special effect loop cable, with some resitors soldered in, to knock down the FX send level so that effects units can handle it, then run it back into the amp where it boosts it back up...)

OK. So I tried running my Boss DigiDelay DD20 thru the Shiva FX loop WITHOUT using any special cables, and i dunno...it just sounds kinda funky to me. Something is getting clipped in a weird way. Trebles are getting lost, things sounding dull, etc.

So, I'm gonna go with the lesser of two evils: the Shiva FX Loop cable, with some resistors soldered in.

Now, you can make the cable for Pedal level units, or for Rack level units. (-10, and +4, respectively).

Being that the boss DD20 can handle BOTH of those settings, has anyone had any experience with BOTH types of effects loop cables?

What would sound better:

Shiva "-10" FX Loop cable, DD20 set to -10 Pedal Level
Shiva "+4" FX Loop cable, DD20 set to +4 Rack Level

You could very well tell me it's 6 of one, hald a dozen of the other, but I'm thinking that if the +4 FX Loop cable knocks it down less to begin with, then maybe there is less overall tone loss? True, or not true?

ANY help would be greatly appreciated, as my pedalboard is currently in shambles.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Bogner Shiva FX Loop Q: +4, or -10 special cable...

Depends...

Which are you gonna stick in the FX loop more often?

Rack junk or stompboxes?

Stompboxes will FREAK at +4... I've even fried some boxes... dead.

Rack units can almost always swing around at the cost of (maybe) some noise...

If it were me, I'd go +4 and use the fx loop for rack stuff...

I always dig pedals more in-front of the amp anyway... they don't sound 'right' through loops... flangers & whatnot.

 

[Tor]

Re: Bogner Shiva FX Loop Q: +4, or -10 special cable...

Have no idea about the cables... I have my DD-20 in my effects loop of the Mesa F-50, which is supposed to be at line level. I setup the DD-20 with -10, although I have tried +4. Problem was it was really noisy when doing so..

Yeah, this is probably little or no use to you, but I thought I should just throw it in in case...

 

[RockStarNick]

Re: Bogner Shiva FX Loop Q: +4, or -10 special cable...

Hey moose, long time no talk. hows it hangin?

Hey, don't get me wrong... I'm not actually *using* rack gear...just setting my boss DD20 pedal to "rack" level, at +4.

I'm almost too lazy to carry an amp. there's no way I'd have the energy to carry a rack unit to a gig. hahaha.

I guess I'll try to make both of these crazy cables and see which one sounds better. Interesting tidbit about the +4 setting on the DD20 being noisier. I'll have to listen for that.

Thanks guys.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Bogner Shiva FX Loop Q: +4, or -10 special cable...

This is a modded Shiva FX Cable diagram that I made up for folks. Any normal stompboxes work exceptionally well in the FX loop of the Shiva with these values.

Put simple, the amp runs too hot with the FX Loop and you'll get a muddy, loud, distorted tone without the proper cable.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Bogner Shiva FX Loop Q: +4, or -10 special cable...

I use a Boss CE2, a DD3, and a TS9 with my Shiva. I run them straight in. The only time it has become a problem is if I use the Drive channel on the Shiva. If I use the Clean channel and kick in the TS9 it sounds fine, If I sue the Drive channel, it gets some weird Clipping issues. Its like the delay is interrupting the signal of the Decay of the notes, so currently I am not using Delay in the Drive channel. A good friend of mine is making the cable for me. I should have it this weekend. I had him make the standard one for stopm boxes, seeing I would never cionsider using rack systems this should be fine.