Delay in front of an amp?
- Thread starter YJM_Rocks
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75lespaul
New member
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
There was a loooong thread about this a few months ago. Everyone seemed to agree that a delay does sound best through the loop, but delays have been used for many years before loops so yeah, they work. I've found that when playing alone, you may not like the sound but when playing in a band setting it sounds fine. Now that's just MY opinion, but one I've found to be true to my ears. None of the amps that I use with a "band" have loops but the delay sounds great anyway.
There was a loooong thread about this a few months ago. Everyone seemed to agree that a delay does sound best through the loop, but delays have been used for many years before loops so yeah, they work. I've found that when playing alone, you may not like the sound but when playing in a band setting it sounds fine. Now that's just MY opinion, but one I've found to be true to my ears. None of the amps that I use with a "band" have loops but the delay sounds great anyway.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
I prefer it throught the loop, but both my amps are high gain. It does a lot better into cleanish amp with a pedal before it for dirt. Even a TS, Delay, Amp is better than running it into a full bore gain monster. Also, I find delays with softer 'analog' style repeats do better in front of an amp too.
The other thing is, depending on your style, you may want delay into a distorting amp (shoegaze, ambient, noise rock/pop, etc.)
The argument that delay was around before loops is true but not true. Didn't digital delay come about around the same time as high gain and effects loops? So if you're running an echoplex into a Plexi, that's vintage correct, but running a DD-6 into the input of a Rectifier or 5150, is obviously not the same thing. Not to mention, in the early days of delay, how much was added at the board (same sound effectively as in the loop) so you don't get the smearing sound?
Finally regarding reverb, I believe any pedal will sound bad into a distorting amp. Turn it on for cleans, then switch to delay for gain sounds.
Just my thoughts and experiences, others will disagree. Find what works for you.
I prefer it throught the loop, but both my amps are high gain. It does a lot better into cleanish amp with a pedal before it for dirt. Even a TS, Delay, Amp is better than running it into a full bore gain monster. Also, I find delays with softer 'analog' style repeats do better in front of an amp too.
The other thing is, depending on your style, you may want delay into a distorting amp (shoegaze, ambient, noise rock/pop, etc.)
The argument that delay was around before loops is true but not true. Didn't digital delay come about around the same time as high gain and effects loops? So if you're running an echoplex into a Plexi, that's vintage correct, but running a DD-6 into the input of a Rectifier or 5150, is obviously not the same thing. Not to mention, in the early days of delay, how much was added at the board (same sound effectively as in the loop) so you don't get the smearing sound?
Finally regarding reverb, I believe any pedal will sound bad into a distorting amp. Turn it on for cleans, then switch to delay for gain sounds.
Just my thoughts and experiences, others will disagree. Find what works for you.
Bludave
New member
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
The challange with Delay in front is getting the Delay to match the natural decay of the notes. If you don't it clips the note off before the dealy is done repaeting it and it makes it sound unnatural. Putting it in the loop is better and easier to control it. I have 3 amps that do not have a loop and you can get a good sound,but the amp that I have a loop with the delay sounds more natural then in the others.
The challange with Delay in front is getting the Delay to match the natural decay of the notes. If you don't it clips the note off before the dealy is done repaeting it and it makes it sound unnatural. Putting it in the loop is better and easier to control it. I have 3 amps that do not have a loop and you can get a good sound,but the amp that I have a loop with the delay sounds more natural then in the others.
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
i prefer them in the front
i prefer them in the front
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
You can use a delay in front of an amp. You'll probably find that you need to set the level of the delays lower than you would if it was in the loop. I find something that simulates a tape echo (or a real tape echo of course!) works best, as the delays "soften" with each repeat. I use the tape echo setting of my Line 6 Echo Park in front of my JMP combo and it sounds great.
You can use a delay in front of an amp. You'll probably find that you need to set the level of the delays lower than you would if it was in the loop. I find something that simulates a tape echo (or a real tape echo of course!) works best, as the delays "soften" with each repeat. I use the tape echo setting of my Line 6 Echo Park in front of my JMP combo and it sounds great.
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
It largely can depend on the model of the delay
An EHX memory man for example I've always thought sounded better into the amp. Its a bit of a dirty effect and doesn't sound good in the loop
On the other hand a very transparent delay can sound amazing in the loop.
It really depends on how your going about using your effects. Are you trying to use the effect as part of your tone, or are you trying to use the effect in a manner of post modultion such as an effet added at the board.
Neither is right or wrong, just different
It largely can depend on the model of the delay
An EHX memory man for example I've always thought sounded better into the amp. Its a bit of a dirty effect and doesn't sound good in the loop
On the other hand a very transparent delay can sound amazing in the loop.
It really depends on how your going about using your effects. Are you trying to use the effect as part of your tone, or are you trying to use the effect in a manner of post modultion such as an effet added at the board.
Neither is right or wrong, just different
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
good way to put it, mill
i just always thought it sounded more natural in front of the amp
in the loop it sounds like you're trying to overproduce yourself, IMO, instead of trying to simulate what a natural delay would sound like, much like when you crank a halfstack outside & hear the echo
good way to put it, mill
i just always thought it sounded more natural in front of the amp
in the loop it sounds like you're trying to overproduce yourself, IMO, instead of trying to simulate what a natural delay would sound like, much like when you crank a halfstack outside & hear the echo
Re: Delay in front of an amp?
Additionally, theres a lot of great amps out there that don't have effects loops either and lots of players have had no trouble running right into the amp with all their effects.
I've got loops on some of mine, sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't. I'm perhaps a bit lazy but I find it a lot of extra hassle wiring up a pedal board to have some effects into the amp and others into a loop. just more cable and more things to go wrong.
Really the only way to get the "right" answer is to try it both ways, assuming you've got a loop, and trust your ears.
I know guys for example that run a reverb pedal in the MIDDLE of their chain and I know guys who only will play their amps dry and add reverb at the SOUNDBOARD and they both sound really really good.
Different of course, but still good
Additionally, theres a lot of great amps out there that don't have effects loops either and lots of players have had no trouble running right into the amp with all their effects.
I've got loops on some of mine, sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't. I'm perhaps a bit lazy but I find it a lot of extra hassle wiring up a pedal board to have some effects into the amp and others into a loop. just more cable and more things to go wrong.
Really the only way to get the "right" answer is to try it both ways, assuming you've got a loop, and trust your ears.
I know guys for example that run a reverb pedal in the MIDDLE of their chain and I know guys who only will play their amps dry and add reverb at the SOUNDBOARD and they both sound really really good.
Different of course, but still good
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