Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

Corbic

New member
I know a lot of people use delay and modulation effects, but usually they use it into the effects loop of an amp. Now of course, I like some delay and a bit of modulation as much as the next guy on occasion, and was wondering how bad something like those Line 6 modeling pedals would sound going into the front of a NMV amp, set to the point of overdrive. I was watching my Led Zeppelin live DVD, and heard Jimmy Page had some kind of delay during Achilles Last Stand, and I guess that was in front of his giant Marshall, and it sounded amazing. I know some modulation sounds good in front of an amp and is used there usually, so this is mainly a question about the delays.

-Corbic
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

Delays and modulations can work well infront of a pushed amp, but they definately have a different sound than in the effects loop. The gain on the amp will tend to compress the effect and make it VERY noticible, so if you like subtle you may not want to try it. Delays can sound really cool infront of an amp, as long as you keep your gain down to a reasonable level (otherwise you just get a lot of repeating distorted mush)
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

Definitely. Gotta set them differently than through a loop, but the effects can sound outstanding. I only use pedal effects through the front of the amp anyway as I've got all old stuff that's non-master except for my Vetta and AD60VTX, and they don't need effects, lol.

I just use a Danelectro PB&J delay and coolcat chorus and play with the knobs until I get the sound I want. The PB&J is a little plastic pos, but it sounds just fine. It's about half the size of a baseball, and you sure don't want to stomp on it, but it gets nice delays for solos and some chording and power chords.
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

FWIW...I never use an FX loop. I don't currently own an amp with a loop but when I do i stil lnever use it...everything in the front!
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

the guy who invented fire said:
FWIW...I never use an FX loop. I don't currently own an amp with a loop but when I do i stil lnever use it...everything in the front!

Me too!! Loops have always been a bit quirky to me. I am a simple guitarist though... FWIW
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

I use them in the front- when I use them. None of my guitar amps have FX loops. I'm just used to the way they sound and like it. :)
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

Thanks everyone, you've gotten rid of my fears of bad sounding effects through the front of the amp :)
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

The only thing I can think of that really sounds bad in front of an overdriven amp is sometimes reverb. I prefer most effects after distortion.
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

Corbic said:
Thanks everyone, you've gotten rid of my fears of bad sounding effects through the front of the amp :)

Just my 2 cents but the only pedal i never use in front of the preamp is my DOD Delays.... for some reason the DOD sounds great in FXloops but infront of the amp there is POPing sound intime with the delay.... just a little Blip Blip Blip noise that speeds up and slows down with the delay speed... Cheap a$$ components i guess.....

My Ibanez Delay is pretty silent infront of the preamp....

I like to use my Flanger and Chours's infront of the amp....

On the Zepplien DVD the Delay maybe added at the PA or in the soundtrack mixing.... It was common in the 70's for soundmen to add Echo instead of the guitarist adding it to there rig, still goes on today of course....

(on a Who note i have many soundboard recordings where there is all sorts of Delay on Petes guitars and then when the offical release comes out the sound is dry... The pa board tape version is a wet sound).
 
Re: Delays and Modulation in front of an NMV amp?

i use my line6 dl4 in front of a NMV Mesa Blue Angel...it sounds wonderful like this.
 
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