Effects Loop 101

[mrchodito]

For the benefit of someone who doesn't know much about the use of the 'effects loop', what are some cool things you can do with it? What pedals do what when placed in the loop? What pedals are no good at all in the loop? Etc. Discuss...

 

[Ken]

Re: Effects Loop 101

Typically you would put wah, distortion in front of the amp's input. Compressor as well...conversely, modulation and time-based effects (delay, reverb) are "best" in the loop. This is generally how I like my setup as well. Anything that is volume oriented (wah being a type of EQ) or dynamically triggered (auto-wah, envelope filter) goes between guitar and amp. The others in the loop.

Then again, it's all about what works best to find your sound.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Effects Loop 101

my modded DS-1 sounds terrible in the f/x loop, but great in front.

 

[mrchodito]

Re: Effects Loop 101

What about a phase shifter? On the keeley website there's a cool little guide to how to put things in a chain, no mention of a loop though. It says to put the phaser first, although i like mine after the OD. Would a phase be good in a loop?

 

[Ken]

Re: Effects Loop 101

What about a phase shifter? On the keeley website there's a cool little guide to how to put things in a chain, no mention of a loop though. It says to put the phaser first, although i like mine after the OD. Would a phase be good in a loop?

Try it and find out!



I always preferred guitar --> distortion --> phaser.

If you're getting your distortion from the amp itself (particularly the preamp) it would make a bit more sense to put it in the loop (typical signal chain is preamp --> loop --> poweramp) if you prefer the sound of distorted phase (vs. phased distortion )

 

[mrchodito]

Re: Effects Loop 101

makes sense

 

[Danglin' Fury]

Re: Effects Loop 101

I put my parametric eq in the loop and my chorus, delay, etc. In my experience, when I put an eq in front of my amp, it doesn't sound very good, like it's equalizing the pickups instead of my tone. I'm not saying this setup works for everybody but it sure works for me. $0.02:6:
In front of the amp I will put a good OD pedal to drive it into Super MEGA HUGE gain territory. (All tube JSX BTW)

 

[Tor]

Re: Effects Loop 101

I have the phaser in front... It gets too much of it having it in the loop... But there isn't really a general consensus on where to put a phaser. Each to his own, I guess. Try and see.