Effects loop question

[dmandude123455]

Ok, sorry for being a noob but what exactly is the upside to using an effects loop? I just started really getting into pedals and stuff so I never really used the effects loop on my amps, other than for when I used my electro harmonix LPB 2ube preamp pedal in it. What kinds of pedals should you put into the loop and what should you put out front in between the guitar and amp?

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Effects loop question

Since the effects loop is the introduction of the signal between the preamp and the power amp, it's purpose is to eliminate the effect of preamp distortion on the signal. If the amp is very clean, it matters little, but with a "drive" channel the sound can be quite different.

Convential wisdom says to use modulating pedals (i.e. chorus, flanger, reverb, etc.) in-the-loop and OD/distortion types btwn the guitar and amp. Also, if trying to use distortion or boost pedals on an already distorted amp channel, you'll get less compression and usually better results if that pedal is in-the-loop.

In the end, these are guidelines and not hard and fast rules. It's best to experiment to hear the differences, then choose. Having the effects loop allows for that experimentation.

 

[Psykel]

Re: Effects loop question

If you run some kind of overdrive that's built into the amp (drive channel, pushing a one channel amp and so on), effects that you generally put behind drive/dist/fuzz pedals "should" be put in the loop.
Take delay as an example. Effects are applied in the order you connect them. Do you want to put delay on your distorted tone or do you want to distort your delay?
In the end, it's up to you what you think sounds best. Tho if you run your amp clean and use pedals to get your dirt (or if you run clean at all times with no dirt at all), the effects loop doesn't matter too much.

 

[dmandude123455]

Re: Effects loop question

Thanks guys! So if I use my amps overdrive channel with a little bit of overdrive in between the guitar and amp, it should stay there? and if I were to get a delay or a phase pedal I should put it in the loop? Thats pretty much what I took from this thread so far. :I

 

[jmh151]

Effects loop question

Reverb and Delay sound best in the loop. Others you have to try out for yourself since they yield different results, depending on what you want and using it for. For example, chorus and flange sound nice played clean through the loop, but can be too drastic when using overdrive

 

[Psykel]

Re: Effects loop question

Tremolo is pretty much required to be put in the loop if using on-board dirt or before dirt pedals. In my experience, if you use moderate to high gain AFTER a tremolo pedal, it will totally drown the tremolo effect.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Effects loop question

Thanks guys! So if I use my amps overdrive channel with a little bit of overdrive in between the guitar and amp, it should stay there? and if I were to get a delay or a phase pedal I should put it in the loop? Thats pretty much what I took from this thread so far. :I

I've had poor success with distortion on distortion. For me, stick w/ distortion pedals on the clean channel, or use the amp's distorted channel and boost as necessary with a clean boost in-the-loop. That's what works best for me.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Effects loop question

You'll probably get the best results with your EH LPB (Line Power Booster) -2 in front of your amp. That's what it was designed for. I had the original LPB-1 (in front of a clean amp) and it worked great at thickening up my tone as well as boosting the signal.

I agree with all of the posted suggestions as a starting point. Experiment and see what you like in front and in the loop. No rules.

 

[tonello]

Re: Effects loop question

I really notice the differences between the effects loop and straight into the amp with my fuzz pedals and my noise gate. It seems that the amp is way more quieter with the effects loop and a noise gate rather than the noise gate into the preamp.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Effects loop question

Delay and reverb are the only two I like in a loop, harmonizing can be good too... But chorus, flange and all I like in front.

Sometimes, even delay in front is good. All depends what you're going for.

One trick I recently accidentally did was put my delay in front of my envelope filter. Each repeat triggers the filter differently so it's kinda neat. Delay into distortion does clean up as the repeats go, which can be cool.

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Effects loop question

I prefer phase before the amp, but IMHO delay is definitely better in a loop. OD/distortion has a compression effect on a signal, so if you set your delay levels (with the delay in front of the amp) for a clean tone, the repeats will suddenly get a lot louder when you switch to the dirty channel. I noticed this when I played through a friend's rig - he had a slapback before a Tube Screamer, and when I kicked on the TS suddenly the repeats were MUCH louder and more prominent than on the clean channel (I had set the level on the clean channel).

My advice - take the time to try effects in all different combinations to see what sounds/works best: switch them around, before the amp vs. in the loop, etc. It could take a few hours, but it's a one-time thing, and you will maximize the potential of your rig, which is more than worth it in my opinion.

 

[B2D]

Re: Effects loop question

Ok, sorry for being a noob but what exactly is the upside to using an effects loop? I just started really getting into pedals and stuff so I never really used the effects loop on my amps, other than for when I used my electro harmonix LPB 2ube preamp pedal in it. What kinds of pedals should you put into the loop and what should you put out front in between the guitar and amp?

An effects loop allows you to use effects devices without having their sound being affected by EQ or gain in the preamp. Ab easy example of this: Take a delay pedal and put it in front of a dirty amp with 2-3 repeats and the level fairly up. Bend a note up a full step with the delay on... doesn't sound particularly good, does it? Now put the pedal in the loop and do the same thing - big difference, right?

Generally, time-based effects and most modulation effects (reverbs, delays, choruses, flangers) sound best in the loop, and most gain and volume based effects (drive pedals, compressors) will sound best in front of the amp. However, there are exceptions to the general rules. For instance, I prefer phasers and some flangers in front of the amp. I've even found that in some situations with low to medium gain, some delays have a ton of personality if you put them up front.

Experiment to see what you like best and find your own sounds. Hope that helps.