Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

[Stevo]

I was experimenting with different pedals in the effects loop, and discovered that I could create resistance in the loop and crank the amp more, getting a louder sound at lower volumes

Has anyone else tried this? I did something similar with my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. You can really crank the amp, therefore pushing the tubes harder, yet staying at low volumes.

 

[proxy]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

Yea, I've seen this guy on ebay who basically sells a volume know in an enclosure meant to go in the effects loop.

I imagine you get alot of disortion noise that is alot louder then the guitar coming out? Like lofi stuff. As in the power amp is going to create some noise on its own by being that high up, but it'l be more noticable since there is no guitar covering it.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

my XXX does the same thing. i dont even have anything in the loop, but if it turn the loop on, it gives it a nice big boost

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

A few times here, I've mentioned using a rackmount effect with a send, mix, and output control, to tame the pre to power connection in the loop. I use a halfrack Alesis Nanoverb sitting on top of my amp and get the input and output situated so it acts as a nice master volume.

Another good idea is to bridge your channels with an EH Holy Grail in between the channels. Then you get the bold direct tone from ch 1 and can use ch 2 to bring in some bass and reverb at the same time.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

I believe it only works the preamp tubes, but yes, it does work.

 

[Stevo]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

Another good idea is to bridge your channels with an EH Holy Grail in between the channels. Then you get the bold direct tone from ch 1 and can use ch 2 to bring in some bass and reverb at the same time.

That sounds interesting I have some cool pedals but I don't use them very often. I normally just bridge the 2 channels with a short cord but your idea sounds more creative.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

YUP ! I just made a volume box from radio shack parts for my HRDx. It works
pretty good. (Now that i'm trying to adapted to apartment life :yell: )
It's really just a poorman's preamp attenuater. But it does the job good.
I have a nano Verb. I'll have to try GJ's trick.

 

[Animal]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

How effective would be the effects loop trick using something like the Alesis Nanoverb compared to something like a THD hotplate? I'm talking in terms of amp tone integrity.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

How effective would be the effects loop trick using something like the Alesis Nanoverb compared to something like a THD hotplate? I'm talking in terms of amp tone integrity.

The FX loop trick is basically like a master volume so it doesn't push the phase inverter or the power tubes. It lets you get more drive out of the preamp but doesn't give you that oomph that you get from an amp where both the preamp and power section are cooking.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

Note: That volume box is not an attenuator so don't go puttin' it between your amp and speaker cab.

It's real purpose is to help with those amps that have a "touchy" master volume or no master volume and have an effects loop. Fender and Peavey for example....0 is off and 1 is still to damn loud.

My father-in-law has a Peavey Special 130 and it's still loud with the lead channel post on ZERO! Go figure.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

I hear putting a good compressor in the loop with the level up higher, and turning down the preamp volume helps get great power tube OD at decent levels.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

That sounds interesting I have some cool pedals but I don't use them very often. I normally just bridge the 2 channels with a short cord but your idea sounds more creative.

The Electroharmonix Holy Grail reverb works great when bridging your channels.
I started doing that on my Bassman 4-10, so I could have that beautiful Fender tone with reverb. Mixing it in with the 2nd volume makes it sound almost as convincing as a real Fender spring reverb! It'll work equally well on a Plexi.

The Nanoverb is what I use to tame my Jubilee at home, since I can't crank a halfstack there. It's nice to be able to get the singing preamp gain at a low volume, although it sounds a little thinner than if you have the amp at full blast.
Still, it makes it more useable in a home environment.

Plexi halfstack = Eviction notice!

 

[walt]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

I have used a Boss Line Selector in the effects loop of my pod pro for a lead boost. I also have used a mxr micro amp in the loop for the same results. Great trick when you have your tone and just want more of it for solos.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Marshall Plexi RI Effects Loop Discovery. Taming Volume.

I've wondered if there's a point at which you can damage the amp or FX unit, but I've found that if you do everthing safe, and pay attention to the FX unit's input level, you'll be fine.

With the Nanoverb, I just set the amp up like it normally sounds good loud, then make sure the FX unit's input barely goes into the red, and then use the FX unit's output master as the overall master volume for the amp.