OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

Guitar Toad said:
My trial reveals that in front of the amp definitely sounds better than in the effects loop. I think that this reveals that I really need a Marshall.
What are you playing through now?
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

Yeah, I think that the amp that you're playing through is the key to the answer to the question. For me, I run an old SD-1 in front of whichever Boogie I'm using, and I use it with the clean channel to get that in-between crunch-rhythm tone. I bought the amps partially for their gain tones, so I let them take care of that for gain-laden solo stuff. I run the time-based effects in the loop so as to not color my tone anymore than is necessary to use the effect(s). I blend in a bit of totally wet effect tone with the premp tone, and then it's on to the power amp to be boosted from there.

All that being said, your own ears are the ultimate judge. There will be others who do the complete opposite of what I do, and they're just as right as I am. Every combination sounds different and you have to experiment to find the one that sounds good to you.

I hope it helps.
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

I use all of my effects (which include volume, wah, overdrive, distortion, and delay) before my input for a number of reasons.

1.) ease of trouble shooting
2.) I get clutterphobic and can't have a bunch of cables under my feet
3.) It just gets the sound I want better than in the effects loop

:) Different strokes, ya know? (I also use a Valvulator I buffer after my guitar and before the effects to change the signal's impedence and give it a buffer so that I don't suffer any signal degredation over the run through the pedals)
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

Guitar Toad said:
Reverend HellHound
I'm not familiar with that one. At least you experimented though and found what works for you.
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

But isn't boosting the power amp until it breaks up the same as turning the master volume up (except that the preamp isn't doing as much work)
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

You want to hit the front in of the amp to get your gain (Especially on tube amps!!) .You DON'T want to over drive your effects loop.The effects loop is used best when you run effects like echo,chorus or reverb through it..
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
Wtf.... never run anything that boosts gain or volume in the effects loop. While I'm not sure if this is true, I've heard you can seriously screw up your poweramp.

Your pedal should not be causing noise because of battery use, but because it's a distortion pedal, it will create hissy white noise. It's just the nature of using high gain.

Would this apply to running an EQ in the effects loop?? I run a Boss Ge7 in my Riveras effects loop and oddly enough, over the past 4-6 months I have developed some intermittent problems that no one can diagnose.

JQ
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

EQ in the effects loop is a pretty common thing.

Its threads like this that make me happy to be a 'guitar to volume pedal to amp' kind of player.
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

Archer_of_Fish said:
Its threads like this that make me happy to be a 'guitar to volume pedal to amp' kind of player.

If I had your amps, I would be too! :laugh2:
I better start saving up.
 
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Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

CapoFirstFret said:
I use all of my effects (which include volume, wah, overdrive, distortion, and delay) before my input for a number of reasons.

1.) ease of trouble shooting
2.) I get clutterphobic and can't have a bunch of cables under my feet
3.) It just gets the sound I want better than in the effects loop

:) Different strokes, ya know? (I also use a Valvulator I buffer after my guitar and before the effects to change the signal's impedence and give it a buffer so that I don't suffer any signal degredation over the run through the pedals)

I run my whole collection of effects thru the front of my Marshall, including the wah, delay, phase, and flanger. My tone still sounds great. No "mush" at all... but I use only the amp's gain/overdrive, not a pedal...
 
Re: OD/Dist pedals: Before Amp vs Effects Loop

lex666 said:
... but I use only the amp's gain/overdrive, not a pedal...

I need a Marshall to become high gain and OD/Dist pedal free.
 
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