Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

[ModAddict]

I am currently using a Fender Frontman 212R solid state amp. I bought a Boss Metal Core pedal from a friends of mine and was using this up front on the clean channel. Recently I decided to put it in my effects loop to try it out. This allows me great control over my distortion. I can now use the pedal in combination with the amp's drive channel to achieve a more pleasing level of distortion.

My question is: Has anyone else tried this, and would it work with a tube pedal like the SFX-04 safely? Preferably without killing either the pedal or the amp.

 

[dominus]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

Usually the effects loop sits between the preamp and power amp, so using a distortion pedal in the effects loop is another way of getting the sound you want. A lot of times the distortion pedal will overload the preamp, so bypassing it is a good idea when using a high gain pedal. Throw an EQ pedal after the distortion pedal and you can do some great sculpting.


Here's someone using a distortion pedal without an amp. He's going guitar --> overdrive --> distortion pedal --> EQ pedal --> power amp --> cabinet






Using the distortion pedal in the effects loop will get you similar results.

 

[ModAddict]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

Thank you. I would still like more feedback on this. I am currently using my Boss Metal Core in my effects loop. These tones sound great, I guess my question is more of using the SFX-04 Twin Tube Mayhem or a like tube distortion pedal in the loop. I would rather the input from the solid state not be too much for the pedal. I am really looking at this pedal.

 

[mantis]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

Not something I do. I never ever had a issue using a Distortion Pedal out front of ay amp. I always use the clean channel when I'm using OD , Distortion , or high gain type pedals. I like my gan channel exactly the way it is so I don't boost it with OD or anything else. Could I sure but it's not my preferred tone.
using a pedal as a preamp is fine IMO , putting into an effects loop and bypassing your amps pre is fine 2. Still not how I would use it.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

That video has the best sounding clip of a Digitech/DOD Death Metal I have heard. With high gain pedals I think that this is a fair way to go if you have a good power amp unless your preamp is really clean as high gain pedal generally don't like boosting already distorted guitars.On a slightly different side of things I'd love to setup my amp with its line out (post transformer like an attuenator line out is) into some rack gear then into a solid state clean poweramp for flexibility.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

I have used a EQ pedal in the loop but not a distortion pedal. I have found that EQ is more effective after distortion than before it.

 

[dominus]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

That video has the best sounding clip of a Digitech/DOD Death Metal I have heard. With high gain pedals I think that this is a fair way to go if you have a good power amp unless your preamp is really clean as high gain pedal generally don't like boosting already distorted guitars.

It's probably why a lot of the more expensive distortion pedals are marketed as preamps now. They figured out that they sound best in the loop.

I was getting some really good sounds out of a Boss Metal Core pedal yesterday.

My setup is guitar --> overdrive --> distortion pedal --> computer --> EQ plugin --> power amp plugin --> IR cabinet


So, effectively like plugging into the loop.

 

[ModAddict]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

Apparently, my actual posts disappeared. I currently have my guitar (yamaha eg112), my amp (Fender Frontman 212r solid state), and my distortion pedal (Boss Metal Core). I used to run it: guitar--> pedal--> amp clean channel. I recently have changed it to Guitar--> amp input-->pre out to pedal-->pwr in from pedal.
My new setup give a much better distortion, as I dialed down the pedal's distortion and I use the pedal to feed off the amps distortion. My original concern was as to whether or not anyone else used the effects loop for distortion pedals and if it would still be ok to do with a tube pedal like the sfx-04 twin tube mayhem.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

You mean into the power amp right? If you're not running the preamp into it, it isn't really a loop.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

So many ways to do things. Try them all.

A lot of times people try to use a Distortion to overdrive when they should love the distortion for what it is (Metalzone), and other times they try to love it for what it is when it should be overdriving a preamp (DS-1).

No right/wrong ways (just be careful sometimes). There is a time/place for every dirt box, IMO. You just may not know the time/place...

 

[dominus]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

Apparently, my actual posts disappeared. I currently have my guitar (yamaha eg112), my amp (Fender Frontman 212r solid state), and my distortion pedal (Boss Metal Core). I used to run it: guitar--> pedal--> amp clean channel. I recently have changed it to Guitar--> amp input-->pre out to pedal-->pwr in from pedal.
My new setup give a much better distortion, as I dialed down the pedal's distortion and I use the pedal to feed off the amps distortion. My original concern was as to whether or not anyone else used the effects loop for distortion pedals and if it would still be ok to do with a tube pedal like the sfx-04 twin tube mayhem.

Yeah, not sure how your original post disappeared, as I was the first one responding to it. It's not my thread. The way you're running it, your amps channel is now the boost in front of the pedal. As long as it sounds good, it's the right way to do it.

As for the SFX-04, yes, you'll be fine. The only time to be concerned is when you have a jack labelled "power amp out". Those are for speakers only.

 

[ModAddict]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

Thank you ever so much dominus. You have been helpful, Though I do know a bit about sound setup(yay for production setup).

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

I tried this vs. Guitar->dirt pedal-> amp, and didn't work for me. Tone got fizzy and noisy, even after playing w eq's on the pedal, and even adding an EQ pedal after the dirt pedal.

The components involved in my scenario were: pedal: mxr fulbore distortion, amp: fender bdri combo into marshall 1960a cab.

 

[dominus]

Re: Use of Distortion pedals in an effects loop?

I tried this vs. Guitar->dirt pedal-> amp, and didn't work for me. Tone got fizzy and noisy, even after playing w eq's on the pedal, and even adding an EQ pedal after the dirt pedal.

The components involved in my scenario were: pedal: mxr fulbore distortion, amp: fender bdri combo into marshall 1960a cab.

The FullBore pedal really needs to be dialed in. I've got one, and it's okay, but it's one of my least favorite pedals to work with.