What is an effects loop?

[strat_master]

Hi guys, i'm wondering how does an effects loop work? I was always under the impression to use a wah/delay/tuning/reverb/noisegate/chorus/distortion pedal i cold simply add wires inbewteen by guitar and my amp. But i have a feeling there is mroe to it like an effects loop which i have no idea on what on earth that even is except that it has to do with pedals. MY reason being i am currently looking for an amp and i would like to have a better knowledge of things like this when i will most liekly start looking at pedals once i get a worthy amp.

Thanks guys in advance.

Jason

 

[some_dude]

Re: What is an effects loop?

An effects loop is a patchable insert point between the preamp and the power amp.

Basically, it lets you put effects that you don't want to distort (chorus, phase, delay), after your distortion in your signal chain.

 

[SheDoesntDoIt4Me]

Re: What is an effects loop?

Its a pathway between the preamp and the power amp. You should use time based effects in the loop and gain based effects in front of the amp, but there are no rules, really. It just allows you to have your amp set the way you like Preamp, that is, and then introduce your effects right before the power section. Some amps have footswitchable, some have level controls..some just have a basic in/out. They are also nice if you have a POD or other type device that you love a certain patch on, you can "inject this signal right into the return jack and use your amp for power only. Makes a amp much more versatile.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: What is an effects loop?

In a nutshell it helps reduse some noise in your signal chain.

 

[strat_master]

Re: What is an effects loop?

hmm what if i went with a combo amp, like say a mesa rectoverb or a marshall dsl 401, how would i manage that? Since i think they have preamps built in? im not toally sure on this.

 

[strat_master]

Re: What is an effects loop?

Umm more improtantly what is a preamp exactly and a power amp?

 

[lastwinj]

Re: What is an effects loop?

http://www.guitarnoise.com/article.php?id=270
http://www.guitarnoise.com/article.php?id=271

check out these articles. may be helpful.

germ

 

[Hellion]

Re: What is an effects loop?

Some effects work better if you place them just prior to the power section of your amplifier. Echo and reverb come to mind. Some effects work best is fyou place them at the front of the signal chain, such as compression, distortion, octave dividers etc. For those effects of the former category, some amps have effects loops in them. I'm not terribly familiar with a lot of current amps, but for instance, on my Fender 75, it's a 1/4" TRS plug (stereo)that you could run a send and return. Some other amps have separate effects out and effects in plugs. The end result is the same. You're adding the signal prior to the power stage of the amplification process.

 

[strat_master]

Re: What is an effects loop?

Thanks guys that article especially was informative.

 

[guitarshredder]

Re: What is an effects loop?

bump

 

[bert123]

Re: What is an effects loop?

Umm more improtantly what is a preamp exactly and a power amp?

Here is link with definitions Aiken Amps Glossary

PreAmp takes the low power signal from your guitar and amplifies it enough for tone shaping and feeding thru onboard effects like a reverb tank. The effects loop (because there is a send jack and a return jack) is either after the preamp or between one of the preamp stages. My Peavey Classic 30 combo has it before the final preamp stage (So yes Combos can have effects loops). This signal then converted into a signal strong enough to drive speakers in the Power Amp.

So when we say guitar amplifier we are talking about the preamp and power amp combination.

THe following link Effects Loops has more info.