Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either.

[beggar_guitar]

My Crate has an odd FX loop, at least to me, as explained onPage 5 of the Owner's Manual.

So Rather than having a clunky stereo converter thing sticking out of the front of the amp I thought about taking a Stereo 1/4 Cable and doing the same thing, but have the loop box down on the board.

Am I making sense? How would I go about doing this?

 

[Saggy]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

So what I'm understanding is the insert is a direct entry into the loop but the amp also has NO send and return jacks.

What exactly do you mean by "loop box"?

You will need to create a full loop... the current has to go into the first effect and the output of the final effect needs to sync with the insert jack somehow. I think the Y cable is the best solution...

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

So what I'm understanding is the insert is a direct entry into the loop but the amp also has NO send and return jacks.

What exactly do you mean by "loop box"?

You will need to create a full loop... the current has to go into the first effect and the output of the final effect needs to sync with the insert jack somehow. I think the Y cable is the best solution...

I guess what I am thinking is I want to put the Y down on the floor rather than sticking out of the amp. More for looks than anything.

 

[Artie]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

Basically, what you want is a small metal box, 1 stereo jack, and 2 mono jacks. Probably a DPDT foot bypass switch, and a stereo cable. Put it together like this:

Pretty simple really.

Artie

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

Basically, what you want is a small metal box, 1 stereo jack, and 2 mono jacks. Probably a DPDT foot bypass switch, and a stereo cable. Put it together like this:

Pretty simple really.

Artie

....and this is why you're an electronics God :bigok:

 

[Artie]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

Being able to copy-and-paste helps too.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

I am finally getting around to doing this and I have a question.

I have some stereo cable that is missing a tip, and was considering hardwiring it where the stereo adapter was supposed to go. Any reasons why Not to do it this way? Also it has 3 wires. Red, Black and White. How do I know which would be the Return, Send or Ground?

 

[devastone]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

No, that's a fine idea. You'll have to use a meter to figure out which goes where, or unscrew the cover on the other end and see if you can tell which color wire goes to which band on the TRS plug. Then you can compare them to the diagram in the manual.

The only potential problem I can see with Artie's diagram is that you may get a pop when you step on the switch, definitely try it at low volumes first. If it does pop, you can just hard wire the 2 jacks and switch the individual pedals in and out with thier switches.

BTW, that's a good idea, the fx loop on my Powerblock is the same.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

I can't unscrew the other end. I took it off of another footswitch some time ago, and just realized it was a stereo cable today. Anyway it's rubber all the way up til the 1/4" tip. I also don't have a meter. I suppose that leaves it up to trial and error.

I just tried to wire it up, and had nothing but a really loud Hiss. I get super confused with wiring any thing up anyway.

The bottom of my switch is numbered 1,2,3 down the left, and 4,5,6 down the right side. From the diagram I see that the stereo jack, or cable in my case, hooks to 2 and 5.
Now the other 4 are open. Are 1 and 4 bridged together, or would 3 and 6 be? Am I making any sense?

What I am saying is... The Diagram is great, but can anyone hold my hand through this process? lol

 

[devastone]

Re: Wiring question... FX loop box. I don't really know what I'm talking about either

Without a meter, it will be trial and error, keep the volume down, hooking it up wrong may give you some strange noises. I don't think you can hurt the amp by grounding the signal line (which is what you will do if you hook it up wrong) but I won't guarantee it either.

For help with the switch, a picture of the bottom of the switch might help, the numbers don't really mean anything, they aren't standardized across manufacturers. Or I could tell you how to figure out the switch with a meter... Radio Shack has meters for around $10 or so.