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Post by Twang Banger on Sept 26, 2019 9:56:24 GMT -7
Love the new MAZ 18 MKii NR Jr., I picked up today ... My first Dr Z amp ... and definitely not my last!
Question ... is there any harm in running my pedal board straight into the input or should I strictly use the effects loop? I don't want to screw anything up overdriving it with some of the pedals I use (Rockett DUDE, KLON, etc.) ... however, even if I went through the loop, my Eric Clapton Strat can crank some pretty high output with the tbx booster built in ... so I wonder.
Thanks so much!
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Post by KeithA on Sept 26, 2019 10:16:13 GMT -7
No problem running through the front. You'll actually get more dirt out of the overdrive pedals that way as you'll be running into the preamp section as well. I always run drive peals in front.
While there are no rules for how to use the loop, typically the loop is more beneficial to time-based effects (delay/chorus, etc.) so that these pedals are not overdriven by the preamp stage and are more useable over the sweep of the knobs.
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Post by Twang Banger on Sept 26, 2019 11:24:41 GMT -7
Thank you ... kind of my thoughts too, but I think it never hurts to ask - especially with new (expensive, but worth it) gear!
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Post by doctorice on Sept 26, 2019 14:30:48 GMT -7
I doubt you'd damage the amp with pedals. Eventually, the preamp section will saturate due to a high input signal. Same is true for using the EC Strat. Fwiw, I've run that guitar with its midboost up to 4 or 5, then into an OD pedal and then into a Z. Makes for great slide tone with lots of sustain. Amp never complains!
Some time-based effect pedals can be overloaded by too much signal and end up sounding quite bad. Because you won't hurt the amp, feel free to experiment. Some delays (and chorus, flangers, etc.) work great in a loop and others not so much.
Another thing you can do with the loop is to put a clean boost in there to provide a volume lift for solos, but turn the boost volume way down before engaging. Again, some pedals work better in some loops than others.
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Post by telejas on Sept 26, 2019 15:40:45 GMT -7
Front end is the way to go! Now, later on..... if you get crazy enough, time based FX (delay, reverb, ect...) actually do work better in the loop....But, most still run in front, like me, which is fine too... Just a matter of preference on that too. You won't harm the amp, no matter what pedal you put in front of it or how hard you push it
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 26, 2019 17:57:09 GMT -7
I much prefer going into the front end. Especially if you don't have the amp gained up too much. If you're getting a lot of overdrive from the amp, then OD/Drive pedals out front will mostly just compress your sound. And the reverb/echo/time based effects are much more sensitive if you're gained up a the amp. It just takes setting up your board right, and it's always worked well for me. I prefer the tone that way.
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Post by Stephen on Sept 26, 2019 18:04:03 GMT -7
I usually run my pedalboards through the front. But, if I’m traveling light, I’ll just bring a tremolo pedal and run it in the loop.
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Post by Twang Banger on Sept 27, 2019 1:39:52 GMT -7
Thanks so much, each of you. REALLY love this amp. Thanks Dr. Z!
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