andygee
Full Member
"He went out like a warrior"
Posts: 111
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Post by andygee on Mar 13, 2023 9:11:55 GMT -7
I just found out the effects loop is designed for delays, reverb and chorus effects. Overdrive and boost not so much. Those of you with pedal boards, how are you managing to get your boost, fuzz and OD pedals out front? Controllers?
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Post by frankie on Mar 13, 2023 12:06:25 GMT -7
I just found out the effects loop is designed for delays, reverb and chorus effects. Overdrive and boost not so much. Those of you with pedal boards, how are you managing to get your boost, fuzz and OD pedals out front? Controllers? I don't know if this is too obvious, so forgive me if I'm over explaining, but you need two signal paths. It's commonly referred to as "4 cable method." The signal chain would go as follows: Guitar > cable 1 > overdrive/fuzz/boost (anything that deals with distorting or overdrive) > cable 2 > front of the amp. Send of the FX loop > cable 3 > delay/verb/modulation, in some cases, EQ if you have it > cable 4 > FX return This is the simplest way of setting the signal chain up. When you get a controller/switcher involved, depending on the unit, you can have a variety of ways of routing the signal, but what it comes down to still is that you need a 4 cable snake. Some controllers allow you to route the order of effects differently per patch, and in this case, it's common to route the preamp of the amp itself through the controller. This can get a bit complex though.
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Post by pcns on Mar 13, 2023 12:12:52 GMT -7
I use 4 channel snake cable and make a snake to go to and from my amp. We ha e made these for other members on the forum too. For my set up with a Maz 8 each if the 4 channels worked like this: Channel 1 - out from last drive pedal to amp input Channel 2 - tone bypass boost to amp switch jack Channel 3 - send from amp to delay pedals Channel 4 - return to amp from delay pedals Hope this helps Todd
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andygee
Full Member
"He went out like a warrior"
Posts: 111
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Post by andygee on Mar 13, 2023 18:29:07 GMT -7
The “4cable method” makes sense. I’m wondering how audibly different running everything into the front end, bypassing the loop altogether would be.
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Post by nicholas on Mar 13, 2023 19:20:17 GMT -7
The “4cable method” makes sense. I’m wondering how audibly different running everything into the front end, bypassing the loop altogether would be. You really just have to try it. It just comes down to personal preference. Generally speaking delay and reverb sound and behave better after overdrive or distortion. So if you are getting that from the amp, you'll probably prefer to use the effects loop for time based stuff. If you use a clean amp with OD pedals and distortions, you might like time based stuff just fine after your drives and in front of the amp. One thing to keep in mind when running pedals in front and also in the loop it's a good idea to use a power supply with isolated outputs. Otherwise sometimes you can get into a ground loop situation which causes buzzing and noise.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Mar 14, 2023 4:25:51 GMT -7
I’m in the camp that feels like the loop is more trouble than it’s worth. The only exception is if you’re getting your distortion from the amp rather than pedals - time based effects sound totally different (not in a good way) on the front end of a heavily distorted amp. However, the other way to deal with that (rather than running the 4 cable loop method) is to change the settings on your time based effects when driving the amp into distortion, or have two pedals (one for using with the clean amp and one set up for the driven amp). Obviously if you use a lot of time based effects with a distorted amp the “2 pedal” solution can get out if hand, but for just reverb/delay it’s a common solution.
Certainly cheaper to use 4 cables and the loop, but a more complicated setup.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 16, 2023 16:01:52 GMT -7
I’m in the camp that feels like the loop is more trouble than it’s worth. The only exception is if you’re getting your distortion from the amp rather than pedals - time based effects sound totally different (not in a good way) on the front end of a heavily distorted amp. However, the other way to deal with that (rather than running the 4 cable loop method) is to change the settings on your time based effects when driving the amp into distortion, or have two pedals (one for using with the clean amp and one set up for the driven amp). Obviously if you use a lot of time based effects with a distorted amp the “2 pedal” solution can get out if hand, but for just reverb/delay it’s a common solution. Certainly cheaper to use 4 cables and the loop, but a more complicated setup. I'm the same. I like to set my amp up for 'edge of breakup' and let the OD pedals take it over the top. Delays and time effects work well for me that way.
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Post by Norrin Radd on Mar 18, 2023 20:56:26 GMT -7
I hear what everyone is saying. The issue for the Nova is that it sounds so ridiculously good with the built in OD pushing hard, it begs you to use the loop for time based stuff! Use the 4 cable method frankie laid out. This is the way.
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