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Post by davebo on Jan 14, 2022 13:54:05 GMT -7
Hi, I’m using a Maz 8. If I have a series of time based effects pedals (chorus, tremolo etc) in the effects loop but all the pedals are each switched off does the signal path of the sound through the amp still pass through each pedal, or is the effects loop bypassed? Thanks!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jan 14, 2022 14:10:45 GMT -7
As soon as you plug into the send jack of the loop, it is sending signal downstream and through the pedals. Unless the amp has a loop bypass switch (it doesn’t) it is active once plugged into. That then begins the whole buffer vs true bypass pedal discussion. Are you loosing signal through the loop?
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Post by Don A on Jan 14, 2022 14:25:39 GMT -7
Todd is correct, the amp has no way of knowing if the pedals are bypassed or not.
BTW, most pedals do not "switch off" when the footswitch is pressed. They are turned on when a cord is plugged in. The footswitch on the pedal bypasses the circuitry of the still turned on pedal. The pedal remains on until either the input cable is removed, the power is disconnected, or, in the case of a pedal with a battery in it, a power plug that is not connected to power is inserted into the power jack (in most cases).
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Post by davebo on Jan 14, 2022 14:43:11 GMT -7
Thanks, I’m still in the process of experimenting. This is helpful! My AC15 doesn’t have a loop so everything goes up front with it.
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Post by nick0 on Jan 14, 2022 15:46:48 GMT -7
A question I was thinking over recently is similar. Would the sound or feel of an amp with a buffered effects loop like the Jetta change if it were jumped out of the circuit?
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Post by adam on Jan 14, 2022 16:33:11 GMT -7
There was once upon a time a pretty epic thread on gear sluts regarding someone's view on mixing. The one thing that I took out of it and has helped me a lot is that when you try something, make sure that the change you make results in the same perceived volume. Then ask yourself "is it better"? If it's not, don't do it and move on. It makes the decision process really simple. They key is that if anything is even .1db louder, it will sound better every time, and you will trick yourself if you aren't careful and aware of that.
With that mindset in place, just try whatever you do and ask yourself the same question. Just find things that sound good to you and don't worry about buffers or loops or true bypass or cable length or whatever you read yesterday. For your case, bypass the effects in the loop, what does it sound like? Unplug from the loop, same question. Run a cable only in the loop, same question. The only thing that matters at the end of the day is what it sounds like, but just be aware of that volume difference thing potentially throwing all your judgement completely off.
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Post by nick0 on Jan 14, 2022 17:25:32 GMT -7
That's an awesome take on it Adam! I appreciate that view and I share that same mindset. I absolutely don't think one should stress over the trivial. If you have a tone that feels and sounds good to you, you're doing it right.
I'm simply a tinker by nature. Little changes in a setup or circuit are super interesting to me. I haven't taken the time to dig into the metro loop and how it bypasses. I do like the idea of trimming a circuit down to bare bones. A Jetta with no tone circuit or effects loop, what would that sound like? Might be terrible lol!
Thanks for weighing in!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jan 15, 2022 15:30:10 GMT -7
There was once upon a time a pretty epic thread on gear sluts regarding someone's view on mixing. The one thing that I took out of it and has helped me a lot is that when you try something, make sure that the change you make results in the same perceived volume. Then ask yourself "is it better"? If it's not, don't do it and move on. It makes the decision process really simple. They key is that if anything is even .1db louder, it will sound better every time, and you will trick yourself if you aren't careful and aware of that. With that mindset in place, just try whatever you do and ask yourself the same question. Just find things that sound good to you and don't worry about buffers or loops or true bypass or cable length or whatever you read yesterday. For your case, bypass the effects in the loop, what does it sound like? Unplug from the loop, same question. Run a cable only in the loop, same question. The only thing that matters at the end of the day is what it sounds like, but just be aware of that volume difference thing potentially throwing all your judgement completely off. Exactly! Level matching is critical, and it's a something that stereo/audio salesmen use to advantage. If they want you to buy Product 'A' over 'B', they make 'A' just a little louder. Our ears tell us it sounds better, even if we can't really perceive the difference in level.
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Post by adam on Jan 15, 2022 16:43:40 GMT -7
Dave, exactly. Our ears can really trick us.
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