Topic: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
Ok I've got a few pedals again and all I hear these days is "you gotta run the effect this way or that way. Is there any advantages to the effects loop?
Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
It's not really case of it being an advantage really, its really up to you. Its personal preference really.
Effects tend to be less harsh when in the loop. Delay for example, on the DD3 in the loop I have level set at 12. When its not in the loop it has to go at roughly 8 or 9. I also use a rotovibe in the loop and the effect is lessened really, sounds warmer in the loop too, doesn't mess with your tone the way some pedals can in line (those that aren't meant to mess with your tone that is)
- Bailz
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Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
You're usually just meant to be use "time based" effects like delay or reverb through your effects loop. What it does is separate these effects from the initial preamp phase of the amp.
Think of it like this... you want to delay your overdriven signal and not overdrive your delayed signal.
- ZampraZ
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Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
If you put a delay in front of your amp you fail. If you put it in the fx loop you win. Of course if it's a JB style delay. But you already knew that didn't you... It can have some tonal difference but it's mostly what the other guys said
Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
My amps are 1969 or older and don't have loops. I just tune them in a little differently and have no problems at all. I use a loop master pedal which combines them in parallel to separate my delay and reverb from my overdrives and it never harms the sound.
Also Xotic effects makes a pedal called an X-blender which creates a series or parallel loop from the front of your amp. Check it out.
- steve_strings
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Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
AD3THREE wrote:
Ok I've got a few pedals again and all I hear these days is "you gotta run the effect this way or that way. Is there any advantages to the effects loop?
I've experimented for YEARs with FX loops ..there are SOME advantages...but I personally prefer to skip using FX completely most of the time... most stuff sucks tone unless you take enormous care how you construct your FX chain....and when you use a high end handmade tube amp...its a no-btiner for me..
On the odd occasion I use FX I'll run with the standard chain 'theory' ...I.e. gain/compression up front... then delays /wahs etc...
For best advice on FX... read up on David Gilmours rig..(and you'll see why he tends to use active pickups to keep it all working!) 
- stratpaulguy86
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Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
Slidewinder wrote:
My amps are 1969 or older and don't have loops. I just tune them in a little differently and have no problems at all. I use a loop master pedal which combines them in parallel to separate my delay and reverb from my overdrives and it never harms the sound.
Also Xotic effects makes a pedal called an X-blender which creates a series or parallel loop from the front of your amp. Check it out.
I'm almost 100% sure that Joe used one of those on his new album for the songs that had the vintage Fender amps on it. I remember reading that he had a pretty wet delay, reverb, and chorus running through the X Blender and would just add a little bit of the wet signal to the dry for color. I think I need one of these things! Thanks for the link.
'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
- AD3THREE
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Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
So Delay, Reverb yes to effects loop but wah's and distortion pedals no. How about compressors? I'm totally new to the whole effects loop concept. I've always been a plug in the front end kind of guy (also I've never had a delay pedal or reverb) my reverb always came from the amp its self.
- Bailz
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Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
AD3THREE wrote:
So Delay, Reverb yes to effects loop but wah's and distortion pedals no. How about compressors? I'm totally new to the whole effects loop concept. I've always been a plug in the front end kind of guy (also I've never had a delay pedal or reverb) my reverb always came from the amp its self.
I'd run a compressor in front of the amp, one of the first pedals probably. Compressors even out the sound and will therefore need to take effect as soon as possible.
- AD3THREE
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Re: Whats the advantages of running an effects loop?
Thanks for the tips guys!