From: eoates@us.oracle.com
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers,alt.guitar
Subject: Re: Effects loop vs Straight In
Date: 8 Oct 92 17:33:33 GMT
Article-I.D.: us.1992Oct8.093333.1
Organization: Oracle Corporation, USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by an unauthenticated user
              at Oracle Corporation.  The opinions expressed are those
              of the user and not necessarily those of Oracle.

In article <BvrwCJ.DK7@acsu.buffalo.edu>, faulkner@acsu.buffalo.edu (Shane P. Faulkner) writes:
> In article <1992Oct7.212127.5677@inmet.camb.inmet.com> wayne@inmet.camb.inmet.com (Wayne Wylupski) writes:
>>I have a bunch of questions regarding the effects loops of some combo amps,
>>because I've never used them and maybe I should.
>>
>>What's the difference between the following setups:
>>
>>Guitar -> effects -> amplifier
>>
>>Guitar -> amplifier
>>	   |     |
>>	   effects (in the effects loop)
> 
> This configuration will sound better.  An effect loops allows placement of 
> various effects between a combo amp's pre-amp and power-amp stages.  Placing
> effects before the pre-amp stage (ie. before the signal enters the amp's main
> input) will drastically increase the noise.
> 
>>
>>Where would one best put the following effects?
>>-- distortion pedal
>>-- wah-wah
>>-- compressor
>>-- delay effects (chorus, flange, reverb and digital delay)
> 
> All the above should go in the amp's effects loop EXCEPT the wah-wah, which
> I would put before the main input.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.  You
> can try it both ways without damaging anything.
> 
>>
>>If one was using the amp's distortion, would that change where one would put
>>the previous mentioned effects?
> 
> No.  But if you are using a distortion pedal as well, I think it would sound
> best as the first effect in your chain.
> 
>>
>>Thank you!
>>
>>wayne
>>-- 
>>Wayne Wylupski    {...!}uunet!inmet!wayne    wayne@inmet.camb.inmet.com
> 
> //////////////////  Rush - Marillion - Kim Mitchell  ////////////////////
> / Shane P. Faulkner         |  Boys and Girls together                  /
> / University At Buffalo     |  Mistake conceit for pride                /
> / V127L2QZ@UBVMS.BITNET     |  Ambition for illusion                    /
> / faulkner@acsu.buffalo.edu |  Dreams for self-delusion   - Neil Peart  /
> /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-- 
I've tried to many ways using my Fender Pro-185 effects loop vs. straight in,
and the best I can say is that "it depends."  If you want your stomp boxes
close to where you stand, you'll be running a LOT of cable from the amp to the
effects and back again, plus a long cable from the guitar to the amp.  If there
are noise generators around (for example, transformers for low voltage halogen
lights, like in my studio), those long cables are antennas, so you may actually
get noisier in the effects loop.

I put my distortion effect (Boss Heavy Metal Pedal) first in the chain - using
it in any combination with the amp distortion (either the Fender or a Mesa III
Simulclass) is not effective.  Also, if you are using a digital echo/reverb, it
is best to echo first, then distort.  I found that the echo in the effects loop
with amp distortion plus reverb (Fender andMesa effect loops are both inserted
after pre/post tone controls and internal distortion and reverb) was just wierd
and not particularly musical.  Interesting the echo after Boss distortion is
just fine...

So my current config is 

Guitar -> Boss Power-Supply/on-off switch->Boss HM Dist.->Boss Chorus 2->Boss
Digital Echo->Ernie Ball Volume Pedal->Fender Pro-185 or Mesa III->
effect loop->Direct Box (for direct recording)->Ernie Ball Volume Pedal (to
control amp volume with direct recording since on the Fender none of the knobs
affect gain after the effect loop)->effect in.  

This produces sound quiet enough for recording.  With different cable
configurations and better shielding from transformers, there may be better
combinations.

Comments?

Ed Oates (my opinions, not Oracle's)
 
*** Holy ozone, Batman, what a sunburn! ***