Fx Loops on your amp...does anyone use them

[rfurtkamp]

There's something that needs fixing in the amp if it's doing that!

[odontophobia]

There's something that needs fixing in the amp if it's doing that!

seriously. that's super weird. stop buying 1 million old heavy cabs and get your amp fixed.

[PeterBregman]

I'm a gain-staging junkie because I like my cleans to be clean and my not-cleans to be exactly the not-clean I want, so I'm a fan of fx loops. That said, you need to consider some stuff:

1) What kind of level is your fx loop spitting out? Depending on the amp and where in the circuit the preamp-out/fx loop send is, this can vary from instrument level all the way up to line level (or more). If your amp has a way to turn down the send, your best bet is to try to get it as close to instrument level as possible (might need a scope or an RMS voltmeter).

2) What kind of headroom does the fx return/power amp in have? This also varies from amp to amp. Obviously, the more headroom the better (unless you're trying to saturate your power section I guess). Watch the levels you're getting from the pedals you put in your loop. Again, if possible, adjust the output of the last pedal in the loop to be as close to instrument level as possible.

3) What's the input impedance of the first pedal in the loop? Again, depending on your amp, the output impedance of your preamp-out/fx send could be pretty high. I've seen people take taps from the plate of the preamp tube as an fx send (ugh), which means the first pedal in your loop needs to have a REALLY high input impedance. Generally speaking, something with a well designed buffered input is a good idea.

4) How much headroom do the pedals in the loop have? This is related to the first point. If your loop is spitting out line level or close to it, you better make sure whatever pedals you put in the loop can take that kind of level. 18V pedals and other high-headroom stuff definitely works better in loops.

5) Back to impedance - what's the output impedance of the last pedal in your loop? It should be low to cleanly drive your power stage. The input impedance of the return varies from amp to amp just like everything else, but it's always better to drive the power stage with a lower impedance when you can.

6) Power - that shit better be clean and have the same ground reference as the amp. You don't want to insert a ground loop, bad 60Hz filtering, RFI noise, etc into your loop. It ruins everything.


Some pedals I like in my loop: CBA Gravitas (at 18V), Pigtronix E2UP, Space Case TE-1, OTO Machines BAM, Moog MF-108m

[Jwar]

All I heard was blah, blah, blah I make amazing pedals.

[PeterBregman]

All I heard was blah, blah, blah I make amazing pedals.

I'm not afraid to go full-nerd.

[whoismarykelly]

I use loops on my amps for realistic reverbs, delays, loopers, and trem. However I also run a delay-ish pedal and a reverb out front because having those effects compressed by the preamp is a totally different sound that is worth having on tap.

[sylnau]

I use to have my delay and modulation in the loop and I think they sounded better that way. But I stoped doing it because it required too much long cable and was complicated for the board.

[John Matrix]

I use mine. I use a lot of amp distortion and it makes my delays and reverb sound like dogshit, so they go into the loop. My amp also has separate fx loops for each channel, so I can switch between sounds that require a few different pedals without tap dancing.

What amp is that exactly? I always assumed that amps with sepreate fx loops were sort of a rarity.

Damn...this is from a long time ago...sorry I missed it. To answer your question: Sunn Beta Lead

[GardenoftheDead]

I typically run phasers into the front of the amp and flangers and time effects in the loop.

[JonnyAngle]

Good Kesha reference

I don't use fx loops. Too much wiring anyways

[PeteeBee]

I use loops on my amps for realistic reverbs, delays, loopers, and trem. However I also run a delay-ish pedal and a reverb out front because having those effects compressed by the preamp is a totally different sound that is worth having on tap.

Yeah I'm planning on having one delay before the loop and some more delay/reverb in the loop.

Re:peterbregman's criteria, the amp I've ordered is a science mother with the ghost loop, it says that it is instrumental level with high impedance FETs, but that's all the info. I can probably ask him for more specific info, but I just plan on messing around and figuring it out. Dminner is making me a junction box to make all the cabling real easy (and it looks dope). Now I just have to wait like 4 months for the amp...

[whoismarykelly]

The Science loops will play nice with anything as long as the pedal is designed well. Sometimes you'll have something with a slight volume drop that you don't notice out front but is very noticeable in a loop.

[Faldoe]

I use a Fryette Pittbull UL and have my m5 and tremolo in the loop. Pog2, fuzz and delay into the front of the amp.