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What is an "effects patch loop"?
Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where you
plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
before the amp.
> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
before the amp.
RichL wrote:
> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
>
> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
> before the amp.
>
>
Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual noise
if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from being
further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
--
- Rufus
> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
>
> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
> before the amp.
>
>
Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual noise
if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from being
further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
--
- Rufus
Rufus wrote:
> RichL wrote:
>
>> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
>>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
>>
>>
>> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
>> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
>> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
>> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
>> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
>> before the amp.
>>
>>
>
> Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
> front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual noise
> if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from being
> further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
>
...and if you try a pedal in the loop and you get a nasty sounding distortion,
you're overdriving the pedal. Not all pedals sound good in the effects loop.
The signal levels are much higher at the loop stage, so that can cause
distortion (the bad kind) in many pedals (especially high gain pedals like
overdrive, distortion or fuzz, which are generally designed for a very low level
input).
Some pedals (like the Boss EQ20) have switches that set gain and level for use
before the amp, or in the loop. Other pedals are just very tolerant and will
work fine. All rack gear will work in the loop, and some rack gear have a
switch to allow it to be used in front of the amp.
I'd try all time based effects (delay, chorus, flange, "echo," digital
reverb...) in the loop. I'd also try EQ pedals in the loop.
What's "the right way"? The way that sounds best to you. For example... Put a
flanger in the loop with an amp that has a lot of distortion, and you'll hear a
real modulated sound like a jet going over. Put it in front of the amp, and
it'll be much more subtle (if you have preamp distortion, at least).
> RichL wrote:
>
>> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
>>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
>>
>>
>> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
>> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
>> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
>> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
>> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
>> before the amp.
>>
>>
>
> Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
> front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual noise
> if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from being
> further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
>
...and if you try a pedal in the loop and you get a nasty sounding distortion,
you're overdriving the pedal. Not all pedals sound good in the effects loop.
The signal levels are much higher at the loop stage, so that can cause
distortion (the bad kind) in many pedals (especially high gain pedals like
overdrive, distortion or fuzz, which are generally designed for a very low level
input).
Some pedals (like the Boss EQ20) have switches that set gain and level for use
before the amp, or in the loop. Other pedals are just very tolerant and will
work fine. All rack gear will work in the loop, and some rack gear have a
switch to allow it to be used in front of the amp.
I'd try all time based effects (delay, chorus, flange, "echo," digital
reverb...) in the loop. I'd also try EQ pedals in the loop.
What's "the right way"? The way that sounds best to you. For example... Put a
flanger in the loop with an amp that has a lot of distortion, and you'll hear a
real modulated sound like a jet going over. Put it in front of the amp, and
it'll be much more subtle (if you have preamp distortion, at least).
Jim wrote:
> Rufus wrote:
>> RichL wrote:
>>
>>> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
>>>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
>>>
>>>
>>> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
>>> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
>>> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
>>> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
>>> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
>>> before the amp.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
>> front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual
>> noise if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from
>> being further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
>>
>
> ...and if you try a pedal in the loop and you get a nasty sounding
> distortion, you're overdriving the pedal. Not all pedals sound good in
> the effects loop. The signal levels are much higher at the loop stage,
> so that can cause distortion (the bad kind) in many pedals (especially
> high gain pedals like overdrive, distortion or fuzz, which are generally
> designed for a very low level input).
>
> Some pedals (like the Boss EQ20) have switches that set gain and level
> for use before the amp, or in the loop. Other pedals are just very
> tolerant and will work fine. All rack gear will work in the loop, and
> some rack gear have a switch to allow it to be used in front of the amp.
>
> I'd try all time based effects (delay, chorus, flange, "echo," digital
> reverb...) in the loop. I'd also try EQ pedals in the loop.
>
> What's "the right way"? The way that sounds best to you. For
> example... Put a flanger in the loop with an amp that has a lot of
> distortion, and you'll hear a real modulated sound like a jet going
> over. Put it in front of the amp, and it'll be much more subtle (if you
> have preamp distortion, at least).
>
That's a very good point - not all loops are created equal, either. I
have a combo amp on which the output of the loop is pretty much
proportional to the setting of the pre-amp/tone gains...if you put a
pedal or box in that loop the output knob of the pedal or box becomes
your pre-amp or master volume. I can overdrive my pedals easily with
this one if I'm not paying attention and just dial a knob up.
I have two more head that maintain a pretty consistent output level
independent of the pre-amp or tone gain setting - I think this is called
"buffered". I can put any pedal or box in the loops of these amps and
tweek the knobs on the front of the amps as I normally would without any
issues.
...so - you need to pay attention to both your pedals, and how your
particular amp's loop operates.
--
- Rufus
> Rufus wrote:
>> RichL wrote:
>>
>>> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
>>>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
>>>
>>>
>>> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
>>> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
>>> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
>>> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
>>> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
>>> before the amp.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
>> front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual
>> noise if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from
>> being further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
>>
>
> ...and if you try a pedal in the loop and you get a nasty sounding
> distortion, you're overdriving the pedal. Not all pedals sound good in
> the effects loop. The signal levels are much higher at the loop stage,
> so that can cause distortion (the bad kind) in many pedals (especially
> high gain pedals like overdrive, distortion or fuzz, which are generally
> designed for a very low level input).
>
> Some pedals (like the Boss EQ20) have switches that set gain and level
> for use before the amp, or in the loop. Other pedals are just very
> tolerant and will work fine. All rack gear will work in the loop, and
> some rack gear have a switch to allow it to be used in front of the amp.
>
> I'd try all time based effects (delay, chorus, flange, "echo," digital
> reverb...) in the loop. I'd also try EQ pedals in the loop.
>
> What's "the right way"? The way that sounds best to you. For
> example... Put a flanger in the loop with an amp that has a lot of
> distortion, and you'll hear a real modulated sound like a jet going
> over. Put it in front of the amp, and it'll be much more subtle (if you
> have preamp distortion, at least).
>
That's a very good point - not all loops are created equal, either. I
have a combo amp on which the output of the loop is pretty much
proportional to the setting of the pre-amp/tone gains...if you put a
pedal or box in that loop the output knob of the pedal or box becomes
your pre-amp or master volume. I can overdrive my pedals easily with
this one if I'm not paying attention and just dial a knob up.
I have two more head that maintain a pretty consistent output level
independent of the pre-amp or tone gain setting - I think this is called
"buffered". I can put any pedal or box in the loops of these amps and
tweek the knobs on the front of the amps as I normally would without any
issues.
...so - you need to pay attention to both your pedals, and how your
particular amp's loop operates.
--
- Rufus
> Rufus <not@home.com> wrote:
> Jim wrote:
> > Rufus wrote:
> >> RichL wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
> >>>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
> >>> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
> >>> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
> >>> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
> >>> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
> >>> before the amp.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >> Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
> >> front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual
> >> noise if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from
> >> being further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
> >>
> >
> > ...and if you try a pedal in the loop and you get a nasty sounding
> > distortion, you're overdriving the pedal. Not all pedals sound good in
> > the effects loop. The signal levels are much higher at the loop stage,
> > so that can cause distortion (the bad kind) in many pedals (especially
> > high gain pedals like overdrive, distortion or fuzz, which are generally
> > designed for a very low level input).
> >
> > Some pedals (like the Boss EQ20) have switches that set gain and level
> > for use before the amp, or in the loop. Other pedals are just very
> > tolerant and will work fine. All rack gear will work in the loop, and
> > some rack gear have a switch to allow it to be used in front of the amp.
> >
> > I'd try all time based effects (delay, chorus, flange, "echo," digital
> > reverb...) in the loop. I'd also try EQ pedals in the loop.
> >
> > What's "the right way"? The way that sounds best to you. For
> > example... Put a flanger in the loop with an amp that has a lot of
> > distortion, and you'll hear a real modulated sound like a jet going
> > over. Put it in front of the amp, and it'll be much more subtle (if you
> > have preamp distortion, at least).
> >
>
> That's a very good point - not all loops are created equal, either. I
> have a combo amp on which the output of the loop is pretty much
> proportional to the setting of the pre-amp/tone gains...if you put a
> pedal or box in that loop the output knob of the pedal or box becomes
> your pre-amp or master volume. I can overdrive my pedals easily with
> this one if I'm not paying attention and just dial a knob up.
>
> I have two more head that maintain a pretty consistent output level
> independent of the pre-amp or tone gain setting - I think this is called
> "buffered". I can put any pedal or box in the loops of these amps and
> tweek the knobs on the front of the amps as I normally would without any
> issues.
>
> ...so - you need to pay attention to both your pedals, and how your
> particular amp's loop operates.
and don't forget that effects loops on amps can be either as parallel or
series which can make a big difference on what effects will work out well
with it. And of course some effects loops do not have send level settings either.
I won't write the long diatribe here on parallel versus serial effects loop
so just do a web search and read. You'll be glad you did.
If you are not sure which one the amp has - just talk to the builder
or if your amp is mass market retail brand then call
up a company rep or info number and ask them and you might get
lucky and get an informed answer.
> Jim wrote:
> > Rufus wrote:
> >> RichL wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hud <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
> >>>> you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
> >>> section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
> >>> section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
> >>> time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
> >>> are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
> >>> before the amp.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >> Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in
> >> front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual
> >> noise if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from
> >> being further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.
> >>
> >
> > ...and if you try a pedal in the loop and you get a nasty sounding
> > distortion, you're overdriving the pedal. Not all pedals sound good in
> > the effects loop. The signal levels are much higher at the loop stage,
> > so that can cause distortion (the bad kind) in many pedals (especially
> > high gain pedals like overdrive, distortion or fuzz, which are generally
> > designed for a very low level input).
> >
> > Some pedals (like the Boss EQ20) have switches that set gain and level
> > for use before the amp, or in the loop. Other pedals are just very
> > tolerant and will work fine. All rack gear will work in the loop, and
> > some rack gear have a switch to allow it to be used in front of the amp.
> >
> > I'd try all time based effects (delay, chorus, flange, "echo," digital
> > reverb...) in the loop. I'd also try EQ pedals in the loop.
> >
> > What's "the right way"? The way that sounds best to you. For
> > example... Put a flanger in the loop with an amp that has a lot of
> > distortion, and you'll hear a real modulated sound like a jet going
> > over. Put it in front of the amp, and it'll be much more subtle (if you
> > have preamp distortion, at least).
> >
>
> That's a very good point - not all loops are created equal, either. I
> have a combo amp on which the output of the loop is pretty much
> proportional to the setting of the pre-amp/tone gains...if you put a
> pedal or box in that loop the output knob of the pedal or box becomes
> your pre-amp or master volume. I can overdrive my pedals easily with
> this one if I'm not paying attention and just dial a knob up.
>
> I have two more head that maintain a pretty consistent output level
> independent of the pre-amp or tone gain setting - I think this is called
> "buffered". I can put any pedal or box in the loops of these amps and
> tweek the knobs on the front of the amps as I normally would without any
> issues.
>
> ...so - you need to pay attention to both your pedals, and how your
> particular amp's loop operates.
and don't forget that effects loops on amps can be either as parallel or
series which can make a big difference on what effects will work out well
with it. And of course some effects loops do not have send level settings either.
I won't write the long diatribe here on parallel versus serial effects loop
so just do a web search and read. You'll be glad you did.
If you are not sure which one the amp has - just talk to the builder
or if your amp is mass market retail brand then call
up a company rep or info number and ask them and you might get
lucky and get an informed answer.
