Re: What is an "effects patch loop"?> 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.