6 Ways To Use An FX Loop
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 เม.ย. 2020
- An FX Loop (or properly, “Effects Loop”) is an optional break between your amplifier’s preamp and power amp. Today, we’re looking at 6 different ways in which you can use an FX Loop.
Arguably, the most popular way to use an FX Loop is with modulation or other time-based effects such as chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, etc., particularly if you’re using overdrive or distortion in your sound.
Typically, depending on your specific tone, amount and type of distortion, and modulation settings, effects like chorus and flanger can sound a bit muddy when placed before distortion. This is because these effects act like “pseudo-doublers” and ultimately can result in what sounds like two signals being fed into one amp. Again, depending on your specific settings, this may or may not be a problem, but if it is, putting the aforementioned effects in the loop and after your distortion will help tidy everything up. This is because your distortion is seeing your single, non-“pseudo-doubled” signal, then applying the chorus or flanger effect, applying the desired effect more cleanly. Again, this is 100% optional. If you prefer your flanger before your drive, there is nothing wrong with that.
You can also run a preamp pedal into the FX Loop Return of your amplifier. Your amp’s power amp is designed to cleanly amplify whatever sound comes before it. By placing your preamp pedal in the FX Loop return, your preamp is being cleanly amplified, rather than being further shaped by your amp’s preamp.
You can also run your amp’s preamp in the power amp of another amplifier. For example, let’s say you have the Darkglass Microtubes 900 but want to feed that signal into the tube power section of an Ampeg SVT. Just connect a patch cable or instrument cable from the Darkglass’s FX Loop Send (or Preamp Out) to the Ampeg’s FX Loop Return (or Power Amp In). You can do this with any amps that have an FX Loop, but no matter what, MAKE SURE THAT AMPLIFIERS WITH TUBE POWER SECTIONS ARE ALWAYS CONNECTED TO A SPEAKER CABINET.
Graphic EQ Pedals typically have a lot of flexibility in the EQ shaping. If your amp’s EQ is limited, try running an EQ pedal in the loop. This will help give greater flexibility to your amp’s EQ capabilities.
Let’s say you want to boost your volume without altering your fundamental tone. Placing a boost in front of your amp is going to increase the level of the signal being fed into the preamp, pushing the preamp harder and often resulting in more gain. Placing a boost in the FX Loop will help you raise your volume without altering your tone.
The same goes for attenuation. If you’re in a situation where you need to bring the volume down, a volume pedal in front of your amp will decrease the level of the signal being fed into the amp, often resulting in less gain. Placing a volume pedal in the FX Loop will lower your volume without changing your tone.
Finally, if your’e suffering from a noisy preamp, you can either insert a standard Noise Gate in the loop, or for better results, use a Noise Gate with its own loop. By inserting your amp’s preamp into the loop of your Noise Gate, you can cut down on noise while retaining your playing dynamics.
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I've found that if you secretly run really long cables and a tuner pedal to the effects loop of a guitarist who doesn't use it, you can randomly stomp the tuner and mute his amp. This will confuse the crap out him and make him keep checking everything. A volume pedal works wonders like this, too!
🤣
Why does your guitar have 4 strings?
Yah no srsly, why his guitar have 4 strings
Is there a tip on doing this to a drummer?
@@SCVM__ Actually, yes! Make him play an electric kit and run the tuner inline to the amp.
Otherwise, there is another trick that I did to my old drummer's acoustic kit. There are these little sticky gel things that they sell to put on the bottom heads to stop excess resonance and ringing.
Put them on the bottom of his cymbals! It totally confuses the crap out of drummers when they hit one and it just gives a 'click.'
Depending on your amp, just a patch cable going to the in and out of the effects loop adds an extra buffer stage and can tighten your sound or sometimes clean up a noise preamp
The Sans Amp VTDI continues to be my favorite pedal to go straight into the return of any amp.
Cool video!!!! I never thought of some of the uses you came with. Here’s one you didn’t touch on. Some amps have a blendable fx loop where you can blend the fx loop with your clean tone. When you run a dirt pedal in the fx loop and blend in a little of your clean tone you get a similar effect to running a bi-amp rig without having to haul around 2 amps. I’m using an Ampeg SVT 7 pro which has the blend option as well as having a footswitchable fx loop for when you want to remove all your pedals from the signal chain. I use it like a second channel on my amp with all my pedals run through the loop
My favorite use of FX loops: Bypassing the preamp so I can use Sansamp as the main tone!
Do you use any other pedals?
My question is, what about the other stuff like Wahs, modulations etc? How’s all that tie in if you’re running your guitar into the Sansamp, into the power amp direct?
@@XxStonedImmaculatexX Bump. I was just about to ask this
@@lordundhimself1310 I think this really works 2 ways:
- for personal home use
- if you’re ONLY, using overdrive and nothing else
🤣
@@XxStonedImmaculatexX lol I hope not. I was thinking you could probably run your pedals one into the other, into into the preamp pedal, into the effects return/preamp in. I mean, that's essentially the singnal chain when you plug directly into the amp, right?
Why your guitar have 4 strings
Very Helpful. Love the channel, keep the videos coming. Thankyou
Great demo/explanation y’all. 👍
Love your channel!!! Keep going!
Finally the video a been waiting and try to find
Great video, been playing for 25 years and never knew some of this!! 😂
This may be the best, most instructive video I'v ever seen, great stuff, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really cool video guys, I loved it and gives me a couple of interesting ideas 🤘🏼
Thank you. Extremely helpful
Super useful and clear explanation. I thought I knew it all. Wrong. 🤘👍
Thanks so much for this. I’m just starting to get more into gear and have been looking everywhere trying to figure this out.
great content put in an understandable way !
Great video colleague, thanks n much blessings! I got curious and started plugin my goods and shuffling cables when I realized I was feeding the send of my Ampeg with the end of the chain of pedals, then when I plugged the Bass on the pre amp and driver (BK7 Ultra)... it worked as a loop looping on the loop... 😎🤷🏽♂️, the Aux in on the Ampeg and the return are unused, I’ll be trying to do some more experiments... open to ideas like gating or parallel effects, Tape delays and ululating moods for low vintage fidelity etc! You got me started with this, Thanks 🙏
Thanks for the video. It helped out
SUPERB VIDEO ...THANK YOU !!!!
Very useful, thanks!
Super useful thank you man
Nice informative vid, guys.
Nice way to use loops!
I use them mostly to troubleshoot the amp. If you plug headphones into a "dead" amp's loop and you can hear signal, no sense trying to fix anything before that! What's left is the final amp and the speakers. Used this to check out a Line 6 and in minutes, after checking the output using the external speaker out jacks, found both speakers blown.
Interesting note, the customer said it worked great and when he was playing but it "just quit". Hard to blow two 80 watt Clestron speakers and not notice, but hey, replacing the speakers fixed it for him.
Great video.
Great video
I had a similar revelation recently regarding putting a pre-amp into the effects loop. Previously I had my pedal board going straight into my Darkglass Microtubes 900 V2. The last pedal on that chain was my Darkglass Alpha Omega Ultra. I wanted to try and combine distortions to create something disgusting without much success. When I put the AOU into the effects loop of the amp, holy shit! This video would have saved me two days worth of tone quest!
Very useful video. Probably the best explanation for using effects loops that I've ever found.
I wish they would show what cables are going where everytime. I'm getting really frustrated hearing people talk about effects loops and i can't figure out how to get them to work for me, especially addind an EQ in the loop with out bypassing the pre amp.
Effects loops are a great option if you have an amp modeler and you're at a gig with a sound guy that has no idea how to hook it up to the mixer. Just plug the modeler into the effects return and the sound guy can mic the live cabinet like he's used to. Just make sure to turn off the cabinet simulation in your amp modeler.
Great topic. Glad you guys covered it. I’ve been going back and forth for a while personally using my HX Stomp and their Darkglass model and deciding which I like better. Going into the front of my TC Electronic RH450 OR it’s power amp in. I feel like the tone is better preserved bypassing the TC preamp (though it’s a preamp that doesn’t have a whole lot of character IMO anyway) but, and maybe it’s just my ears, it feels like a weaker (very subjective but it’s just something I can completely put into technical terms) sound then when it’s plugged into the front of the amp and for the most part keeping the Eq pretty flat. Do you guys have thoughts on that?
I never really loved the preamp on my GK 700RB as it was a bit too scooped for my tastes, so I bought a Mesa Subway DI pedal, put that into the FX Return, and got the tone I want.
Have an ampeg portaflex 350 the drive is pretty good and I thought to myself okay what if I put my joyo ultimate drive into the loop and boom 2 drives made one hell of a bass fuzz. Thanks for the heads up on how to use a noise gate could be really useful for band practice when instead of cranking my amp to deafening volume.
Very informative video! I like to use the FX loop on my 2 channel Sunn amp by using both channels, then using the preamp out on one of the channels to power a guitar amp. Personally, I found that to give the best bi-amping sound. The bass cab handles the lows and the guit. cab handles the highs much better than going the mixing/blending route.
Igor Jovanović
I am confused, maybe a video?
@@18JR78 Yeah why not, I'll see to make a video about it.
Cool video! Can I also run my signal from my effects loop to the mixer, essentially going "direct" to the PA and bypassing my amp's own power section? For live mixing reasons, I would love to do this.
Great video! I have a question...is it safe to plug the send in the effects loop directly to a mixer?
Would you mind explaining the signal path to use a preamp pedal in the fx loop. I like the idea of having once sound with the amp and the engaging the pedal to create something different t but unaffected by the amp eq
Great!
Is it possible to use the FX Return, without using the FX Send, as a secondary bass line input, to run in parallel to the main chain instrument input? For instance:
Main chain: Bass - Compressor - Pré-Amp “Wet” Output - Head Input
Secondary chain: Pré-Amp “Dry” Output - Octaver - Chorus - Tuner - Head FX Return
Or:
Main chain: Bass - Compressor - Signal Split 1st Output - Pré Amp - Head Input
Secondary chain: Signal Split 2nd Output - Octaver - Chorus - Tuner - Head FX Return
Or even inverting the chains in the 2 possible situations above (maybe it could be better).
Would the use of this second chain “kill” or vanish the signal of the main chain?
Even if it works, could it cause some damage to the equipment?
Effects loop are really great for adding more things on the stage for people to trip over. But for real, I need to figure out how to use it...
I have a TECH 21 Bass Fly Rig. I love it, but it produces a loud hum. When I connect it as an FX Loop, it works and reduces the hum, a lot, but, per your videos, does not negate the tone controls on my Ampeg SVT-7 Pro. Do you know if this is a function of the Fly Rig or the amp. BTW, I've tried playing it wet and dry. Thanks.
I use an Ampeg SVP-BSB into the Return on a GK 800RB, and use the loop on the clean side for a Compressor. It makes for a really great one rack space power amp. I wish it went down to 2 ohms though...
Last use for guitar newbies (me), if the amp has the FX Mix toggle, you can use the return as an aux-in for mp3 basetrack or similar...
so i got the a/0 900 and yes the 4 cable method using a gate works ,but how do i connect the rest of my pedals in the sequence?
I just bought a Markius Miller SWR Preamp and it just occurred to me I'm not sure how to connect it to my various integrated (have both pre-amp and amp) bass amps? I have a EBS 802 and a Ashdown 12-band... both have an effects loop only and a DI out.. no other inputs besides the instrument cable input on the front.. so what do you suggest?
What bass did you use for this video?
im pretty new to all this stuff, i have probably a pretty stupid question, can i take one of those slim looking rack pre amps and hook it up to say, my soldano slo 100 main amp? ive heard of doing this to get desired tones from the preamp to bypass say, my soldano preamp. im just using the soldano as an example. how do i do this? if at all? i know he talks about this, but i just wanna be sure im not doing anything wrong....so anything i hook up to my soldano effects loop is bypassing its preamp? im talking about guitar too
How about if your amp doesn't have a di, can you send a cable from your effects send to a direct box for front of house or recording? And will that have the effects from your pedal board (going into front instrument jack)?
Also #7 using it as ‘tuner out’ either with just fx send to tuner switched on or with output of tuner to fx return so it acts as a mute for the entire rig
To feed pedal with with cab simulator and use the amp DI for a clean DI
You could split your bass output with a Y cable, run one to your amp in, the other to a preamp pedal, then use an ABY box to switch between your amps effects out, or the preamp pedal out, then send that to the effects return.
Bass -> Y cable -> amp in -> fx send -> ab -> fx return
-> preamp pedal ->
Some Punk In The Comments
🤯
can someone help me, i want to use my helix lt as an effects board into the effects loop of the darkglass 500.... in the house i am using the di out on darkglass into my interface... i get no sound at all when i plug into the return on darkglass... i cant figure out what way to set it up
I enjoy a lot of the content that this channel puts out, and it’s even one of the few channels I’m subscribed to.. but are we all going ignore the fact that the logo on his t-shirt is the inversion of the Darkglass logo with three less bass clefs? Just wondering if anyone else noticed..
Based on how many times darkglass appears in this channel, I'm sure they noticed and don't seem to mind. 🤔
It's been their logo since they were called Bassic Gear Review some years ago
Question for The Bass Channel. How would your run a floor multi effect pedal, like Boss GT-1b or Line 6 bass podxt. Can you still get great tone using multi effects like stomp effects??
I've played with this and the gt1b does best right in front
When running dark glass into the fox loop so long cables make a difference. In the sound
So I have this weird issue everytime I use a pedal on my Orange amp it creates a really grungy sound that lasts for a long time in the amp it self no matter where I use it can somebody help please? Thank you.
While stalling on buying am A/B box to biamp my 2 transistor amps, I tried connecting them via the effects loops. I found that the 2 units had the effects loops routed different ways and not really how I wanted.
I eventually chose to run out of the back of the Hartke into the instrument in on the Marshall. This allowed the tube emulation on the Hartke to color the Marshall, but not the 7band eq to do the same.
I forget what was the failure of trying to run the Marshall's Preamp Out or Effects Out into the Marshall.
Having to use my 20 foot instrument cable to go from Effects Out on the back to Instrument In instead of my 6" patch cable was less than ideal also, but that damned thing was too much for my room to begin with.
Just for the public record, I went back and experimented with biamping the Hartke HA2500 and the Marshall 3510 together via effect loop jacks. The Hartke's effect out is: post compressor, pre equalizer, pre contour/band pass boost. The Marshall's effect out and preamp out are post eq.
If both amps have send and returns plugged to each other: no sound.
Do not plug into the amps instrument input, thays how stuff gets damaged. Also both amps need a speaker load if you are slaving them otherwise you will damage the amp
The last use interests me... so are you saying I can basically increase the overall volume of my amp? Or am I still limited to the amps power section? For example, if I'm using a small solid state amp, say 50W, and I have the master volume maxed out, can I cleanly increase the volume still by adding a clean boost in the effects loop?
If your master volume is already maxed, this probably won’t help you cleanly amplify your sound further, however, if you don’t have your volume maxed and just need a temporary volume increase, you’re good to go.
You can also use the return to plug in an MP3 player or a drum machine to play along
I thought that would shut off the instrument's signal.
@@carpediemarts705 Well it works on my Ampeg PF-500 and other amps since I read about this somewhere else
@@marcandrebrassard what sort of plug or connection do you use?
I wouldn't mind having my 100 and 250 watt amps playing my CDs or radio.
I've seen a practice amp with stereo rca plugs in the back.
I don't have those. The volume knobs did nothing to make the Eva signal play any louder.
Honestly, this is a great Informative video. However, I still have no clue how to use my pedal board and fx loop, lol I gotta do more learning
reverb into OD sounds awesome when it's done well.
I use a dbx160 compressor in the FX loop
Forgive this dummy question..but can you run some effects into the front end and some others into the effects loop simultaneously?
Absolutely
Hello gentlemen, I wondered if you could give me some advice and knowledge please?
Would it be possible to use gain pedals through the FX loop on a bass amp and use their volume (or the loop volume) to blend them with the clean channel at the front of the amp to create a dirty clean blend?
(For example trying to create the muse bass tone on a budget)
I’ve never tried that but theoretically it should work if it’s a parallel FX loop.
@@TheBassChannel how would I know if it's parallel or not? I've not used FX loops before so they're kind of new technology to me in that sense
It should specify in the manual.
@@TheBassChannel ok great, thank you so much I'll have a look thank you
What do you think about using a Digitech Drop pedal in the loop? I haven't gotten it to work correctly on bass anywhere past 1 step down for my active basses. I haven't tried yet, but my theory is using it in the loop may allow it to do its job better. Thoughts?
It’s worth a try.
@@TheBassChannel if I can get to my rig soon, I'll give it a shot. But if you try it, I'd love to hear your results
In my rehearsal place I have a Drop tune pedal which nobody uses...Maybe this weekend I'll give it a try plugin it in the fx loop of my amp.
Can i use an Audio Interface like a Focusrite in the FX Loop of a Tube Amp for time based effects? or should i damage the amp or the audio interface?
have u found the answer to ur question?
@@qezeq No, a don't...still searching for an answer!
Kool
A video on slaving amps?
If you put a pre-amp in the fx loop, you take away the personality of your amp ?
It you put a pre-amp pedal IN the fx loop (hooking up send and return) you'll be adding the pedal preamp after the amp's pre-amp, which will impact the personality, how much is depending on settings.
If you send a preamp TO the fx loop return, you'll be bypassing the amp pre-amp, and only be engaging the pedal pre-amp.
Yesteray I checked the back of my Cort bass combo. I was like: WTF WHO PUT THAT THERE
I own it since 2018 and just noticed it lol
Either my Sentry pedal is too small or this man's hands are tiny. Would explain the sick bass playing.
Thanks i guess this goes for guitars issues
I guess that I expected something different from this video. By my estimation, this video only shows 3 ways to use an effects loop: 1) with a pedal. 2) to bypass the amp's pre-amp. 3) to daisy chain amps. But there is good info on how to best employ certain pedals.
Should do a how to use a di box next
That’s a good idea!
Those playing samples were about twice as long as necessary
Why does your guitar have 4 strings?
The question on everyone’s mind
Yah , and why is his guitar tuned like an octave down?
Yah why does his guitar have 4 strings?
Thebaddegg your here too?
I’m on every comment section spreading the egg side effects #SayNoToEggs
Since u all know I play BASS, try to put a touch wah in there, I tried, DISASTER!!!
For some effects, o.k., but tha again...... I prefer the good ol way of doing it......
I realized halfway through the video you were playing a bass. Figured you were just one of those djent guys at first lol
Orange rules my grungy dirty life
science
F.T. t
Bass into reverb? Really?
Why all the distortion? wheres the bass?
When I run my pedalboard through the FX loop in my Fender Rumble 500 210 V3(with extension 210 cab)there is a high pitch feed back sound. What am I doing wrong?
Lots of variables there. Not all pedals are suitable for running in the loop. There are no hard and fast rules, but generally we'd keep envelope-dependent and gain/dirt pedals in front of the amp input, and then put modulation and delay and such in the loop.