line level in stompbox pedals

[Downunderwonder]

I asked on the effects forum...no answer. Can I run an octaver pedal at line level from my crossover and back to the power amp? It might be another schooling day today, I found some specs on the octaver:

Nominal input level -8dBv
Input impedance 700 kohms

Line is 0 dBu isn't it? What's an extra 8dBu going to do to the pedal? Input impedance is total Greek to me.

[prd004]

Line is +4 I believe, but it's been a while since I studied this stuff. And I don't believe it will work, not properly at least.

[JimmyM]

never run an octave box in a line level loop. you want as close to the original source of your bass as possible. i use octave boxes, and if i put them after other effects, they just don't work, especially ones with average tracking like the oc-2 or 3.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by prd004

Line is +4 I believe, but it's been a while since I studied this stuff. And I don't believe it will work, not properly at least.

There are two 'line levels'. Consumer is -10dB, professional is +4dB. Most effects loops use consumer level. What complicates things is that stomp boxes typically don't operate at either. They operate at instrument level, roughly -20dB. A box may be rated to run higher than that, but it's pushing the envelope.

[Downunderwonder]

Thinking about things some more, I remember testing the amp with a sinewave and it needed 1.4V to get to full power, so that's the target.

So if it's good to -8 dBv that's less than half of the reference voltage which is in turn half of what the amp needs so yeah, No Way Hose.