delay in effects loop sucks tone

[15000volts]

today I tried putting my Artec analog delay in the amps effect loop and, to my disappointment, it completely sucks the soul out of my tone and it lowers the volume too. any idea why this happens? I always use it in the "normal" signal chain, and it works great with a really nice tone and effect, especially of the price.

[d180fuzz]

Hi 15000. As far as I know, amplifier effects loops are designed for line-level output, like most "rack effects" provide.

"Pedal effects" may or may not sound good through an amp's effects loop. From what I understand, some modulation pedals (i.e. flanger, phaser) can work well in an effects loop.

[bigchiefbc]

Originally Posted by 15000volts

today I tried putting my Artec analog delay in the amps effect loop and, to my disappointment, it completely sucks the soul out of my tone and it lowers the volume too. any idea why this happens? I always use it in the "normal" signal chain, and it works great with a really nice tone and effect, especially of the price.

This is because the effects loop of an amp is meant to run at line level (0 dB). The Artec pedal is expecting (and puts out) instrument level signal (-20 dB). So you are effectively dropping out 20 dBs of volume between the preamp and power amp sections of your amp.

[80'sRocker]

delay on bass? Why for?

[KarateKid25]

Why not?

[bigchiefbc]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

delay on bass? Why for?

Cause its awesome ... ?


Is that a serious question?

[Ric5]

I find using effects loop circuits sucks tone. I run effects between the bass and the input of the amp. I never use effects loops.

[15000volts]

Originally Posted by Ric5

I find using effects loop circuits sucks tone. I run effects between the bass and the input of the amp. I never use effects loops.

neither do I, but I was curious to see what it would sound like.

to all you fellow tb'ers that answered, thanks a bunch.

oh, and delay on bass is awesome. even with this cheap delay I can get from a big reverb/vibrato/smooth tremolo to 440 ms of warm delay. The first one works great for adding a bit of presence to the basslines or solos in the upper frets, btw. today I was playing some chords that sounded like radiohead's weird fishes_arpeggi, delay gives it a sweet sound too.

I love delay on bass!!!