Effects Loops and Combos

Jeff123 · #1 09-27-2007, 12:06 AM

After spending quite a bit of time looking at compressor pedals for bass, and every possible opinion about them, I've found that most recommend a rack mounted compressor, specifically the dbx series, and after looking those up, along with a few pedals, I decided that if at all possible i would like to use a rack mounted effect since they cost just a little more than pedals. Since i'm unsure how they work and since i have a combo amp, i have no idea if the compressor will work. Someone mentioned an fx loop and now im more confused than before.

bongomania · #2 09-27-2007, 12:17 AM

[Lurch voice] You raaannnnngggg? [/Lurch]

Check out the compressor FAQ in my sig. There's an article there about fx loop usage.

Jeff123 · #3 09-27-2007, 12:33 AM

Thanks, great FAQ, but im still unsure about whether or not a combo amp would work at all with a rackmount effect thanks to my limited knowledge of fx loops

bongomania · #4 09-27-2007, 12:53 AM

Have you tried the RTFM method?

JanusZarate · #5 09-27-2007, 01:05 AM

Jeff... if your combo has an effects loop, it'll work. Just run a cable from the "Send jack" into the rackmount unit's input, and a cable from the unit's output to the "return" jack. It's as simple as that.

Think of the effects loop as a gap in the chain, right in between the preamp and poweramp of your head or combo.

If it doesn't have an effects loop, you could still use a rackmount unit... but they often don't work too well before the preamp, since they're best suited for the higher output that comes after the preamp (but before the poweramp).

Most cheaper combos tend to NOT have effects loops, but bigger and more expensive combos usually will. All you have to do is look in the back of your combo.

Jeff123 · #6 09-27-2007, 06:45 PM

Noice

first off whats the rtfm method, and second i have a patch in and out which might have been somthing similar to the send and receive jacks, since I think my amp is from back in the 80's. Any thoughts?

JanusZarate · #7 09-27-2007, 07:13 PM

Patch in/out? Sounds like an effects loop that's just labeled differently. Patch Out would be the output of the preamp, and Patch In would be the input of the poweramp.

Jeff123 · #8 09-27-2007, 08:40 PM

Upon closer inspection my amp also has a "hi" out and a "lo" out next to a frequency crossover pot, as well as a pre amp out and a power amp in.

So it would appear that a rackmounted compressor would work just fine after all?

Thanks for all you help everyone

bongomania · #9 09-27-2007, 10:28 PM

"RTFM" is one of the more venerable acronyms of the computer age. It means "read the f'ing manual". The manual would likely contain useful information about the loop specifications. I mentioned it because I was guessing it was a newer amp- but even so, owners manuals are often available online for older products as well.

The crossover in and outs are not relevant in this instance, unless you were going to use a two-channel compressor and an external two-channel amp/cab rig. But the preamp out and power amp in jacks are exactly what you'd need to use a rack processor with that combo.

j0n0j0n0 · #10 09-28-2007, 04:34 AM

i have a dbx 166xl and i run it through my effects loop and it sounds great, alot better than if i was to run it after my bass.

JanusZarate · #11 09-28-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0n0j0n0

i have a dbx 166xl and i run it through my effects loop and it sounds great, alot better than if i was to run it after my bass.

Yeah, that's one of those that doesn't sound quite right at the amp's input. Definitely a true "belongs in the effects loop" compressor.

The same usually can't be said of pedal compressors - they tend to belong before the amp's input.