Effects pedal: in the effects loop or not?

[speedkills]

I know I've read here on TB that effects pedals should go between the bass and amp, and not in the effects loop.

My question is "why?"

What am I losing by putting it in the loop?

The reason I ask is that I often run a pedal (an ODB-3), but I never switch it off, and having it on the ground it gets in the way and I have accidentally switched it off.

When connected to the effects loop it sits on top of my head out of the way...

Thanks in advance!

[FeuerFrei]

You're about to get a whole bunch of "use the search tools"

You've been warned

[FeuerFrei]

Effects loop question (probhably nooby)

Does that answer your questions?

[RickenBoogie]

Ok, the effects loop is designed to run line level effects, (rack gear), your pedal is instrument level, meant to be run straight into the amp. Use a short cord, and put the pedal on top of your amp. Plug it into the main input, I don't understand why that would be a problem.

[chaosMK]

On my head I run my pedals through the FX loop. Works beautifully! Running my Sansamp BDDI through it was a breakthrough in my sound.

[Stu_Bass]

Most stomp boxes run at instrument level. This means that they are optimized for the output of the average bass. Most amp FX loops run at line level. This is significantly higher than instrument level and will often overload and clip the input of many pedals and/or negate the useful range of many of the controls on the pedal. Some amps have output level controls or switches to change the level (some also have have return level controls) You can try plugging the unit in and see if you get an acceptable sound. You will almost inevitably have to readjust the drive and level controls. You may just get a real nasty buzzy, fuzzy sound. And you may just like that, too. ;-0