Why not run signal through amp's effects loop for best OD/Distortion?

[MicG]

Alright so I've really been considering which pedal I want to add some SVT-like grit to my sound. In doing some research on Bass OD pedals and low end loss I ran into the Xotic blender pedal and started understanding how blending pedals with a clean signal can really preserve low end.

I've been told (and read on TB) that simply running effects out front between the bass and the amp produces the best results. Losing low end with certain pedals running my signal this way is what started this whole crusade for me in the first place. Now, rather than drop $200 on a blender pedal, why wouldn't I want to use my Mesa's send & return effects loop to blend the wet/dry signal when it comes to using OD/distortion/fuzz type pedals?

Wouldn't that essentially be doing the same thing as the blender?

Just trying understand my amp's capabilities and blending an effects loop in general

[seventhson]

That seems like perfectly sound logic.

Maybe the reason why it's not popular is because of the limitation of some effect loops (series vs. parallel).

[bongomania]

The main consideration is that some pedals, and some effects loops, are incompatible with each other in terms of the signal level they use. E.g. running a line-level fx loop into a pedal that distorts when fed a signal above instrument level means you get unintended distortion--and the output of the pedal may not be able to get back up to line level, resulting in a quieter signal from the preamp into the power section. All around fail. Not all pedals have that limitation--some can handle and/or put out line-level signals. And not all loops have that limitation--some operate at instrument level normally, and others are adjustable to match the effects.

Then, yes, there's the question of series vs. parallel. And even if the loop is parallel, it may need a phase switch for best results with some distortions, or it may be at a fixed 50/50 blend that isn't quite what you wanted, depending on the specific effect.

IOW it can work in some cases, but there's an awful lot of instances where it won't work so well. When in doubt, RTM of the specific amp and effects.

[MicG]

Well I just finished reading over the manual again. The amp is a Mesa Boogie Mpulse 600 and the pedals i'm considering are
BOSS ODB-3 (short term solution)
EBS Valvedrive (long term solution)
Xotic Bass BB Preamp (unsure)
EHX Bass Big Muff (add to one of the two pedals above)

These all seem to be quality pedals although I understand the BOSS pedal is hit or miss. I could kick myself though for not realizing this whole blending effects thing sooner as I might have given the Fulltone Bass Drive second chance before selling it!

[bongomania]

FWIW it has nothing to do with quality. Instrument level, line level, series, parallel, etc. are all objective specs that don't reflect good or bad or in between.

[Matt Dean]

I remember being lest than impressed when I first started using pedals and ran them into the effects loop of my M-Pulse 600. They were Fulltone Bass Driver and a Bottle Rocket.

I'm currently using a Bass BB... I'll give it a try. If you experiment, I'd be interested in the outcomes.

Matt

[MicG]

Bongo, thanks for clarifying about the whole quality thing, I just assumed that more expensive pedals would have less concerns regarding line level, etc...

Matt, can you recall what it was about using the effects loop that you were not impressed with?

[rratajski]

Also there are blenders for less than $200.

[MicG]

Besides the BOSS LS-2 and Xotic, I haven't researched what else is out there :/

[rratajski]

http://www.woundedpaw.com Wounded Paw. You can get a prebuilt or build one yourself. I have one and LOVE it. It makes my GGG-tuned Big Muff usable in high gain settings.

The Boss LS-2 can be found on this forum as well as others for waaaaaaay under $100!

[aledeville]

Originally Posted by bongomania

The main consideration is that some pedals, and some effects loops, are incompatible with each other in terms of the signal level they use.

This is exactly my experiance so far. Some pedals just make too much noise when they are fed with line level.
I'm looking for a rack overdrive for line level now.

[fasto]

Originally Posted by MicG

Besides the BOSS LS-2 and Xotic, I haven't researched what else is out there :/

Radial BigShot Mix

^ That one will tomorrow replace my LS-2, could not afford the Xotic X-Blender

[MicG]

I appreciate all the recommendations for blenders. It seems to me that the effects loop is better suited for rackmount effects. From what I can gather, pedals should probably be left out front meaning that using a blender might still be the best course of action here.

[RickenBoogie]

exactly

[metalinthenight]

Originally Posted by rratajski

The Boss LS-2 can be found on this forum as well as others for waaaaaaay under $100!

Shameless plug

Pedals - Boss, EHX, Rust Ride

[shinobi]

if you are paying in US Dollars then you are doing something wrong. clearly, we should all be raping europe:
http://www.zcatpedals.com/?dir=view&...10290108414IHj