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A silly effects plug in question.

E

EJL

Mar 27, 2015
21
7
70
#1
I need your experience with these questions. So I plug my basses into a Radial A/B box at the beginning of the effects chain (so I can use fretless & fretted). Should I plug the last effect into the amps input jack, or plug it into the effects input on the back?
Is there a difference in sound or how the amp reacts to the effects? I'm certain you guys know.

Next question. Should I use the effects send & return inputs in the amp for the pedalboard, then plug the A/B box right into the amp input?

Any idea what is the best (or standard) routing for the bass effects, and amp?

Sorry for asking a rather dumb question.
 
#4
The amp's separate effects loop is usually for line level, rack-mounted style effects and processors. Stomp-box type effects should go into the normal instrument input on the amp.

It's really not a dumb question at all, and there is some flexibility here. You could certainly try plugging the A/B box right into the amp's instrument input, and putting your pedal board in the amp's effect loop (the amp's send/return loop). You won't hurt anything, provided you don't start out with everything dimed.

But like I said, most stomp boxes work better with an instrument level input, rather than the line level output from your amp's pre-amp stage. Especially dirt and filters, although good quality ones can be adjusted to *work*, they will probably work more optimally with the A/B box feeding them, and then taking their output to your amp's instrument input.
 
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#6
Very simple effects. B3K OD;Tech 21 Chorus;MXR Octave Deluxe; 105Q Wah. The A/B is a Radial I/O. Might get rid of the Wah, don't see much need for it.
So the best bet is bass into chain, chain into amp input. Wow that was easy.
What about when I want to use my wireless. I don't need the A/B box then, so should I go through the effects loop inputs?
Oh and many thanks.
 
#7
EJL said:
Very simple effects. B3K OD;Tech 21 Chorus;MXR Octave Deluxe; 105Q Wah. The A/B is a Radial I/O. Might get rid of the Wah, don't see much need for it.
So the best bet is bass into chain, chain into amp input. Wow that was easy.
What about when I want to use my wireless. I don't need the A/B box then, so should I go through the effects loop inputs?
Oh and many thanks.
Click to expand...
Plug the wireless into one of the A/B box inputs or plug it in instead of the A/B box.
 
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#8
fx in and out is really for guitarist i feel, we bassist mostly get our dirty tone from our pedals instead of amp hence there is literally no need for us to use the fx loop if we are going for the standard fx chain.

guitarist use fx loop because they normally want their reverb after their distortion/od
 
#9
willbassyeah said:
fx in and out is really for guitarist i feel, we bassist mostly get our dirty tone from our pedals instead of amp hence there is literally no need for us to use the fx loop if we are going for the standard fx chain.

guitarist use fx loop because they normally want their reverb after their distortion/od
Click to expand...


I had never heard of it, but was asking other TB'rs about a volume issue i had, and that was one suggestion. I posted before i tried. I tried, no go.
 
#10
Yeah, unless you have some ordering issues you want instrument level effects (ie stomp boxes) going into your instrument input, not your effect return.

If there's an effect you want after you amps gain/drive you could put it in your effect loop, if it was OK with a line level signal.

Line level effects (like rack mounted compressors) normally go in the effects loop, or maybe after the pre amp if it's a seperate unit.
 

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