Compressor for Protecting Pedals in Loop?

[bass-shy]

First, I did do a search and found nothing about this.

I have a few pedals that I would really like to leave in my amp's effects loop, but the signal from the "Effects Send" is too hot and it gives me some distortion at times. The pedals that are getting overloaded are a Homebrew Electronics THC Chorus and a Mimic Mock II delay. I also have a Psilocybe Phaser in the loop, but that one doesn't distort. The reason I like them in the loop is that the loop is footswitchable and it's great to be able to turn them all on with one stomp. Anyway, would it be alright to use a compressor before these pedals? Would it solve the overloading issue? Would I just be adding to the problem and overload the compressor, too?

One more thing, I don't have a blend on my effects loop but I wondered if a Looper with a blend pot could work. Do any of you use something like this?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[bongomania]

Would I just be adding to the problem and overload the compressor, too?

Yes. There are some pedals that can handle a line-level input, but they are the exception. Check out the Barge loop pedal that people are raving about here, I think it's what you want.

 

[bass-shy]

Thanks for the quick reply, Bongo. I'll give the Barge a shot. Anyone know where to find one?

 

[Swimming Bird]

You can buy the barge looper direct from their site (Link Removed) and I haven't the slightest as to whether or not they have a distributer.

There are bunches of loopers on the market though, so do a little research first. The Boss line selector is a poular choice and I have an old vestax programable looper that I picked up for ten bucks. The very cool thing about the barge is the feedback function, but it should be perfectly fine even if you don't use it

 

[olaff421]

I'm waiting for mine to come in the mail. I'm really excited about this pedal. They are going to be raising the price sometime soon, if they haven't already, so if you want one I'd go ahead and get it. I've heard nothing but good stuff about thier products, and customer support.

They have an ebay store, and they sell directly from thier website.

 

[00Funk]

Im using the BBE maxcom dual compressor.

Channel 1 at the end of chain, in effects loop

Channel 2 at the end of chain, in effects, in front of amp.

This particular compressor, advises, to put at end of chain.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[bass-shy]

Hey, thanks a lot guys. It looks like the Barge is the way to go. I'll order one as soon as I can.

 

[bass-shy]

Well, I got my VFB-2 today. I hooked everything up, plugged in my bass and I'm still getting distortion. Actually, I can get the distortion to go away, but the level of the loop has to be way quieter than the bypassed volume. Any ideas? I've messed with the controls and such but I can't seem to get it to work for me. Do you guys know of any other solutions to this problem? Thanks.

 

[SpankyPants]

What kind of bass are you using?

 

[bass-shy]

I'm using an ESP LTD C-304 with EMG-HZ soapbars and an ESP LTD Fretless B-50 with stock, passive P and J pickups.

Just in case I wasn't clear in my previous posts, all of the pedals that I run between my bass and the front end of my amp are fine. The chorus and delay in my effects loop are getting overloaded, though.

I know I could run them into the front of my amp, and I don't get distortion, but I lose a little switching flexibility that way.

 

[SpankyPants]

Well, aren't you mister negative? ;-D

The only other thing I can imagine is the last pedal in your chain (in front of your amp) having too high of an output. Like a Moogerfooger having "drive" set too high...

Then again, I'm terrible at brainstorming, and someone else is liable to come right behind me and solve your problem.

 

[niftydog]

For the record, using a compressor to avoid distortion is like using a sausage to tighten a screw. Mmm, sausage...

To do it properly, you want a line level attenuator to bring the level down to instrument level, then you go through your FX and into an amplifier to bring it back up to line level before it goes to the FX return.

Well, I got my VFB-2 today. I hooked everything up, plugged in my bass and I'm still getting distortion.

I think what Bongomania was getting at was that you could use the VFB-2 to replace your FX loop. It allows you to switch and blend at instrument level. Putting the VFB-2 in the FX loop (which I think is what you did) is just gonna have the same overloading issues as before because it's designed for instrument level.

I know I could run them into the front of my amp, and I don't get distortion, but I lose a little switching flexibility that way.

If the flexibility is all you're concerned about then doesn't the VFB-2 do the same job for you or am I missing something important? Like, put the chorus and delay in the loop of the VFB-2 and put the whole shebang imediately after your other FX.

 

[bongomania]

+1

 

[The BurgerMeister]

+2. that all sounds right to me. use the VFB2 in front of the amp. i've had one for a few months now, and i love it!

For the record, using a compressor to avoid distortion is like using a sausage to tighten a screw.

for the record: this is the funniest sentence i've heard in a good while. thanks, nifty!

 

[niftydog]

for the record: this is the funniest sentence i've heard in a good while.

...and that's pretty funny too, but I know what you mean, I hear the voices in my head too!














Oh, and, um... SAUSAGE!


Bwwwaaa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.... ahhhh.

Just one of those inherently funny words I guess, like "banana" and "witchita."

 

[bongomania]

There used to be a "special needs" young woman back in college (I have no idea what her actual condition was- she was functional but, erm, not all there) who would bust out in uncontrollable laughter and blushing whenever somebody would say "snausages". So naturally we would try to fit that word into casual conversation whenever we could.

 

[SpankyPants]

Wait... "sausages" or "sNausages"?

Personally, I prefer snausage. Just try it aloud.

Feels good, doesn't it?

 

[bongomania]

With an N. It was the brand name of a doggie treat that was supposed to be like little sausages.

 

[bass-shy]

Well, you guys were right yet again. I placed the VFB-2 in line with everything else and ran it all into the front of my amp. It definitely does the trick. Also, I can't believe the capabilities of that Feedback Loop! With my phaser and chorus on at the same time, I'm getting helicopter and police siren type effects! It's insane what this thing can do. Anyway, thanks for your help.