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Effects pedal: in the effects loop or not?

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by speedkills, Jul 29, 2009.

  1. Jul 29, 2009 #1
    speedkills

    speedkills

    Jan 10, 2008
    California
    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!
     
  2. Jul 29, 2009 #2
    FeuerFrei

    FeuerFrei

    Dec 2, 2008
    Vancouver Washington
    You're about to get a whole bunch of "use the search tools"

    You've been warned :)
     
  3. Jul 29, 2009 #3
    FeuerFrei

    FeuerFrei

    Dec 2, 2008
    Vancouver Washington
  4. Jul 29, 2009 #4
    RickenBoogie

    RickenBoogie

    Jul 22, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    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.
     
  5. Jul 29, 2009 #5
    chaosMK

    chaosMK

    May 26, 2005
    Albuquerque, NM
    Too much hip thrust
    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.
     
  6. Jul 29, 2009 #6
    Stu_Bass

    Stu_Bass

    Nov 24, 2006
    Pennsyltucky
    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