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Is there a way to hook up an effects loop and bypass it for different tones?

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Ron Johnson, Dec 30, 2014.

What way do you prefer to hookup your effects?

  1. Between bass and amp

    2 vote(s)
    100.0%

  2. In effects loop

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  3. Other (explain in thread)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Dec 30, 2014 #1
    Ron Johnson

    Ron Johnson

    Nov 19, 2014
    Chicago, IL
    I joined a band a few months ago and I got myself a nice half stack and a multi-effects pedal. I would like to know if there is a way to hook up my effects pedal and bypass that signal with a switch or something. In other words, use the multi-effects pedal tones for certain songs, and then just the amp head's pre-amp clean tone for other songs without moving any plugs, just hitting a switch. My amp head has an input jack, headphone jack, aux rca input, xlr direct output, a 1/4 line out, and a footswitch input (for the 2-chanel pedal that came with it which I don't really use). From, what I understand, the 1/4 line out lets the signal out before the power amp stage, and the effects loop simply allows you to add something between the pre-amp and the power amp.
    I don't have any experience with amp setups since I've never needed a setup like this before. Could you please explain to me if there is a way to achieve what I want to do with what I have? My multi-effects pedal obviously has a power switch if that helps. Perhaps the effects loop is defeated when the pedal is shut off? Also, if this cannot be achieved, is it better to have the effects pedal between the guitar and the amp input, or inside the effects loop? Thank-you
     
  2. Dec 30, 2014 #2
    Alien8

    Alien8

    Jan 29, 2014
    Keep the milti FX out of the fx loop.

    Doesn't the multiFX have a bypass built in?

    You could purchase (or make) a bypass loop box. Radial eng has one as do many others on the internet. It's just a box that you plug your bass, fx box and amp into. When you want to hear your fx box, stomp on the switch, when you want you amp only, stomp off the switch.

    Google "true bypass looper". That will be your easiest solution, aside from the built in bypass.
     
  3. Dec 30, 2014 #3
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    All multifx pedal units have bypass switches. Ron, you need to RTM. The multi goes between your bass and your amp's regular instrument input, and you just step on its bypass switch when you don't want any effects.
     
  4. Dec 31, 2014 #4
    Ron Johnson

    Ron Johnson

    Nov 19, 2014
    Chicago, IL
    I found the pedal does go in bypass when you turn on the tuner, but I compared it to the tone of the amp alone and it's not quite similar. It's a vox stomplab if that helps. Maybe I have to set the output levels for the pedal. Now the question is, will it sound better in the effects loop or between the bass and amp?
     
  5. Dec 31, 2014 #5
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    The Voxes bypass quality might not be great. In which case, take the suggestion in the first response about reading up on bypass loopers.

    We've already answered your question about the loop, twice.

    For more details about how and when to use an amp's fx loop, follow the FAQ link in my sig line.
     
    jumblemind likes this.