Loop effect

[ryrich22]

Trying to understand how they work, why, purpose, etc. From what I understand, effects are routed to bypass the pre stage. If wrong, please set me straight. If this is correct, what is the reason for doing this? Is this procedure more used for some effects over others? Thanks.

 

[lz4005]

You don't bypass the pre by using the loop. You only bypass it if you plug straight into the return, which sends directly to the power section.

Effects like delay and reverb sound better after a distorted preamp than in front of it, so the send and return are at that point in the circuit. If the preamp is running clean it doesn't matter.

 

[ryrich22]

You don't bypass the pre by using the loop. You only bypass it if you plug straight into the return, which sends directly to the power section.

Effects like delay and reverb sound better after a distorted preamp than in front of it, so the send and return are at that point in the circuit. If the preamp is running clean it doesn't matter.

So this technique, or option, is pretty much used on an effect if it sounds better bypassing the preamp stage? If there are some effects, as you said, distortion, in play before the pre stage, that one does not want altering another effect? So you could have six pedals and run say 2 that bypass the pre, as they sound better. Do I have it now ? You were very clear though, and thank again'

 

[Roland GR 88]

Loops were primarily designed to accept line level signals from outboard rack effects. Signal strengths of +4db as opposed to -20db instrument levels from guitars. Sometimes modulation effects like reverbs and delays are put after the preamp has shaped the sound but it’s strictly personal preference and today effect loops are there for the option but most wont use them. You won’t hurt anything by playing around with them and you will see that some pedals like a strong signal and behave well in the loop and others don’t.

 

[lz4005]

So this technique, or option, is pretty much used on an effect if it sounds better bypassing the preamp stage? If there are some effects, as you said, distortion, in play before the pre stage, that one does not want altering another effect? So you could have six pedals and run say 2 that bypass the pre, as they sound better. Do I have it now ? You were very clear though, and thank again'

I said exactly the opposite of that. Go back and reread what I wrote.

 

[ryrich22]

I said exactly the opposite of that. Go back and reread what I wrote.

Sorry, I did read it, for some reason, the opposite of what you said. It does make sense.

 

[Killing Floor]

Yep. Try multiple arrangements direct and through the effects loop. Pick which one sounds best to you.

 

[DingwallDingus]

I use a noise gate in my effects loop so it silences my whole signal at the end when the gate is closed. The pedal in question has a key input so it reacts to the raw guitar signal but clamps at the end of the preamp stage of the amp.

 

[Matty Koff]

If you really want to see what you can do with an effects loop these days I recommend a modern multi-effects pedal/modeller. I have a Pod Go running 4 cable into my amp right now, which offers quite a bit of functionality.

I can toggle between my amp's preamp and any given amp/preamp simulation on the pedal through my amp's power amp after merging the amp sim and mono fx loop blocks to one footswitch. Basically letting me switch between my amp, and a simulated amp.

I can also rearrange effects to be before or after my amp or simulated amp by pressing a button and turning a knob. If you have a lot of analogue or individual digital pedals, the task of rearranging them, cabling them through the effects loop or not can honestly be a time consuming process.. where a multi-effects unit is letting me do so with almost no effort at all.

This includes cabinet simulations which I am finding extremely useful in recording at home where I don't want to disturb others with a loud bass cabinet. I'd probably turn the cab sims off if I were using my own cabinet, but for recording purposes being able to throw a cabinet at the end of my effects chain in my effects loop is a huge improvement to my recorded tone, especially through headphones.

I'm honestly having a lot of fun experimenting with delay, reverb, and modulation through the effects loop of my amp and routing other effects to the front of the amp.

I can't say I'm going to do a lot of that as a bass player, but it's been answering a lot of questions for me at the very least.