Pedals w/DI should have fx loops

[Swift713]

I’ve noticed a lot of preamp pedals with DI’s and am always turned off when there’s no fx loop. I generally want my preamp/eq/tone stack/dirt before a delay, modulation, reverb, or looper but so many of these pedals don’t work that way. What’s up with that?

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I agree...also your post made me think of this

 

[silky smoove]

It's definitely not a common feature. I'm currently using a Caveman BP1C which includes an effects loop, and I quite like the setup with the preamp/DI being the centerpiece of the pedalboard that I plug into, and then everything branching out from there before combining just ahead of its DI and amp output.

 

[Zbysek]

Some players don’t use modulation or time-based pedals (like myself).

Still, there are preamp pedals with FX loop to choose from:

Tech 21 XB driver
Tech 21 bass flyrig
EBS Microbass 3
EBS Stanley Clark preamo
EBS Microbass 3
EBS billy sheehan ultimate drive
Two Notes Revolt
Darkglass kaamos
Markbass Vintage pre
Dsm Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station
Dsm Humboldt sub atomic
Dsm Humboldt Bass Master
Gr bass dual pre

…to name just a few…

 

[superheavyfunk]

I've noticed a lot of preamp pedals with DI's and am always turned off when there's no fx loop. I generally want my preamp/eq/tone stack/dirt before a delay, modulation, reverb, or looper but so many of these pedals don't work that way. What's up with that?

Consider that you might be an outlier in this.

Not everybody wants or needs this option and I’m sure the companies who manufacture these pedals have done enough market research to determine whether the required price point with these additions would equate to enough sales to make it worth it.

 

[bassbrad]

IMHO too many folks have ridiculously high expectations when it comes to preamp/DI boxes. There is no possible way that every conceivable option can be in every box from every different maker. Especially more difficult with the ever developing sense of "needfulness" that bass geek gear heads are constantly wet dreaming over all the while never being willing to pony up and buy said dream machine. What you conceive as perfection will likely have function and cost that most other players can or should ever need or utilize.

 

[Michedelic]

I've noticed a lot of preamp pedals with DI's and am always turned off when there's no fx loop. I generally want my preamp/eq/tone stack/dirt before a delay, modulation, reverb, or looper but so many of these pedals don't work that way. What's up with that?

This is the reason i would never buy a preamp without one(I choose a pre over a basic DI as I like to have EQ options, IF I ever needed them, and you just never know when. My choice for years has been the Radial Bassbone, although I did snag one Lehle Basswitch when they were around. I place tuner, comp, octave, dirt, and wah before, then modulation and tremolo in the FX loop, which comes after the EQ section, but before the DI. Works for me.

 

[gtirard]

Some players don't use modulation or time-based pedals (like myself).

Still, there are preamp pedals with FX loop to choose from:

Tech 21 XB driver
Tech 21 bass flyrig
EBS Microbass 3
EBS Stanley Clark preamo
EBS Microbass 3
EBS billy sheehan ultimate drive
Two Notes Revolt
Darkglass kaamos
Markbass Vintage pre
Dsm Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station
Dsm Humboldt sub atomic
Dsm Humboldt Bass Master
Gr bass dual pre

…to name just a few…

+ Jad Freer Capo

 

[DonaldR]

I don't see a need for an effects loop. The only exception would be a reverb but I don't use one on my bass sound.

Use the inboard DI or simply add a DI after your last effect if you like.

 

[TonyP-]

So many of them don’t have a simple pass through either and a $40 plain DI does.

That never made sense to me.

 

[Dave Speranza]

Jad Freer CAPO has 2 FX loops, 1 pre and 1 post...sounds like what you're looking for!

 

[Turnaround]

I rather like the Basswitch for that. It has a serial and a parallel loop - use one or both. DI out is pre or post EQ/FX. Also 4 bands of EQ two of which are semi-parameteric , two switchable input channels, FX phase inverter, switchable input impedance, dry/fx blend, boost and other things that I don't remember. Unfortunately only available used.

 

[Swift713]

How much does a TRS insert jack cost?

Consider that you might be an outlier in this.

Not everybody wants or needs this option and I'm sure the companies who manufacture these pedals have done enough market research to determine whether the required price point with these additions would equate to enough sales to make it worth it.

 

[jthisdell]

Radial Bassbone. OD

 

[Cormoran315]

You can add an FX loop to any pedal with a Boss LS-2 I think
Really usefull utility pedal

 

[HelpImaRock]

What's up with that is most guitarists and bassists don't use effects loops. So companies don't include them. I mostly run my preamp (or amp) for light breakup, and use dirt pedals for anything heavier. So any time based effects come between the dirt pedals and the preamp.

 

[waveman]

Yeah, I never use the effects loop for bass, it's all up front. I also do this for guitar to keep things simple when jamming at one place or the other, all dirt comes from pedals and everything else in between dirt and amp. However, optimally I prefer 4 cable method with built in amp sounds for guitar, but I don't play guitar out enough to maintain that setup

 

[superheavyfunk]

How much does a TRS insert jack cost?

That’s a silly question. It’s like saying that all basses should be 5 strings cuz all that’s required is one more string and how much could that possibly cost?

It doesn’t take into account the other costs involved. In the case of pedals, we’re taking about a new circuit design, increased enclosure size, possibly additional pots or trimmers for s/r volume, and probably other things that I can’t think of at the moment.

 

[Swizzledoop]

Grace Design ALiX and FELiX both have effects loops, though you need a Y cable to make use of it.

 

[Swift713]

That's a silly question. It's like saying that all basses should be 5 strings cuz all that's required is one more string and how much could that possibly cost?

It doesn't take into account the other costs involved. In the case of pedals, we're taking about a new circuit design, increased enclosure size, possibly additional pots or trimmers for s/r volume, and probably other things that I can't think of at the moment.

I'm certainly not expecting everyone to redesign their pedals. It just seems like a relatively easy thing to include in pedals that have a DI. If the DI is at the end of the pedal chain, why not offer the possibility of inserting something else.