Should I use my effects loop?

[sleepy_monkey]

I have never used an effects loop...although I do use effects (Wah, DD-7, MXR 90, Tu-2 tuner, etc etc)

Should I use it?

Demeter VTB-201s is my Pre now. So I am thinking that maybe my sound might sound better if I just run my bass in the front and not all of my effects too?

 

[ryognbass]

I tend tom prefer the hotter signal that my effects loop sends out to open up my overdrives, but be weary of clipping and distortion that can occur because of the hot signal in the loop

 

[JimmyM]

i hate loops. only thing they're good for imho is defeating a head's preamp to put another pre in its place.

 

[Mudfuzz]

I say no.

Think about it this way.

Do you want to amplify your effected sound or effect your amplified sound...?

 

[ryognbass]

does your loop have a blend feature?

I primarily use mine to blend the two signals.

And in most cases, the pre isn't defeated. the loop of most amps i've seen is right btween the pre and power amp, so you get the tone of the pre, but run through pedals.


don't quote me though because i'm sure there's exceptions

 

[Growly Lytes]

Thats the best its used for.Cutting out the Bassamps Pre & if you want to add effects or distortion.

 

[Wyrm74]

Most FX loops are geared toward rackmount effects. If you use pedals, you probably want to go straight in and skip the loop.

 

[aledeville]

I always had issues with the signal being too hot for my pedals. So I changed back to running the effects before the amp.

I have no idea what you should do - if it works, why not?

 

[sleepy_monkey]

So what you guys are saying is that by going in the effects loop I am essentially bypassing the preamp and it will basically be 'dry' effects? Definitely think I would rather utilize the tone of my pre!

 

[Vic Winters]

You're not bypassing the pre unless you plug straight into the Effect Return instead of the input jack. Personally I don't use the loop because I don't want to run more cable than I have to.

 

[gnasher1993]

My tip of the day...

Run a short cable (6"-12") from your effects send to a buffered pedal then use your longer cable from the pedal's output to your pedalboard. This will stop your effects loop sounding distorted or muddy and the output of the buffered pedal will now be a Hi-Z signal.