Thanks for the thorough response! Although your set up is more professional than what I am shooting for LOL.
To clarify, I have been using the MS3 with three boost pedals in the loops into the front input. I know , time-based efx in the front input.
The Amplifire has,
Input
Stereo outputs
A loop
A dude on YT has a demo of the amplifi and his Mesa, this is the description.
Going from memory the signal path was Guitar > Atomic Input > Atomic FX Send > Mesa Input > Mesa FX Loop Send > Atomic FX Return > Atomic Out > Mesa FX Loop Return - hope that helps!
its seems in the video he switches from the Mesa channel 2 to one of the amplifires fender models. Does this path seem logical? At the end of the day I’m still just putting the MS3 and boosts and Its etc between guitar and Amplifire.
Yes, that makes a lot of sense!
He is using 4CM. The Mesa provides the power amp and speaker (That eliminates the need for a third output).
Here is what you need to know: 4CM is
noisy. Here are some things that will help you to at least manage your noise floor so you do not end up with a hiss monster:
Make sure that you set the Amplifire FX Return Level and Amplifire Send Level to match the level of the JVM HJS FX loop. Failure to do so can cause volume level problems and noise. The HJS FX Loop level is -10 dBv (Consumer) make sure that the amplifire settings match.
Gain staging and leveling the setup is crucial. You can have it integrated correctly but too weak or strong of signals can make it sound like shit. You basically want everything moving through with as strong of a signal as possible without clipping.
The cables that you use make a huge difference. I am not talking about the quality of the cable, but rather TRS vs TS. You want to match the cable to the connector. If you have a balanced output feeding a balanced input use a TRS cable. If you have a unbalance output feeding an unbalanced input use a TS cable. If you have a balanced cable feeding an unbalanced input (or vice versa) you can take an additional step to improve the noise floor (Covered in next paragraph). The way I did it: got a bundle of cheap TS cables and a bundle of cheap TRS cables. I tried each cable type on each connection. I used the cable type that provided the lowest noise floor. Once you figure out the types of cables to use, you can go get nice cables if you want to.
Finally $CM is a bitch for creating ground loops. You have a ground loop if you can turn down your guitar volume and you still hear hissing and buzzing coming from the speakers (Assuming your output stage tubes are in good condition). I solved this problem by getting an EBTech Hum Eleminator HE-8 (Rack format). All connections between my Axe FX and JVM go through the HE-8. I also tested the cables with the HE-8 in place. The other thing the HE-8 does: it solves your problem if you have a balanced input feeding an unbalanced input (or vice versa). It does this because each of the HE-8 connectors adapt themselves to the type of plug that is inserted into them.
It was some work, but I have a very quiet rig so IMO it was worth it. Hope this helps out!
