Effects Loop

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dbsens13

dbsens13

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I'm new to using the effects loop on an amp. I frankly have no clue about the difference serial and parallel effects loops. I'm really not even all that sure of how to use it. Right now I'm using a Marshall jcm2000 tsl 602. I've tried messing with the effects loop a little on this. I've tried putting my mxr chorus, mxr delay, and ge-7 in it. I kind kind of hear the delay, but it sounds so faint and sounds a lot better when it's just amp>pedals>guitar. Any help or advice would be sweet. I'm getting a Mesa Roadster next month and want to be prepared to use it's effects loop which I believe is serial. Thanks.
 
A serial loop has 100% of the amp signal passed through it.
A parallel loop can be blended from 0% (no effect at all) to 100% (effectively the same as serial)

The TSL series doesn't have very good adjustability of the FX mix - their 100% is the same as any other amp's 50%
Also, your pedals aren't designed to work in an FX loop - the levels aren't matched so the pedals are returning a MUCH lower level than the FX loop expects, causing the lack of volume that you're describing.

You might want to loop into a rack processor for your FX loop and keep the pedals in front of the amp where they were designed to go.
 
No - a GCX can only take the pedals in and out of the circuit...it won't match the levels.
Your rig will be much more controllable, but you'll have the same problems that you have now.

There might be a product out there that's designed for putting pedals in line-level loops, but I can't think of one off the top of my head.
 
right on, well I don't plan on keeping this amp much longer anyway as I'm getting a Roadster next month. I was just wondering for immediate purposes. Thanks anyway.
 
Sixtonoize":2rzjg0hy said:
No - a GCX can only take the pedals in and out of the circuit...it won't match the levels.
Your rig will be much more controllable, but you'll have the same problems that you have now.

There might be a product out there that's designed for putting pedals in line-level loops, but I can't think of one off the top of my head.

He might not lose as much signal due to the GCX's quality buffer. But, if one pedal is especially troublesome, then a linear boost after that pedal's output would cure it. Run both in the same loop, or in separate loops if you want the option of using the linear boost by itself or with other pedals.

It might be cumulative loading down of the signal by successive pedals, and the GCX's buffer might help some, enough to be bearable, especially with the Roadster's much better loop.
 
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