herbert Loop Question? Effects processor AND external preamp

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VESmedic

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Hey guys! Just thinking about adding tonal diversity (more than I already have!) to my rig. Thinking about picking up an Engl 530 preamp, to put into the switchable loop (that IS where it goes correct?). Sounds like a good idea right? Being able to switch between my diezel, VHT UL, and the Engl tone! Pretty excited. However, if I have an effects processor, say such as the g major 2, where does that go? And then the big question, how do I select between turning on the g major, and/or accessing the Engl preamp with the Diezel power amp? If they are in 2 seperate loops, how are they accessed? I mean, the only switch for a "loop" is on the front, and that just says loop, how do I access either/or? Sorry if this is a newb type question. I hope I am making sense in what I'm asking.

Also, if I'm using the Engl preamp/Diezel poweramp combo, is there a way to turn whatever loop the G major 2 is in, and use it with the engl/diezel combo? thanks guys!

chris
 
You have one parallel loop and two serial loops. One of them is switchable. I would put the engl in the switchable and the tc in one of the permanent loops.
 
With this kind of setup I would go midi and get a switching system voodoo GCX, RJM-16 or something similar.

Then you can treat the Herbert and Engl preamps equally by switching your input and the return signal. You can also toggle the GCX in and out of the loop the same way.

It is possible to do it like Bato suggested, but you'll have to split your guitar's output to both pre's and you can't take the Gmajor out and I would highly recommend you take it out of the loop if you're running dry.
 
Bato":pxsbz9de said:
You have one parallel loop and two serial loops. One of them is switchable. I would put the engl in the switchable and the tc in one of the permanent loops.


Thanks...I understand that there is 3 loops, my question I guess is, how do I turn those other 2 loops on? Because again, there's only a switch on the front of the amp for one loop, and that is the switchable loop...if something is in the other 2 loops, is it jjust always on? That doesn't sound right...
 
slyvren":me8o6ac6 said:
With this kind of setup I would go midi and get a switching system voodoo GCX, RJM-16 or something similar.

Then you can treat the Herbert and Engl preamps equally by switching your input and the return signal. You can also toggle the GCX in and out of the loop the same way.

It is possible to do it like Bato suggested, but you'll have to split your guitar's output to both pre's and you can't take the Gmajor out and I would highly recommend you take it out of the loop if you're running dry.

Thanks...I have an rg16 that I use with the vht/diezel setup actually. As of now, there is no effects processor. I really have no idea where I would put the engl preamp in the chain/rg16...I was really hoping I could just put it in the loop of the diezel and set a midi patch with it feeding the diezel poweramp...sounds easy enough right?
 
NO ONE can tell me how the other loops are turned on and off? I've looked in the manual etc....come on guys :(
 
This is EXTREMELY frustrating...SOMEONE PLEASE? Why can't I get help for what is probably a siimple answer???
 
The switchable loop can be swichted on and off with the switch on the front panel, hence the name switchable loop. The other loops are active in the moment you plug a cable in.
 
MourningEngine":147xfhl8 said:
The switchable loop can be swichted on and off with the switch on the front panel, hence the name switchable loop. The other loops are active in the moment you plug a cable in.



Thanks mourning engine. So basically, if you have an effects processor in one of the other loops (other than the switchable loop) and you want a "dry" signal, you have to setup a midi patch with it on a "dry" preset and whatever channel on the amp you want? I mean, I guess the design is ok, but I guess I just don't really understand it the idea behind this? ( having a loop non switchable)
 
Yes, the serial and parallel loop are permanent loops. The idea is to put all devices there that should be available all the time, e.g. a noise gate or some effects that you always need. Of course you can still put true bypass effects there and switch them on and off. If you want a dry signal with your digital effects processor in the serial or parallel loop it has to be set to bypass mode, e.g. by creating a dry patch. However you risk lossing the original amp signal because even in bypass mode most digital units change the tone a bit.

Considering what you want to to achieve I would suggest to invest in a MIDI programmable switcher device with as many loops as you need and put that in the serial loop of the herbert. But keep in mind that if you want to use the Herbert preamp and another preamp you have to split your guitar signal so that both devices have them available if you switch between the preamps.

Another important point to mention is that the poweramp section plays a big role in the overall sound. So running an ENGL preamp into the Herbert poweramp will sound different than for example running it through an ENGL or Fryette power amp.

Hope that helped a bit.
 
MourningEngine":22c6ffvz said:
Yes, the serial and parallel loop are permanent loops. The idea is to put all devices there that should be available all the time, e.g. a noise gate or some effects that you always need. Of course you can still put true bypass effects there and switch them on and off. If you want a dry signal with your digital effects processor in the serial or parallel loop it has to be set to bypass mode, e.g. by creating a dry patch. However you risk lossing the original amp signal because even in bypass mode most digital units change the tone a bit.

Considering what you want to to achieve I would suggest to invest in a MIDI programmable switcher device with as many loops as you need and put that in the serial loop of the herbert. But keep in mind that if you want to use the Herbert preamp and another preamp you have to split your guitar signal so that both devices have them available if you switch between the preamps.

Another important point to mention is that the poweramp section plays a big role in the overall sound. So running an ENGL preamp into the Herbert poweramp will sound different than for example running it through an ENGL or Fryette power amp.

Hope that helped a bit.


Thanks MourningEngine! Exactly the advice I was looking for :D :rock: Okay so lets say my rig is just the herbert and an external preamp: E530 for instance. If I place the Preamp in the switchable loop, and turn on the switchable loop, how does my signal go to the engl preamp? I guess what I'm asking is, the preamp has its own input for the guitar, just like the herbert, what do I with that input? How would I wire this up? I guess I am just confused on how to step on a MIDI patch, and instantly be playing through the engl preamp/Diezel Poweramp. Thanks~!
 
As I described in my last post you need a splitting device (like the Lehle P-Split) to send the guitar signal to both preamps. That way you can change between the preamps using the switchable loop of the Herbert.
 
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