Rack fx, pedal fx, fx loop

[griffiti]

With the exception of a few combo amps, I've mostly had rack gear over the years. As such, I've always had rack fx.

Recently, I'm interested in the Egnater modular stuff. I'm contemplating the purchase of an M4, but also the MOD50 head. Upon reading the MOD50 manual, I've learned that both the series and parallel fx loops are designed for line level fx, as opposed to floor pedals.

I play in a variety of gigs. Sometimes hauling the rack gear works out fine. I have enough cabs that I keep some at some places I play. It would be nice at times to simply bring an amp head and a small pedal board. However, I'm not a big fan of running all fx before the amp (modulated fx pre? ). Anyone with some thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Do those of you with amp heads, bring along a smal 2u or 4u rack with fx? If so, how do you stack it / arrange it (cheesy question I guess)? Fx / head / cab?

Has anyone ran floor pedals (phaser / delay / chorus) out of an amp head fx loop with success?

 

[griffiti]

I guess here's an example of someone using rack fx with an amp head. If I get a shallow rack, I guess it would fit nicely.

 

[ttosh]

Everything of course is subjective with routings and tone. I find that almost all modulation such as phase/chorus/flange/vibe sounds best ran before the amps input. Any time based effects such as delay, echo and reverbs sound better in either an effects loop of an amp or through a line mixer in a W/D scenario.

If you are running the amp clean and getting your drive from pedals you can of course put the time based effects after your drive pedals and get basically the same results as an effects loop.

There of course is no set in stone rules for tone and how you achieve what is pleasant to your ears and playing environments. The above is what works best for me.

I am sure others will chime in with other options as well.

 

[griffiti]

I found my answer! TC Electronics Nova. It accepts a line level input so I can run it in the fx loop. It can also switch the channels of the head via MIDI !!

Anyone else had experience with a Nova ?

 

[glassjaw7]

I found my answer! TC Electronics Nova. It accepts a line level input so I can run it in the fx loop. It can also switch the channels of the head via MIDI !!

Anyone else had experience with a Nova ?

I've been going back and forth on buying one of these myself. I like that you can hook it up with an amp gizmo or GCX/RG-16 and control your entire rig.

I DON'T like that you can not use the 4 Cable Method. So if you use the unit in your fx loop you cannot use the Nova's included drive/distortion. Bad move on TC's part.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I found my answer! TC Electronics Nova. It accepts a line level input so I can run it in the fx loop. It can also switch the channels of the head via MIDI !!

Anyone else had experience with a Nova ?

I've been going back and forth on buying one of these myself. I like that you can hook it up with an amp gizmo or GCX/RG-16 and control your entire rig.

I DON'T like that you can not use the 4 Cable Method. So if you use the unit in your fx loop you cannot use the Nova's included drive/distortion. Bad move on TC's part.

you would think that the manufacturers would get it, we want four cable method standard with all "all in one" processors.