Effects loop

[jackhammer]

Hi all.

Could someone explain to me what an effects loop is for? If I put my effects through it and then my bass straight into the input it seems to mess all the effects up!?

Jack

[Graham]

You've got to remember that the FX loop is normally post EQ on the amp so will need to adjust the EQ according.

I find a mix of some pedals before the input (overdrive) and some in the loop (compressor, pre-amp) works best for me.

[xgsjx]

If you're talking about the FX loop on an amp, it can vary from amp to amp. Some bypass the amp's pre, some have a blend of dry in with it & so on. Most folk don't use the loop as it means an extra 2 cables from the pedal board & also often quite pointless. The only time it seems to be used is sometimes for rack fx (usually mounted in a 19" rack with the head).

If you're talking about an effects loop pedal, then that's a different kettle of fish. It's for when you have a set amount of pedals that you use together as 1 effect &want to turn them on & off all at once. Rather than doing a fast bit of tap dancing, you put whatever fx you want into the loop & just press one button to engage them.

[jackhammer]

OK thanks this clears things up, I was infact talking about the loop on the amp, its a gk mb500, guess I'll just forget it and go in the input as normal!

[Harrisonian91]

The FX loops is usually for time based effects: Delay, chorus, flange etc. Effects that don't alter the EQ.
The FX loop comes after the pre amp, so anything that does affect the EQ: distortion, filters, compressors etc. should go before hand so that the amp's EQ can be changed to get your unique sound.
Putting the time based effects in the FX loop can help keep your sound clean is you have a long signal chain as they are not affected by the EQ of the amp.