Re: What is an "effects patch loop"?

Rufus wrote:
RichL wrote:

Hud <hud_ohio@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Rivera amps have an "effects patch loop." What is that? Is it where
you plug an effects pedal cord into the amp?


It allows you to send the signal out of the amp following the preamp
section into one or more pedals and then back into the amp's power
section. My understanding is that this is useful primarily for
time-based effects (delay, chorus, etc.) in cases where the preamp tubes
are distorting and they may "muddy up" these effects if they're placed
before the amp.



Co-rrect. Echo in particular sounds much better though a loop than in front, IMO. You can also use the loop to try and reduce residual noise if you have a noisy pedal - i.e.; keep the pedal noise from being further amplified by not running it through the preamp first.


....and if you try a pedal in the loop and you get a nasty sounding distortion, you're overdriving the pedal. Not all pedals sound good in the effects loop. The signal levels are much higher at the loop stage, so that can cause distortion (the bad kind) in many pedals (especially high gain pedals like overdrive, distortion or fuzz, which are generally designed for a very low level input).

Some pedals (like the Boss EQ20) have switches that set gain and level for use before the amp, or in the loop. Other pedals are just very tolerant and will work fine. All rack gear will work in the loop, and some rack gear have a switch to allow it to be used in front of the amp.

I'd try all time based effects (delay, chorus, flange, "echo," digital reverb...) in the loop. I'd also try EQ pedals in the loop.

What's "the right way"? The way that sounds best to you. For example... Put a flanger in the loop with an amp that has a lot of distortion, and you'll hear a real modulated sound like a jet going over. Put it in front of the amp, and it'll be much more subtle (if you have preamp distortion, at least).

.

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