Effects Loop Question

[Doug Taylor]

Could someone explain effects loops and how they work?

When I plug a pedal into effects loop of amp and plug my guitar into the input of the amp how does the signal run?

Does the guitar go through the eq and preamp then through the pedal and out to the amp and speaker?

[Richard Sinkler]

Depends on whether it is pre-eq or post-eq effects loop. Signal flow would be guitar to amp input, then if the loop is pre-eq, the signal goes through your pedal before eq takes place. Post eq, the signal gets eq'd then goes through the loop.

[Ron Forrest]

So in the simplest term an EFX Loop is an insertion point in the audio path between the pre amp and power amp. It is commonly used for inserting effects into your audio path without having to put them in the front of the preamp. Modulation or time based effects like reverb and delay are the most common effects to put in your effects loop.

There are two main types of EFX loops. Parallel and Series with Series being the most common on most amps.

A series effects loop is exactly what it says. It is in "series" or in line with the audio path.

A Parallel EFX loop runs in parallel with the original audio path leaving your original signal untouched and allowing you to blend or layer the effect on top of your signal. The downside is that you generally have to run the effect level much higher to get the desired effect.

Drive, Distortion, line boosters, compressors are commonly run into the preamp or input jack of your amp.

All EFX Loops aren't created equal either. Some are really good and have circuitry that eliminate noise and tone loss. Some are literally a hard wired insert point in the audio path.

With that said it really comes down to personal preference and the sound you are going after. As with all things musical, rules are guard rails and sometimes taking the path less traveled is pretty cool!!!

[Doug Taylor]

Thanks for the replies, My use will be to put a Tonex into a Roland JC 40. Do I want it pre or post eq?

[Richard Sinkler]

Try them both.

I use post eq. I found YouTube videos on how to pick which one to use and the differences.

I use a Nu-X Atlantic delay/reverb on my pedal board that connects directly to my effects loop. All other pedals are before my volume pedal.

[Mike Auman]

The Roland JC-40 effects loop comes after the preamp, EQ and distortion, but before the reverb and vibrato/chorus. It's also pretty flexible. You can use it as mono or stereo. You can also set the LOOP switch for SERIES (the entire signal passes thru your external effect) or PARALLEL (the clean signal and the effect signal are blended together.) You control the blend by adjusting the volume of the effect. Hope this helps you decide.

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[Doug Taylor]

Thank you