FX LOOPS EXPLAINED

Hello folks. Welcome back to the Corner. Today were going to have a little discussion on effects
loops. Some people love them, some people dont, and some people dont know what to do with
them. Ill try to answer some common questions about effects loops with this article and hopefully
by the end of it most of us wont shiver with fear when we see Send and Return jacks.

So what is an effects loop? Basically, an effects loop is an input/output that enables a user to insert
effects between the preamp/eq section and the power section of an amplifier. Heres an example:

Originally amplifiers were built without an effects loop only allowing effects to be run straight into
the front of an amp. This arrangement is perfect for the guitarist running an overdrive, fuzz,
compressor, or booster or for those using the amplifier for clean tones, running all effects into the
front. The problem is when the gain channel of an amplifier is used for an overdrive tone. In general
time-based effects like delay and reverb, and modulation effects, like chorus and phase, tend to
sound more natural when applied to the signal after it is overdriven. As a basic rule of thumb, most
guitarists prefer to add modulation to an already overdriven signal. When the modulation is applied
before the overdrive, it can lead to a duller sound or in the case of a delay, the effect could wash out.
If a guitarist is using a pedal to achieve the overdriven tone, then there is no problem running all
effects into the front of the amp. Usually in this setup, the overdrive and gain or level boosting
effects will be first in line after the guitar with time-based and modulation effects coming after.
With the introduction of higher gain preamps that produce overdrive, manufacturers started
creating effects loops so that modulation and time-based effects could be inserted into the amplifier
after the overdrive channel, and before the power amp, thus keeping the overdrive first in line.
Parallel and Series Loops

Orange Back Pannel

So now that we have a basic understanding of what an effects loop is and why they exist, lets look
at the two most common types of effects loops. A series loop means that 100% of the signal is
interrupted between the preamp and power amp. The signal is sent out of the amplifier via the
Send jack, run through the effects of choice, and then returned to the amp via the Return jack. This
is the most basic form of effects loop and is perfectly viable for most applications. Since the entire
signal is applied to the effects, a series loop may not be the most transparent way to run your pedals
depending on the effects used. Series loops are also typically designed for line level effects. In the
case of a series loop its a good idea to set the effects level controls to minimum and bring it up to
match the level of your amplifier with no effects in the loop. This is called Unity Gain.

Much like a professional mixing console, a parallel effects loop splits the signal with the dry signal
both sending through the loop and remaining in the amplifier. This allows for greater transparency,
as the dry signal never leaves the amplifier 100%. Most parallel loops will have a blend control on
them allowing the effected signal from the Return jack to be blended with the dry signal. This allows
greater control over effect depth and gives the user control over how much of the effect is present
in the output. The catch about parallel loops is that they work best with effects that can output 100%
wet signal. Since the dry signal is already present in the amplifier and can be blended via the effects
loop, having the dry signal present on the output of the effects themselves can lead to a very faint
effected signal. This is why some processors and digital effects have a kill-dry function. If your
effects cannot output 100% wet signal, a parallel effects loop may not be the best choice.

Tube and Solid State Driven Loops

Now lets discuss how the effects loop is driven and what this means. In order for an effects loop
to preform optimally, the signal coming from the Send jack needs to be of similar level to your guitar
and low impedance. When this signal is returned it then needs to be amplified. There are effects
loops that are opamp driven and tube driven. The primary difference between is one of headroom
and transparency. The typical opamp that is used is capable of a lower voltage swing than a tube. If
the output level of the tube preamp is not taken into consideration when designing a solid state
driven loop, these opamps can be driven into a full clip fairly easily. Keep in mind though that most
amplifiers are designed with all these factors in mind and any components in the effects loop, be
they solid state or tube, are specd out to avoid unnecessary clipping and provide the best possible
match for that amplifier. Many builders prefer solid-state loops to tube driven loops because they
produce fewer undesirable artifacts. Some will say that a tube adds additional warmth to the
signal but this is subjective.

To Buffer?

Well keep this one simple. Most modern amps come with a buffered effects loop to help
compensate for the lower level output of most stompboxes. In a non-buffered effects loop this
lower output can cause a somewhat anemic tone. A buffered effects loop makes up for this signal
mismatch and cures the problem. If youre suffering from the woes of a non-buffered effects loop,
there are products that are designed to help such as the Ceriatone Klein-Ulator. Most mainstream
amplifiers will have a buffered effects loop while boutique amplifier builders may only offer this as
an additional option.

Do I Need an Effects Loop?

If you have to ask yourself this question, then you probably dont need one. As we discussed earlier,
the order of effects relative to the source of overdrive can play an important role in getting the
perfect tone. If you are running an amp clean or just breaking up, then you probably dont need an
effects loop. If youre only using a compressor and a boost pedal, you dont need a loop. If you have
4 chorus pedals, 3 delays, a reverb, 7 phasers, and 3 flangers (hey, it could happen) AND you are
getting your overdrive tone from the Lead channel of your amplifier, you would probably benefit
from a loop. If you are using the above but getting your overdrive tone from 4 different pedals
instead of the amp, you can avoid needing a loop by putting these pedals first in your chain. No
matter how many effects you run, if you have a setup similar to the one mentioned (a LOT of effects)
you might find that a nicely buffered effects loop can reduce noise and provide a very pristine path
for your modulation and delays. Most of the talk about effects order relative to the source of
overdrive is a starting point. It certainly wont hurt anything to run delay and reverb into a fully
overdriven amplifier input. While the tones created may not be for everyone, they may be for you
so as usual, trust your ears over any articles or opinions.

Now there are pedal-based units out there that provide an effects loop on your pedalboard. These
are not the same thing but they do provide some great functionality such as true-bypass for those
vintage tone suckers or a blend control such as the Xotic X-Blender. This allows you to mellow out
those over the top effects or use a kill-dry function with it to create your own unique blend.

Well there it is. Effects loops (hopefully) made easy. As in all things guitar, your own need to either
have or not have an effects loop in your next amp will be up to your individual needs and ears. I
personally like to keep things simple but when cranking the JTM-45, I sometimes wish I had an
effects loop for the Echoplex. That being said, I still love the warmth when plugged directly into that
sucker so I dont feel the need to add a loop or get an amp with a loop. Thanks for reading folks!
Well see you next time, in the Corner.