Connecting FX unit(s) in parallel

[subversion]

Hi everyone 8) i'm an advocate for parallel connection but often left this alternative link unexplained. maybe this segment will help you understand that there is actually another way of connecting your FX units to your amp, besides the usual GUITAR- FX- AMP option (refered to as series connection).

Do all amps facilitate parallel connection?
unfortunately, no. small/ practice amps often do not have an FX loop feature to facilitate this link. refer to your amp's rear panel to check. the following pic refers to my Peavey XXL amp's rear features:

I have FX Loop, so what's next?
you should proceed to select you FX unit(s) to be connected, use patch cables to connect the IN socket (of your FX) to the loop's SEND socket. do likewise for the OUT & RETURN of the respective units. you're done.

the following pic refers to my DOD EQ & MXR Micro Amp pedals being connected to my amp, pedals are placed on the top panel of my amp:

I have many pedals to connect, my amp's top panel can't accomodate that many.
in this case, place your pedals on the floor, instead of patch cables, use guitar cables.

All that trouble, what's parallel connection for? Does it make a big diff?
when you connect your FX units in series, you guitar signals get processed before they reach the amp. parallel connection only processes your signals after they reach the amp. it makes a diff if you adore your guitar's inherent tone (especially with the 'better' pickups which you've spent a fortune on) or the amp's default drive & woud like them to be in tact in addition to the pedals you favour.

SUB

 

[mikemann]

Just a note. The FX loop of an amp will break the signal path of your amp's signal chain when you plug in.

As this is a mechincal switch circuit within the socket itself (the RETURN socket). Using this often could wear out the socket switch and result in your amp 'no sound' or 'crackling sound', when the socket not jacked in.

One remedy is to just patch the SEND driect to the RETURN with a short efx patch cable when this happen.

 

[Kiyoharu]

*edited*

 

[subversion]

i'm actually confused by your statement above... any pics?

 

[mikemann]

I think he haven't got the concept of effects loop properly.

What you get with the above is generally that the m-efx send to the return of the amp.

So it's like: guitar - m-efx input & processing - m-efx send - amp return (bypass amp preamp) - speaker.

Then the other circuit: amp input - amp preamp - amp send - m-efx return - m-efx output.

So this become a cross loop, you get 2 different path althogether.

Don't comprehen, please stick to what you can figure out first, master that, than progress on.

 

[Mobius]

I have a question, I don have an amp with an effects loop so i cant try it out. I read somewhere that connecting delays or modulation effects to an effects loop is commonly done to have a better tone, especially for delays. Is that true?

 

[GuitarNoob]

cant say its true, but most people do it this way, including me. If ur using pedals i guess putting the delay thru the efx loop is like putting the delay after ur distortion pedal

 

[finrod]

my amp dun hav efx loop.... can buy sumthin like a pedal to hav effects loop izzit?