How to make best use of your amp's effects loop.

If you have ever wondered what your amp's effects loop does or how to use it, here are some tips that may help you. First, let's see if we can nail down just what that critter does. The effects loop is a seperate input loop that bypasses the preamp section of your amp. Typically the effects loop will have an EFFECTS SEND and EFFECTS RETURN jack. You can plug your instrument directly into the RETURN jack if you like. If you do this, your signal path will be unaffected by the preamp section of your amp. That means no Bass, Treble, Mid, Gain, Presence Etc. Placing an effect into the effects loop is simple but you will need some extra 1/4 inch instrument cables to do it. The input on your effect pedal or rack unit should be connected to the EFFECT SEND jack (old Fender amps say PREAMP OUT). The output jack of your effect box needs to be patched to the EFFECT RETURN jack of your amp's effects loop. You can link multiple pedals together in this loop. Try them in different orders. You will get a different sonic pallet by delaying your reverbs or reverbing your delays. My signal path has always included a combination of gizmos that go to the effects loop and others that I want to assault the preamp section of my amp. Your personal preferences will dictate your choices but here are some common set ups: Compressors, wha wha pedals, eq's and overdrive/distortion units alter tones, frequencies and volume levels. Therefore, you may find they work best running right into your amp's input jack. That will put them in the best position to work with your preamp section. Time based effects like delays, echo, reverb, some chorus pedals, sound smoother running in the effects loop. In these applications the effects color and enhance the tones of your rig without being overdriven or distorted. On the other hand, running a distortion box through your effects loop will sound harsh and in my experience, LOUD. Play with your toys! It's your tone! I like running tremolo, vibrato, and flanger pedals into the main input. That just 'works' for me. Hope this helps.