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easier since they have input indicators. You will have to experiment with your rack
effects to obtain the best signal to noise ratio by trying different S.LEVEL & R.LEVEL
settings in conjunction with the input & output level controls of your rack effects unit. On
the R.LEVEL control, bring this up to match the signal level when the FX LOOP switch
is turned off (for footswitchable loop) or when the effects pedal is turned off. Toggle
back and forth to set levels. Place the LEVEL switch in the L position for stomp box
effects. This will give the return side of the loop the make up gain it needs. Place the
LEVEL switch in the H position for rack effects units. This will give the return side of
the loop less gain because of the typical higher output levels of rack effects units.
PARALLEL FX LOOP:
This works as a side chain. Your original, dry tone is unaffected allowing you to mix in
the amount of effects. The SEND jack plugs into the effects unit’s input jack. The
RETURN jack plugs into the effects unit’s output jack. Unlike the SERIES setting of the
loop, when set to PARALLEL with nothing plugged into the loop, it will pass signal. The
S.LEVEL control is used to adjust the amount of signal being sent to an effects unit. With
stomp box pedals there are usually no input level indicators. In this case, again, you will
have to use your ears to set the S.LEVEL. Set the S.LEVEL up to the maximum setting
just before you start to hear the undesirable front end clipping of your effects pedal. This
setting of the S.LEVEL will usually be quite low for pedals. Setting the S.LEVEL for
rack units is easier since they have input indicators. You will have to experiment with
your rack effects to obtain the best signal to noise ratio by trying different S.LEVEL &
R.LEVEL settings in conjunction with the input & output level controls of your rack
effects unit. Place the LEVEL switch in the L position for stomp box effects. This will
give the return side of the loop the make up gain it needs. Place the LEVEL switch in the
H position for rack effects units. This will give the return side of the loop less gain
because of the typical higher output level of the rack effects units. In the PARALLEL
loop, the R.LEVEL control now acts as an effects mix control. It will bring in the effects
and mix it with the original unaffected signal. At higher S.LEVEL settings the effects
will become louder than the original unaffected signal if it is desired.
Things to keep in mind:
When using effect units in the FX LOOP in PARALLEL mode,
you must set the effects unit’s mix control to 100%. By not doing so will cause phasing
cancellations. Using the FX LOOP in SERIES mode will send 100% of the amp’s signal
out of the SEND jack. Please use caution as to the quality of the effects unit you want to
put your entire tone through. This is a non “tone sucking” loop. If transparency is not
achieved, then it is most likely caused by improper setting or application of the FX loop.
The use of high quality, name brand patch cables for all FX loop applications is highly
recommended. Inexpensive, “no name” patch cables are often the cause of tone loss in
FX loop routing scenarios.
* Optional
