FX Loops

[Jeztone]

Do people use them?

I ask this because it has recently dawned on me that the reason I love my Marshall TSL60 is because the FX loop is totally transparent when switched in. I use 2 delays on the loop, a Line 6 DL-4 and a TC Electronics Novadelay, when I had a TSL100, even without any effects engaged, once you switched the loop in there was a cut in volume and the tone seemed more compressed and less dynamic. Wheras on the TSL60 it just ads the delays and the tone is unaffected.

Also why the fuck to people bother with serial FX loops on amps, they just seem like shit to me. A parrallel loop gives you greater tonal control and ability to mix the FX in, so are amp manafacturers just lazy when they put these features on a new amp?

[Grunfeld]

I never used an FX loop until I got a Marshall JVM 410.

That's when I found that putting an echo into the input (as I'd done with every amp before) sounded very echoey indeed! So the echo has to go in the FX loop. Sounds absolutely fine there though. It's just an arse cos it's another pair of leads to cart around for send and return.

Everything else goes into the main input though.


Oli

[thereformant]

Same here, didnt use it until i got my JVM. Now its echo and flange and noise gate in there.

[trolley]

I use mine as a level boost for soloing

[nsureit]

On the TSL100, each loop has its own ‘loop level’ pushswitch (right next to the loop jacks on the back of the head), enabling you to select the right send and return levels to suit whatever effects system you are using. With the switch ‘out’, the level within the loop is high (suitable for most pro rack fx). With the switch ‘in’, the level within the loop is set at a much lower signal level (suitable more for floor pedals or lesser spec’d rack units). That would have helped with your cut in volume and tone when you engaged the FX. Note: The loops are in parallel mode until the mix controls are at 10 when the loop converts to series mode.

[GearAddict]

Originally Posted by nsureit

On the TSL100, each loop has its own ‘loop level’ pushswitch (right next to the loop jacks on the back of the head), enabling you to select the right send and return levels to suit whatever effects system you are using. With the switch ‘out’, the level within the loop is high (suitable for most pro rack fx). With the switch ‘in’, the level within the loop is set at a much lower signal level (suitable more for floor pedals or lesser spec’d rack units). That would have helped with your cut in volume and tone when you engaged the FX. Note: The loops are in parallel mode until the mix controls are at 10 when the loop converts to series mode.

Sounds similar to the loop on my DSL-50. Do you know if the button works the same way on the DSL? Is it switch in for lower signal and switch out for higher? I can't seem to find the info online. Although it doesn't seem to make the slightest difference whether it is in or out, so I guess it doesn't matter

The poor quality of the loop on the DSL is one reason why I am thinking of changing it for a JVM.

Is there a clever way of using a line selector to bypass the loop except when you are using it?

[thereformant]

Originally Posted by trolley

I use mine as a level boost for soloing

2 master volumes ftw!

[MattANJH]

I use mine, run the G Major in it. Apart from the lack of hum due to the noise reduction that I run, it sounds the same switched off as switched in.

[Jeztone]

Originally Posted by nsureit

On the TSL100, each loop has its own ‘loop level’ pushswitch (right next to the loop jacks on the back of the head), enabling you to select the right send and return levels to suit whatever effects system you are using..

Yeah but so does the TSL 60, it doesn't explain to me why they sound so different, even with no FX engaged. I suspect its to do with it having 2 assignable loops. I think the 60's is simpler and therefore works better

[nsureit]

Originally Posted by Jeztone

Yeah but so does the TSL 60, it doesn't explain to me why they sound so different, even with no FX engaged. I suspect its to do with it having 2 assignable loops. I think the 60's is simpler and therefore works better

You can equalize the volume between the switched/unswitched FX loop thusly (this is from the TSL100/TSL122 User Manual):

One benefit of having a foot switched FX loop is that it can be used as a secondary master volume if no FX are connected. This is achieved by inserting a shorted dummy jack plug into the Loop A Return jack socket to access the loop circuitry, switch OFF the FX footswitch and set your loudest required volume on the individual channel master volumes. Now switch the FX footswitch ON (LED glows red) and set your quieter volume using the FX Mix controls (Clean Mix for Clean channel, Crunch / Lead Mix for Overdrive). Remember that these controls will now work back to front to a normal volume control, i.e. anticlockwise is loudest (same as normal signal) and clockwise is quietest. Now you can toggle between these settings by using the FX footswitch.