Looking for a specific feature in an effects unit

Petie · #1 11-29-2004, 12:57 AM

I'm struggling with finding the words to describe what I'm looking for, but I read about this feature in a review somewhere...

I'm after an effects unit that plugs into the amp's input AND the effects loop, so some effects can be applied before the signal reaches the amp, as if they were coming from a stomp box, while others like delay or reveerb can go into the effects loop. Help!

Yeah I could always just get TWO effect units but I don't wanna...

darren wilson · #2 11-29-2004, 01:14 AM

All you need is an effects unit that has an effects loop. Then you use the "four-cable metho" to hook it up with your amp.

Cable 1:
Guitar to effects unit

Cable 2:
Effects unit loop send to amp instrument in

Cable 3:
Amp loop send to effects unit loop return

Cable 4:
Effects unit output to amp loop return

I know the Boss GT-6 does this very effectively, allowing you to use compression and wah before your amp's distortion, and then reverb, delay, etc. in the amp's effects loop.

bduersch · #3 11-29-2004, 01:21 AM

The GT-6 does this pretty well for a floor FX unit.

If you're looking for a rack unit, consider the Lexicon MPX-G2. I had one for about a year. It allows you to put the overdrives, compressors, wahs, etc in front of the preamp and the delays, reverbs, etc between the preamp & power amp.

--B

Petie · #4 11-29-2004, 01:26 AM

Fantastic, thanks for the advice. At the moment I don't really play with effects (though I have heaps of pedals which I only use occasionally) but I think it's time to add a few little tricks to the arsenal. Especially since the other guitarist in my band has a monstrous rack of doom but I'm getting all my sounds by working the guitar's volume control, hehe.

Petie · #5 11-29-2004, 03:18 AM

Hmm, according to that site, the four cable method only works when you're using an effect from the OD/DS category. Kinda goes against my intention to use my amp for its own distorted tone!

adamcbest · #6 11-29-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bduersch

The GT-6 does this pretty well for a floor FX unit.

If you're looking for a rack unit, consider the Lexicon MPX-G2. I had one for about a year. It allows you to put the overdrives, compressors, wahs, etc in front of the preamp and the delays, reverbs, etc between the preamp & power amp.

--B

how do you do that.. run your giutar into the lexicon, then into the amp input, then from the amp effects send back to the lexicon then back to the amp effects return (if that makes sense)?? i don't anyhting about the lexicoms. do they sound good and howmuch are they.. i play a markIV head and 1x12 widebody cab.

darren wilson · #7 11-29-2004, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petie

Hmm, according to that site, the four cable method only works when you're using an effect from the OD/DS category. Kinda goes against my intention to use my amp for its own distorted tone!

No, what you do is tell the GT-6 that the Overdrive/Distortion you're using is "external" and it will send the signal to the effects loop (which goes to your amp input). So essentially, your amp's preamp section is acting as a distortion pedal in the GT-6's effects loop.

The forthcoming GT-8 can also apparently do amp switching!

bduersch · #8 11-29-2004, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamcbest

how do you do that.. run your giutar into the lexicon, then into the amp input, then from the amp effects send back to the lexicon then back to the amp effects return (if that makes sense)?? i don't anyhting about the lexicoms. do they sound good and howmuch are they.. i play a markIV head and 1x12 widebody cab.

Exactly--I used the G2 with a Mark IV and that's exactly how I had it wired up.

The Lexicon G2 is pretty advanced for a preamp/FX unit... they certainly weren't cheap when they were released. While I never liked the preamp in it (very sterile solid state, IMO), the FX (chorus, delays, verbs, etc) were excellent. Most of the FX were modeled after vintage stomp boxes (not entirely unlike the GT6 or Line 6 gear), so if you're used to thinking about pedals it's an easy transition.

If you get a G2, the R1 foot controller is almost a must... it has a built-in pedal for the wah and allows you to tune, switch programs, and toggle effects (control change) from the pedalboard.

--B

bduersch · #9 11-29-2004, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren wilson

No, what you do is tell the GT-6 that the Overdrive/Distortion you're using is "external" and it will send the signal to the effects loop (which goes to your amp input). So essentially, your amp's preamp section is acting as a distortion pedal in the GT-6's effects loop.

Right, but I want to use the GT-6's overdrive in front of my preamp... if memory serves me correctly, that isn't possible with the 4-cable setup.

--B

darren wilson · #10 11-29-2004, 02:57 PM

Ah, gotcha. I haven't used the loop functionality at all on my GT-6, but i would assume that you should be able to insert the effects loop anywhere in the chain. It's pretty dumb if you can't.

adamcbest · #11 11-29-2004, 03:29 PM

are there any effects units that are better than the lexicon that are just effects that i would only run in the loop. not preamps?? i don't use wah much. and i really like the sound of the mark IV without overdrives or compressors. even if i wanted a cmpressor later i could get a pedal and throw it before the amp.

Algiman · #12 11-29-2004, 03:35 PM

G-Major is always a popular choice - wide variety of pro standard effects, and not too expensive.

adamcbest · #13 11-29-2004, 03:40 PM

good quality?? easy to program?? noisy at all?? reliable?? i haven't done anyhting with midi floorbaords... not that i'm not up to the challenging of learning.