Use FX loop or not?

[ESPdude]

I am running my new Marshall TSL 100 so now I have the decision to make whether or not to utilize the FX loop. I was wondering if there are any of my stompboxes that absolutely should go in the FX loop now that one is available to me. I know that distortions and overdrives should be in front of the amp but thats all I know. Here is what I have:

Crybaby Wah
MXR Super Comp Compressor
2 Overdrives (Zakk Wylde and Tubescreamer)
MXR 10 band EQ
Boss Super Chorus
ISP Decimator noise suppressor
Boss DD3 Delay

Thanks so much!

[brothersnowgone]

I would put the chorus and/or delay in the loop. But that's just me Remember nothing is set in stone, you can try whatever pedal you want in the loop if it achieves the sound you like. Experiment a little before you decide what's going where.

[Vim Fuego]

I'd agree, maybe the noise suppressor too?
Jim

[Andy43]

Nothing HAS to go in the FX loop. I personally find FX loops too clean and pretty sounding. It's just a matter of preference.

[Freedom777]

if it were my stuff I'd have the eq, noise suppressor and then modulation effects in the loop in that order. just be careful that the eq's *on* level matches the *off* level. Which btw, when I ran mine through my Laney AOR head, I used it to boost my vol and mids a couple of notches just for solos. The other effects are technically preamps....which should be in the front, even if in the loop, should be first in line. The gate should be before the modulation because it'll cut it off without letting the effect(s) do their thing if placed last. Wah definitely in the front otherwise you have some screeching to deal with.
I LOVE effects loops....God gave them to us for a reason - USE 'EM !! But experiment with them to suit your needs...you're the best judge of your own sound. Good luck and I hope this helps !!

[Darin]

Freedom777 is correct. And has a cool screen name.

[rty13ibz98]

Originally Posted by Freedom777

if it were my stuff I'd have the eq, noise suppressor and then modulation effects in the loop in that order. just be careful that the eq's *on* level matches the *off* level. Which btw, when I ran mine through my Laney AOR head, I used it to boost my vol and mids a couple of notches just for solos. The other effects are technically preamps....which should be in the front, even if in the loop, should be first in line. The gate should be before the modulation because it'll cut it off without letting the effect(s) do their thing if placed last. Wah definitely in the front otherwise you have some screeching to deal with.
I LOVE effects loops....God gave them to us for a reason - USE 'EM !! But experiment with them to suit your needs...you're the best judge of your own sound. Good luck and I hope this helps !!

yup, right on the money. you can also drop the eq in the loop to do "mixing board" typ eq'ing like a studio would do. this would be what the send goes into first. also, an eq pedal in the loop is a great way to get a volume boost. just set the eq flat and raise the output level to the desired gain amount and its there. i used to use a dual 15 band rack eq back in the day, one for the preamp section and one for the loop. the loop made a lot more of a difference. just another option for you to try.

rich

[Mr.WizardNeck]

When I get my first amp with an effects loop (also my first tube amp, Carvin V3) I know I'm going to put an EQ in the loop just to sculpt my tone further. When it comes to using distortion pedals with an amp that has distortion, the question you must ask yourself is, what character do you want? When you put a dist/OD pedal before the preamp, the dist/OD will be coloured by the amp. For a tube amp such as yours, I'd suggest you not use too much distortion and just use any pedals as a booster if you like the Marshall sound (I never played through a Marshall I liked) because it's a tube amp and tube tone is just plain better :P. Some people use pedals like the MT-2 (metal zone) with high gain amps but you can use only a bit of the grit from it and just use the EQ for a broader variety of sounds you get from you amp.

All actual effects like reverb, chorus and the like should really be put in the effects loop (personal opinion of course but experiment all you wish). The wah can go in either after or before everything depending on how you like your sound (some people use it after but I don't see the point) but would recommend before anything. Compressor, never used one so wouldn't know where to put it, same with the noise suppressor. Delay should really come after all your modulation effects but you can put it before any distortion if you wish a strange sound (think early KoRn. YUM!).

So my final verdict on this may not be that helpful but I would go with this.

Wah-OD pedal-amp in-effects loop out-EQ-Noise Suppressor-chorus-delay-effects loop in.

Hope that's somewhat helpful and you can fill in the other pedals where you see fit. Good luck.