Anyone?

 

This is a wide subject to cover....
First off, the difference between a series and parallel loop....
A series loop places the effect(s) directly in the signal path between the preamp section and power amp section of an amp. These tend to suck more tone out depending on how transparent your effect(s) is.
So, your signal will look like this....
Guitar---Input to preamp---preamp signal Out to effect---50/50 preamp/effect signal back to power amp input----speakers.
A parallel effect loop does exactly what it says...It runs your dry signal side by side with the wet signal to the power amp section. So your natural dry amp sound is never comprimised. It is mixed 100% dry/100% wet to the power amp section.
So your signal will look like this....
Guitar---Input to preamp---preamp signal split Out to effect and directly to power section---100/100 preamp/effect signal back to power amp input----speakers.(think of it as a two lane road where both your 100% natural amp sound is driving side by side with a 100% wet/processed signal)
The benefit is to retain the original tone of the amp without it being filtered by the effects internal converters like (AD/DA etc).
In simple terms....your amp will sound like your amp with added effects.

As for amps with multiple loops...
This is simply to have the ability to have specific effects on different channels...
For example:
You want chorus on your clean channel, but do not want it on the gain channel.
It's really useful if you don't want to have to do tap dancing on pedals or invest in a switching system.

I hope this clarified something for you.
Steve

 

Wow, thanks. I really appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions. Much appreciated. It makes much more sense now.