How does a return loop work?

The input and output jacks for an amplifiers effects loop are usually located on the back of the amp and labelled “send” and “return”. The “send” output connects the amp to the first pedal in the loop and the “return” input connects the effects back to the amp for the power-amp stage.


How does effects loop work?

The FX loop sends the post amplified/equalized signal out of the amp (The SEND jack), and into a pedal of your choosing. That signal is then processed through the pedal and fed back into the amp before the Power Amp section of the amplifier (The RETURN jack).

What does an effects loop on an amp do?

An FX Loop is essential an insert point in your amplifier circuit that allows you to insert a piece of gear after the preamp circuit, but before the power amp circuit. Some guitar players are happy to run everything into the front end of the amp, and others prefer to insert certain effects types into the loop.


Why do you have to bypass factory amp?

By bypassing the factory amplifier, the music sounds more detailed and clear than it did when he used the amplifier integration harness. Whenever there's one available, we recommend bypassing the factory amp to get better sound. If you're considering a new stereo for your vehicle, keep this option in mind.

Do all amps have an FX loop?

Some amps don't even have an effects loop and this is generally because they are pedal platform amps. These amps are generally single channel and won't have distortion on-board.


FX Loop Explained



Do I need a buffer in my effects loop?

If your amp's effect's loop isn't buffered and you use your loop, a buffer placed between the Effect Send of the amplifier and the Input of the effect may be of benefit, because the buffer will more than likely have a higher input impedance than any effect being used and it will maximize the signal transfer while ...

Is effects loop before or after preamp?

An effects loop is an audio input and output loop that is placed after the preamp and before the power amp section of your amplifier, using the Effects Send and Effects Return jacks.

What pedals should go through effects loop?

Which pedals go in the effects loop? As a general rule, modulation and time-based effects such as reverb and delay, should go in an amp's effects loop and all other pedals such as distortion, overdrive, fuzz, wah, compression, pitch-shift and boost should be placed in-front of the amp (before the effects loop).


Can you put a preamp in an effects loop?

An FX loop allows you to place signal processors in-between the preamp's output and the power amp's input. If your preamp gain is set high for distortion the signal going into the loop will be distorted, too, which makes the effects react stronger in turn.

What is the advantage of effects loop?

If the distortion/overdrive is coming from the amplifier itself, using the effects loop allows you to place effects, such as delay, reverb, and rotary speaker, after the distortion. This normally results in a better result — running a delay into the front of a distorted amp can result in a muddy, messy sound.

What order should I put my pedals in?

  1. Pedals that amplify or add noise should go near the beginning of the signal path. This includes overdrive/distortion effects, compressors, and wah pedals. ...
  2. Pedals that produce tone go before things that modify tone. ...
  3. Pedals that create ambience go last.


Can you put a compressor in the effects loop?

You can do the same thing on your pedalboard, either by placing your compressor in the FX loop of your amp, after a good overdrive pedal or, our favourite, using your compressor after a really great amp-in-a-box-style pedal, like the Origin Effects RevivalDRIVE series.

What does send and return mean on an amp?

If your amp has an effects loop, the effects send jack is a preamp output that routes the signal to your effects. The effects return jack is a power amp input that receives the signal from your effects coming back into the amp.

How many pedals before you need a buffer?

But if you're looking for a simple estimate, then you might reasonably expect to need a buffer if you have 5 or more pedals that are all true bypass. This is because with each pedal, you are adding patch cables which is increasing the total distance the signal has to travel from your guitar to your amp.


Do buffer pedals go first or last?

In general, placing a buffer before a fuzz pedal will cause the fuzz to sound thin or weak. This is because fuzzes need to see a high impedance signal at the input in order to sound correct. For this reason, it's generally best to place buffers or buffered-bypass pedals after fuzz pedals in your signal chain.

Do you put buffer before or after volume pedal?

The cure for this is to place a buffer between the guitar and volume pedal. Incidentally, another point worth noting is that passive volume pedals often have crummy drive capability, so it's good practice to place a second buffer after the volume pedal, effectively transforming it into an active volume pedal.

What should you not do with an amplifier?

Never, never, never run the amp with no speaker plugged in. This can cause major damage. Do not flip the power switch off, then back on rapidly. This can cause power supply damage.


What happens if you leave an amp on too long?

There is always risk of damage wherever heat is involved, but the biggest issue with leaving a tube amp on all the time is if a tube blows. This can turn the amp into a dangerous hazard. It could even start on fire, which is a pretty big deal, especially if no one is around to call the fire department.

Can you add an effects loop to an amp that doesn t have one?

Yes, but it's not trivial, and it's difficult to get it sounding good. The long and detailed answer: The main reason for having an FX loop in an amplifier is to add time-domain effects, such as delay, chorus and/or reverb. However, all of these sound best when placed AFTER compression and distortion.

Can you use a loop pedal with any amp?

You can run guitar pedals through the primary input of the amp or individual pedals into the 'effects loop' (usually reverb, delays, modulation) depending on the effect and the player's preference. So yes, any guitar pedal can be used for any amplifier.


When did amps start having effects loops?

The effects loop first appeared in the 1970's but it was the 80's that really saw it come to prominence. Why the 80's? Well… prior to that decade amplifiers only had clean channels and any effects used (more often than not tremolo and reverb) were usually built into the amp.