Question:
hi everyone, this is my first thread..
i'm just curious, i've been using amplifiers with effects loops and preamp inputs since i started learning how to play guitar(and that was more than 10 years ago to date), when i realize that i don't have any knowledge on the effects loop and preamp inputs, i basically plug my guitar(with six+ effects) directly to the amplifier input.
can somebody please explain how the preamplifier, power amp and especially effects loop input works? since a lot of the professional's rig rely on the effects loop. (check out www.guitargeek.com to see their rig setups) Thanks a bunch guys, God Guides!
Answer:
Originally Posted by octave06 can somebody please explain how the preamplifier, power amp and especially effects loop input works? yes i can help explain
in order to understand the way an effects loop works, I like to think of the amp head (pre-amp and power amp) as being separate units.
so, going forward on a signal chain we have:
guitar-->pre-amp-->effects loop-->power amp-->speaker(s)
the pre-amp takes the guitar signal and gets it up to a level where it can be amplified to full power by the power amp. Also, the pre-amp generally shapes the tone of your signal with the EQ, gain stages and other circuity. the effects loop is between the two allowing you to add effects to a signal that's been altered by a pre-amp, before it hits the power amp.
here's why this is useful (and a fun experiment so you can see what I mean):
With a delay pedal in front of a amplifier (guitar-->delay pedal-->pre-amp-->etc.), if you were to use the "overdrive/distortion" channel of the pre-amp (if there is one), your delay is going to end up being kinda mushed together. the individual "pings" of each delay are going to be harmonically boosted and sustained out by the overdrive/dist.
If you take this delay pedal and put it in the effects loop (guitar-->pre-amp-->delay (in loop)-->power amp), instead of distorting a delayed signal, cause the loss of note definition, your delay the distorted note, giving you defined delay times with distorted notes being sounded.
Generally wahs, and gain-modulation effects (overdrives, distortions) go before the pre-amp, and time/pitch modulations (delays, flangers, phasers, tremelos) go in the effects loop. This is a general rule that is definitely made to be broken (DO WHAT SOUNDS GOOD TO YOU!)
Answer:
From what I understand, the effects loop out is a preamp output, the effects loop in goes straight to the power amp- this will allow you to put effects inbetween the preamp and the poweramp. Note that, in many cases, the main source of the distortion from the amp (mostly high-gain amps) will be in the preamp. Mostly, delays and reverbs are placed here, as to delay the distorted signal (as you would put a distortion pedal before a reverb or delay).
Did you follow that?
EDIT:
Beat me to it, thesteve.
Answer:
i see, well i'll be experimenting on it later, well thanks nyway dudes.