Fumble fingers wrote:so you run your time-based effects through the efx loop .... then run Compressor , Wah and OD straight in ??..... I been running mine all in front .... I guess that's not the right way ?? .... I didn't know you could run them at the same time , I thought you had to pick one or the other
Yep, that's how I do it.
By running my time delay efx through the loop, now I can use the distortion channel of my amp (Mesas), and have distortion into Reverb and Delay, which is how things would occur in nature. Reverb and Delay into the amp's distortion sounds really unnatural, though some people do use it that way for effect. I don't like the sound of a clean input, followed by distorted delays.
Some guys also like to run their CLEAN BOOST pedal through the efx loop. I prefer to run my preamp into my amp, always on, and first in the chain. And many folks also like to use the Sonic Stomp (or a rack-mounted Sonic Maximizer) in the efx loop. I haven't tried mine yet, so I have no opinion on this, but there is a case to be made for using in the loop.
The Mesa amps have terrific efx loops, and on my Mark IV and V they are switchable in or out via the amp's footswitch. The Mark IV has an overall loop, OR t one that is assignable to any one of the channels. Pretty cool. While not as popular as the Series Loops on the Mark III, Mark IV and Mark V, the PARALLEL loop on my Maverick 212 and DC-3 112 combos is pretty cool, too. I can set the efx for full depth, and then blend in the amount I want through a control on the back panel. It's a different way of doing it, and takes a little bit of thought and different settings on the efxs, but it is very effective.
I use a Furman SPB-6 pedal board. This board has three AC outlets that are filtered and surge protected (max. 15 amps), like the Furman rack-mount AC distribution units. I have eight 9-volt DC outlets to power my pedals, and a very handy little stereo patch bay for connecting my effects. The way I have it wired now that I am using delays--I run my guitar cable into the first pedal, my DOD FX-10 preamp. The signal passes thru the pedals and the output from the last pedal in the chain, my Boss PH-1r Phasor go back into the INPUT of my amp.
The time-based EFX pedals are connected in series, already patched into the patch bay with short cables. I run these EFX in MONO, using just one side of the patch bay, but it would be easy to run stereo outs with this rig. Then I have two Road Hog 18'6" cables, kept in my pedal board's carry bag; one goes from the amp's EFX OUT to the patch bay's input and the other goes from the patch bay's output to the amp's EFX RETURN. The whole idea is to minimize set-up time and this has worked well for me.
So try your time efx in the loop of your amp. You'll need to use good cables, of course; and you can run a pair of 20' cables to and from the pedals and still keep them at your feet. Make sure the EFX OUT goes to the pedal's INPUT, and the pedal's OUTPUT goes back into the amp's EFX RETURN.
Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Bill
P.S. I think it's Dave Hunter who has written an excellent book about using effects, and the histories behind some of the great vintage pedals. Check out Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and grab a copy. Good reading, great reference, and a ton of necessary information.
Bill