Tremolo pedal in effects loop?

[Vladimir]

While I'm between overdrive pedals, I started relying more on my amps drive (Laney VC-15) and I'm wondering should I stick the MXR Tremolo pedal into the effects loop.
I only like the tremolo when there's a bit of grit and I figure it might be better to have it after the drive/preamp.
Anybody use it that way?

 

[garytelecastor]

I never have used it that way, but I am going to give it a try.

 

[Vladimir]

Just got me thinking, would the frequent volume drops hurt the power amp?

 

[tjalla]

Make sure your amp runs a series loop, and that your pedal can handle line level signals. Should be fine.

 

[aunchaki]

This is why there are effects loops. Use it!

 

[Vladimir]

I just looked up the manual for my amp and it does mention Tremolo, (along with Chorus and Delay) as a typical pedal to run in the loop.

 

[bobk]

i tried my new one from Nocturne Brain in the fx loop of my boogie......no probs

 

[aunchaki]

I just looked up the manual for my amp and it does mention Tremolo, (along with Chorus and Delay) as a typical pedal to run in the loop.

Traditionally, modulation (chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, vibe) and time-based (delay, reverb) effects go in the loop. Boost, overdrive, distortion, compression, wah, etc... go between amp and guitar.

That said, try any effect in either place (and in any order) until you hear a sound you like!

Good luck!

 

[Del Pickup]

Never having had an amp with an effects loop it's never bothered me one way or the other. It's always been guitar - pedals - amp for me.

But I've now got an Ampeg GVT 15 head which has an effects loop which, so far, I've never used.

What's the benefit of using this rather than plugging straight into the front input?

 

[Guran]

Never having had an amp with an effects loop it's never bothered me one way or the other. It's always been guitar - pedals - amp for me.

But I've now got an Ampeg GVT 15 head which has an effects loop which, so far, I've never used.

What's the benefit of using this rather than plugging straight into the front input?

I'll start by saying that I never use the effects loop either, but:

I you use an amp's preamp drive, putting a tremolo before it will not make much of a tremolo effect. It will be more like a variation of the level of drive/gain/distorsion. Same as if you put the tremolo before your dirt pedals. It can be a useful effect, but it won't sound like a regular tremolo.

Same thing with delay and reverb. Putting it before drive will give a different, but sometimes useful, effect.

If you, on the other hand, run your amp clean it won't matter much if you put the pedal in front or in the loop.

 

[Vladimir]

Is it common to put the Tremolo before or after the Chorus in the loop (while delay being last)?

 

[Vladimir]

So I gave it a try this weekend and the Tremolo effect does sound maybe a little bit better than going in front. On the other hand, the Carbon Copy and the MXR Analog Chorus sounded a little muddy when run in the loop. I might just wait to get a proper Overdrive pedal and keep everything in front. The additional cables really make a mess on the floor.

 

[aunchaki]

Many people who have amps with effects looks just ignore them and run everything through in input jack. Tripling your cable runs can be a drag (i several ways).