delay in the fx loop...

[dannyc80]

Hi Folks,

I have just been on a 2nd visit to look at a mk v, but I took my pedals to try out with the amp, vox ice 9 OD, Vox satchurator Dist in the front end, then the Vox time machine delay and the TC electronics flashback delay in the fx loop.

After getting some of the tones dialed in I was playing on the clean chanel in both the clean and fat modes and using my Vox time machine delay. But I was getting a really dirty delay back through, it was a really unpleasant feedback on the repeats. The TC wasn't quite as bad but was still there a little.

I reduced the send/return loop level as much as possible, and there is little to no gain on the channel maybe about 8-9 on a clock face.
There is no gain on the delays.

It was strange. The picked notes or gentle chords were ok but and reasonably strummed chords came back really pushed and broken??

Any thoughts what might be the issue?

Cheers in advance

 

[elvis]

Seems like you are overdriving the inputs of the pedals. This is common, as Mesa FX loop levels tend to be high.

Still, I am surprised that these pedals can't handle a high input level. I recommend checking that the DC supply voltages are correct, as a low supply voltage will reduce the pedal's ability to handle high input signal levels.

Also, check if the pedals have a line/instrument switch. If so, you will want line level.

 

[dannyc80]

Hi,

I have been using the same pedals and power supply for the last two years but all in the front of a fender blues deville 4 x 10. But I only use the clean chanel and use the pedals for the rest.

No problems when I got it home and checked it in my amp.

There is no switch to change from instrument to line or anything.

Stumped! !

Thanks again though.

 

[jc986]

I use a TC Electronic Flashback delay in the loop with my Mark V, and I don't have this issue at all. My loop send is at the default level (noon). The delay is the only pedal I run in the loop, and it is powered with a Visual Sound OneSpot.

There are 2 internal dipswitches that adjust the bypass and kill-dry settings of the pedal (Page 15 in the manual located here: http://www.tcelectronic.com/media/159407/tc_electronic_flashback_delay_manual_english.pdf). Perhaps that could be causing your issue. I'll check to see how mine is configured when I can and post again.

 

[LesPaul70]

Having used (and still using) several TC Electronics pedals over the years - not the Flashback though - I would be very surprised, especially given its function, if it couldn't handle FX loop level signal. It would be the first TC pedal I've heard of that didn't. Every single one I've ever used have worked perfectly in the loop. The Modulator pedal I now use even has an input level calibration feature that helps it work optimally with different signal levels.

First make sure that you are using a suitable send setting. The noon setting is a good setting to start with - all my loop pedals work very happily with that. You could try turning it down, little by little.

The next to try, make sure that your FX loop works. Wouldn't be the first V whose loop misbehaves because of a faulty preamp tube. If you can, try another pedal in the loop - or just a patch cable, and see if you get similar results.

Also, you didn't mention what kind of power source you are using. If you are using a power source that doesn't have isolated outlets, you can get problems (like ground loops), especially when some of the effects are in front and some in the loop. I'm currently using a CIOKS DC-10 to power my whole board. It has isolated outputs, and it works like a dream.

 

[elvis]

Hi,

I have been using the same pedals and power supply for the last two years but all in the front of a fender blues deville 4 x 10. But I only use the clean chanel and use the pedals for the rest.

No problems when I got it home and checked it in my amp.

There is no switch to change from instrument to line or anything.

Stumped! !

Thanks again though.

Using in front of an amp is completely different from in the effects loop. There is a huge amount of gain between the input of a guitar amp and the effects loop. In front of the amp is instrument level. The loop is line level, about 10x larger signal or more.

Either way, there is no question that your delay is clipping. Interesting that you get the original signal OK. Are you running the loop parallel or series?

 

[OldTelecasterMan]

I found that if I pushed the preamp volume too much and used the main volume to turn down the amp my pedals acted odd. My chorus made undesirable over driven harmonic sounds that were not just odd but foul sounding. It was like something was broken or getting ready to go out. My delay sounded pushed like it was getting too much of something and couldn't handle the amount of whatever it was.

Give this a shot, turn the main volume on the amp at least half way up (12:00 O'Clock). Use the volume on the channels to turn the amp down. Set the output of the effects loop to half (12:00 O'Clock)

I bet that fixes it.

By the way in my opinion the amp sounds it's best with the main volume way up. I did an outdoor job a while back and my amp was still set for a small bar we played the week before. Instead of adjusting each channel I just opened up the main volume. Tones were awesome, overdrive and sustain were unbelievable and the amp felt more responsive.

 

[dannyc80]

Thanks for all the replies and info....

I have realised that I overlooked the internal jumper setting in the TC flash not sure if this would of made any difference to the clipping of the vox pedal as the flashback is supposed to be true bypass and should not effect the signal when its not active.

As for the power supply it's just a standard ac - dc power bank with 5 outputs that I have always used.

If worst comes to worst I will just buy a different delay pedal but it was certainly very strange!

Cheers
Dan

 

[OldTelecasterMan]

I use the MXR Carbon Copy actually two of them. One on most of the time and the second during some leads and when I'm running clean or just slightly driven. People say the carbon copy is dark sounding but to my ear when I put it against a Boss Digital delay the carbon copy sounded more real. The digital delay was brighter yes, but my tone is bright as it is. (Telecasters) I feel that the Carbon Copy reproduces my guitar tone more accurately. It does add to the sound but remains in the back of the tone rather than as obvious as the Digital pedal comes across. I tend to like pedals that as a musician you can tell there is more there than a dry amp but it's not in your face. The Mark V has amazing tone so I like that to be up front.