Effects Loop Volume Drop. Help!!

[guitarchris76]

I have a MXR Carbon Copy that I am running through my Stiletto Aces effects loop. I have noticed that whenever it is turned on a get a drop in volume as well as treble. I have the effects loop turned all of the way up and do not know if it is a problem with the amp or the pedal. Or could be something totally normal.

 

[Armando]

The answer depends on several things you need to check out; does the Carbon Copy expect (1) Instrument level or (2) Line level? The Stiletto's loop, I assume sends an unbalanced level signal( -10dBv), not balanced( +4dBv). Also, are you using unbalanced cables(Tip and Sleeve) or balanced(Tip, Ring and Sleeve)? What make/brand are the cables?

These questions require and answer from you. Depending on your answers, you may be able to get away with running your "footpedal" through your amp's series fx loop but you may want to go the "parallel" route or even better, get a "guitar-level fx loop" mixer which allows you to mix in the amount of fx with your amp's "dry" tone(yes, this is parallel).

I have found that the type of cables and how they're inserted into the loop can play a big factor in what works best. This also applies to "rack fx systems" but we won't get into that.

 

[guitarchris76]

Wow. I did not know that there was that much invloved. How can I find out what my pedal will accept? I know the Cables are Road Hogs and Have the tip and then a ring. That is all I can get you know.

 

[Armando]

Have you just tried running the CC in front of the amp instead of the fx loop? The pedal was really designed to be used this way(looked at manual on Dunlop's website) and it states it is a "true bypass" pedal. You should not have any problems matching your wet/dry mix levels this way either.

 

[guitarchris76]

The only issue I have with that is it ends up sounding horrible when I am running the amp with a lot of gain.

 

[Armando]

The only issue I have with that is it ends up sounding horrible when I am running the amp with a lot of gain.

In what way?...

 

[guitarchris76]

I have been trying to trouble shoot this and have discovered that it only does it with the power switch on the spongy setting.

 

[Armando]

I have been trying to trouble shoot this and have discovered that it only does it with the power switch on the spongy setting.

That sounds very odd. I would definitely call MB Tech Support and describe your issue to one of their techs and see what they say about this.

 

[Octavarius]

The only issue I have with that is it ends up sounding horrible when I am running the amp with a lot of gain.

In what way?...

Any delay placed in front of the amp/pre-gain will sound bad with distortion. Think about it. Distorted delays. The repeats fade out, thus causing less and lesser gain on the repeats, ending up with nothing but mud.


Since the Carbon Copy is true bypass, when it's off, it won't affect any of the things mentioned here. The signal chain/flow would be exact to running nothing in the loop. The fact that the volume drop occurs when the delay circuit is activated, indicates it is the pedal that's the issue here. Not the amp. Perhaps level matching, but I'd search around on issues with the CC or contact Dunlop instead. Have you tried adjusting the send level on the Stiletto?

 

[Octavarius]

I have been trying to trouble shoot this and have discovered that it only does it with the power switch on the spongy setting.

This is odd, but could be the effects send/return tube. Check the tube map in your manual.. could be the Chinese vs. Russian 12AX7 thing that Mesa sent a memo about.


The cables here aren't an issue as the unit is true-bypass. It is supposed to handle both instrument and line level, but I'd try lowering the send level control and see if that helps.