Pedals "overdriving" my Roadster's fx loop

[KoskineN]

Hi all!

I use a MXR Phase 90 in the FX loop of my Roadster, and it seems to make the sound
overdriving, especially on the clean channel. But it's just fine in front of the amp though.
The back panel loop levelis around 1 o'clock, and both the channel and amp's master volume
are set aound 11 o'clock at band level. (At home, the master volume is around 8 o'clock)

Would a true bypass Phaser fix this problem? My setting doesn't seem to extreme,
so I'm wonderering what would cause the loop to clip?

Thanks!

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

The regular MXR Phase 90 does seem to boost the signal when engaged, hence the apparent clipping...

 

[KoskineN]

Yeah that's waht I thought. So I will look for another phaser then....

 

[KoskineN]

I found this mod that you can do on the Phase 90 and get rid of the distortion
and volume boost....I'm gonna tear that thing open tonight!

 

[mr_fender]

It is most likely the pedal that is clipping. Try turning down the send level or channel masters. Amp FX loops are usually closer to line level (+4db), while stompboxes are usually instrument level (-10db). Loop is configured more for rack type effects that can handle the larger signal. You have to compensate by lowering the signal level going through the loop. You can also use a line level shifter to pad the signal up and down in the loop.

 

[KoskineN]

Thanks for the tips mr_fender!!!

I think my problem was that the master volumes of the channels were maybe a bit too high(11-12 o'clock).
I set them at about 9-10 o'clock noe and the signal from the Phaser is much cleaner now! I just re-read the amp's
user manual and it says the same thing about the channel master relation to the loop! I think that you must read this book a
hundred times to fully understand this amp!

I'm gonna tweak it more when I'll go the our rehearsal space...

Thanks again!

 

[eventide_awakening]

Very interesting...I never even thought about the channel masters having that effect on my pedals but it makes sense now. I've been having the same issue with my Analogman Chorus pedal - but no problem with using my delay. I've pretty much just stopped using my chorus pedal altogether because it would sound like crap and distort.

 

[KoskineN]

Yeah I'm pretty happy to know that too, because I was going to buy a new Phaser!
Everything sounds "clean" now!

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Btw, YMMV, but I generally run the phaser up front, sounds better that way IMHO...

 

[kmanick]

when I had my Rectoverb I had to keep the channel master down below 11:00 or my effects would distort
so I'm not surprised if the Roadster has the same type of loop.

 

[KoskineN]

Btw, YMMV, but I generally run the phaser up front, sounds better that way IMHO...

Yeah it does sounds better up front with dirty channels, but I mostly use Phaser on clean channel. Plus I
like having effects in the loop because I can turn it(the loop) on and off between channels.

 

[Mark Fore]

The TC Electronic Nova pedals have a great feature to automatically set the input level so there is no clipping. I had an AnalogMan Chorus and sold it because of that clipping issue. The TC Nova Chorus through the Roadster loop sounds very clean.

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Btw, YMMV, but I generally run the phaser up front, sounds better that way IMHO...

Yeah it does sounds better up front with dirty channels, but I mostly use Phaser on clean channel. Plus I
like having effects in the loop because I can turn it(the loop) on and off between channels.

Even with cleans, I still use mine up front. Anyway, whatever makes you happy is the best route for you...

 

[Dolebludger]

In general, there are two ways to go on an effect -- pedal or rack mount. Pedals are usually designed to go between guitar and amp, and arenb't at their best in the loop. There are a few exceptions to this, involving pedals with input and output volume controls. These usually will work either "on the floor" or in the loop equally, when properly set up.