Range on FX send level control - any ideas?

[bduersch]

Been trying to get several amps (Roadster, Mark V, Lonestar, ElectraDyne) to play nice with my Line 6 M13... all of them have the same basic FX loop design (series loop w/ send level control). Was wondering if anybody knew... what is the range of the FX send control? How much does it increase signal when turned up all the way? Or how much does it decrease signal when turned down all the way? Is it theoretically neutral (no increase or decrease) when set at 12:00?

In theory this would be easier if the M13 had an input level meter, but alas, no luck there..

Thanks,
--B

 

[mrd]

Well 12o'clock is unity gain (ie: no change), so I would set it there and try an adjust your effect to make do with that.

 

[mr_fender]

The FX loops on a lot of amps run at line level (+4dBu), so they will probably be a bit hot for regular instrument level (-10dBV) processors and stompboxes. The send level should let you compensate, but without a level meter it's tough. You can also control the send level by adjusting all the channel masters up or down too. They are before the loop, while the output level control is usually after the loop.

Another option that Boogie suggested is to use a line level shifter. Ebtech makes a nice passive one that uses a transformer to step the level up and down between line level and instrument level. Musician's Friend has it for $75.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ebtech-2Channel-Line-Level-Shifter?sku=189100

Use channel 1 as a send and channel 2 as a return. The +4 dBu jacks go to the amp, and the -10dBV jacks go to your stompboxes, etc. It's passive too, so it won't add any noise.