Signal/Tone Suck in Effects Loop.

[Gizzorge]

I know this has been discussed before, but I need a little advice.

I currently run a bunch of pedals through the EFX loop on my Mark V (Boss Chorus- Boss Flanger- DD-7- Carbon Copy- MXR Phase 90, and a Boss Rc-3 looper all George L Cables)). As soon as I engage the loop on the footswitch I notice a drastic tone change (like a blanket over my amp)

I am thinking of moving to a G System. Will that clear up any of the "Blanket" issues I am experiencing? Any other floor based units to suggest will also be nice.

Thank you everyone!

-G

 

[jb's 52]

Might wanna look at the Boss units. I had a DD-20 out front (didn't like it in the loop) and the buffer on it
made a noticeable difference to me. I put it in a bypass loop to remove that difference. Not to say all Boss
is bad, I just got a DD-500 and so far is sounds great in the loop or out front even when buffered. The
latter can be set to true bypass as well.

 

[jmusolino]

I run Send->ISP Decimator->Eventide pedals (PitchFactor->ModFactor->TimeFactor, all set at line level)->Nova Reverb->Return in my Mark V combo and there is absolutely no change in tone. Same with my Mark Five:35. I have the level set at the notch at noon on the combo. It's an incredibly transparent loop with good pedals. Just picked up the Radial Twinline so I can run these effects through both amps. I'll keep you posted as I play with it.

Joe

 

[Gizzorge]

Better results with Line Level devices huh?

 

[Monstercastle]

Series loops are essentially line level insert points between the pre and power amp, so the devices you put in the loop have to pass that signal level. Some pedals are better suited to instrument level signal levels. Flashback X4 and the DD-500 have so issues in either my V or V:25 heads.

 

[diddlydan]

I had the G-system(not with the V) and it is the biggest tone sucker out there.There are ways around it but will cost the price of the pedal to pick up all the extras needed.Go with something else in my opinion.

 

[elvis]

I've used a G System with a bunch of different Mesa amps. In general you will need to buffer the amp's FX send in order to match the send impedance to the low input impedance of the GS. That is the most common cause of tone problems.

If you use high gain and want the lowest noise, you will want to add a low noise gain buffer in front of the GS (like the Sunday Driver). And you may need a noise gate (I use the TC Sentry, most use a Decimator).

Mesa amps seem to have a lag when switching with the GS that other amps don't have. You can fix that with an Amp Gizmo.

This is what diddlydan is talking about, though I disagree completely about the "tone suck" comment. I've used the GS with almost every amp Mesa makes and I can always get it to sound great, plus it is an awesome effects and switching system.

I also have a FX8 and I am struggling with that. It is probably awesome, but I have not yet managed to get it set up to sound good with my amps. That is largely because I haven't put a lot of time into it. I like the concept of the FX8, but it is more limited than it seems, and the switches are way better on the GS. There are going to be some changes in an upcoming firmware release that help with it, but there aren't enough switches on the FX8 to do what it was designed to do.

 

[Gizzorge]

Wow, seem like a lot of pricey extra stuff to have to add on. it is possible to be happy with this thing and a Mesa with out gizmos and buffers everywhere?

 

[elvis]

You could probably go with just a buffer in the FX Send path and it would work great.

 

[Nicklotsaguitars]

I don't even use a buffer for mine. Just 4 cable hook up. A cheap Joyo noise gate on the guitar input. Kept pretty low, I don't get any extra noise that I don't get from using the amp without the G. House or gig volume.
One thing about it, it's incredibly hard to set up right. You need to systematically work your way through the unit to set levels. One at a time, then when you've gone through em, go through em again. Because you've likely compensated for a high or low level at another point.

On buffers, any Boss pedal switched off should sort out an impedance mismatch. Just lob it in where you need it. I don't find that issue though. I do use very very short stereo cables (2ft) to go into and out of the effects loop. The brain is racked and sits round the back of the amp.