How to Use an FX Loop
Many modern guitar amplifiers feature an effects loop, often referred to as an "FX Loop" that makes it possible to place the pedals in between the preamp and the power amp of the amplifier. Controlling the pedals through the FX loop allows more more tonal quality and control. The pedals affect the preamp signal rather than having the signal affect them. Setting up an FX loop is a relatively simple procedure. The most time consuming part of the procedure is experimenting with the order of the pedals to find the best order that works for your guitar style.
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Instructions
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Arrange the guitar pedals in a specific order. The order in which the pedals are arranged affects the overall sound and quality of each pedal. Guitarists experiment with different pedal order to find the sound that best suits their guitar style. There is no right or wrong way to arrange the pedals, however, the general rule of thumb is to place modulation effects (chorus, flanger, octave dividers) first, then distortion and overdrive pedals and delay and reverb effects last.
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2
Locate the input jack and output jack for the FX loop on the back of the amplifier. The output jack is marked "Send" and the input jack is marked "Return."
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Plug an instrument cable into the Send output jack and plug the opposite end of the cable into the input jack of the first pedal in the pedal chain. Plug a second cable into the Return input jack and plug the opposite end of the cable into the output jack of the last pedal in the pedal chain.
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4
Connect the pedals in the pedal chain together with small patch or jumper cables. Plug a cable into the output jack of the first pedal and plug opposite end into the input jack of the second pedal. Repeat the procedure until all the pedals are connected. Plug an instrument cable into the input jack of the guitar and the opposite end into the input jack in the front of the amplifier.
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5
Turn the amplifier on and experiment with the pedals. Some FX loops have a volume control on the back of the amplifier that allows you to adjust the overall volume of the pedals. Play your guitar for a while with each of the pedal. Turn the amp on standby and rearrange the pedals.
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