Another FX-loop question...
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Posted on Jul 15, 2008 02:08 pm
Hue
Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member Since: Apr 11, 2004
Can I stick a small mixer within the fx-loop of my amp, in order to have a pre-amp out, via the headphone-out of the mixer ?
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Kaos62Kaos is only a form of insanityMember
Since: Feb 03, 2005
Jul 15, 2008 11:38 pm I don't see why not, as the mixer is would in effect be a preamp type fx unit (such as say a route 66 or similar, you would just have to be careful on the gain staging as with all other preamp effects.
Saying that I could be talking a load of old cobblers!
Jul 16, 2008 12:23 am Well, if you don't like your amp. And your are looking for a way to destroy it, sure.
By putting a device that can exceed over 1.23v (+4, or line level) can destroy the op amp, or tube that you have in the amp.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Jul 16, 2008 09:27 am I like my amp just fine, and I'm deffinately not out to destroy it . : )
Each piece within the loop has an output level control, and summed, they have the potential to exceed a healthy level within the chain . Not all have a level meter that allow me to keep an eye on this factor . I figured that puting the mixer(that does have an out-level-meter) at the end of the chain would at least give me a somewhat accurate indication of what's going on there, and allow me to tweak that level to where it should be... as well as lend me the benefits of the direct out . I could put a limiter in there to make sure things don't go over +4dB if you think that would be prudent .
Loop out-> parametric eq-> delay-> sonic maximizer -> ub502mixer -> limiter(?)-> loop in .
Whady'a think ?
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Jul 17, 2008 04:01 pm Well, I had to try it... somethings eyes jus' gots-ta 'know' .
I did place a limiter at the end of the chain, just to be safe . I made sure everything was set to just below line level, and ran the headphone out of the mixer to the power amp in of my Crate 1x12" combo . The result was pretty sweet ! Nothing blew-up, and in fact the way the gain was staged everything sounded much cleaner, more open, and of course a bit louder . Should work great as a d/i .
Jul 17, 2008 04:13 pm COOL! I didn't know that it had it's own pot on there.
As long as you can meter the level you should be fine.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Aug 21, 2008 10:57 am ... and I was 'fine'... for the last month . I must've bumped the level moving the amp, as I have deffinately fee-ride the loop in that amp head .
Nobodys fault but mine . I should've listened to you Rob... I promise I will take your advice more seriously from now on . : ) By this post, I wanted to make sure that nobody else tried this, and found similar, destructive results .
All is good, though . That head will go into the shop, and upon returning, will become my backup head . I actually found an amp that does EVERYTHING I need it to do, including the send I need for the drummers monitor... a Line-6 Flextone IIIxl, with the 'shortboard' . I can't believe I didn't check out the Line6 stuff before ! I was trying to stay away from the whole 'modeled-thing', but man, that has really come a long way as far as sound-quality goes . The last Line-6 product I used before this was a Spider-something halfstack when WYD and I had that jam in Tennessee, and we both stared at it in disgust . This FlextoneIII is bad to the bone ! It can get just about any sound you think of... including 'mine' .
So remember kaids, modifying your amp should be left to the pros !... and if you get advice from the fine peeps here at HRC... chances are you should prolly take it . : p
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 21, 2008 09:05 pm And how may years have I been preaching the Line 6 gospel????????
Granted their live gear has gotten much better. But the sound was always there in the modeling. It was just a matter of taking the time to find it and twist it out of the pieces of gear. I would not trade my POD xt or the UX-2 for anything.
Now that is not to say i wouldn't want my Soldano back or a similar amp. Just saying for space sake and all Line 6 works for me very well.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Aug 22, 2008 08:24 am Right on, Noize . As I delve into this beast, I find myself utterly amazed at how acurately it models other amps... and the options... whole 'nother thread .
I noticed they don't model any 'Crate' amps . ; p
Aug 22, 2008 02:15 pm lol yeah i remember that!
so did the mixer in the fx loop work?
(HT Voice) tell me about the @*&^% FX loop!)
[edit] ok i skipped over the very post i was lookin' for....doh!
so lemme get this strait, you're pluggin' the fx send on the amp into a regular input on he mixer, then runnin' the headphone out into an amp (essentially re-amping)?
i've messed with some fx loops and usually i had to plug something back into the return on the amp to complete the 'loop'.
how did ya get around this?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 22, 2008 09:03 pm The crate amps were actually built to sound similar to The Marshall JCM series amp's. So having a few of the Marshall amps in there kinda covered it. I found tweaking either the 800 or the 2000 worked out pretty well depending on the cab I used.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Aug 25, 2008 10:15 am WYD : Yeah, hooked up just like you said with the return coming from the Left of the line out of the mixer(input panned hard-left), and it worked really well... right up until I bumped the level passed the line-level input of that loop, thusly fryin' it . The rest of the amp still sounds fine . It's 'moments' like that that bring one to the 'next moment' where one should be... buying the 'right' amplifier for the job . Live and learn .
Noize : THe JCM, as well as Treadplate models sound incredible, and fill that Crate-high-gain-sound-gap effortlessly . In fact, all the models are pretty damn amazing as far as their overall sound, and mix of fx go . As I said, I am in utter awe of this puppy . I'll be sending the Line-outs of the Flextone out to a power amp and into the 4x12" Crate cab... cradle the Line6, and place them on opposite sides of the stage... that'll do 'er . : )
