How to Use an Amp's FX Loop

In this video, Sweetwater‘s Don Carr covers the ins and outs of utilizing your amp‘s FX loop, highlighting instances of when to use one, the types of FX that work even better in the loop, and more. What are you currently running into your amp‘s FX loop? Leave it in the comments!

#Sweetwater

[operator]

In summary: 'do what you want, I'm not your dad'

[seanervin]

Great presentation and very clear explanation of the effects loop, how and why to use it, etc. Great job!

[marcusmiller]

That cleared up some questions I had as I've never used an effects loop before. I have to say your presentation is crystal clear thanks to a very professional delivery. Thanks for the video!

[Squidy]

This video literally covered off everything I needed. This is incredible! No wonder I was having isues with my echo/reverb pedals, I was going in direct.

[adamkaminski]

After a vast research, I will summarize every video of effects loop for you: it's better to use reverb and/or delay. All other pedals can go in front of the amp.

[brotherDougE]

Thanks for the great presentation. Very helpful since I've never used my FX loop - going to give it a try.

[michaeleaster]

These intro videos are awesome! thanks so much... i've played a long time but have never really got my mind around the FX loop (I play small combo amps)

[dkm]

Very helpful, thanks for an easy to understand short tutorial.

[alostforgottensadspirit]

What camera was used to record this video? The quality is phenomenal and thanks for the information!

[arpee]

Thank you for this great info Don. Oh, and by the way, your hair looks just fabulous today!

[trfmusic]

Delay is the best in the fx loop. Thats just my preference though.

[heythere]

Vertex effects has a boost they say will add a much needed buffer to certain amps and make a non active effects loop be active, I don’t know what that means .

That being said, can one simply do that with any buffer in an effects loop? They do claim their buffer is 10 times better than a boss or what have you .

Can you break this concept down a little for me?

[ericgraham]

What about looper pedal? Would like to get the effects from my amp permanently recorded onto looper pedal

[goatsurgeon]

I’ve noticed sometimes distortion pedals won’t work in my fx loop, I’ll turn up gain and not hear anything

[cooperstafford]

I have a Randal 3003rg and when I use the fx loop I get a huge volume drop off not sure if I need a buffer or volume pedal please help I need my fx on stage!

[GuitarNewz]

Plug a volume pedal there at the end, crank your amp's volume up, and use the pedal as your volume knob. Boom, you have a cranked up amp at home at lower levels. :)

[noahlemanski]

Very cool, Don! Quick question, what shampoo do you use?

[danbegelman]

Question: Sometimes I will be playing out of an amp with effects loop, and sometimes not (vintage Marshall, Fender, etc.) Is there a way to set up a pedal board where I can use the 4 cable method, sending some effects to the loop and some straight into the amp front end, and then also have all pedals going into the front end for an amp without an effects loop, without having to rewire the pedal chain to accommodate these two options? Thanks, Dan

[Kennethswoodcarvings]

I only have the Katana 50 MK11` and no effects loop. Is there any way I can get the effects of the effects loop with only my 50 watt Katana?

[tatertotter]

if you're tracking guitar, can you put a DI in the effects loop (at the end) to capture the sound of the pre- pedals, the amp's preamp section, AND the post- pedals, all before the signal reaches your DAW? as long as you run the DI thru back to the loop return? is that safe according to the physics/electricity side of things? i've been itching to try it, just because i'm curious about what it will sound like, but i don't know if it's completely safe or not, and that's an expensive oopsy-daisy to make.

(long term i plan to get myself the neve RNDI so i can put it between the power amp and speaker load and REALLY get the full scope of the sound since it's built for something like that, but my question above stands as an interim inquiry.)