C
cool_guitars
New member
So I didn't want to take chance of reviving an older thread, but have seen a few threads and discussions about running pedals in FX loops. One the main issues with pedals not sounding right is that a Line Level series loop is put out a +4db signal and most pedals, want to see a -10db signal (guitar level). Some amps solve this with a switch to switch between both signals or they use some sort of attenuator, but for an amp like the Tweaker 15, where there is no switch, there are a couple of G-Lab products that are specifically designed for this. They also work for amps that are setup the opposite with a pedal level signal and you want to run rack gear that may not accept the -10db input. I went through a huge search over several weeks trying to find a solution for my JCA50H, as it also has a line level tube buffered series loop, just like the tweaker. The tweaker is my bedroom amp/backup to my JCA50H. Anyway, in all my searching, I finally stumbled onto the G-Lab Signal Adapter (SA-1) and the Amp Loop Adapter (AL-1). The difference between the two, is that the Amp Loop Adapter comes with a Y cable, (stereo on one end, two mono on the other, basically a very long insert cable), but it adds a ground loop lift box built into the cable in case there are ground loop issues. Because of the cable it cost almost $100.00 more than the Signal Adapter. I couldn't find the amp loop adapter anywhere in the states, but was able to find the Signal Adapter on-line in the states and was about $85 shipped and it's been worth ever penny spent. Even though the boost is active (meaning powered), it adds no noise to the loop chain. When setting it up and testing it, I used a Loop box to A/B taking the enitre loop in and out of the signal chain, I found it to be completely transparent. The attenuation side of the SA is passive and adjust from 0db to -16db and the boost goes from 0db to +14db. You basically set each side to cut and boost the same amount to feed and return whatever is in the chain. It also adds a peak detector incase your driving it too hard. Best of all, every pedal in my loop sounds great! I also use a Moen GEC9 true-bypass loop selector for creating patches to take pedals in and out of my signal path and for channel switching on the JCA50H. Once the SA was dialed in, each pedal sounds the way it should with both the clean and the gain channels. I can patch the loop section of the board into either amp, without having to change anything on the board. That was the ultimate test! IMHO, if a person is really set on getting their favorite pedals into a loop, especially those older vintage ones, this is a must have device. It's a fairly small unit too, so it did take up that much space on the board. Below is a pic of my pedal board as I was getting close to completing it a few months ago. The SA is at the upper right corner of the board. The board is the large Gator 30"X16" board and I have two of the Gator bricks powering everything on the board (they mound underneath the board). No ground loop issues or additional hum or noise added to the entire signal path either. I need a more current pic, as I replaced the Whirlwind Gold Box with my Keeley Modified TS-7 and in the empty space to the left of the JoYo classic chorus (big red pedal) is an ISP Decimator G-String. Anyway, hopefully, this information will be helpful for those are struggling with pedals in their loops, whether it's a tweaker or not.
For my signal chain, the front of the Amp section goes Guitars>Modified Morely ABC(added a 2nd parallel out to feed the Boss HR-2 detect in)>ISP Guitar in/out>Moen GEC9 Loop 7 in>Loop 7 phaser>Loop7 out to wah>MXR Dyna Comp>Moen GEC9 Loop 8 in>Loop 8 Keeley TS-7>Loop 8 out>Amp in. Loop 9 of the Moen controls the channel switching the JCA50H. The loop section goes Amp Loop Send>SA-1 Attenuation in/out>EH LPB-1 (provides a lead boost)>Moen GEC9 non-buffered in>Loop1 ISP G-string (decimator side)>Loop2 Boss HR-2>Loop3 Chorus>Loop 4 Tremolo>Loop 5 Delay>Loop 6 Reverb>Moen GEC 9 Out-1>SA-1 Boost in/out>Amp Loop Return.
The Morley ABC allows me to have my Les Paul or 87' Kramer plugged in to the A input, the guitar out of my GR-55 into the B input, and the Mag side of my Parker Classis Fly into the C Input. I use a y cable on the Fly and send the accoustic side to a direct box for ground lift. I have one of my other synth Parkers plugging into the GR-55 via the 13pin midi cable. The GR-55 out and the out of the direct box feed into a Behringer KB3000FX keyboard/PA amp.
For my signal chain, the front of the Amp section goes Guitars>Modified Morely ABC(added a 2nd parallel out to feed the Boss HR-2 detect in)>ISP Guitar in/out>Moen GEC9 Loop 7 in>Loop 7 phaser>Loop7 out to wah>MXR Dyna Comp>Moen GEC9 Loop 8 in>Loop 8 Keeley TS-7>Loop 8 out>Amp in. Loop 9 of the Moen controls the channel switching the JCA50H. The loop section goes Amp Loop Send>SA-1 Attenuation in/out>EH LPB-1 (provides a lead boost)>Moen GEC9 non-buffered in>Loop1 ISP G-string (decimator side)>Loop2 Boss HR-2>Loop3 Chorus>Loop 4 Tremolo>Loop 5 Delay>Loop 6 Reverb>Moen GEC 9 Out-1>SA-1 Boost in/out>Amp Loop Return.
The Morley ABC allows me to have my Les Paul or 87' Kramer plugged in to the A input, the guitar out of my GR-55 into the B input, and the Mag side of my Parker Classis Fly into the C Input. I use a y cable on the Fly and send the accoustic side to a direct box for ground lift. I have one of my other synth Parkers plugging into the GR-55 via the 13pin midi cable. The GR-55 out and the out of the direct box feed into a Behringer KB3000FX keyboard/PA amp.