I use several floor effects chained with my Ibanez Ax's before they hit the Amp, let's explore this for a minute. I have a Vocal Harmonizer first in the chain (DigiTech Vocalist Live 4 Harmony-Effects Processor
), and then a Digitech Harmony Man
for my Guitar:
I have a Morley VAI-2 Steve Vai Bad Horsie 2 Contour Wah
after that:
I run this direct to my amp from the floor after the Wa Wa to my ancient Rockman EQ (Posted previously) and then to the input of the Amp. I use a Shure Wireless setup to get the signal, without any wires, to the beginning of my chain so I have no cables holding me back. Yeah, nobody does this. my wireless is on the floor and isn't at the amp, but it's quiet and works well as an alternative to trying to run these type of effects in the Effects Loop. They just really need to be front end to get the performance out of them as they were designed.
This type of thinking works for ANY Instrument where you need to control the Effect vs the Gain to get the right sound post Amp. If you wanted to add distortion to a Keyboard or Bass, this is where you place it in the chain. Adding any sort of Lead Boast here just adds to the Gain Structure and adds no real appreciative value to the volume of the Instrument because you will simply run into the limiting and clipping circuit that protects most Amp's Input Jack. Distortion happens before and through the Pre-Amp, volume happens after, remember that rule!
If you are looking for a Lead Boast, try running an EQ pedal in the effects loop of your amp, it takes a + 3Db before anyone can hear the difference in volume. For each 3 Db you need to DOUBLE the power in the chain. If you want a 6 Db gain on Lead, you need to double the original volume and then double it AGAIN to get any appreciative results. To simplify: For every doubling of Audible volume, the power needs to be increased 2X. The Human ear can't really distinguish less than a 3 Db increase, so it's best to think in Threes when it comes to this sort of application.
The best way to measure Db, or better known as Sound Pressure Level (SPL), is to buy a Digital meter from Radio Shack. The Digital units can do RMS and Peak, were as the Analog units are limited in their response, so you will not get an accurate reading. You can purchase one here for slightly less than $50: Radio Shack Db Meter-Digital or shop around for a better deal. Here's a few links to other Meter Options: Scosche makes one for around $28
, American-Recorder-Technologies has one for around $70
, Extech offers one for around $90
,Galaxy has one for $60
, Pyle makes a Mini Meter that fits in your pocket for around $35
, Parts Express makes pocket meter too for $30
and the COOLEST one I found is this one that runs on your Android as an Application: Professional dB (SPL) Meter
You do NOT want to add gain in your Effects Loop unless you understand Distortion! It's best to set any unit you have in your Loop to a Unity (0 Db) gain setting. If you are looking for a Lead Boast in the Loop, you might want to run - 3Db or -6 DB so that your "Boast" is really unity gain. You can probably push the Loop +3 Db without too much Distortion, but a +6 DB will affect the sound quality and noise level.
Here's another rule on Effects: Rack equipment will either be switchable +4 Db (Input Level) or -10 Db (Pro gear studio level). So if you have a Guitar floor stomp box EQ in line, make sure the rest of your Effects are set to + 4 Db. If not, -10 Db is cleaner and reduces overall noise\hiss in your Signal Chain. I have some older gear in my Effects Loop, so I had hiss and noise problems, so I bought a Hush noise suppressor, that's next in the Equipment List (And the next review\post).
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