Effects Loop - Series or Parallel

[Pvt. Ryan]

Hi. Just wondering if there's an indication whether an amp's effects loop is series or parallel just in case the manual didn't mention about it. Cheers.

[Delayman]

Hi. Just wondering if there's an indication whether an amp's effects loop is series or parallel just in case the manual didn't mention about it. Cheers.

I would always guess series unless the amp says something on it, or it has a level control on the loop that doesn't affect the through sound.

[Pvt. Ryan]

Thanks for the reply. I should have mentioned my amp in the first place. It's a Bugera 1990 Infinium and it has a level control on the loop.

[Pvt. Ryan]

Image showing the FX Loop

[FuzzMonkey]

I'd say it a Series effect loop. The Level control sets the output from the Send. Often this is just a push-button that cuts the signal by 10dB in order to run instrument-level effects or +4dB for line-level effects. Someone will correct me if I am wrong no doubt.

[MikeC]

I just had a squiz at the schematic - pretty sure it's series.

[Pvt. Ryan]

I just had a squiz at the schematic - pretty sure it's series.

Awesome! Thanks.

[Pvt. Ryan]

I'd say it a Series effect loop. The Level control sets the output from the Send. Often this is just a push-button that cuts the signal by 10dB in order to run instrument-level effects or +4dB for line-level effects. Someone will correct me if I am wrong no doubt.

Perfect, thanks!

[Pvt. Ryan]

It's just that I have this JHS Little Black Box Attenuator and specifically mentioned to use only on a series effects loop. Thanks to all!

[Delayman]

It's just that I have this JHS Little Black Box Attenuator and specifically mentioned to use only on a series effects loop. Thanks to all!

Will that do something that the master volumes won’t do? I guess if it’s tricky to set the clean and lead channels relative to each other and you want a single knob to control overall volume.

[FuzzMonkey]

Looking at the schematic, you could just put a patch cable in the Send and Return and use the Level control in the same way as the Little Black Box.

[Pvt. Ryan]

It's just that I have this JHS Little Black Box Attenuator and specifically mentioned to use only on a series effects loop. Thanks to all!

Will that do something that the master volumes won’t do? I guess if it’s tricky to set the clean and lead channels relative to each other and you want a single knob to control overall volume.

The amp's pretty loud even if the master volume level's set to 1. I wanted to retain the amp's response and tone without lowering the volume so I thought having an attenuator would do the trick.

[Pvt. Ryan]

Looking at the schematic, you could just put a patch cable in the Send and Return and use the Level control in the same way as the Little Black Box.

I have to try this neat trick. Thanks.

[MikeC]

Looking at the schematic, you could just put a patch cable in the Send and Return and use the Level control in the same way as the Little Black Box.

I have to try this neat trick. Thanks.

It works well in the Hot Rod Deluxe too!

[Optical]

It's just that I have this JHS Little Black Box Attenuator and specifically mentioned to use only on a series effects loop. Thanks to all!

Will that do something that the master volumes won’t do? I guess if it’s tricky to set the clean and lead channels relative to each other and you want a single knob to control overall volume.

The amp's pretty loud even if the master volume level's set to 1. I wanted to retain the amp's response and tone without lowering the volume so I thought having an attenuator would do the trick.

the JHS black box isnt an attenuator, it's a volume control