An FX Loop (or properly, “Effects Loop”) is an optional break between your amplifier’s preamp and power amp. Today, we’re looking at 6 different ways in which you can use an FX Loop.

Arguably, the most popular way to use an FX Loop is with modulation or other time-based effects such as chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, etc., particularly if you’re using overdrive or distortion in your sound.

Typically, depending on your specific tone, amount and type of distortion, and modulation settings, effects like chorus and flanger can sound a bit muddy when placed before distortion. This is because these effects act like “pseudo-doublers” and ultimately can result in what sounds like two signals being fed into one amp. Again, depending on your specific settings, this may or may not be a problem, but if it is, putting the aforementioned effects in the loop and after your distortion will help tidy everything up. This is because your distortion is seeing your single, non-“pseudo-doubled” signal, then applying the chorus or flanger effect, applying the desired effect more cleanly. Again, this is 100% optional. If you prefer your flanger before your drive, there is nothing wrong with that.

You can also run a preamp pedal into the FX Loop Return of your amplifier. Your amp’s power amp is designed to cleanly amplify whatever sound comes before it. By placing your preamp pedal in the FX Loop return, your preamp is being cleanly amplified, rather than being further shaped by your amp’s preamp.

You can also run your amp’s preamp in the power amp of another amplifier. For example, let’s say you have the Darkglass Microtubes 900 but want to feed that signal into the tube power section of an Ampeg SVT. Just connect a patch cable or instrument cable from the Darkglass’s FX Loop Send (or Preamp Out) to the Ampeg’s FX Loop Return (or Power Amp In). You can do this with any amps that have an FX Loop, but no matter what, MAKE SURE THAT AMPLIFIERS WITH TUBE POWER SECTIONS ARE ALWAYS CONNECTED TO A SPEAKER CABINET.

Graphic EQ Pedals typically have a lot of flexibility in the EQ shaping. If your amp’s EQ is limited, try running an EQ pedal in the loop. This will help give greater flexibility to your amp’s EQ capabilities.

Let’s say you want to boost your volume without altering your fundamental tone. Placing a boost in front of your amp is going to increase the level of the signal being fed into the preamp, pushing the preamp harder and often resulting in more gain. Placing a boost in the FX Loop will help you raise your volume without altering your tone.

The same goes for attenuation. If you’re in a situation where you need to bring the volume down, a volume pedal in front of your amp will decrease the level of the signal being fed into the amp, often resulting in less gain. Placing a volume pedal in the FX Loop will lower your volume without changing your tone.

Finally, if your’e suffering from a noisy preamp, you can either insert a standard Noise Gate in the loop, or for better results, use a Noise Gate with its own loop. By inserting your amp’s preamp into the loop of your Noise Gate, you can cut down on noise while retaining your playing dynamics.
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