I admit that not the best cables are used and shown here but they helped with two things. 1) Easy to identify the different loops in the video. . 2) At the time of construction they were the only ones I could source with a straight plug on one end (for looper box) and right angles on the other end (for the FX pedals themselves) Currently working through replacing with my own hand made custom cables. Yep soldering iron all warmed up. Rock on!
Thanks Craig. An excellent explanation. Helpful demo begins at 14:00. I like that these Swift ‘Switchers’ do not have banks and multi programmable features like the Boss and JoYo PXL series. The simpler the better in my view. The website recommendations say that the standout feature of this unit is the robust construction and complete absence of switch noise or signal loss. Another ✅ to Swift.
hey man! i really appreciate the time you took to explain everything... i am learning about loopers and you helped me narrow in on what i need. thanks!
Very practical and down-to-earth. Enjoyed it. Nice to see a load of users eploting PARALLEL signal paths, as I started doing over 40 years ago.Good upload, H6UK
Great stuff, been playing guitar just almost a year now, and electric for a month, and i set out to learn as much as possible, and i really took away and good understanding of the effect pedal aspect
I know that Multi FX processors are out there but personally I prefer the flexibility of individual pedals as I can use best of breed for each effect. I have used multi FX processors but I prefer my own custom set up. No right or wrong - just personal preference.
I prefer Pedals also, I rented a effects unit in 95 & there's just too many corny sounding things that didn't even sound like a Guitar & the chorus & Distortion wasn't as strong / powerful as a Pedal
I've had Peavey Tubefex's since 1995 (multi-processor rack FX), and they had both finally given up the ghost. I'm about to put them up on ebay for parts. So I just started getting back into pedals. Thanks for posting, lots of things to think about, I'm about to build my board (hand-made).
StratGuitarman69 Yes I understand. But why, when there are FX processors that are great that cost the price of one pedal sometimes. I never really understood the attraction to a mirad of pedals. I would love to hear your thoughts of this issue...................Thanks.
great demo. went into this video thinking/hoping "looper" meant effects loop, since I have a hard time finding people who utilitize a preamp chain and effects loop chain like I do. But it turned out to be a great video, with a great looper pedal. Honestly contemplating purchasing one now haha. thanks!
Great walk through. I've been running my pedals in series for 30 years - mostly because I've been a minimalist. But I'm up to a similar six pedal setup now, and I'm looking at building something like what you've got here. Five of the same pedals. Keep on Rockin' mate! Looking at one of those little Orange's too for same reason!
Hi Patrick, All the effects on the board feed (via the loop switch) into the Guitar input. The only thing in the amp FX loop is the bluesbreaker 2 set in boost mode. This is because I have the pre-amp (gain) on full so boosting it does nothing due to the pre-amp valves being flat out. The only way I can boost is between the pre-amp and power amp ie the FX loop.
Done really well. Thank you for sharing all that you have. Very good way of getting a well organized system. I have that little terror and love it. You can't beat it for the money. As you stated, in a critical situation, it's a God send. Again, Thank you...
That was good. I'm just getting back into guitar after 30 years off. I got a little 25 watt tube amp (Peavey Bravo) and got a wah (had to learn about buffered and true bypass) then a delay and will get more. I like the idea of having 1 button to push to go back to straight guitar amp.
Great info, thanks! I'd suggest to not only put the blues breaker into the post-preamp FX-loop but also chorus, delay and stuff. Finally you'll end up using two circuits: one pre-preamp the other one post-preamp.
yes - You are correct, then you woudl need two switch systems. One for Send/Return FX and one for Pre-input FX. I never used Send/return. I don't actually use FX that much to be honest, I like to keep things simple when I can. :-)
Thanks for uploading man! Thinking about buying a few pedals, been playing for about 7 years but been very pedal phobic until now haha but this video really helped!
*Some* loopers (not this one, though) allow you to select various combinations of pedals on with little trim-switches for *each* patch. This guy didn't get rid of the 'tap-dance' at all; he still has to click them on one at a time. Once he's done that tap-dance, he shows that clicking 'bypass' engages the ones he selected. The Carl Martin Octo-whatever I saw on here lets you set up 8 separate *combinations* of pedals. Now THAT gets rid of the tap-dance; this one just makes you dance between songs.....Hope this helps, if you're thinking of investing in one of these pedal loopers (I sure am, just not this one, I don't think!).
Thanks Craig great demo and very informative- that little Orange unit is a gas- if only all heads were that easy to carry. There'd be a lot of roadies at the Jobcentre! I guess you can choose the order the pedals come into the loop in case you want say chorus before or after flanger or wah etc?
yeah the Orange is a nice piece of a kit but I only keep it as a spare.You can set your fx sequence as you want it, same as if they were just plugged into each other.
the sequence of pedals is determined by which "Channel/Switch" they re on. So my Wah is first in the chain as it is on switch 1. My delay is last in the chain as it is on switch 6
I think I finally have to buy one. I have 10 pedals per board. I want to put 20 on a build next but with mini pedals and I guess I will have to buy 2 power supplies to mount under. This will be my 4th pedalboard made from wood and I've learned some tricks. I almost made a shelf style to use with my hands but backed out. I just need to save floor space and only play sitting in my house.
Great video. I've been contemplating on getting a looper to simplify the pedal tap dance. I think this is the best route for 5 or 6 pedals or more. Seems all you need for your rig is an eq pedal to give you that solo boost. Cheers mate.
Actually I use my amp on max so pre-input boosters have no effect other than driving tubes into compression. The way I get around that is to use a "Bad Cat unleash" two channel attenuator between the amp and speaker. I set the two channel vols different and switch channels for solos.
Won't work- I have my Amp cranked to the max as it has no Master volume so pre-input boosting simply puts the vales/tubes into compression.I then attenuate the phenomenal and deadly volume by the use of a "Bad Cat Unleash" which sits between the amp and the speaker cab. It has two "channels" which I set at different vols. I then switch between them for solos. Works for me.
Excellent demo, but there's something I'm curious about. Can this fx switcher mix a pedal sound with the clean and distortion channel on your amp or are you forced to bypass all effects when you hit the bypass switch?
The bypass is to bypass all the FX pedals connected to the switches. If you are asking whether you can swap amp channels and include switching an effect (eg delay) on at the same time using this then the answer is I believe No. The amp channel will most likely have to be switched using its own footswitch.
Is there a difference in the sound between stinging effects together vs using a looper? And how would you add a Loop Recording Effects Pedal if you were a soloist?
Enjoyed this video very much. It was informative as well as precise. My one question to you is: What brand and model is your looper switch? I would really like to add that to my rig. Thanks for the informative video.
How do you route the cabling when you want to have multiple pedals in an amp fx loop? As an example. I've got a delay, a modulation pedal, and a reverb in my fx loop and I want to integrate them into a loop switcher where I can control them individually. Not sure how to cable that while having them in the fx loop? Am I just missing something obvious?
could you assign numerous pedals to one footswitch but also have it assigned to another stand alone switch? for example: footswitch 1 goes to a RAT Distortion and a Memory man, and footswitch 2 goes to just the RAT. or would that require splitters or involve midi worlds? I get the feeling I might just get a 'no' answer here!
Great idea to use the Tiny Terror. I only have a Marshall TSL 122 combo, so could I use the Tiny Terror idea by unplgging the amp from the speaker in the same way?
great explanation on how you should properly use pedals these days, my preference is a midi solution with the pedals on a tray going through a switcher system , its not dissimilar to what your describing here, except I have zero cable coming from the amp to the floor , I just have a midi cable to my voodoo lab midi pedal, and I can switch my amp channels from it too. Great video with some very sound advice
Hey, cool board, informative video. I just wonder why you set your wah in the looper as well, since you'd need to turn it on by pressing down on it anyway? Why not just have it go straight through, like that Marshall booster pedal
A good point but I used to have trouble knowing if the Wah was on sometimes as no LED. I just leave it on all the time now and use the Looper Switch and LED to identify whether It is in use or not. Can't always tell when there is a lot of noise haha.
Hi, My JCM800 is a recent (3 years old) reissue which includes the send/return as standard. I also have a JCM800 Combo from 1983 which doesn't have the effects loop. I'm not sure if Marshall introduced a loop as standard later in the 80s or only on the reissue? My SLP1959 head is a 2009 reissue and that also has the effects loop unlike the originals. Sorry can't be much more help.
That was a good watch, mate!! Learned a couple things i was always curious about...you should do more of these.. (..and judging by all the comments, the good people at 'Orange" and "Swift" should be sending you a royalty cheque!!..lol)
Very helpful, thank you for posting this! - I have not seen anyone show how they set up when they turn up for a gig. Having not yet done this, it always sits in the back of my head. I have no idea what you need to do. Do you just plug the amp straight into a wall socket and go? Should I also consider amp positioning, PA's (direct from amp or mic in front of amp) or just build my own experience as I go. From your experience, how do you approach a new venue when you're playing for the first time? Any advice would be very helpful. Cheers!
Wow a lot of questions there. Ok. Gigs - we always set up with bass and guitar amps next to drums, slightly in front.If venue is big enough guitar amp iss miked through PA. Bass guitar is split DI into PA and also into bass amp. Drums are miked. Onstage sound is usually same volume wherever we are. any need to be louder is done through PA.. we use two monitors at front,- vocals only and a separate one for drummer with only vocals and a bit of guitar in it.
Very much appreciated, thank you for taking time to reply. - For the PA setup would you be expected to do this or would there be a person on site usually responsible who dictates how set up is done?
Well you could plug the fx loop send into the looper and then back into the fx return. All fx would be in the fx loop then though. If you wanted some front end and some in fx loop you would need two loopers.
Thanks a lot for explaining what that big long thing with 20+ cables does. As stupid as this sounds the way I understood is . You can take the pedals and put them on a parallel circuit instead of a series circuit. Kinda like Christmas lights so that your lights will still work even if one of them burns out.
No. All pedals are still in series with each other when they are selected on the loop/bypass box. The switching box is simply a clever way to truly bypass the whole pedal chain, as well as controlling which pedals are actually wired into the chain.
I want to start using a looper, but I'm a little confused about the set up. Are the modulation effects going through the Effects loop? It looks like there's a 4 cord set up with the pedal board. I know you said the Marshall Blues breaker was in the loop. I know the whole tap dancing thing is trying to be avoided, but if the modulation effects are in the loop, can they be selected through the looper with the preamp effects and still go through the loop?
Hi, thanks for the interest. Ok - Everything on the board (apart from the BB2) feeds into the input of the amp.The BB2 is totally separate and is in the FX loop of the amp and is used as a clean boost for solos. So as you say I use a four cable harness. cable 1 -Guitar in (from transmitter/receiver), cable 2 - guitar out (to amp) cable 3 - Amp send -into BB2 cable 4 - BB2out - amp return. To use fx in the send/return you would need to connect the looper in the send/return loop not the amp input. you could have two loopers, one for amp in fx and one for send/rtn fx. Hope this clarifies - Craig
Well you would need a rat and memory man on switch 1 and another rat on switch 2. if you wanted the rat on all the time. The way to do that would be have the rat on 1 (switched in all the time) the memory man on 2 - switch in/out as required. if you wanted rat and memory man to come on at the same time then have them connected to switch 1 and switch 2 and switched on. Use the bypass switch so they are "off" then turn off the bypass when you want them on. Does this help?
Craig, thanks! One of the most helpful explanations I have seen. If I want to run my time-based effects through my FX loop, I suppose I would need another looper just to run through the FX loop. In that case I might have an 6-8 loop looper for effects before the preamp and another 4-6 loop looper for the FX loop. Have you ever used it that way?
Hello, i wathed the video twice, but i'm not sure about a thing... can you actually program the looper? like assign few pedal to one button, few other pedal to an other one.. or you just able to switch from clean to some pedals??
its not programmable as such. if you wanted three FX to come on at once you can press bypass then switch the fx you want in to the circuit. Then when you turn Bypass off (only press the one switch) they are all working.
understood!! Thank you Sir.. actually i ask it a couple months ago and in the mentime i made up my mind...even if it is a nice tool, it is not what i'm looking for... it was strange since the beggining such a low price, then i realized it is not programable so useless to me
Great Video Craig:-)....Love the Magic Trick, pulling Micro Terror from out behind the Marshall!!...Interested in your Marshall Combo sitting behind you. What Model?? Considering a JCM600..comments??? Would love your opinion. Cheers and Thanks!!:-)
That was a Marshall JTM30 1*12 I used to have. I also had a matching 1*12 ext speaker cab. Nice amp- had it for years ,but it worked better on the clean channel and overdriven with an overdrive or distortion pedal. the Distortion channel on the map was not really that usable for me. No longer have it. I have never used a Marshall JCM600. I do have a new Marshall DSL40CR which is pretty flexible although still not totally got to grips with it. I may do a video!
Great vid mate it's explained a lot. Can you tell me what model that swift looper is please? I really like the simplicity of it and the master bypass is just perfect for me as I like to use the natural channels of the amp more. Thanks
Hi. Thanks for the video. Maybe you can help me with a few questions. I'm a guitar player and singer in a portuguese band. As i sing and play at the same time it's very uncomfortable to be tapdancing. Some years ago i bought a Mooer L6 switcher. For the price i can't really complaint about it (the main problem is this kind of delay when you press the buttons, the sound kind of fades in). I've been using it to control my modulation pedals live, but i want to be able to control all pedals (dis, drive, boost, etc). This happens because i use my modulation in the fx loop of the amp and the other pedals in the front inside of the BOSS NS2 loop. My question is if using the boss es 8 four cable method feature i can route the pedals i want to the front and to the fx loop "separating" them but still using in the same loop system. Other thing i would like to know is how the boss NS2 loop would work in a foot switcher, i mean how can i still be using the noise surpressor loop or how can i use it still using a switcher. As i'm thinking of switching to another switcher, i would like to ask some of good choices for me besides the ES-8. What exact foot switchers can i use to route pedals to the fx loop and to the front of the pedal. Thank you.
So is your delay in front of the amp? Would it makes sense to have two loopers: one for effects before the amp (overdrive, phaser) and one for time-based effects in the loop of the amp (delay, etc.)?
I built a device for my rig for this specific issue. It's basically the same thing a lot of those expensive pre-made pedalboards have from the big manufacturers. I have eight mono jacks wired in the proper configuration, encased in a medium sized aluminum pedal enclosure. It's velcroed to my pedalboard and allows me to separate my effects loop effects and my pre-amp effects without having to run a crap load of cable back and forth from my amp to my pedals. In fact, I have three cables zip tied together that go from my amp to this device. It works perfectly and saves me a lot of time hooking up before a gig too. I put all of my Modulation, Time Based and Pitch Based effects through the loop and my Gain Based effects all go through the Pre-Amp... and it works GREAT. The looper is going on the board next and with this device, it eliminates the need to have two loopers... It can all go through one looper.
What does that Swift Bypass Looper cost in USD? I believe its the SL6MT. Im looking for exactly that. Master bypass, 6 effects channels, and tuner mute. It looks like the website is from UK. I think it shows £133. I don't know what that is in USD.
is there really no way to use only one looper if i am going to use the fx loop of an amp? another question is do i really have to use the guitar in? or can i plug my guitar in one of the loops?
If you want to use the fx loop for all your FX pedals then one looper is fine. Just send to the looper (in) and connect looper (out) to rtn. if the looper is connected in to the guitar input of the amp then yes you could use one of the loops. It wouldn't work with the looper in the fx loop (snd/rtn) though as there woudl be no guitar signal in the pre-amp.
StratGuitarman69 You can put your AMP in a loop, say nr.3, by connecting nr.3 send to amp input and amp fx loop send to nr.3 return and then the overall output of the looper to amp fx return. So now what you have in loops 1 and 2 are in front of the amp and what you have in loops 4 and 5 are in amp's fx loop. BUT, you must never turn off loop nr.3 and never activate master bypass or you'll have your amp bypassed!!!
Your better option for a stand by amp would be a Crate made here in the good ole USA. If you get a Crate Power Block 150CPB you'll get 150 watts out and the amp size is about the size of that orange thing. The Crate only weighs 4.5 pounds.
Not sure I follow this. the pre-amp will be connected to the power amp internally. Some amps have an FX "send" which takes the output signal from the preamp, lets you run it through FX units and then return it into the power amp.Many people like to put "time effects such as delay units into this send return path. I personally don't use it, I am old school and I run everything straight into the front input of the map.
I am not sure I quite follow. Delay in the FX loop, yes but if you want to use multiple ones you may need two switching boxes. One for the send/return FXs and one for the pre-input FXs. Is this what you meant?
Probably and no doubt you are going to tell me that is how to blow up my amp. or speakers. You might be right but it's never happend to me personally in 40 years of using tube amps.
so you dont actually step on the pedals, just the blue box? well how much does the blue looper box cost? people also call a looper a box that can play many tracks at once..like a digitech jamman looper... so this is a bit confusing..
Hey everyone, he starts talking about the switcher at 6:30
Thanks, m8
Prince Westerburg thanks
thanks
Thanks
A hero among us
Thanks for actually informing us about the looper instead of displaying your guitar talents like so many youtubers insist on doing.
FINALLY SOMEONE WHO FREAKING EXPLAINS THE WAYS YOU CAN HOOK UP TO A SWITCHER.
THANK YOU.
Been playing for almost 8 years and spent ages looking for a video like this , thank you !
I admit that not the best cables are used and shown here but they helped with two things.
1) Easy to identify the different loops in the video.
. 2) At the time of construction they were the only ones I could source with a straight plug on one end (for looper box) and right angles on the other end (for the FX pedals themselves)
Currently working through replacing with my own hand made custom cables. Yep soldering iron all warmed up.
Rock on!
thank you for NOT wasting my time. great video! hope all is well!
Thanks Craig. An excellent explanation. Helpful demo begins at 14:00.
I like that these Swift ‘Switchers’ do not have banks and multi programmable features like the Boss and JoYo PXL series. The simpler the better in my view. The website recommendations say that the standout feature of this unit is the robust construction and complete absence of switch noise or signal loss. Another ✅ to Swift.
hey man! i really appreciate the time you took to explain everything... i am learning about loopers and you helped me narrow in on what i need. thanks!
That is what I was hoping I could do- just help some people out. Thanks for feedback.
Very practical and down-to-earth. Enjoyed it. Nice to see a load of users eploting PARALLEL signal paths, as I started doing over 40 years ago.Good upload, H6UK
Great stuff, been playing guitar just almost a year now, and electric for a month, and i set out to learn as much as possible, and i really took away and good understanding of the effect pedal aspect
Thanks Derek. Hope it was helpful.
Hey ,I have a look at the moment. The comments
I know that Multi FX processors are out there but personally I prefer the flexibility of individual pedals as I can use best of breed for each effect. I have used multi FX processors but I prefer my own custom set up. No right or wrong - just personal preference.
agreed, I have multi-effects, but over the years i've been switching to individual pedals.
I prefer Pedals also, I rented a effects unit in 95 & there's just too many corny sounding things that didn't even sound like a Guitar & the chorus & Distortion wasn't as strong / powerful as a Pedal
I've had Peavey Tubefex's since 1995 (multi-processor rack FX), and they had both finally given up the ghost. I'm about to put them up on ebay for parts. So I just started getting back into pedals. Thanks for posting, lots of things to think about, I'm about to build my board (hand-made).
StratGuitarman69 Yes I understand. But why, when there are FX processors that are great that cost the price of one pedal sometimes. I never really understood the attraction to a mirad of pedals. I would love to hear your thoughts of this issue...................Thanks.
StratGuitarman69 this is not a multi fx processor, just a quicker way to switch the pedals on and off..
great demo. went into this video thinking/hoping "looper" meant effects loop, since I have a hard time finding people who utilitize a preamp chain and effects loop chain like I do. But it turned out to be a great video, with a great looper pedal. Honestly contemplating purchasing one now haha. thanks!
okay, so i made that comment BEFORE I saw your orange micro terror...best video ive seen in a long time for sure. thanks for the great ideas!
possibly the most informative looper video out there
Great walk through. I've been running my pedals in series for 30 years - mostly because I've been a minimalist. But I'm up to a similar six pedal setup now, and I'm looking at building something like what you've got here. Five of the same pedals. Keep on Rockin' mate! Looking at one of those little Orange's too for same reason!
Hope you managed to complete your setup - not that we ever do of course :-)
"I can guarantee you now that you WILL buy more pedals."
The sad truth about being a guitarist. :P
Hi Patrick, All the effects on the board feed (via the loop switch) into the Guitar input. The only thing in the amp FX loop is the bluesbreaker 2 set in boost mode. This is because I have the pre-amp (gain) on full so boosting it does nothing due to the pre-amp valves being flat out. The only way I can boost is between the pre-amp and power amp ie the FX loop.
Well done Craig. One of the best instructional videos I have ever seen on UA-cam. Straight ahead, very informative, well explained. Thank you sir.
Thnaks Zac, hope you found it useful. The Loop switch is from Swift pedals - link is at top I think .They have used this video on theri homepage :-)
Done really well. Thank you for sharing all that you have. Very good way of getting a well organized system. I have that little terror and love it. You can't beat it for the money. As you stated, in a critical situation, it's a God send. Again, Thank you...
Glad to try and help-thanks
Thanks! Been playing for years but never used a pedal. They seemed really complicated but u made it very clear
fantastic tone all around , Marshall and the Orange ,plus the boss pedals and classic cry baby
That was good. I'm just getting back into guitar after 30 years off. I got a little 25 watt tube amp (Peavey Bravo) and got a wah (had to learn about buffered and true bypass) then a delay and will get more. I like the idea of having 1 button to push to go back to straight guitar amp.
Great info, thanks! I'd suggest to not only put the blues breaker into the post-preamp FX-loop but also chorus, delay and stuff. Finally you'll end up using two circuits: one pre-preamp the other one post-preamp.
yes - You are correct, then you woudl need two switch systems. One for Send/Return FX and one for Pre-input FX. I never used Send/return. I don't actually use FX that much to be honest, I like to keep things simple when I can. :-)
A really thorough and well done video. Thanks!
Thanks for uploading man! Thinking about buying a few pedals, been playing for about 7 years but been very pedal phobic until now haha but this video really helped!
*Some* loopers (not this one, though) allow you to select various combinations of pedals on with little trim-switches for *each* patch. This guy didn't get rid of the 'tap-dance' at all; he still has to click them on one at a time. Once he's done that tap-dance, he shows that clicking 'bypass' engages the ones he selected. The Carl Martin Octo-whatever I saw on here lets you set up 8 separate *combinations* of pedals. Now THAT gets rid of the tap-dance; this one just makes you dance between songs.....Hope this helps, if you're thinking of investing in one of these pedal loopers (I sure am, just not this one, I don't think!).
Thanks for that information! That's what I am looking for! (y) :)
bahaha!!! was NOT expecting that little orange head to sound like that! very nice!
It is definitely usable as a spare and low cost.Well worth carrying at all times.
Thank you Craig, this was very helpful for me and where I am as a guitarist.
Many thanks - Hope I could help
Thanks - now I understand. T'was getting confused with 'loopers'. Nice explanation.
Thanks Craig great demo and very informative- that little Orange unit is a gas- if only all heads were that easy to carry. There'd be a lot of roadies at the Jobcentre! I guess you can choose the order the pedals come into the loop in case you want say chorus before or after flanger or wah etc?
yeah the Orange is a nice piece of a kit but I only keep it as a spare.You can set your fx sequence as you want it, same as if they were just plugged into each other.
the sequence of pedals is determined by which "Channel/Switch" they re on. So my Wah is first in the chain as it is on switch 1. My delay is last in the chain as it is on switch 6
I think I finally have to buy one. I have 10 pedals per board. I want to put 20 on a build next but with mini pedals and I guess I will have to buy 2 power supplies to mount under. This will be my 4th pedalboard made from wood and I've learned some tricks. I almost made a shelf style to use with my hands but backed out. I just need to save floor space and only play sitting in my house.
Great video. I've been contemplating on getting a looper to simplify the pedal tap dance. I think this is the best route for 5 or 6 pedals or more. Seems all you need for your rig is an eq pedal to give you that solo boost. Cheers mate.
Actually I use my amp on max so pre-input boosters have no effect other than driving tubes into compression. The way I get around that is to use a "Bad Cat unleash" two channel attenuator between the amp and speaker. I set the two channel vols different and switch channels for solos.
Very well explained. May I recommend the Boss Feedback/Booster FB-2 for you to Boost your solos.
Won't work- I have my Amp cranked to the max as it has no Master volume so pre-input boosting simply puts the vales/tubes into compression.I then attenuate the phenomenal and deadly volume by the use of a "Bad Cat Unleash" which sits between the amp and the speaker cab. It has two "channels" which I set at different vols. I then switch between them for solos. Works for me.
Excellent demo, but there's something I'm curious about. Can this fx switcher mix a pedal sound with the clean and distortion channel on your amp or are you forced to bypass all effects when you hit the bypass switch?
The bypass is to bypass all the FX pedals connected to the switches. If you are asking whether you can swap amp channels and include switching an effect (eg delay) on at the same time using this then the answer is I believe No. The amp channel will most likely have to be switched using its own footswitch.
Is there a difference in the sound between stinging effects together vs using a looper? And how would you add a Loop Recording Effects Pedal if you were a soloist?
Enjoyed this video very much. It was informative as well as precise. My one question to you is: What brand and model is your looper switch? I would really like to add that to my rig. Thanks for the informative video.
That little Orange amp was sounding pretty sweet.
How do you route the cabling when you want to have multiple pedals in an amp fx loop?
As an example. I've got a delay, a modulation pedal, and a reverb in my fx loop and I want to integrate them into a loop switcher where I can control them individually. Not sure how to cable that while having them in the fx loop?
Am I just missing something obvious?
could you assign numerous pedals to one footswitch but also have it assigned to another stand alone switch? for example: footswitch 1 goes to a RAT Distortion and a Memory man, and footswitch 2 goes to just the RAT. or would that require splitters or involve midi worlds?
I get the feeling I might just get a 'no' answer here!
Great idea to use the Tiny Terror. I only have a Marshall TSL 122 combo, so could I use the Tiny Terror idea by unplgging the amp from the speaker in the same way?
The Terror will plug in to any speaker cab - it has a std jack connection for the speaker. Just need to relevent speaker lead.
great explanation on how you should properly use pedals these days, my preference is a midi solution with the pedals on a tray going through a switcher system , its not dissimilar to what your describing here, except I have zero cable coming from the amp to the floor , I just have a midi cable to my voodoo lab midi pedal, and I can switch my amp channels from it too. Great video with some very sound advice
Thanks - just trying to help.
What happens if I have one pedal that I'd like to use in two different loops? Do I need to have two identical pedals?
Very good explanation of a looper's function sir. Thank you very much!
Hey, cool board, informative video. I just wonder why you set your wah in the looper as well, since you'd need to turn it on by pressing down on it anyway? Why not just have it go straight through, like that Marshall booster pedal
whoops, just seen you say why there 15 minutes in... need to watch videos full way through without questioning from now on, sorry
A good point but I used to have trouble knowing if the Wah was on sometimes as no LED. I just leave it on all the time now and use the Looper Switch and LED to identify whether It is in use or not. Can't always tell when there is a lot of noise haha.
Hi, My JCM800 is a recent (3 years old) reissue which includes the send/return as standard. I also have a JCM800 Combo from 1983 which doesn't have the effects loop.
I'm not sure if Marshall introduced a loop as standard later in the 80s or only on the reissue?
My SLP1959 head is a 2009 reissue and that also has the effects loop unlike the originals.
Sorry can't be much more help.
That was a good watch, mate!! Learned a couple things i was always curious about...you should do more of these.. (..and judging by all the comments, the good people at 'Orange" and "Swift" should be sending you a royalty cheque!!..lol)
No Cheques yet but thanks - glad it was of some use.
where is the marshall pedal connected to if its not connected into the looper?
Perfect. Couldn't have said it, or done it any better!
Thanks for the info about the switcher I'm still tap dancing on pedals. I thought the orange sounded better than the Marshall LOL
Very helpful, thank you for posting this!
- I have not seen anyone show how they set up when they turn up for a gig. Having not yet done this, it always sits in the back of my head. I have no idea what you need to do. Do you just plug the amp straight into a wall socket and go? Should I also consider amp positioning, PA's (direct from amp or mic in front of amp) or just build my own experience as I go. From your experience, how do you approach a new venue when you're playing for the first time? Any advice would be very helpful. Cheers!
Wow a lot of questions there. Ok. Gigs - we always set up with bass and guitar amps next to drums, slightly in front.If venue is big enough guitar amp iss miked through PA. Bass guitar is split DI into PA and also into bass amp. Drums are miked. Onstage sound is usually same volume wherever we are. any need to be louder is done through PA.. we use two monitors at front,- vocals only and a separate one for drummer with only vocals and a bit of guitar in it.
Very much appreciated, thank you for taking time to reply.
- For the PA setup would you be expected to do this or would there be a person on site usually responsible who dictates how set up is done?
Did you try better quality patch cables before buying the looper/switcher?
hey mate, i dunno what patch cables you are using, but you should try out some george l's or lava cables. The clarity you get from them is amazing ;)
I just need some with Right angle on one end and straight on the other. I will be replacing these with better ones.
how would you set the looper if you want your modulations, reverbs and delays threw an effects loop?
Well you could plug the fx loop send into the looper and then back into the fx return. All fx would be in the fx loop then though. If you wanted some front end and some in fx loop you would need two loopers.
Thanks a lot for explaining what that big long thing with 20+ cables does. As stupid as this sounds the way I understood is . You can take the pedals and put them on a parallel circuit instead of a series circuit. Kinda like Christmas lights so that your lights will still work even if one of them burns out.
No. All pedals are still in series with each other when they are selected on the loop/bypass box. The switching box is simply a clever way to truly bypass the whole pedal chain, as well as controlling which pedals are actually wired into the chain.
Your Strat had a really nice driven sound, even when you play "clean" it just had a twang to it. Did you have reverb coming from the head at all?
No reverb anywhere other than naturally in the room. Amp is a Marshall SLP1959- basic amp-no master vol, or FX.
I would suggest a Treble Boost, ora Para EQ. A lot of resonance and overtones are killed once you turn your effects on.
I want to start using a looper, but I'm a little confused about the set up. Are the modulation effects going through the Effects loop? It looks like there's a 4 cord set up with the pedal board. I know you said the Marshall Blues breaker was in the loop. I know the whole tap dancing thing is trying to be avoided, but if the modulation effects are in the loop, can they be selected through the looper with the preamp effects and still go through the loop?
Hi, thanks for the interest. Ok - Everything on the board (apart from the BB2) feeds into the input of the amp.The BB2 is totally separate and is in the FX loop of the amp and is used as a clean boost for solos. So as you say I use a four cable harness. cable 1 -Guitar in (from transmitter/receiver), cable 2 - guitar out (to amp) cable 3 - Amp send -into BB2 cable 4 - BB2out - amp return. To use fx in the send/return you would need to connect the looper in the send/return loop not the amp input. you could have two loopers, one for amp in fx and one for send/rtn fx. Hope this clarifies - Craig
Thanks. That was crystal clear.
Cory
Well you would need a rat and memory man on switch 1 and another rat on switch 2. if you wanted the rat on all the time.
The way to do that would be have the rat on 1 (switched in all the time) the memory man on 2 - switch in/out as required.
if you wanted rat and memory man to come on at the same time then have them connected to switch 1 and switch 2 and switched on. Use the bypass switch so they are "off" then turn off the bypass when you want them on. Does this help?
The looper and the jacks going into currently take up about 1/3rd of the board. Get right-angled jacks to make space for more pedals. :p
the cables caught under the board are freaking me out.
They actually go under the board to keep them out of the way. The board has feet on it so they are not crushed at all.
Same here. Aaarrrggghhh!
Craig, thanks! One of the most helpful explanations I have seen. If I want to run my time-based effects through my FX loop, I suppose I would need another looper just to run through the FX loop. In that case I might have an 6-8 loop looper for effects before the preamp and another 4-6 loop looper for the FX loop. Have you ever used it that way?
Hi Joe, That is exactly right although I haven't done that. I have everything apart from "boost" pre-input..
Glad you found it useful.
Craig
I don't use Send/return for FX but you a correct, you would need two as you describe
Dude is giving me Neville Longbottom vibes ♥♥ Awesome video, thanks for the explanation!
Hello, i wathed the video twice, but i'm not sure about a thing... can you actually program the looper? like assign few pedal to one button, few other pedal to an other one.. or you just able to switch from clean to some pedals??
its not programmable as such. if you wanted three FX to come on at once you can press bypass then switch the fx you want in to the circuit. Then when you turn Bypass off (only press the one switch) they are all working.
understood!! Thank you Sir.. actually i ask it a couple months ago and in the mentime i made up my mind...even if it is a nice tool, it is not what i'm looking for... it was strange since the beggining such a low price, then i realized it is not programable so useless to me
Great Video Craig:-)....Love the Magic Trick, pulling Micro Terror from out behind the Marshall!!...Interested in your Marshall Combo sitting behind you. What Model??
Considering a JCM600..comments??? Would love your opinion.
Cheers and Thanks!!:-)
That was a Marshall JTM30 1*12 I used to have. I also had a matching 1*12 ext speaker cab. Nice amp- had it for years ,but it worked better on the clean channel and overdriven with an overdrive or distortion pedal. the Distortion channel on the map was not really that usable for me. No longer have it. I have never used a Marshall JCM600. I do have a new Marshall DSL40CR which is pretty flexible although still not totally got to grips with it. I may do a video!
Great vid mate it's explained a lot. Can you tell me what model that swift looper is please? I really like the simplicity of it and the master bypass is just perfect for me as I like to use the natural channels of the amp more. Thanks
Its form a UK company called swift pedals. They use this video on their website.
Hi. Thanks for the video. Maybe you can help me with a few questions. I'm a guitar player and singer in a portuguese band. As i sing and play at the same time it's very uncomfortable to be tapdancing. Some years ago i bought a Mooer L6 switcher. For the price i can't really complaint about it (the main problem is this kind of delay when you press the buttons, the sound kind of fades in). I've been using it to control my modulation pedals live, but i want to be able to control all pedals (dis, drive, boost, etc). This happens because i use my modulation in the fx loop of the amp and the other pedals in the front inside of the BOSS NS2 loop. My question is if using the boss es 8 four cable method feature i can route the pedals i want to the front and to the fx loop "separating" them but still using in the same loop system. Other thing i would like to know is how the boss NS2 loop would work in a foot switcher, i mean how can i still be using the noise surpressor loop or how can i use it still using a switcher. As i'm thinking of switching to another switcher, i would like to ask some of good choices for me besides the ES-8. What exact foot switchers can i use to route pedals to the fx loop and to the front of the pedal. Thank you.
So is your delay in front of the amp? Would it makes sense to have two loopers: one for effects before the amp (overdrive, phaser) and one for time-based effects in the loop of the amp (delay, etc.)?
You could do this yes. Depends on your FX preferences. I only use delay for two tracks and for me it works fine in front of the amp.
I built a device for my rig for this specific issue. It's basically the same thing a lot of those expensive pre-made pedalboards have from the big manufacturers. I have eight mono jacks wired in the proper configuration, encased in a medium sized aluminum pedal enclosure. It's velcroed to my pedalboard and allows me to separate my effects loop effects and my pre-amp effects without having to run a crap load of cable back and forth from my amp to my pedals. In fact, I have three cables zip tied together that go from my amp to this device. It works perfectly and saves me a lot of time hooking up before a gig too. I put all of my Modulation, Time Based and Pitch Based effects through the loop and my Gain Based effects all go through the Pre-Amp... and it works GREAT. The looper is going on the board next and with this device, it eliminates the need to have two loopers... It can all go through one looper.
What does that Swift Bypass Looper cost in USD? I believe its the SL6MT. Im looking for exactly that. Master bypass, 6 effects channels, and tuner mute. It looks like the website is from UK. I think it shows £133. I don't know what that is in USD.
That sounds like the one. Four years ago - £133 would have been about $226 , now (2018) it is probably more like $172.
What is the effects switcher he uses? It's just what I want, the size the ease etc... Or any suggestions?
I use a Loop switch from Swift pedals. UK
What brand is your loop switcher mate? I'm trying to find the brand and I can't make it out on your video...
That was a great video,and that Micro terror amp sounded awesome.
Thanks, glad to be able to help
How does it shake out using one of these loopers with a dual-circuit pedal like a Jekyll & Hyde or a Analog.man KOT?
Brill but some Pedals like to go through the looper don't they? Like Chorus Delay etc
Where did you get the colour-coded one-straight-one-angled patch cables?
Somewhere off ebay or Amazon. Not the best cables to be honest.
What do you do for stereo pedals in the looper bypass?
ooh an interesting good question. I don't have any so I don't know. Sorry.
Working on it but currently I don't use all the pedals I have never mind adding more
That was very informative and useful. I'm just starting out with all this and it's a bit of a minefield for the beginner.
Hopefully it helped. Thanks
Can you please give me a link to where I can buy that looper?
is there really no way to use only one looper if i am going to use the fx loop of an amp? another question is do i really have to use the guitar in? or can i plug my guitar in one of the loops?
If you want to use the fx loop for all your FX pedals then one looper is fine.
Just send to the looper (in) and connect looper (out) to rtn. if the looper is connected in to the guitar input of the amp then yes you could use one of the loops. It wouldn't work with the looper in the fx loop (snd/rtn) though as there woudl be no guitar signal in the pre-amp.
StratGuitarman69
You can put your AMP in a loop, say nr.3, by connecting nr.3 send to amp input and amp fx loop send to nr.3 return and then the overall output of the looper to amp fx return. So now what you have in loops 1 and 2 are in front of the amp and what you have in loops 4 and 5 are in amp's fx loop. BUT, you must never turn off loop nr.3 and never activate master bypass or you'll have your amp bypassed!!!
I also have a Phaser 90 - it's fantastic !
it is a classic sound
I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE LOOPER!!! That'd literally cancel out most of my noise problems! =)
Great explanation, thanks. Strangely enough, I actually like the way the little Orange sounds better than the Marshall.
It is certainly a great backup although never had to use it yet(!)
Your better option for a stand by amp would be a Crate made here in the good ole USA. If you get a Crate Power Block 150CPB you'll get 150 watts out and the amp size is about the size of that orange thing. The Crate only weighs 4.5 pounds.
craig i have a laney vc100 amp what do i do to make the pre amp to connect to the power amp
Not sure I follow this. the pre-amp will be connected to the power amp internally. Some amps have an FX "send" which takes the output signal from the preamp, lets you run it through FX units and then return it into the power amp.Many people like to put "time effects such as delay units into this send return path. I personally don't use it, I am old school and I run everything straight into the front input of the map.
what brand is your looper! nice video
Can you still connect timed effects to the amps loop and stuff like distortion in the front?
I am not sure I quite follow. Delay in the FX loop, yes but if you want to use multiple ones you may need two switching boxes. One for the send/return FXs and one for the pre-input FXs. Is this what you meant?
My only question: "horses for courses".... Is that your guys' version of "different strokes for different folks"?
Possibly maybe.
yes that is right. Just assumed everyone knew the expression but assuming is never a good idea, apologies.
did you just turn the power off the marshall before standby??
Probably and no doubt you are going to tell me that is how to blow up my amp. or speakers. You might be right but it's never happend to me personally in 40 years of using tube amps.
Wow, that Orange Micro Terror, 100 quid in the UK - Is amazing. Gonna be hitting that up for my HD500 ;-)
Thanks Craig! You've cleared a few things up for me.
so you dont actually step on the pedals, just the blue box? well how much does the blue looper box cost? people also call a looper a box that can play many tracks at once..like a digitech jamman looper... so this is a bit confusing..
appreciate your downtoearth lesson, thanks for the time, learnt a lot
Thanks, just trying to help out
my main reason to buy a loop switcher is because some pedals have buffers or are not true bypass, it makes it easier to handle this.
How much will it cost to have a setup like that? tnx
Excellent demo, very helpful! Thanks!
Great video. Good presentation and clear instructions.
Cool, nice setup! Thanks Craig!
Where can I buy this (swift) looper in the usa?
it would be more helpful if you went over if your routing.. is anything going to the effect loop.. is it all front input?
All pre-input. I don't use the FX send/return on the amp.
whats the switching system you got there?
Its a switch produced by a company called Swift. They do versions with different numbers of switches