How To Use A Guitar Amp's Effects Loop - Easy Explanation!

[@caseyspaos448]

In a world of eight-hundred million demos and reviews of the same amp or effects pedal, this is practically the single video that video that tells how to use the effects loop. Cheers.

[@rick.d]

No joke, this is the one.

[@DutchVai]

Came for the effects loop info..... now I need an MXR Reverb pedal.

[@SameRulesApply]

the tc.electronic hall of fame does pretty much the same, you can get that "reverb of heaven" sound as well, and for half the price, so that's nice. Check it out!

[@jordan.cousins]

No kidding..

[@wesman4838]

Yes I also came here for the info mainly to find out how to hook it up but now I have to go buy that digital delay pedal 🎸 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dannyhelton8288]

Me too lol

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Now I need a Phase 90 pedal!

[@ksutton1207]

This is exactly what I was looking for. You couldn’t have explained it more clearly. Thank you!

[@andystory9523]

It's embarrassing how long I've played guitar and not known this properly, great job explaining it in the video, think I've just been put off by having to carry around 4 leads

[@SouthpawNT]

Excellent, really clear explanation. Thank you

[@ismaelrivera9206]

Agree, best you-tube explanation I have seen yet on the effects loop.

[@Stretch09]

This video was so helpful!! I've been mostly a self-taught guitarist (I was given lessons by my grandfather who taught basics, then my uncle who dove into more theory, some scales and such years ago, but when he said he couldn't teach me further I went beyond that), and so I've never really been shown how to properly navigate the amps/pedal scene. I've been gifted a bunch of pedals to demo that I haven't properly used yet. This video has helped SO much. Thanks you!!

[@jeffparryncc1701]

Just getting into the guitar world, this is the best tutorial yet. Thanks heaps.

[@thrashnbash314]

As someone who never really leveraged pedals and just kind of took what the amp gave me, there was a lot of confusion as to where my pedals (that I'm acquiring) go. This was a very simple explanation and extremely helpful, so thank you very much! Cheers!

[@mariobevilacqua4396]

This is without a doubt the clearest explanation of pedals and effects loops

[@furstonthird4371]

I think this is the best explanation on You Tube of why and how to use an effects loop. Thanks

[@SuperKillbill66]

I use distortion , delay and then a compressor into the amps overdrive . The use of a compressor in the end makes the sound great !!

[@yarilich544]

That's a great video. I liked very much how you shown exactly how different effects sound plugged directly into the amp as opposed to the fx loop. And I got a clear answer to the question where the built in overdrive effect of the amp is relative to the location of the event loop. Now I know I can plug my looper into the fx loop and get both clean and overdriven guitar sound recorded

[@yarilich544]

I meant effects loop, professional hazard 😁

[@Marge010]

Never really knew how the effects loop worked and that there was much difference. This video is excellent and I now need to buy some more cables!

[@gritsguitar]

I am such a fan of your videos and so glad I found them. I have watched many others in my quest to understand the effects send/return loops and 4 cable methods....mind wracking for a non techie....BUT....when I slow down your videos...pause...think about what you said and then follow the signal chain like you say to do it all make complete sense. Bravo for such well done and educational videos....will have to look and see what other video gems you have made.....best ever....well done sir....well done!....i am grateful.

[@gurtana]

Great demo for the pre and post signal chains!

[@lightwarriors7778]

This video was a life saver! Especially the part about the preamp pedal into the effects loop. Thanks! Excellent video...keep up the great content!

[@clogdance1]

Hands down the best explanation on the internet. Thank you.

[@billw7000]

Just what i wanted to see! Nice and clear without a self indulgent guitarist showing off. Thank you

[@peterkrzyzanowski353]

I came to learn one thing and learned so much more, you rock, great work, man!

[@2hi2dye]

That MXR Reverb sounds amazing. Now I know why they're so expensive...

[@allenmcbride5295]

I’m going to have to try my Metal Zone in my loop. Very informative and clear explanation of how this all works. Thank man!

[@AleXD-zf6tc]

Allen McBride Ola Englund did that and Made The Metal Zone Sound Good

[@PMTVUK]

The Metal Zone, REALLY benefits from an amp FX loop!

[@DavidPerez-hi6ko]

I have always connected my Pod2.0 to the guitar input. Now I think it may be beneficial to connect it to the loop return. Hanx for the tip.

[@WinstonBrownstone]

Superb video- really explains everything well. Using a volume pedal through the effects loop for quiet practice is an awesome little trick !

[@jestercabrieto6526]

I like the phaser and flanger on before on the preamp,and before the power amp,but delay,chorus and reverb much more pleasing sound in the effects loop

[@OrvinReyes]

OMG... damn so this is why my guitar never sounded good on-stage in my highschool/college years about 15-20 yrs ago... lol. I basically plugged my digital fx pedal front of amp all the time, (i thought the only way was using clean and all knobs on neutral), and i always wondered why it sounded so crap!!! information available today is priceless for the next gen of musicians!!!

[@f1l1p1nh0]

Perfect!! Exactly what I needed to learn!! Thank you!!

[@aubertpare7648]

Thanks man, that was easy to understand. I was wondering where to plug my overdrive, wah and noise gate ! You answered it 😎 and you also are using the same amp that i have 🤣

[@gloriawashington7876]

Sam you are the best. You break things down in such a way that is so understandable. This isn't rocket science but your videos are so helpful. Kudos. You simply touch up on every subject I was wondering about. In your pedal placement for bass guitar video and now this. Hi five brother

[@lespaulthomson3167]

I never thought about running my modeler pedal through just the return like that. Holy shit, what have i been missing!!!! Thanks

[@lilbiscuitlive]

Ha I am thinking the same. I just got a Helix LT and I plugged it into my Orange crush 35 and it sounds like SHIT! I will have to try it tonight via the effects loop instead.

[@lespaulthomson3167]

@@lilbiscuitlive let me know how it sounds?

[@lilbiscuitlive]

@@lespaulthomson3167 It sounds about a million times better when I plug my helix into the return of the effects loop. It bypasses the preamp and all that jazz so it is essentially just a speaker and the EQ is all done via the helix.

[@Patrickjohnphotography]

Stumbled onto this world yesterday. (my fault) I have a fender amp with this option. the sound is much, much better to me. Hats off to the engineers who bust their butts to put this in amps and it is not even talked about! to all the Pedal pushers out there who never mentioned how to get full use of the pedal, shame on you. This is like taking a speed inhibitor off your car, the one NOBODY told you had on it. Thank you for making this video!

[@robertdusair5770]

Best demonstration and explanation of the effects loop. Nice job!

[@spokes28]

Your graphics really help me understand-thank you.

[@KO8E89]

thank you so much. no one talks about how u use an effects loop with a pedalBOARD. everyne just talks about the one effect

[@tonakkie635]

I think you forgot to mention the most important effect that should make use of the send and return position, it's the looper pedal!! Great info, thanks👍

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Strangely, it seems the place to use effects direct to the amp's input would be in the studio, where problems can be controlled and cool sonic quirks captured! For live, the effects loop means reliability and predictability if you're doing lots of shows.

[@vicferrari89]

WOW, I have a metal zone that I use sparingly in the studio. I never thought of putting it through the effects loop but I loved that tone you got with the MT2. I am definitely going to experiment with that. Sounded great. Boss just can't seem to do anything wrong (except not to recommend this hook-up option).

[@JamesDavis-mm2mi]

Ola englund hated the metal zone until he put it in the effects loop and even I thought it sounded brutal

[@Highrollinhunter]

Yep my amp doesn't have a effects loop I'm planning on saving money to get a Randall half stack for $600 then I'm going to get a modded metal zone to play Death Metal right now I'm playing Thrash Metal with a ds-1

[@kingpriapatius5832]

Metalzone is one of the best boost pedals (dist at 0) and one of the best preamp pedals. It sounds fantastic through the FX loop.

[@FJARKARNIR]

Extremely well done. Thumbs up on this one !

[@Jimmyknapp2]

I like how the before and after sound like demo/studio comparisons!

[@Brotheroftheleaf]

Great Video very informative. I think what everyone really needs to understand is at 4:00 and on.

[@duckydrummer6331]

That little Phase 90 pedal is soo useful. As most of us already know, Eddie Van Halen used this little pedal. Initially he just needed it for a boost during his solos. But using the Phase 90 in conjunction with a delay and wow the EVH sound was born, albeit 46 years ago and guitar players are still trying to mimic his sound from that very first record. RIP Edward Van Halen we all bow to your genius.

[@susanaraya]

Thanks for the explanation!!

[@Tone-Oz]

If you don't have an effects loop on your amp, you can just use the clean channel on your amp only. And then use O/D, distortion, fuzz pedals in you signal chain before modulation, delay and reverb etc. Won't that acheive the same results, without an effects loop?

[@theklaus7436]

Actually I am a physicist. And a good teacher is able to explain complicated things easily. I think you have that gift. I’m going to use my reverb and delay as a new approach. But I ended up as a musician ( born in 61)

[@warbseven8613]

Agree with others on here, this is very well explained.If you put a looper in the fx loop can you overdub with different tones/sounds?

[@mountainssea9642]

I immediately wanted to have a beer with this guy when the video started.

[@dom4226]

I could cry after hearing the reverb through effects loop. What a difference

[@ripplebear]

Very nice explanation. I want to try my tremolo pedal in my effects loop and see if it sounds better, maybe more like a tremolo built into an amp?

[@gojero732]

This makes a lot more sense. When people were shouting: "it is much more better to put your pedal in to the fx loop" I was thinking connecting it in the fully FX loop... and that sounded horrible. Ok, worth the try to only use Return. And if that sounds shit either, it is ok.

[@alecweinstein]

Wow great stuff. I thought I knew effects loops but i learned a lot!

[@MR_Robbers]

1:08 I understand...thank you Sam! I'll watch the rest and likely over again a few times just to pump yer tires a bit. Thanks man

[@Jim-Robbins]

Thanks for the very good tutorial on effects loop. I recently bought a Marshall JCM 2000 (DSL 100) / 4x12 cab, and I am new to the Tube amps. I was concerned about getting my stomp pedals and Lexicon rack mount multi-effects unit connected properly to my new amp. This video is laid out very well and is extremely easy to understand and follow. Incidentally, I do have the same Boss Metal Distortion pedal as shown in the video. I love that heavy drive pedal. I will try the Boss distortion in the effects loop as well. Thanks!

[@Skytalker777]

Thank you for an excellent explanation. Could I possibly put more pedals in the FX loop? For example a delay, reverb, chorus? How will I connect them? I have the supersonic 22 with a Strat Elite. Thank you in advance for your reply.

[@Ratchman_5000]

Thanks for making this easy to understand!

[@pierre-olivierbrault5638]

Very clear and helpful video. Thank you very much!

[@AndreaTurini_theAND]

Perfect explanation, you've earned a subscriber

[@freestyla101]

Ya learn something new every day

[@sweepdog]

Very informative video, thanks

[@McAdamstry]

Awesome mate, thanks for a fantastic explaination. subscribed!!!

[@qjarman7753]

Thanks for this clear explanation 👍

[@miguelbarbedo6419]

Thank you so much. Very informative.

[@JPDraves]

There is a clear improvement in the effect loop

[@srinivaskumar615]

Brilliant explanation sir ❤❤

[@ryanmonell5206]

great explanation you cleared so much up for me

[@kevon217]

Nice demos!

[@RumbleStJohn]

I feel so stupid when it comes to this stuff! I feel like I'm listening to a car enthusiast explain the mods they've made under the hood. I'm a competent guitar player, but its like I have interpretive dyslexia when it comes how to best use a 4 cable method. I feel like I need someone to just do it for me, or just an 'idiots guide to 4 cable method', or a step by step video using my exact equipment "like this, do that". I just bought a Marshall Silver Jubilee which sounds amazing just plugged straight into the axe... but I have a Line 6 M13 multi FX setup I'd like to use and I want to maximize the benefit out of it without corrupting the potential quality I could be getting. Am I alone in this? This guy explains it so well, and I just don't get it. It's like trying to show your grandad how to use an ipad.

[@proteinprofeten]

You're not alone man. I too feel dumdum.

[@Giofergom]

Example using normal pedals Guitar goes in the overdrive input, de output of the pedal goes into the Input of the amp Then, you take o plug a cable into the SEND of your amp, and this cable goes into the input of a delay pedal, and then, from the output of the delay, it goes into the RETURN. Done Using the M13: Guitar goes into the input Then you take a cable from the FX Send L(Mono) from the line6 and plug it into the Input of your Marshall From the FX RETURN L(Mono) of your M13, you plug a cable to the back of your Marshall where it says FX LOOP SEND And finally, from the Output of you M13, you plug a cable to the FX LOOP RETURN of your amp. Just like this guitargearfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/4-cable-method-line6-m13.jpg It's really wierd wiring but I assure it works

[@Gogies777]

All good bro,I just recently discovered this stuff and the first time i watch a tutorial about this topic I just couldn't wrap my head around it.it took a few times and sitting quietly while rationalizing how it works conceptually and then it started to make sense.take it easy,you'll figure it out sooner than later.

[@williamolynnger9143]

I'm with ya..Throw in pairing head and speakers with impedance and ohms and wattage, I done did confused.

[@wadeworkman7283]

Amen! Most of us are in this because we enjoy making music. Very few are in it to become a gear wizard.

[@dave430usmc]

You are the effin man, mate! You’ve helped me a lot! Thanks!

[@haakster210379SE]

Thanks! Great video and superb explanation.

[@sixfoursoul2538]

Dam guess Im now buying an MRX Reverb unit this rabbit hole never ends!😂

[@charleswalas5635]

thank you for the info. informative and easy to understand!

[@Graveyard_666]

Thank you. Time to give it a try with my effects processor.

[@damoneubanks9075]

Very informative and to the point. I assume the same principles apply for bass guitar/amps.

[@Moykel]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@Diggerdog2nd]

Very helpful !! Thanks !!

[@misfitsfiend42]

Damn all this time i never even knew that my fender champion had an fx loop but it was just labeled different! Gonna give this a go with my delay & reverb pedals in that loop!

[@presentelaw]

Thanks for the video. Putting a wah pedal in the effects return is a brilliant idea. Could be use as a master volume!

[@kylejackson7220]

I would love to work in that shop

[@lisan1010]

Finally a great explanation! Thanks

[@john564holloway]

Thanks, Sam! This covers the Effects Loop brilliantly. Awsum demos! Can't believe the differences between the Effects Loop and using the pre-amp first. I do have 1 question: How would the set-up be with a PEDAL BOARD that includes an Effects Loop? I have the SKB PS45 in which I have the Boss DD6 & the Boss PH3 running thru the pedal board Effects Loop the same way as you would the amp.

[@vintageandmoderneffects]

4 cable method would probably help you there

[@john564holloway]

@@vintageandmoderneffects Sounds good, bro, then why add an effects loop on a pedal board, then? Hmmmm.

[@N0SAjREkLaw]

Well explained and just the information I was searching for thanks , just one other question where would be best position to run a equalizer? Cheers mate

[@crazyr746]

very helpful thanks!!!

[@banditfishing1558]

Can I just plug my whole pedal board into the fx loop. I’ve heard a metal zone sounds better when in the fx loop

[@joey-mp3qc]

Yes

[@coopd.o.g.7750]

Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine does that

[@Bassman1999]

Excellent !!

[@mutt8553]

Insane difference in the reverb demonstration. Looks like I’ll have to give more money to MXR for that reverb pedal

[@sounabhadas8085]

Perfect video

[@scottmcnaughton4143]

Great tips and a subscribe. Thanks.

[@lukepredeth6969]

Woah Is that a Portsmouth Guitar? Big respect and Play Up Pompey

[@Seamusog1987]

Wah wah in fx Loop is awesome

[@lolowaty]

Thank you!

[@tonyb.7158]

Thanks! Amazing info. Subbed.

[@duanesutch6565]

Great! Thank you.

[@fromfilmtocode]

Suddenly time pedals become beautiful in the loop.

[@MaxAtzori]

Very useful thank you

[@patrickvryan]

This blokes fantastic

[@briancoons]

Hi- I love the new Katana MkII and I've moved from a Fender Blues Deluxe and large pedal board to the Katana, Boss GA-FC and a small board to keep some effects mostly for violin. I use my setup for both guitar and violin. My question is how to route my signal correctly to take advantage of the effects loop in the Katana MkII. I'm using a new Ernie Ball VP JR-Tuner (that also has an effects loop send/return). The chain right now goes: Guitar to VP JR IN- VP JR EFF Send- Pettyjohn Drive- Micro POG- Fender 59 Bassman- Delay- Ditto Looper- VP JR EFF Return- VP JR Out- Katan Inst IN. While I'm getting good tone and sound, I feel like i should be using the effects loop on the Katana rather than putting everything to the front of the amp. Can you shed some light for me?

[@Yhm8]

in a live pedalboard situation, how you fit the modulation pedals in the effects loop, and the fuzz/ wah/ pitch shifter in at the same time without buying loads of cables, im planning on getting a katana and i want to use all the pedals as a test in a pedal board and i wanna know how i would go about doing this whilst playing live?

[@frankoneal9973]

My amp has only one effects loop jack. How does that work?

[@TheZakkmylde]

Good job sir 👊🏻

[@micheledoddi2572]

I was struggling all day with 4 Strymon pedals connected in the FX loop of my Marshall JVM410H. I also use a fantastic Strymon ZUMA power supply. But the sound wasn't good at all and effects loop had a poor signal. Then I tried the "traditional way: everything in front of the amp . The result was truly awsome!!! No hiss/noise, no loss of signal, dead quite, everything just perfect. Why? I didn't expect that .... I never thought to put effects in front of the amp but with Strymon seems to be the real thing. Could you please explain it to me ? Thank you in advance!

[@colboysigmax]

Excellent.

[@robbatts9251]

Thank you brother