For example, when guitarists use the term, “direct,” it can be confusing to some people. I think it’s worthwhile to define what these terms actually mean. What’s the Difference Between An FX Loop and Direct? This brings to me the next section on the FX Loop. Distortion and overdrive are usually created in the pre-amplifier section of the guitar amplifier. The power amplifier is the final stage of amplification before the signal is sent out through the speakers. Once the audio signal has been processed by the pre-amplifier, it’s sent to the power amplifier. In simple terms, the preamplifier stage is the part of the signal path where the guitar signal is increased, equalized, and affected by the general settings of the amplifier. Otherwise, the power amplifier wouldn’t be able to do anything with it. The pre-amp in your guitar amplifier is jacking that signal way up to a line-level so the power amplifier has something to work with. As you can see, there’s a big difference between the two. Compare and contrast this to instrument level which is usually measured around -30dB. This “suitable level” is usually called “line level.” It converts the weak instrument-level signal into a level that can then be amplified by your recording gear, ie, the DAW.īecause it’s so weak, it has to be brought up to a level that’s suitable for the power amplifier to actually grab onto and then turn into sound for everyone to hear. There is also a pre-amplifier in an audio interface. Anyone who has ever recorded a direct track into their Scarlett 2i2 (on Amazon) knows this. A guitar signal is almost always super weak. Guitar amplifiers are often described as having two stages, the pre-amplifier stage and the power amplifier stage. It’s essential for understanding what an FX loop actually is. It’s useful to briefly explain the basics of how a guitar amplifier works before we get into FX loops and direct inputs. How A Guitar Amp’s Pre-Amplifier and Power Amplifier Work Now that we’ve gotten the brunt of the topic out of the way, let’s really dive into it down below.īy the way, there are always deals going on in the guitar and music world, so here are some of my favourite courses and gear that are on sale right now: JamPlay For example, I think it makes a lot of sense to put your time-based and modulation effects in the back of the amplifier (FX Loop), and then the distortion in the front. Ultimately, where you put your effects and dynamics processors depends on what you’re after. Guitarists usually put their dynamics processing and distortion in front of the amp, rather than in the effects loop (aka, FX loop). Generally speaking, it’s best to put modulation, time-based, and looper pedal effects in the effects loop on the back of the amplifier. This is where the FX loop comes in – but which one’s better? When we added overdrive and distortion into the mix, the tone could get messy due to the combination of direct effects in front of the amp. Amplifiers, on the other hand, are significantly newer.Īs guitars increased in popularity over the last century, so did the effects that guitarists used with them. Guitars and amplifiers have been around for a long time now, particularly guitars, which have been a part of human history for thousands of years in different forms.
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