Markbass head/fx loop

[Al Heeley]

Can anyone tell me, what is the benefit of using the effects send/return loop on a Markbass head - Little Mark 800, rather than direct in from the pedal chain? I'm using a mix of analog and a couple of digital stomp boxes.

[Dan Dare]

FX loops are often switchable, which means you have the option of selecting an unprocessed signal without having to switch a lot of stomp boxes on and off. They are generally at line level, which can be helpful for FX units with higher outputs which can overload the preamp in the head and also mean the FX can be driven properly (useful with a lower output passive instrument), which helps reduce noise.

[Al Heeley]

I read FX loops are meant primarily for rack mounted gear, not so much stomp boxes. I had a try with the pedalboard in the fx send/return loop but they seem to be a bit more subdued. Switching to pre/post on the back made little difference (at quiet room levels admittedly).

How about sans amp bass di? Should that be fed into the front input or the fx return ? Presumably switched to post-eq to go into the power amp section?

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 25, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 25, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Al Heeley]

Many thanks Jus, good to hear, gives me a lot more clarity on set up once the new pedalboard is all consolidated. Just one more Q: Sansamp at end of pedal chain just before amp, or at the start, just after the tuner?

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 25, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[jrixn1]

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Edited Monday at 10:08 by jrixn1

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 25, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Al Heeley]

Thx for correcting me, jrixn1, I thought it was for fx return. Must. read. The. Manual!