Distortion in the effects loop?

[Aged_Cheddar]

Alright I've read a TON of internet info regarding the use of distortion, overdrive, fuzz etc... being used in the effects loops of amps, or in the effects loops of pedals like the Helix products...the overall split seems to be about 50/50 for and against.

 

In my particular use case scenario, I'd like to use my distortion pedal (Idiotbox Blower Box) in the loop of my HX Stomp, because having the ability to move it around inside of the patch is useful for me.

 

So, I created a "test patch" I put my preferred Amp/Cab block at the end, and NOTHING else in the chain, I then listened to my distortion running into the input of the Stomp...sounds great, I love how this distortion pedal "pushes" the Amp/Cab block, it just sounds great to me.

 

So then next I did the same thing, but instead I used the FX loop to insert the distortion pedal into the chain in front of the amp/cab block...now, my inner knob twiddler is telling me these two sounds should basically be the same...but they are not, it isn't even close...I can't exactly describe what I'm hearing, but one thing is certain that with the distortion in the loop, it definitely loses "something"....it doesn't seem as aggressive maybe? or it's not hitting the amp the same way? 

 

What am I missing? The only thing that changes is that with the pedal in front of the Stomp it passes through the input gate, which it doesn't do in the loop, but I can't believe it would be THAT big of a change.

 

Thoughts?

 

Sorry in advance if this has been covered elsewhere here, if it has, I missed the thread.

[rd2rk]

In Global Settings>Ins/Outs, the SEND that you're using should probably be set to INSTRUMENT.

Now you know why it's 50/50 whether to use distortions in FX loops.

They're designed to be connected between a guitar and an amp input. Other stuff (even other physical FX) tends to change the formula in unpredictable ways.

[Aged_Cheddar]

On 3/2/2024 at 2:32 PM, rd2rk said:

In Global Settings>Ins/Outs, the SEND that you're using should probably be set to INSTRUMENT.

Now you know why it's 50/50 whether to use distortions in FX loops.

They're designed to be connected between a guitar and an amp input. Other stuff (even other physical FX) tends to change the formula in unpredictable ways.

 

Alright, so I got home to try this...yep it was NOT set to instrument, so I set it that way and gave it a shot, there is certainly an improvement, I've been messing around with it for a while now, and at first I thought I could still hear "something" off...but now I've been doing it long enough that my hearing is getting tired.

 

So, I'll try again tomorrow with "fresh" ears, I'm betting at this point the difference (if any) will be negligible.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

[theElevators]

I personally tried running my distortion in a loop, but soon discovered the noise that that introduced. It wasn’t terrible, but it was noticeable. It’s inevitable, unless you use an all analog effects loop like what’s on the new Fender processor. 
 

I now use whatever is in the Helix and am happy. It has everything. Running pedals in the effects loop defeats the purpose of an all in one unit. 
 

Take it from a seasoned player—the helix has that distortion sound you are looking for.