LVC
Fractal Fanatic
You would need long cable runs to,from the fx loop on your amp right?
Does it have a buffer or something to compensate for the long cable runs you would need in and out of the FX loop?
Does it have midi for channel switching on your amp if you have it?
Will you be able to run a dry signal through the unit ? That way you get that direct signal going back into the amp too or does it have a mixer in it so you can mix the dry and fX together
You would need long cable runs to,from the fx loop on your amp right?
Length is need specific. I would recommend getting a custom snake -- folks like Lava sell them Lava Cable - Lava Tube Pedal Board Snake
Does it have a buffer or something to compensate for the long cable runs you would need in and out of the FX loop?
I have been building and use pedalboards for years -- the whole buffer at the end of the chain is a bunch of BS ands is not really even a consideration unless you are running extremely long cables on stage (30 plus feet).
One of the advantages of using a MF floorboard ( like the FX8 ) is that you are eliminating the additional patch wiring needed to connect pedals. A typical pedalboard might use 10 feet or significantly more depending on the complexity of the board. If between you board and amp cables you are running more than 30 - 40 feet, then a buffer might be advisable to return some of the highs to your signal.
The most important consideration IMO is the cable capacitance. You want to get as low cap cables as you can. for example, I personally like George L cables for my pedal patches. it is rated around 23pf per foot. Which means a lot more of the true signal is getting through. Same for guitar cables, I use Lava and that has a rating of about 25 pF/ft capacitance. Higher cap cables will darken your tone.
If you are using very high capacitance cables your tone is most likely very dark or even muddy (some folks dig that - so there is no right or wrong answer here) -- If you feel you are loosing some high end in your signal, I would first look at getting a lower cap cable before going down the buffer route.
Some folks prefer higher cap cables (especially if they have a bright amp) because the darken your tone-- personally I prefer low cap.
That being said -- your amp should ideally have a buffered effects loop (which is different)
Does it have midi for channel switching on your amp if you have it?
From what I understand, the FX8 has channel switching relays - regarding how it interfaces with will be amp specific (as with any board). For example my Carol Ann will need a converter that changes the changes the channel switching information from the amp to midi.
Will you be able to run a dry signal through the unit ? That way you get that direct signal going back into the amp too or does it have a mixer in it so you can mix the dry and fX together
The FX8 (as I understand it) is built for 4CM which means it is ready to interact with an amp that has a loop.What that means is that you will be able to route the effects of your choosing (i.e. time based effects) through the amp effects loop) and other effects of your choosing (drives/compressor, wah etc) through the input of the amp. Individual effects/drives will have a blend with dry signal). Again this is a typical setup with a traditional board.
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