Level problem using AFX in amp's FX loop

[Stringtheorist]

Since I am not getting very good results running my Ultra into my amp's power section I've decided to just use it as an FX processor without the amp sims, hooking it up through my amp's series FX loop. However, toggling the Bypass switch reveals a huge drop in level with the AFX in the signal path. I have to crank the Output 1 Gain level to +12.0 just to achieve unity. Engaging any patch with an active amp block immediately reverses this level drop, but I don't want the amp blocks to be active. What's going on and is there any way to keep the Global output Gain at 0 without compensating for the level drop in all my user patches?

 

[javajunkie]

Since I am not getting very good results running my Ultra into my amp's power section I've decided to just use it as an FX processor without the amp sims, hooking it up through my amp's series FX loop. However, toggling the Bypass switch reveals a huge drop in level with the AFX in the signal path. I have to crank the Output 1 Gain level to +12.0 just to achieve unity. Engaging any patch with an active amp block immediately reverses this level drop, but I don't want the amp blocks to be active. What's going on and is there any way to keep the Global output Gain at 0 without compensating for the level drop in all my user patches?

Turn up the output 1 volume knob, use output 2, or increase the level of the effects in your chain. The reason the amp block reverses the gain drop is that amp increase gain (AKA volume), that is one of their main functions.

 

[Stringtheorist]

Raising the output levels affects my bypassed signal also, so it looks like I'll need to edit my patches so all the levels match. I guess I wanted to know whether this is normal behaviour.

 

[javajunkie]

Raising the output levels affects my bypassed signal also, so it looks like I'll need to edit my patches so all the levels match. I guess I wanted to know whether this is normal behaviour.

Absolutely normal, if you add an amp block you are adding gain. Personally. I would just turn off the amps fx loop instead of bypassing the axe-fx if I'm not using it then just set it so whether the amp loop is on or off the volume is about the same.

 

[Stringtheorist]

Raising the output levels affects my bypassed signal also, so it looks like I'll need to edit my patches so all the levels match. I guess I wanted to know whether this is normal behaviour.

Absolutely normal, if you add an amp block you are adding gain. Personally. I would just turn off the amps fx loop instead of bypassing the axe-fx if I'm not using it then just set it so whether the amp loop is on or off the volume is about the same.

I don't quite follow you. My amp's FX loop can't be turned on/off. :?

 

[javajunkie]

Raising the output levels affects my bypassed signal also, so it looks like I'll need to edit my patches so all the levels match. I guess I wanted to know whether this is normal behaviour.

Absolutely normal, if you add an amp block you are adding gain. Personally. I would just turn off the amps fx loop instead of bypassing the axe-fx if I'm not using it then just set it so whether the amp loop is on or off the volume is about the same.

I don't quite follow you. My amp's FX loop can't be turned on/off. :?

Well then you can't do that :lol: Many amps can.

 

[steverosburg]

Not sure I understand completely, but if you're going to cut amps out of the fx loop, you can insert a Null Filter to compensate for volume gain/loss. Of course, this would require you to adjust differently for every patch, but this is just the price of admission for using such a programmable preamp. Apologies if I'm completely missing something there.

-Steve

 

[Stringtheorist]

Not sure I understand completely, but if you're going to cut amps out of the fx loop, you can insert a Null Filter to compensate for volume gain/loss. Of course, this would require you to adjust differently for every patch, but this is just the price of admission for using such a programmable preamp. Apologies if I'm completely missing something there.

-Steve

The AFX is in the amp's FX loop, not the other way around.