Effects loop questions

[hamerhead]

 

Got a new amp (more on that later).  Switching on the effects loop boosts the volume slightly (I tried several different effects without volume controls to make sure I wasn't hallucinating).

Is that normal? And if that's normal, can I run straight back in from the send directly to the return and use it as a boost without issue? I'm assuming I can, but don't want to damage a new amp.

I don't use loops much.

[murkat]

normal for that loop to do that, depends on the loop, series or parallel, and design of.

Should be able to do what you want, boost, etc. since it is an insert between the pre amp / power amp stage.

There is only a couple of really good loop designs out there.

Metropoulos, and Fryette are the top shelf designs.

https://store.metropoulos.net/products/zero-loss-fx-loop-kit

 

[LucSulla]

My Friedman has a fantastic loop. My Shiva and Mark III both have the same quirk.  

Depending on the amp, your channel gains and volumes can make a big difference.  on a Mesa Mark V, the channel volume will actually affect the volume of the return as well.  Mesa seems to love making stuff all balance on one gain or volume pot you wouldn't expect to affect things at all.  If you do have an amp with a gain, channel, and master volume, you may mess around with that.