I have a Mesa Boogie Tremoverb with a parallel FX loop (I can set the mix level to 100%, making it more or less a serial loop). It also has a knob on the back that can bypass the loop, turn the loop on, turn the loop on for specific channels, or set an external switch (i.e. footpedal) to turn the loop on/off.
I like the ability to turn multiple chains of effects on/off with one stomp. I use a combination of effects that should go both in front and in the FX loop. I use a volume boost (MXR Micro Amp) that defeats the purpose when not in the FX loop. I use only distortion from the amp. When the loop is on (even with no pedals), the tone sounds worse then with the loop bypassed.
I'm trying to set up my rig. Here's the options I have so far (I'm open to changes and/or new ideas):
1) set the FX loop to external switch
- best compromise for quality of tone
- use a footswitch to turn the loop on/off
- the effects bleed through if a pedal is on but the loop is off
- corrected the problem with one of these:
- but now I get a huge volume drop
2) set the FX loop to always on
- worst quality of tone
- true bypass looper to toggle FX chain on/off
3) set the FX loop to off
- best quality of tone
- all pedals run in front of amp
- time-based effects suffer
Any other ideas? I'm stumped!
I like the ability to turn multiple chains of effects on/off with one stomp. I use a combination of effects that should go both in front and in the FX loop. I use a volume boost (MXR Micro Amp) that defeats the purpose when not in the FX loop. I use only distortion from the amp. When the loop is on (even with no pedals), the tone sounds worse then with the loop bypassed.
I'm trying to set up my rig. Here's the options I have so far (I'm open to changes and/or new ideas):
1) set the FX loop to external switch
- best compromise for quality of tone
- use a footswitch to turn the loop on/off
- the effects bleed through if a pedal is on but the loop is off
- corrected the problem with one of these:

- but now I get a huge volume drop
2) set the FX loop to always on
- worst quality of tone
- true bypass looper to toggle FX chain on/off
3) set the FX loop to off
- best quality of tone
- all pedals run in front of amp
- time-based effects suffer
Any other ideas? I'm stumped!