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The single biggest drawback I've encountered with various amps I own(ed) is either the lack of an effects loop or a loop that makes the devices in it sound dull. I'm satisfied with running pedals into a head (clean channel) or power amp, but the prospect of consolidating my equipment has inspired me to consider a lot of different options. Here are the problems with my current amps.
- Peavey VTM-60 head has a loop, but it is not footswitchable AND it really dulls down the sound.
- ART DST-4 preamp has a footswitchable effects section, but using the effects unfortunately seems to decrease the overall volume. Additionally, the preamp has an effects loop which sounds fine...but it is NOT footswitchable.
- Rocktron Multivalve could cover all my effects needs, but the brief gap between patches is just enough to ruin it for live use. I tried using it with an A/B switch running into my head (dual inputs), but in my current setup, it adds to my overall amount of equipment, thus defeating the purpose.
- DOD Gate/Loop pedal sucks out the tone.
Last weekend, I played a Peavey XXX briefly. I liked the sound of it and it has a footswitchable effects loop with level control. At the minimum, I need the loop for delay, which I use for solos and cleans, but I also would prefer to have a noise gate on all the time. Can't do that with the XXX. The JSX has its own gate, but I didn't care for the sound of it. The Carvin V3 has a loop for each channel, but I can't try it out locally first. The same is true of any other brand I would consider, as the only other metal-friendly amps available in town seem to be Randall, Marshall or Mesa...and I'm not interested in any of those, with the possible exception of a Mesa Recording Preamp or something similar.
Any suggestions of under-$900 amps with good effects loops, or better yet with loops for each channel? I am also interested in learning about preamps that might fit that description, so long as they are footswitchable (not MIDI).
- Peavey VTM-60 head has a loop, but it is not footswitchable AND it really dulls down the sound.
- ART DST-4 preamp has a footswitchable effects section, but using the effects unfortunately seems to decrease the overall volume. Additionally, the preamp has an effects loop which sounds fine...but it is NOT footswitchable.
- Rocktron Multivalve could cover all my effects needs, but the brief gap between patches is just enough to ruin it for live use. I tried using it with an A/B switch running into my head (dual inputs), but in my current setup, it adds to my overall amount of equipment, thus defeating the purpose.
- DOD Gate/Loop pedal sucks out the tone.
Last weekend, I played a Peavey XXX briefly. I liked the sound of it and it has a footswitchable effects loop with level control. At the minimum, I need the loop for delay, which I use for solos and cleans, but I also would prefer to have a noise gate on all the time. Can't do that with the XXX. The JSX has its own gate, but I didn't care for the sound of it. The Carvin V3 has a loop for each channel, but I can't try it out locally first. The same is true of any other brand I would consider, as the only other metal-friendly amps available in town seem to be Randall, Marshall or Mesa...and I'm not interested in any of those, with the possible exception of a Mesa Recording Preamp or something similar.
Any suggestions of under-$900 amps with good effects loops, or better yet with loops for each channel? I am also interested in learning about preamps that might fit that description, so long as they are footswitchable (not MIDI).
). is it possible to use regular fx pedals anyways?
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