Effects loop as master volume?

[mindstorm]

Ok, so I've been looking at little valve combos lately. Something that works well in the house at low levels, but that I can crank at band practice and gigs. I was wondering, if the amp has an effects loop with level control, could I put a patch cable in the effects loop, and use the mix control as a sort of master volume?

[biggness]

Originally Posted by mindstorm

Ok, so I've been looking at little valve combos lately. Something that works well in the house at low levels, but that I can crank at band practice and gigs. I was wondering, if the amp has an effects loop with level control, could I put a patch cable in the effects loop, and use the mix control as a sort of master volume?

Yeah man, you can do that. I had a friend that used to run a volume pedal in the loop also. Which in principle, is about the same thing. My question though is do the amps that you are looking at have a pre and post gain? If so then it is not necessary to use the mix control as your volume, unless you have some weird hidden reason as to why you would want to do that.

[darren]

I think that's exactly what he's asking... using a volume pedal as a master volume/post gain control.

Yes, it should work, just make sure you get a volume pedal that handles line-level signals like the BOSS FV-50L, 300L or 500L. (The "L" stands for "Low Impedance" which means it's designed for use with line-level signals.)

[mindstorm]

Originally Posted by darren

I think that's exactly what he's asking... using a volume pedal as a master volume/post gain control.

Yes, it should work, just make sure you get a volume pedal that handles line-level signals like the BOSS FV-50L, 300L or 500L. (The "L" stands for "Low Impedance" which means it's designed for use with line-level signals.)

actually that's not what I meant at all!

Biggness had the right idea, with the mix control for the effects loop, instead of a pedal

Originally Posted by biggness

Yeah man, you can do that. I had a friend that used to run a volume pedal in the loop also. Which in principle, is about the same thing. My question though is do the amps that you are looking at have a pre and post gain? If so then it is not necessary to use the mix control as your volume, unless you have some weird hidden reason as to why you would want to do that.

I don't think they do, but I'm no good with valve amps (never had one before). Here's the one i was looking at

Laney Amplification | Products

I'm not looking for djentage from this, i'm looking for a crunchy sound that I can boost with a OD if need be

[supertruper1988]

if it is a mix control then you most likely have a parallel effects loop and the idea wont work.

IIRC VHT's have a serial effects loop send and return level and a few guys on here have used a patch cable and used the volumes to push the power section.