Processor hook up

[Drowner]

This is probably a stupid question. I have a crate half stack, the head is a GX1200H, well it has an "effects" in jack. The foot switch also has 2 buttons on it, one is to switch channels, the other i have no idea. I wrote to Crate and they told me it was for a pedal/processor/whammy, or whatever i want to plug in, just to go buy a mono y-cable and the second switch would change that device from active to bypass. Well it didnt work, and all i get is feedback. I have the y-cable going into the effects jack, and on the other end one goes into the guitar input, and the other to left/mono out. Anyone have any ideas on how to get this to work?

Thanks

 

[Major Tom]

Sounds like the second switch switches the effects loop in or out. The Y cable suggestion doesn't make any sense to me, maybe someone was having a bad day... Use a regular cable from the left/mono (line) out on your amp to the input of your effects unit, wah, fuzz or whatever. Don't, of course, use a speaker out! Use another regular cable from the output of your effects unit or whatever to the effects in on your amp. Now you have an "effects loop". Plug yer guitar into the amp's front panel input like normal, with the effects loop engaged, your effects unit will be active, when the loop is disengaged, you will have the straight guitar sound (no effects). With the way you described your Y cord setup, you were FEEDing the amps preamp out signal (from the left/mono out) BACK into the front input and also to the power amp input (effects in); that would definitely cause feedback.

 

[Fangar]

Hey Drowner,

What Major Tom Suggested will work, but does NOT create an effects loop. The problem with using effects this way is that they effect the signal before it hits the Preamp of the guitar head. By using an "Effects Loop" it allows you to loop the effects signal in between the preamp and the poweramp section. This allows you to preamp the signal, add effects, before it hits the power amp section.

The Crate GX1200H has an effects insert on the panel. An insert is a stereo plug (For Effects, that means Tip = Return, Ring= Send, and Sleeve = Ground). So what the Crate person told you is correct.

What you need is a mono to stereo Y Cable. (Two Mono 1/4" males, with a Stero 1/4" male on the other). Plug the Stereo side into the Effects insert on the Crate Head. Connect the other two Mono ends into the in and out of the FX unit. Your guitar will be plugged into the front of the head as usual.

NOW you have an effects loop. Lemme see if I can find you a diagram.... Ok see attached. If at first you don't get a signal, try switching the two Mono cables around. That should do it Pal,

P.S.

If the stomp switch controls this insert, it will drop the insert in and out allowing you to turn the effects loop on or off. For more control, pick up a MIDI foot switch that is compatible with the FX unit. Then you can shift on the fly to different Patches.

Fangar