Effects Loop - 4 Cable Method, Seeking Advice

[ronmail65]

I have one of the newer PMs. I've been running a Boss GT-10 through the input, but I'm thinking that I should be using the effects loops or even the "4 cable method".

I know how the cables get routed.

I'm new to this... any advice on settings / hookups or warnings?

Thanks!

[ronmail65]

So, I've successfully hooked this up and programmed a few patches. HUGE improvement over going straight into the amp!! Of course, the Splawn is my preamp. Now I can hang reverb and delay on the back of the signal while adding a little compression up front.

However, I'm still struggling with setting up appropriate levels / signal level on the GT-10 Output and the Send / Return levels of the GT-10. Anyone have experience with this?

[Tone Ranger]

i found major tone suckage with the 4cm. i think you keep both send and returns at 100.

[biggingergit]

I've just done my last three gigs with my QuickRod and the new Line 6 M13 using the four cable method.
Works great, sounds great .... in fact my amp sound way better than before. Previously I was using two Boss DD3's and an Ibanez chorus in the Splawn's loop and a Korg DT-10 tuner and Morley Tremonti wah into the front.

The M13 sounds great, was a bit noisy at first then I discovered if I changed the loop to +4db it was silent
The delays are nice in the M13 and I find the amp has a bit more grunt and growl, it isn't as coloured as it was with the pedals.

[andyg]

I'm unfamiliar with the '4 cable' method.....how does that work?

[ronmail65]

Oct 27, 2008 16:05:13 GMT -5 andyg said:

I'm unfamiliar with the '4 cable' method.....how does that work?

For the Boss GT units, the hookup is like this:

Cable 1: Guitar > Normal Input on the GT (guitar signal into GT to add FX before preamp)
Cable 2: GT Send > Splawn Input (send signal w/front end-FX into Splawn preamp)
Cable 3: Splawn effects Send > GT Return (take signal and add post preamp FX)
Cable 4: GT Output > Splawn effects Return (take final signal and run it thru Splawn power section)

It effectively isolates your amp's preamp and power amp sections as independent components and allows you to place digital effects anywhere around them -- rather than putting the entire GT unit in front of the signal chain. It also allows you to swap between using your amp's preamp and other preamps that are in the GT.

However, you really need to watch your levels on the GT (signal levels, preamp levels, and effects levels). Very important -- if you switch to a GT preamp (therefore bypassing the Splawn's preamp) then the Splawn power section runs WIDE OPEN. So you need to manage your levels very carefully.

For example, I run compression and some EQ (take out some low end so it doesn't get muddy) at the front of the signal chain then take it into the Splawn preamp to gain it up and add some tone. Then I tweak the EQ again (put back some lows and mids), then reverb, then delay, and finally noise supression before sending signal into the Splawn power section.

[ronmail65]

Oct 25, 2008 21:52:19 GMT -5 Tone Ranger said:

i found major tone suckage with the 4cm. i think you keep both send and returns at 100.

When you first hook up the GT (or whatever you're using) the first thing I would do is run it completely dry (no FX, nothing) to balance levels, etc... You should be able to this and simply regenerate pure amp tone without any impact. What I notice in doing this is a little signal compression, but no loss of tone.