A discussion of music and guitar gear...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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4 Cable Method
With the 4CM method, you are connecting things as you would with a normal effects chain. Normal chain would be something like:
Guitar > Wah/volume/distortion stomp boxes, etc > preamp > choruses, delays, reverb, etc > power amp > speaker/cabinets
If you use a 2 cable method like this:
Guitar > Boss or Line6 device > Amp input
Then any delay (for example) is then going to get distorted by the preamp in your amp. Maybe that's the sound you want, but generally you want delayed distortion, not distorted delay.
So, the 4CM method is:
Cable 1: Guitar output > Boss or Line6 device Input
Cable 2: Boss or Line6 device effect loop send > amp input
Cable 3: Amp effect loop send > Boss or Line6 device effect loop return
Cable 4: Boss or Line6 device output > amp effect loop return
This gives you a proper signal path:
Guitar > Boss or Line6 device > amp preamp > Boss or Line6 device > amp power amp
The send receive in your Boss or Line6 device effects path should be AFTER your comp/distortion/amp sims and BEFORE your chorous/delay/reverb effects.
Note that you can still put external pedals in the right places - i.e. real wah pedal before the Boss or Line6 device input or a distortion stomp box before the amp input and other effects processors in the loop before/after the Boss or Line6 device.
Guitar > Wah/volume/distortion stomp boxes, etc > preamp > choruses, delays, reverb, etc > power amp > speaker/cabinets
If you use a 2 cable method like this:
Guitar > Boss or Line6 device > Amp input
Then any delay (for example) is then going to get distorted by the preamp in your amp. Maybe that's the sound you want, but generally you want delayed distortion, not distorted delay.
So, the 4CM method is:
Cable 1: Guitar output > Boss or Line6 device Input
Cable 2: Boss or Line6 device effect loop send > amp input
Cable 3: Amp effect loop send > Boss or Line6 device effect loop return
Cable 4: Boss or Line6 device output > amp effect loop return
This gives you a proper signal path:
Guitar > Boss or Line6 device > amp preamp > Boss or Line6 device > amp power amp
The send receive in your Boss or Line6 device effects path should be AFTER your comp/distortion/amp sims and BEFORE your chorous/delay/reverb effects.
Note that you can still put external pedals in the right places - i.e. real wah pedal before the Boss or Line6 device input or a distortion stomp box before the amp input and other effects processors in the loop before/after the Boss or Line6 device.
hey!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I really appreciate what you do to help us, with the pods, etc. it's very kind.
also, I wanted to know if you used the X3 for this song? because I love your guitar tone...
anyway, thanks! and keep it up, you're so talented... I'm your fan ;)
Hey Thanks for the kind words. Actually, this recording was done with the POD 2.0 little red bean that came out many years ago.
ReplyDeletewow,ok! thanks for answering so fast :)
ReplyDeleteGlenn. Just found your youtube vids and blog yesterday. I myself just bought the Boss GT-10 and have always struggled with finding the right guitar tone/sound. My band hasn't played for about 12 years and we are getting back together! We are basically a cover band, and some of the tones you created and share on your blog are going to be very helpful to me in sounding like the originals! Thanks for your generosity and help with the pedals. The manuals are one thing, but to see a pro use them to their fullest....well theres nothing like that!! Thanks again and keep the patches and the originals coming!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Very cool idea using a keyboard amp. How well do you think that would work for a cover guitarist? I am currently using a Strat through a '59 Bassman reissue. Have been looking to add an ESP for the heavier tunes but am waiting to see how well the GT-10 helps with that.
Hmm, man that Bassman would sound pretty good with the right tweaking and speakers. You may have to globally roll off some of the high end from the GT-10. Do this in the "system" menu. Roll back the high until you can hear it is muffled, then gradually add it in until you can hear the highs come back in but not shrieking.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that. I usually run the bass almost all the way up, and the treb at about 3 or 4, then I dial in the mid to my liking. I'll try your advice and let you know how it goes. lastly, the amp has been in the basement without being played for 10-12 years. I'm going to freshen the tubes. It runs 6L6GC tubes as stock. Is there a better tube than that, and do you think I should freshen the speakers as well...maybe celestions?
ReplyDeleteCelestions would be a great upgrade and try the Groove Tubes 6L6GC tubes. I used those in my Mesa Boogies and they sound good.
ReplyDeleteHey Glenn:
ReplyDeleteWhat can anyone say...another awesome RUSH cover over at your youtube channel. Thanks again for sharing! Do you know if it's possible to create the harmonies in Thin Lizzie's "The Boys are Back in Town" with the GT-10.? I'm pretty sure the song is in Ab. I've been messing with that one all afternoon! I think it will require a user input for the harmony but I haven't figured out how to create that yet. Any thoughts?
Hmmm, I'm not sure if the harmony feature could do those harmonies note for note like the record. It may require like you say some user input. I have not really messed around with that harmony feature too much.
ReplyDelete