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Parallel vsMost modern amps feature the availability of distortion in the pre-amp. Additionally, even when using distortion pedals in front the amp, the pre-amp still provides compression. Many effects should be processed completely after any distortion or compression affects the signal. For example, the delay trails of a delay effect should gradually decrease in volume until they are inaudible. With compression, the trails would have a more consistent volume level until suddenly dropping off. Similarly, reverb would seem to stagnate rather than decay. Distortion would be even worse - with delay trails and reverb being distorted just like the original signal, creating a noisy mess. An effects loop gives you the option to run effects between the pre-amp and power amp. In some cases, the power amp may still be providing compression or distortion; but it's usually less than the pre-amp. Amps traditionally have ''serial'' effects loops - the signal leaves the pre-amp from the effects loop send, is processed by any effects in the loop, and returns through the effects loop return to enter the power section. Most effects have mix controls - they split the signal in two as soon as it enters the effect and only process one of them. The resulting "wet" signal is mixed with the unprocessed "dry" signal, with the proportions determined by the mix control. 100% is totally wet, 0% is totally dry, and 50% is equal mixes of both. If all your effects have mix controls, or you always want to run your effects 100% wet, then a serial loop is fine. A ''parallel'' effects loop features a mix control, using the same logic as individual effects - you can determine the mix of dry, where the pre-amp signal goes straight from pre-amp to power amp, and wet, the signal processed by all your effects in the loop. 100% mix is identical to a serial effects loop, while 0% is like using no effects loop at all. The big benefit of a parallel loop is when you use effects without mix controls, which was typically the case with vintage effects. What you have to watch out for with a parallel loop is when effects introduce lag into the signal, such as with some digital effects that necessarily buffer the signal time-wise. Even a small lag in the signal will create a ''comb filter'' with the dry signal, where regular nulls occur throughout the frequency spectrum, particularly in the highs. The tone will sound dull or not as full as it should. Also, effects like tremolo or others that alter volume may sound quite awkward when blended with a dry signal. Serial
→Effects Loops
== Effects Loops ==
== Signature Tonal Aspects ==