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Post subject: Stereo Effects Loop
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:53 am
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If this question has been answered elsewhere then please forgive me.
I have the Mustang iv which has a stereo effects loop.
I have a Boss me80.
The ME80 has a "Guitar" input but a stereo output.
I would like to use the me80 in the effects loop, with its stereo effects. I accept that that may be a bit silly as the ME80 is a very good multi effects.
But I want to use it in the loop as the Mustang iv has good pre amp effects also I have a few stomp boxes to go in front of the amp.
So what, oh great Gods of the Fender universe, is the best solution for me to get the best from my ME80 in the effects loop.
a) Y cable into the guitar input?
b) one input from L or R of the amp
c) any other ideas

Many thanks for reading my post


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Post subject: Re: Stereo Effects Loop
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 1:15 pm
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Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:39 am
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Gaspode:

The gear you have provides you with several options. None are silly. Let your ears be your guide.

You may use an A/B/Y Box to feed your guitar to both the Mustang IV and Boss ME-80. Each unit will provide what it does regarding features, controls, tone stack characteristics, etc., and ease of use.

The Mustang IV's Stereo FX Loop, allows you to place (insert) any outboard gear, pedals, Multi Effects Units, etc., in to the Mustang's Signal Chain via the Stereo FX Returns. Similarly, you may send any of the Mustang IV's Pre-Amp, Amp Profiles, Tone Stack, and FX, to external gear (i.e. your ME-80) via the Mustang's Stereo FX Sends.

I do not have an ME-80, yet it it has a stereo output as you posted, then you may route that to the Mustang IV's Stereo FX Returns. Doing so would bring the ME-80's then active Pre-Amp configuration, Tone Stack, FXs and such into the Mustang, where the Mustang could be acting simply as a Powered Cab. I use the word "could" as there is a setting in the Mustang in the Menu Button Options, that allows you to change the configuration of the Mustang's FX Loop in the signal chain. This is called Looper Mode. The Mustang's Default setting for this is "Normal." When changed to "Looper" the FX Returns signal is moved to after the Mustang's Presets and Cab Sims, so changing the Mustang's Presets no longer has any affect. In fact, in this mode only the Mustang's physical Master Volume knob has any affect. All the rest are bypassed! If you want to use your ME-80's processing, in lieu, of the Mustang's DSP features, use this method.

On the other hand, if you leave the Mustang's Looper Mode, in the Default position, any changes to the Preset's Cab Sims will be applied to the signal coming in the Mustang's Stereo FX Returns. The Fender website Support area for the Mustang has at least two articles regaring the FX Loop and how it may be configured. There is also a link to a PDF showing the block diagram of how the Looper Mode Button feature affects the signal chain.

Also bear in mind, that for each of the Mustang's Presets, you may edit the Signal Chain. This is only available to do, when you are using external software! It cannot be done on the amp itself! You may use Fender Fuse on you computer, or if you have an Android device (Tablet or Smartphone) use the exceptoinal REMUDA App. REMUDA makes it really easy to drag and drop the elements of the Mustang's signal chain, and do many other things Fuse Lacks!

As you wrote that you "would like to use the me80 in the effects loop, with its stereo effects" my guess would be that you would likely want to take the ME-80's Stereo FX Sends and connect them to the Mustang's FX Returns.

Nonetheless, as you also wrote that you "want to use it in the loop as the Mustang iv has good pre amp effects also I have a few stomp boxes to go in front of the amp", you may discover that some of your gear you may wish to connect in front of the main instrument "Guitar In" of either Amp. This is entirely valid as well! Moreover, you could also take the Mustang's FX Sends and route them to the ME-80's FX Returns.

Once common technique referred to as the Four Cable Method (4cm) can come into play in these scenarios. And there are more complex variations of the 4cm when you loop multiple devices into each other, as you may find you opt to do with the Mustang and ME80.

Overall, the "Gods of the Fender universe" may not have anything to do with how you opt to route your gear. Additonally, you will be the one to determine what may be your "best solution to get the best from {your} ME80." A great degree will depend on what FX and settings you choose to use from each unit and how that suits your taste for the music style(s) you prefer. In some instances, one configuration may be better than another.

So, and A/B/Y Box would provide more flexibility than a Y cable to route your Gutar to either, or both, units, I do not know if the ME-80 has this as one of it's built-in capabilites. A stand alone A/B/Y Box is not terribly costly. Nonetheless, if your ME-80 has the feature already, you may want to explore it first.

Additionally, the are possibilities of taking an output feed (FX Send or other Line or Instrument Level signal output) from your ME-80 and routing that to the Main Guitar Input of your Mustang. Depending on the Preset you select to use in the Mustang (Basic Studio Preamp) or other lower gain Amp Profile Presets, this could yield interesting results. Similarly, you could also take the FX Send from your Mustang and route that to the Guitar In or other Input of your ME-80 to explore what results you will get.

So long as you take your time, and try the alternatives with the volume levels low at first, you will not destroy any of your gear! If you connect a Line Level signal to an Instrument Level input, you may encounter overload, distortion or clipping at early points as you increase the level, gain, drive, or volume controls, but you will destroy your gear! And, some fascninating tones and sounds have come from precisely such unorthodox methods of signal routing. This is a large part of the creative fun of audio engineering your sound with your gear.

Hope this wasn't too much information.

Check you ME-80 User Guide for more information, get several cables as needed and try a variety of options.

Two final thoughts: The Mustang IV's stereo XLR Line Out Jacks, may be used as additional signal feeds to your ME-80, if it has additional inputs. I'm guessing the ME-80 does not have XLR in's, yet you can get Female XLR to 1/4" Male TS adapter cables. To avoid ground loops, connect the Mustang IV and ME-80 to the same conditioned power strip!

Post back your results, so all may share in the learning....

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