Your DD-3 might benefit from being fed a distorted signal, as opposed to feeding in to a distortion circuit. But, if it moves you that way...so be it. You might find your eq does some good work in the loop as well...but no fast hard rules for that one.
My NS-2 always sits first(or second behind a tuner) in my chain. Most of my dirt boxes are homemade, and fairly quiet, so having the NS-2 shut the guitar signal down before the signal gets all blown out of proportion by a dirt box(or a noisy preamp channel) works for my needs.
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Oh there is a gem of info. Do tell ! Sorry if I should know this already. My brain is so full, stuff is always getting pushed out.
Yeah, I suppose that I haven't mentioned it here on this forum too much. I like learning to build my own stuff. Dirtboxes mostly...my 18watt superlite valve jr conversion...kits, or point to point...when I'm motivated, I'm happy with a soldering iron in my hand(I do love my Weller). I have a box of Rat making stuff beside me right now...and an unfinished trinity tramp(head to be) on my workbench. I'm probably going to finish a liteIIb baby will/valve jr combo or head(I haven't decided yet... I have a non working combo, and a working head...I need to decide what is going to end up where) before I get back to that though.
I do my own amp repair, and mods when I can...and I can't remember the last time I let anyone else alter one of my guitars in any way. I'm all for being as self sufficient as possible.
I'm not the best at any of it, but I have kept multiple gigable rigs running for more than a couple of decades now. Audiences have not complained about anything but volume...and for that, I blame the drummer.
Hmmm...maybe I will experiment. This new album sill be recorded with all live effects.
I have, for over 20 years any ways, ran CS-3, GE-7, DD-3 and NS-2 in that order. My signal is really quiet because I never use a "dirt pedal." The only "distortion" I get is from the tubes alone
Let me ask this. Is the loop any quieter?
Hmmmm....now I want to experiment. I do crazy things. Like when I recently needed a chorus for a project, which I do not own, I just ran a second amp with built-in chorus.
I would like a cleaner repeat tone on my DD-3....i have always felt like it had a dirty repeat...maybe the loop would clean it up a bit....????
In a situation like yours, the ns-2 is going to a: quiet any noisy pedals, and guitar signal. BUT b: it will also choke out any subtle delay tails that may fall below the set threshold...resulting in an unnatural sound. Maybe try tossing the delay in the loop...see if you like it, and can tame it.
I have also done my share of(albeit ammeture) recording over the years. I'm capable of recording up to 24 tracks at a pass, live, at 24bit 48k. My portable rig will do 16 tracks live at 24bit 48k. Most of my recording gear is a bit long in the tooth, but serviceable. I used to record demos for a few locals, from time to time...and my own band...but my talents are not worthy...or safe for social interaction.
That said....I despise committing to fx laden instruments when tracking. There are almost always irreparable regrets.
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What happens when recording with amps with FX loops? And do the negative results only happen if there are effects in the loop?
Sounds like you are overtly modest in your description of your abilities.
Although I grew up in a recording studio, the technology was ancient. My current recording efforts have been put on hold, as we recently received custody of two kids from CPS, which necessitated an extra room. My oldest son has revamped Mom's studio and brought it into the modern era with a Audacity PC based recording software, but I don't get up there often enough to do anything with it. He recently gave me a server with Audacity installed in it for my personal studio. I have a good ear, but struggle with the modern recording technology. I make a few I-Pad videos every now and then for fun, but that's about it....for now anyways.
I may very well try my delay in the effects loop....and thank you for your explanation...
After the first instance of a musician that was insistent that I record "his" sound, with all the bells and whistles...even after I explained that I could take the raw sound, and run it through his fx rig after tracking a good performance, and mix to taste...he comes back to me during mix down, and asks me if I can kill a certain effect on part of a certain track...
and I have to say no. That's why I despise tracking wet. Since that time, I've learned to(quietly) set up a DI track for most situations if it's allowable.So, I don't care if delay is out front, or in the loop...as long as it's off when tracking.
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I have a lot to learn about recording, but it sounds cool!!After the first instance of a musician that was insistent that I record "his" sound, with all the bells and whistles...even after I explained that I could take the raw sound, and run it through his fx rig after tracking a good performance, and mix to taste...he comes back to me during mix down, and asks me if I can kill a certain effect on part of a certain track...
So, I don't care if delay is out front, or in the loop...as long as it's off when tracking.
There's a neat multi track recording app for iPad/iPhone (called multitrack DAW) that's fairly cheap, and crazy straight forward. Great for layered sketching, and remote tracking.
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I play with Studio One. I have done a 2 track recording. Problem is, I was he one playing the tracks!
Don't Fear the Reaper????
I know, that type of situation is a PITA. It requires some forethought, planning, and a bit of top, and tail editing. You've got to give yourself enough time to get set after engaging the record button, and an audible cue to feed from. The pre-roll, and cue can be chopped off when you're done...
Edit: Doh!
I get it now....facepalm.
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Love me some BOC. Buck was a favorite when I was growing up, and beyond.
We share that admiration for sure.
It's not so much a question of which is quieter, it's a question of where in the chain to deploy your pedals for best effect. I'd say you are a prime candidate for using an effects loop, since your distortion is coming from the amp. In this scenario, you are introducing distortion (via the amp) after the delay and chorus. Try putting the chorus and delay pedals in the loop, with the delay last in the chain. The EQ pedal is a matter of taste. Some put them early in the chain...others put them later. I really can't say, as I don't own one and have never played around with it.
BTW, I do just what you do. I don't use any distortion pedals, aside from a Tubescreamer that I use to put a little hair on the clean channel of my amp. I have a small, 5 watt Marshall DSL-5C. I use it's effects loop all the time. I run to an external speaker in my isolation cabinet. With a mic in the iso-box running to the PA, it sounds huge. You'd never believe you're listening to a 5 wattt amp.
His CS-3 is a compressor/sustainer pedal