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EFFECTS LOOP
These two 1⁄4" jacks provide the interfacing patch points for your "rear end" processing needs. The Effects
Loop is basically a circuit bridge from the end of the preamp to the Driver stage, with the SEND interrupting the
signal at the preamp's end and the RETURN feeding the power section just before the Driver tube.
Using this patch point usually ensures the best sonic performance as well as signal to noise ratio with your
outboard processors. That said, it is important to point out that this is a critical junction in the Badlander's circuit
path, and whatever is inserted here can have an effect on the overall performance of the amplifier.
The Effects Loop is a Series Loop, meaning that the entire signal goes through it, unlike a Parallel Loop, where
a percentage of the unaffected pure signal is taken around the Loop and mixed back in. Therefore, the quality
of the devices used in the Loop and their performance is critical to achieving the best sound and performance
from your amplifier. We recommend auditioning any processor with your amplifier BEFORE buying it to ensure
it delivers a good match in performance.
One clue is price. Like in any segment of the marketplace, you get what you pay for most times, and there is a
wide range of quality in regard to both build and sonic performance. While technology has raced ahead and
features are at an all-time pinnacle, it is the sound and feel for which you've likely chosen your pure analog
all-tube amplifier. Therefore, we recommend a similar degree of discretion when it comes to choosing your
processing devices. Ultimately, what you insert in the middle of your amplifier's signal path will have a lot to
do with how it performs.
To connect your Processors:
1. Connect the SEND to your processor's INPUT.
2. Connect the RETURN to your processor's OUTPUT.
3. Done.
It is always best to use the shortest cable lengths possible. If you intend to run very long cable lengths, use
a buffer. Even though the amplifier's Effects Loop IS buffered, there can be some minimal sonic penalty the
longer the cable length becomes.
Always use shielded, high-quality cables to connect your processors to the Effects Loop.
One way to check the quality of your processors and also match the levels is this simple test: Set up a sound
without processors in the Loop. Listen to the sound and observe the feel. Insert your processing into the Loop.
Do the same.
Remove the SEND and RETURN cables from the Badlander, and if the sound gets better or the level jumps
up, you will know that either your processor's levels are too low, the quality is in question, or both. If unplug-
ging the cables from your Effects Loop drops the signal level, simply reduce the Input or Output Levels of the
processors. Repeat the test until there is no or very little difference in levels when the processors are inserted
and removed again from the Effects Loop.
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