Effects Loop - Mesa/Boogie MARK IIC+ Owner's Manual

used for the "wet channels."
NOTE: The SLAVE Output provides a signal that is a combination of sound from both the preamp and power
amp; however it does NOT contain the shaping (sharp roll-off of top end and complex EQ-ing) the speaker
imparts on the sound. The speaker in any guitar amp is a huge part of the sound, usually at least 50% of it, and
that is NOT contained in the SLAVE's signal.
Don't be surprised when you hear a harsh, dry, unrefined, or even "ratty" sound, this is normal. The SLAVE is
NOT a speaker-compensated "DIRECT" output for feeding a mixing console or digital interface for your recording
setup, such as those contained in some of our other amplifiers. Those outputs are labeled "Direct Output" or "D.I.
OUT" and have circuitry that mimics the shaping a speaker imparts on the signal. You CAN feed an external IR
Reader or compensated Load Box/DI with the SLAVE's signal, and this will provide a sound more like what you
are accustomed to when using your amplifier and speaker cabinet. You may find some of these devices work
better with a speaker output feeding them, as the Inputs of these devices are often optimized for the overall
higher signal levels present at amplifiers' Speaker Outputs.

EFFECTS LOOP

These two 1⁄4" jacks provide the interfacing patch points for your "rear end" processing needs. The Effects Loop
is a signal loop from the end of the preamp to just before the (MASTER, EQ) and Driver stage. The SEND jack
takes a portion of the signal at the preamp's end with suitable levels to feed processors, and the RETURN jack
interrupts the signal and feeds whatever you have plugged in there back into the power section just before
the MASTER, EQ, and the Driver tube.
Wired in this way, the SEND can provide a "Preamp Out" signal if ever needed and the RETURN can serve as a
"Power Amp In" that will allow using the amplifier as a Power Amp that has an EQ and a MASTER level control.
The RETURN might be used should you ever want to use it as a Stereo Satellite, say if you had another IIC+ or
other amplifier, and wanted a Stereo Rig but only wanted to deal with one preamp and set of controls for your
sounds. The SEND could provide an output signal, much like the SLAVE, except sending only the preamp's
sound and at a lower, or at least "fixed," level.
Using this patch point for your (most especially time-based) processing usually ensures the best sonic
performance and signal-to-noise ratio with your outboard processors. That said, it is important to point out that
this is a critical junction in the IIC+'s circuit path, and whatever is inserted here can affect the overall performance
of the amplifier.
Unlike "Front End" processing, where things like wah, boost, overdrive, fuzz, octave pedals, compression and
such typically work better, the Effects Loop location farther downstream in the signal path is great for time-based
effects like chorus, delay, doubling, phase shifters, flange, harmonizers, and (outboard) EQs. These effects tend
to work better without the additional gain and EQ-ing of the preamp, and because they are not being additionally
amplified by the preamp, the signal-to-noise ratios are usually better running such things in the Loop.
The Effects Loop is a Series Loop, meaning that the entire signal goes through it, unlike a Parallel Loop, where
a large percentage of the signal is taken around the Loop and mixed back into the signal path alongside the
portion that has been redirected for processing. 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. As with most segments of the marketplace, you get what you pay for most times and there
can be a range of quality in regard to both build/component 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
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.
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