Cabling issue perhaps (First Post!)

[satchaholic]

Hey forum,
New member here.
Just recently picked up an Audio Switcher and GCP and in the process of getting everything wired up correctly.

I'm having some trouble with my delay pedal (amp's fx loop to be more general). I am trying to use it in my effects loop which is on its own loop of the Audio Switcher.

I'm not sure what type of cables I'm supposed to be using for this particular setup.. I used TRS-type cables for all the other loops in the GCX, including an overdrive pedal in one loop that works just fine. This overdrive pedal however is not in the fx loop, but in front of the amp.

When I put the delay in the fx loop, all i get is REALLY deep humming, like something isn't plugged in correctly. same cables, same configuration, but in FRONT of the amp works just fine

My FX loop does work just fine, but i always have trouble with delay effects in the loop causing that LOW hum sound. I'm leaning towards wrong type of cable as I don't think TRS cables are correct for effects pedals.

What am I doing wrong?

[JohnClark]

First and foremost I would have to say that you are in fact using the wrong cables. Unless there are modifications done, the GCX and likely all your pedals should be connected with shielded Instrument cable with mono 1/4" ends.
For the delay problem I think it would be best to start off by testing with the delay pedal connected directly to the amplifier. Connect the effects Send from the amplifier to the Input of the delay, then connect the Output of the delay to the Effects Return of the amplifier. Again, this should be done with instrument cable using only mono connections.
Let us know what you find.

[satchaholic]

Thanks John,
That did the trick!

Now I have the lovely task of replacing all my TRS cables with mono instrument patch cables...

another cabling question: I have a volume pedal that i'd like to use as well and the GCX worksheet shows a Y cable from the volume to loop 7 and 8. Do I HAVE to use a Y cable, or is there a way to just use a mono cable into one loop?

[JohnClark]

A Y cable is only necessary if you in fact need to split your signal to feed two destinations. What diagram are you referring to?

[satchaholic]

Hey Jonn,
This diagram: http://www.voodoolab.com/gcxdiagrams/01 ... _AmpSw.pdf

the Insert Point cable in loops 7 & 8. do i NEED to use a Y cable here or can i use a single mono cable to only loop 7 or 8?

[JohnClark]

That rig required the Insert Point cable for controlling the footswitch functions on that amplifier and has nothing added for controlling volume.

A volume pedal can be routed into your signal wherever you like with mono connections. Where in your signal chain do you want to place this volume pedal?

[satchaholic]

oh man! i completely mixed those two things up!

i was actually wondering about the amp channel switching, not volume pedal

I was wondering if the amp channel switching required two loops to be used or if only one would work

*amp is a mesa boogie recording preamp

[JohnClark]

oh man! i completely mixed those two things up!

i was actually wondering about the amp channel switching, not volume pedal

I was wondering if the amp channel switching required two loops to be used or if only one would work

*amp is a mesa boogie recording preamp

OK, now we are getting somewhere! The two switchable functions will require mono cables connected from the Out/N.O. from two GCX loops. If you only want to control the channel A/B then only one loop will be needed. Good Luck!

[satchaholic]

so right now, im able to control the clean/dirty switching of the preamp, but im using a Y cable that goes from amp to loop 7 and loop 8's out. can I just use loop 7 with a non-Y cable?

another question. my preamp/poweramp combo has connections on the rear for "Modern", "Half Drive", and "Option 3" (forgot what option 3 was). Usually I would run a cable from pre to poweramp to one of these 3 options, but it's a one trick pony because it's always on so-to-speak. is there a way I could utilize the gcx/gcp to enable/disable this poweramp input to go between non-modern and modern?

[JohnClark]

Each External Switching jack on any Mesa Boogie product will require a single mono cable connected to a GCX loop Out/N.O. jack in order to control that one function. Insert Point Cables or Y Cables are never used with any Mesa product for this purpose unless it does NOT have the single function External Switch jacks.