I'm thinking of using the pre-amp in/out on my D'clone. Is it really necessary to use the tube driven external box (is it called a dumblator?) for effects when using the pre-amp in/out? What does it do?
Also - I assume there is a schematic/layout diagram for this somewhere...yes?
Thanks!
Mark.
"...there are flying v's and then there are the ones shaped like peanuts..." - my son at age 9
Good thing you didn't ask if a C-lator is necessary. Phew!
There is plenty to read about the Dlator. Just use the search function. Whatever you want the answer to be, you will find it already stated in a previous thread. Many say the answer is no, but many others say yes. You will have to give it a try and judge for yourself.
Whatever you do, don't get a C-lator and start asking questions.
markmalin wrote:Is it really necessary to use the tube driven external box.
IMO it depends on:
- has your fx-device an internal buffer stage?
- is the output level of your fx-device sufficient for driving your power amp?
- do you like the tone and feel of your amp with your fx-device (in its dry mode!) in the loop as much as without your fx-device in the loop?
If the answer to at least one of these questions is "No", then IMO you need some Dumbleator clone (recommended) or a Vox V941 http://www.voxshowroom.com/uk/amp/v941manual_1.html or some other buffer amplifier like this (tube driven or solid state driven - according to your personal taste concerning the tone and feel of the complete combination.)
For me in rehearsals volume is a concern so sometimes I'll forgo the loop and go straight into the effect..My LXP-15 will drive my output section nicely for the lower bedroom volumes and not get to compressed/Transistorized..The impedance mis-match from the preamp to the effect allows me to run the master up on the amp and not be slamming the output section..Does it sound as good as with the loop in and the amp cranked not for me..The simple answer is hook it up if it works for that particular application (lower volumes) give it a shot it won't hurt anything..Just watch that your not clipping the front end of the effect..
Max those Vox buffer/Loops are very cool!! I have modded several..
Tony
" The psychics on my bench is the same as Dumble'"
I'm thinking of using the pre-amp in/out on my D'clone. Is it really necessary to use the tube driven external box (is it called a dumblator?) for effects when using the pre-amp in/out? What does it do?
Also - I assume there is a schematic/layout diagram for this somewhere...yes?
Thanks!
Mark.
As a few guys have said depends on your kit, i find from a personal point of view i prefer my amp with the dumbleator and when using my EH holy stain its a nessectiy but thats just my opinion
Yeah I would have to agree that it's better to at least try one, and see what effect the d-lator has on the sound of your amp, in most cases it will make it more versatile, especially when wanting to get those real phat tones at low Volumes, the D-lator really lets you preserve that "Girthyness" , even when not using time based effects in the loop.
my D-lator is built in my amp but I use a Providence Chrono delay which contains a nice high quality Analog/Digital Parallel Mixer/converter so that the original sound of the amp isn't mucked up in Mixing. Sounds like a TC 2290 for 1/4 the price. I used to use a Suhr Minimix and a TCM300 for a while and that was a great combo, as is the G#, G Major and M2000.
I like using the output pot on the D'lator for overall volume control.
I have a EHX Stereo Memory Man and a Cool Cat Chorus on my pedal board.
Then I have a Exotic X-Blender which parallels my TC G Sharp (delay + reverb).
I can blend in as much of the effects that I want with the X-Blender
Is that X-Blender working as well for you as it is for me? I have mine inside the back of my amp... It's velcro'd to the top of the G-Major II I have in the amp shell (with a D-lator). It keeps my tone nice and untainted... I have everything but the blend knob at parity. Have you played around with it to see if any alternate settings do anything for you?
, even when not using time based effects in the loop. 
