[Adwex]

Jason,

The way LoKi described it is really the best way to think of the whole signal chain. Every amp has a preamp (or gain stage), and a power stage section. The effects loop provides a way to put "stuff" between the 2 stages...after the preamp and before the power amp.

Some effects are gain type effects (distortion, overdrive, EQ, Wah, compressor, etc.), some effects are time based, or modulation type effects (reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, etc.).

LoKi mentioned the issue of effect order...which one comes before or after another. Some effects will sound absolutely horrible if placed in a particular order. Since the preamp is where you get most of your distortion, I like to look at effect order as a question...Do I want to "reverb the distortion", or "distort the reverb"? The order in which I place the 2 will drastically affect the sound. Reverb placed before the preamp will sound horrible. Likewise, a distortion pedal after the reverb will also sound horrible. Well, the preamp can be considered similar to a distortion effect...you want it BEFORE the reverb (or flanger, or delay, etc.). A Compressor must also be located BEFORE the preamp gain stage because it relies on a clean signal coming from the guitar. If you distort the signal going into a compressor, the effect will not work properly because the signal will already be somewhat compressed, so the compressor has trouble telling what the signal level should be.

Anyway, the bad news for you is that your ME-50 does not have the cabability of separating the pre and post gain effects. The rule of thumb for this situation is this...

If you want to use the distortion from the amp, the ME-50 should go in the effects loop.

If you want to use the distortion from the ME-50, hook it up like you have in the picture, and set your amp for a clean sound.

Did I confuse you even more?