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I'm absolutely new, so please bear with me since I know these are very basic questions. I have decided that I'd like to build a couple of tube preamp/effects pedals--one is a single tube 12AX7 for clean/boost based on a Fender preamp, and the other would be a two-tube version based on a Marshall-type preamp. Not original, but it's what I want.
Anyway, I'd ideally like to use these both as standalone preamps that plug right into a poweramp (into the effects return on a tube combo amp with the combo's preamp defeated), but also as traditional effects pedals that can be stacked with other effects and then go into the regular input of a combo amp (i.e. into the preamp of the combo). The combo's effects loop is a traditional series make-break with no level adjustments.
What I can't seem to grasp is whether or not the line out levels of my little projects will need to be different depending on their purpose--I assume to signal level will need to be higher if they are used as standalone preamps and lower if they are used as traditional effects pedals. Is this a correct assumption? If so, will an "output level" pot work fine for both implementations, or do I need to incorporate additional circuitry to tame the signal when using them as FX boxes? Also, in a series make-break effects loop like that in my combo amp, do I need a balanced signal to go into the power amp when I use these projects as standalone preamps?
Sorry for the very basic questions. Lots to wrap my head around, and sometimes the simple things get lost in the fray as we learn.
Anyway, I'd ideally like to use these both as standalone preamps that plug right into a poweramp (into the effects return on a tube combo amp with the combo's preamp defeated), but also as traditional effects pedals that can be stacked with other effects and then go into the regular input of a combo amp (i.e. into the preamp of the combo). The combo's effects loop is a traditional series make-break with no level adjustments.
What I can't seem to grasp is whether or not the line out levels of my little projects will need to be different depending on their purpose--I assume to signal level will need to be higher if they are used as standalone preamps and lower if they are used as traditional effects pedals. Is this a correct assumption? If so, will an "output level" pot work fine for both implementations, or do I need to incorporate additional circuitry to tame the signal when using them as FX boxes? Also, in a series make-break effects loop like that in my combo amp, do I need a balanced signal to go into the power amp when I use these projects as standalone preamps?
Sorry for the very basic questions. Lots to wrap my head around, and sometimes the simple things get lost in the fray as we learn.
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