Adding an FX loop to a drive pedal with a DI out?

[Dorado Pulido]

Has anyone ever added an FX loop to a pedal with a DI out?
I'm curious how this could be done for example with an EHX deluxe big bass muff to add modulation after the drive section but before the DI out for sending to FOH.
It just seems a matter of adding an I/O to the signal path before the DI preamp.

If it's possible, I'm also wondering how feasible it would be to add an FX loop to a pedal like the BOSS VE-20 to be able to easily throw in pedals on a vocal chain.

 

[Killing Floor]

Yep. Just DI after the loop. No problem.

 

[bassbrad]

It may be possible but it is not as simple as it may seem. The Balanced out to the DI is not a signal that would offer the best results for inserting any effects, since it is an electronic transformer circuit instead of a separate DI transformer, the levels will not match up for best sound and performance.

You would need to find an insert point in the circuit layout and have a buffered I/O circuit if you wanted something fancy like a mix or bypass that would add to the design necessity. Working on the SMD circuit board will present a challenge for any tech.

 

[Dorado Pulido]

It may be possible but it is not as simple as it may seem. The Balanced out to the DI is not a signal that would offer the best results for inserting any effects, since it is an electronic transformer circuit instead of a separate DI transformer, the levels will not match up for best sound and performance.

You would need to find an insert point in the circuit layout and have a buffered I/O circuit if you wanted something fancy like a mix or bypass that would add to the design necessity. Working on the SMD circuit board will present a challenge for any tech.

Thanks, I kind of figured the signal wouldn't be right... it seems like a waste to have ANOTHER DI after the big pedal but ultimately that is probably easier than messing with the signal path internally.