My volume is more than doubled when I use my effects loop...?

[Dorianz10]

I use a Boss RC-20XL Loop Station and I run it through the effects loop on my solid state Marshall MG100. I get an insane hum and the volume at the halfway mark is far greater than if I were to unplug my loop station and turn my amp up to 10. The volume boost gives it a  heavy and full sound that I could never achieve if I don't use my effects loop, but I don't understand why it occurs. I also want to get rid of the hum that rattles the lights in my basement, so which noise gate would be best? I just need some help with these problems, they are quite annoying. Thanks.

[echobaseone]

Just in case...there are two "volume" settings on an RC-20, one for input (instrument) and one for output, make sure they are both at 50%, otherwise you'll get a massive volume disparity.
If you need the input to be hotter (to trigger the autostart), then you need to adjust the output accordingly.
If this doesn't fix the problem, there may be something in the unit itself?

[Dorianz10]

Yeah, I have both volumes at 50%. I just tested my effects loop and the problem occurs when I run any pedal that I have through it. I use a standard 9v power supply.

[Jay]

Could this be related to the output buffer typical on non true-bypass type effects?

[Dorianz10]

All of my pedals are Boss except I have one Digitech Delay and an Ernie Ball VP Jr. The only pedal I run through my effects loop is the RC-20, but I just tried something else...I unplugged all my pedals and only had my Volume Pedal through the effects loop, but the same thing happens. I figured the VP Jr was different because it doesn't use a power supply. It seems no matter what I plug/unplug, as soon as the FX Send and FX Return are connected to anything, the volume is all of a sudden boosted and the hum is amplified also. The volume difference makes my solid state amp sound closer to a tube(much fuller sound in clean too), so I wouldn't mind 'the problem' if the hum didn't shake my entire house, it is really that bad!

[StevenO]

Try just plugging one cable into the effects loops in and out. as in:
(out)    (cable)      (in)
=o --=----------=-- o=

Hope that makes sense.

If the problem is still there, I suggest you just not use the effects loop.

[Dorianz10]

Hey Steven, I tried what you suggested and everything was fine. I noticed it was my FX Return coming from my loop station that does most of the noise. Would putting a noise gate after my loop station and before the FX return solve a little?

[StevenO]

I'm not sure, but noise gates are usually pretty sketchy and cause tone loss. Not sure if they'd really "help" out in this situation.

[marco_80]

Not every Volume pedal can go through a fx loop, check if your Ernie Ball has the right impedance. In case not, it does not give you any contribute to solve your problem...

[Dorianz10]

Oh, I don't run the Ernie Ball through the FX loop, I keep it separate with all my other pedals. The only thing I run through the FX loop is my Boss RC-20XL Loop Station. Basically my setup is

1.  Guitar-->Earnie Ball VP-->Tuner, Delay, etc.-->Input on the front of my amp

then separately

2.  FX Send--> Boss RC-20--> FX Return

My 1st section creates almost no noise.

Just the FX loop boosts my volume and creates the insane hum.