Can I plug a Multi-FX guitar pedal into my interface?

[TekRiFFs]

Hi - Thank you for letting me post this question.. “Would I be able to plug a Boss ME-70 Multi-Effects Pedal (powered by the wall outlet) into my interface into my DAW (Reaper) before an IR loader? ..would I need a Loadbox and a DI box too?” Thank you in advance.

[DVDdoug]

If the interface has a guitar input you should be good to go. If not you'll need a DI box.

[ashcat_lt]

Originally Posted by DVDdoug

If not you'll need a DI box.

False. The output impedance of the pedal is plenty low to drive a line input. I often actually plug pedals into mic pres even without any noticeable issues. The line input might be a bit less hot than an instrument input could be, but if it doesn’t have a gain control on the interface, you can just turn it up in the box.

[DrKev]

The output impedance of the ME-70 is 2kΩ, so ideally the input impedance of whatever it is plugged into should be a minimum of 10kΩ. BUT the input impedance of the mic inputs of most audio interfaces is usually in the 1kΩ to 4kΩ range. That wll cause high frequency loss.

A Line input would be better (often in the 10kΩ region?), but instrument or guitar input (usually 1MΩ or more) would be best.

IF high frequency loss is a problem and you have no instrument input a buffered bypass guitar pedal with a lower output impedance (e.g. my MXR M300 reverb has a 100Ω output impedance which is ideal) OR a DI box would solve the issue.

[ashcat_lt]

Originally Posted by DrKev

The output impedance of the ME-70 is 2kΩ... That wll cause high frequency loss.

First I’d guess that spec to be a little conservative, second it’s going to be mostly resistive but also capacitive so you’re more likely to have broadband attenuation with some possible loss of low frequencies, and third like I said I do these things all the time. Yes an instrument input might be nominally better. It’ll definitely be louder. A line input should work fine, though, and a passive DI is not the best answer in any case. It certainly can’t hurt anything either way, so plug it in and try it.