Using an HT5 as a distortion pedal?

[relic245]

I just had a silly idea.

I have a blackstar artisan and I've always fanceid trying out an HT dual pedal with it. I'm sure I remember reading that the
preapmp of the HT-5 is the same circuit as an HT pedal, so could I try it? I would guess that if I take the effects send from the HT5 i'm effectively using the pre amp only? But what do I so with the ht5 return and how do I not get any sound from the amp without disconnecting the speaker and burning out the valves.

Is it as simple as turning down the volume? Sorry for asking this without actually trying it first but the artisan is in the studio so I don't have it here.

[peteri]

Simple - don't plug anything into the effects return, then no sound will come out of the amplifier bar hiss from the power stage, you don't have to have anything in the return.

You're right, keep the speaker plugged in just to protect the transformer.

There's likely to be some level issues - but the above will definitely work

Pete

[ICBM]

If peteri's method doesn't work - most amps switch the signal path in the return jack, not the send, so plugging into the send just taps off the signal rather than breaking it - put a headphone plug (it doesn't need headphones connected to it) into the jack, which mutes the power section. Peteri may be right too, but I don't have an HT to check!

Do you really need to, anyway? The volume coming out of the Artisan should make the HT-5 being on more or less irrelevant .

[erictheweary]

I don't know the mechanics of it but certainly when the HT1 came out there was much discussion that it could be used in this way, that it operated as an amp as well would be almost a bonus.

[relic245]

I don't know the mechanics of it but certainly when the HT1 came out there was much discussion that it could be used in this way, that it operated as an amp as well would be almost a bonus.

I just tried it with an old laney head that I have lying around, it sounded incridibly bad through the front end, I put it into the effects return and it sounded
a little better but really not very nice at all. I'll try it with my artisan next time I'm at the studio but now I'm not holding out much hope.