send and return

Send and return refers to a pair of jacks on a pedal or unit that form an effects loop, letting external effects be inserted into the signal path.¹ On some pedals, the send and return allows external effects to be placed between stages, such as between an overdrive and an octave circuit.² On noise suppressors, built-in send and return jacks can silence a single pedal or an entire effects loop.³ On loopers and switchers, pedals are plugged into the send and return jacks of individual loops.⁴ Some units provide send and return level controls, filters, or phase switches per loop.⁵