Hello Nick,
1. Would the best way to do this be to put the MixingLink in my amp fx loop and the time-based fx into the mixing link loop?
I do not recommend the MixingLink for this type of setup as there is no way to balance the signal from the amp’s FX loop and the microphone. The input gain control of the ML affects the mic input and the instrument input simultaneously. Unless your amp has a way to regulate the FX send and return levels, this will not be an optimal configuration.
2. If so, since the ML is a pre-amp, are there any dangers/downsides to having the pre-amp of the ML directly after the pre-amp of my amp? And outta curiosity, if I were to put it in front of the amp is there any downside aside from having to manage levels?
There is no danger running the ML in the loop as it can handle all types of signals including FX loop, which tend to be line level on most amps, but the gain control on the ML would allow you to adjust the input level of your mic. You would need to be able to adjust the amp’s signal going into the ML. Very few amps have this amount of control. The downside to putting the ML in front of the amp is you’re at the mercy of the amp’s preamp tone controls and gain settings. However, if you’re running it into a clean pedal platform type of amp with good headroom, it will work for vocals.
3. Would I be risking damage to my amp sending effected vocals through my amp in the fx loop? (I know that guitar amps are not tuned for vocal frequency response, I’m just looking out for “never do this” situations I might not be aware of.
No, you’re not risking any damage as long as you set levels properly, but I repeat, the input gain control on ML affects the mic and instrument inputs simultaneously, not independently.
4. For those of you with them, if I were to get a cab sim pedal to use with the mixing loop, how does it sound? And would the cab sim take a signal from the “to amp” jack or should it be placed in the ML fx loop?
Using cab sims in the loop of a MixingLink is fine for guitars signals. While the MixingLink does a great job of managing operating levels with all types of processors expect to make adjustments to the cab sim levels for optimal audio. As it pertains to vocals, I would recommend against putting vocals through any type of cab sim for the reason you pointed out earlier, guitar amps band limit all signal. You should bypass the cab sim while singing through the ML.
