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That will depend on what instrument you are planning to plug into it. Set the mains and the channel volume to a low-reasonable level and plug in a play. It the input is distorting, you need to use a lower input level. If it's too quiet, you need to use a higher input level.
The clip light means your input signal is too high and distorting. Turn down the attenuator(input) knob until it goes out, use the channel volume for level. It should have a knob for the names of the effect selection.
DO NOT USE a guitar pedal in effects loop as it has the WRONG signal levels.
Also, when you boost the gain preceeding a distortion setting in an amp, the amp will just limit out and it will appear that the effects in the amp aren't working... but what is happening is you wind up with too much input signal and the "flat topping" distortion occurs right at the inout of the amp so no further can occur when you select a distortion in the amp.
You need to check the actual signal levels to make sure they are within the specs for the unit. The mic input is low impedance. Your mic should be like a Shure SM58 or equivalent. The output is fairly high... up to +14DB which will require you to turn down the trims on a mixer this runs into or set a -20Db pad at the input. I suspect your distortion is from the device output to the mixer input. It is VERY important that the mic does NOT "hear" the speakers as the feedback loop resulting will be mass distortion. The guitar should also not "hear" the mains.
If more than one input is bad, then problem has NOTHING to do with the preamps. Check list:
1. Make sure you are using BALANCED lines everywhere... either XLR or TRS cables.
2. Make sure ALL interconnected equipment, mixers, amps, powered speakers, CD players, etc. are ALL powered from the SAME receptacle or power distribution unit.
3. Do proper setup. Select each channel PFL and set the trims so the indicator never goes into clipping, but is in the 70% range during max volume input to mics, etc..
4. During operation the sliders should be at least 50% up on used channels and the mains. Setting of levels throughout the system is important for noise free operation. Using EXCESS gain at some point results in distortion and noise. Using sliders near the bottom position results in poor signal to noise ratio.
Now re-read #2 above... and believe it. I have seen a lot of equipment blown due to ground bounce of building power. That is why the pro's run power back to their mixer from the area where the amps are powered.
Realize that the number on the volume control is only relative... it means nothing regarding what the amp can produce. With a high level output guitar you can easily drive the amp into distortion at very low volume control level settings... what counts is the actual output sound volume and specifically the voltage output going to the speaker. Once the amp reaches saturation, any further input just pushes it into distortion or "flat topping".
An oscilloscope on the output will quickly show when amp starts to flat top.
With everything switched off. I will surmise that you are using the onboard battery with the foot pedal and not a power supply.
1. Plug lead from guitar/instrument into INPUT side of pedal
2. Plug lead from OUTPUT side of pedal into amplifier INPUT.
3. Turn amplifier volume to about 10 o'clock - to stop blowing your ears out.
4. Turn volume up on guitar to acceptable level.
5. press foot switch on pedal and adjust pedal controls to suit your type of distortion.
6. Play like Hendrix.
Good Luck
ps Just as an after thought rechargeable 9volt batteries are the way to go. I've been using them for years as I always get caught up in the power cable.
If you're going to add another pedal like a Phaser, Compressor, Flanger or what just use small connect leads between each pedal but always, always put the compressor pedal last in the line.
Check your input (guitar signal).
Also, check your gain and volume levels.
Make sure that you have a reliable, steady, and clean power source as well.
If the problem persists, contact the store from which it was purchased. There are a lot of things that can go wrong internally with the cheaper Marshall models.
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