Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

[Frogman]

Lately I've been thinking of other ways I could setup my rig, mainly because I would like to utilize my chorus' stereo feature (Boss CE-5) as opposed to mono in front of the amps where it currently sits.

Here is what my chain currently looks like:


I like having the chorus going through both amps, but it just sounds so much better to me when it's in the loop.
I was thinking of simply putting in Amp 1's loop, but then Amp 2 would not have the effect.
So I was thinking about this option:


Has anyone ever tried this?
Obviously the preamps would be "stacked" (ie: Amp 1's preamp driving Amp 2's preamp).

My initial questions:
-Most importantly, would there be any load or other electrical issues?

-How much would Amp 2's tone be affected? Would it simply get a "kick" from Amp 1 (like an OD) or would Amp 1's tone heavily alter Amp 2's tone?

-Would there be excessive hum running it this route since none of the grounds are isolated or lifted (features of my ABY)?



As always, your feedback is appreciated.

 

[Lampy H]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

I believe you could run output 1 to the FX return of amp 1, and output 2 through the FX return of amp 2, no? That pedal has stereo ins and outs I thought. Maybe run the send of amp 1 through input 1 and send of amp 2 through input 2 on the pedal?

 

[Frogman]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

I believe you could run output 1 to the FX return of amp 1, and output 2 through the FX return of amp 2, no? That pedal has stereo ins and outs I thought. Maybe run the send of amp 1 through input 1 and send of amp 2 through input 2 on the pedal?

Amp 2 doesn't have an FX loop.
And that method would would render Amp 2's preamp inoperable; only the power amp would be running.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

it would work but im not sure how well. lots of variables in the mix not to mention when you hit a boost it may cause mayhem on amp B

 

[LLL]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

View attachment 64127

In the above config, Amp B would tonally (and gain-wise) be strongly affected by Amp A because the signal goes
through Amp A.

===

Yes, some FX sound better/clearer after the amp (time-based, modulation, etc), because then they
are not distorted (as they would be in front of the amp; not to mention the complete lack of stereo capability).

If you want FX-loop (or better and much more feasible, "post-powertube") quality effects in stereo, you're going to need "more" to do it.

You're going to need to load down your amp with a dummy load, take a speaker level signal (from the speaker jack) and convert it to a line level signal (this is what the line out box does) to feed your stereo chorus or other FX you choose to place "post-powertube". From there
it needs to run to 2 separate power amps, guitar amps or similar (re-amping).

Example:

guitar
|
stompboxes (pre-amp)
|
Amp A -> dummy load
|
line out box
|
stereo chorus
|| (stereo outs)
2x power amps or guitar amps (then to speakers)


Alternatively:

guitar
|
stompboxes (pre-amp)
|
Amp A -> dummy load
|
line out box
|
stereo chorus
|| (stereo outs)
Amp B & another power amp or guitar head (then to speakers)


Both of these scenarios provide "post-powertube" stereo chorus. Also, you can slap in any other
FX you like (such as reverb, delays, etc) along with the stereo chorus and they will sound clear.

 

[LLL]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

Here's my typical, real-world stereo rig:

guitar
|
stompboxes (pre-amp)
|
Marshall -> HotPlate set to "load"
|
Suhr ISO Line Out
|
stereo FX (Strymon El Capistan, EHX Cathedral)
|| (stereo outs)
'67 Fender Deluxe (built-in speaker) & EHX .44 Magnum power amp (to 2nd speaker)

 

[AlexR]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

I have stereo set up with a reverb pedal out front to both amps. Then a chorus is in the loop of one amp. As both amps are in stereo whatever is added to the one amp in the loop effectively becomes stereo as often the 'stereo' effect is simply a time delay, or one effected signal and one not.

 

[Zhaggy]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

This might sound a little stupid suggestion but I dont see it here so here it goes. How much gain do you get from the amps? You seem to use a few distortion/boost pedals infront of them. And if you've been using that set up in the first picure why not just use the chorus as the aby switch and use the two outputs to go directly to both amps. Zakk Wylde uses it that way and sounds reasonably good. And if you don't use much gain from the amps then there shouldn't much problem.

 

[Frogman]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

As both amps are in stereo whatever is added to the one amp in the loop effectively becomes stereo as often the 'stereo' effect is simply a time delay, or one effected signal and one not.

Ahh, yeah touche. I guess I could simply put the chorus in Amp 1's loop.
That might actually be good because Amp 2 has built in reverb, So I'll have chorus on the left and reverb on the right.

This might sound a little stupid suggestion but I dont see it here so here it goes. How much gain do you get from the amps? You seem to use a few distortion/boost pedals infront of them. And if you've been using that set up in the first picure why not just use the chorus as the aby switch and use the two outputs to go directly to both amps. Zakk Wylde uses it that way and sounds reasonably good. And if you don't use much gain from the amps then there shouldn't much problem.

95% of my gain comes from my amps.
Can't use the chorus as the splitter because the hum is so unbearable (since none of the grounds are isolated or lifted)...and I mean unbearable.....like a banshee screaming at the top of its lungs lol.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

I would keep the chorus in the effects loop of amp A and keep the reverb on amp B. Get a true stereo sound. It'll sound multilayered, and the chorused amp will sound more chorused in comparison to the dry amp. Also the second output of the Boss CE-5 is a dry output. So either way, you would still not be getting the full chorus effect across your amplifiers unless you added a splitter after the chorus in the effects loop of amp A, but that wouldn't work too well.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

Why not just do away with the ABY pedal and send one side of the stereo to one amp and the other side to the other amp?

 

[LLL]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

Why not just do away with the ABY pedal and send one side of the stereo to one amp and the other side to the other amp?

Because he likes the clearer sound of the chorus when it's in the FX loop... as opposed to in front of the amp; which distorts the effect.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

I know that stereo chorus sounds much, much better, but I think you're gonna have to run one amp wet and leave the other dry.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

^ If you set up the amps as stereo, you will effectively have stereo chorus with the pedal going to only 1 loop.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

Here's my typical, real-world stereo rig:

guitar
|
stompboxes (pre-amp)
|
Marshall -> HotPlate set to "load"
|
Suhr ISO Line Out
|
stereo FX (Strymon El Capistan, EHX Cathedral)
|| (stereo outs)
'67 Fender Deluxe (built-in speaker) & EHX .44 Magnum power amp (to 2nd speaker)

Nam.....I am No Good with this stuff.
Is the 44 amplifying the "out" of your Marshall.....via the THD and the Suhr.?
Thanks
I meant Man.....not Nam.

 

[LLL]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

Nam.....I am No Good with this stuff.
Is the 44 amplifying the "out" of your Marshall.....via the THD and the Suhr.?
Thanks

It's easier with pics, but don't have that.

The Marshall is loaded down with a speaker out to a Hot Plate (set to "load")

The other Marshall speaker out goes to the Suhr ISO Line Out box

From there (now a line level signal), it goes to whatever FX (El Capistan, EHX Cathedral) I have.

For the final part of the chain, the EHX Cathedral has two stereo outs. One out goes to my '67 Deluxe (built-in speaker), the other
goes to the .44 Magnum (which is just a power amp), then to another speaker.

I do have a YouTube video which shows how to slave and the "post powertube FX" concept:

Keep in mind this vid is only showing a mono setup. A stereo setup is a simple tack-on to the gear config shown.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

OK.....that bis where I was confused. Two Speaker outs from The Marshall.
Thanx

 

[LLL]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

OK.....that bis where I was confused. Two Speaker outs from The Marshall.
Thanx

Ya.

Sometimes people (myself included) need special rig configs, and the only way to get there is to think "out-of-the-box",
instead of doing what the kiddie clerks and clueless salesmen at Guitar Center tell everybody.

I still do backflips over slaving and the amazing utility it provides; not only for its ability to provide an FX loop where there is none, but also its ability to allow you to get cranked-amp tone at any volume without any attenuator mush or other tone-sucking. Slaving has been used by the pros since the 60s.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

Yeah.....Holger at Komet has been into reamping for a long time.
It's another tool, and a good skill to have, even if it is not part of your daily grind.
best

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Running 2 Amps :: Options & Questions

I was actually thinking of this on my ride home yesterday ...

why not run your guitar through your pedals like you are now but instead of using your ABY to split, use your chorus to split into stereo and use your ABY only on one of your amps for isolation/ground lift/etc? That seems like it'll do exactly what you want. I know that you use your amp's gain more often than not and would like to use your chorus in the loop but I don't think you'll get what you want without both amps having effects loop and your chorus having 2 ins and 2 outs.