"Stereo" Setup

[steliocore]

Hello guys. I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question, pardon me. Anyway, I have two tube amps, one combo(single channel) and one head+cab(multichannel) format, both with effects loop. Let's call them Amp A (combo) and Amp B (head) for convenience. I want to use them at the same time. Following are my effects unit in the exact order: CAE wah > Boss CS3 > MI SBP> Boost> Timeline* > Big Sky*

Obviously, I can just use the stereo outs of my Strymons to go in front of the two amps (both in clean), however, I will be using Amp B's dirt channels. That forces me to put the Strymons (left ins and outs) in the effects loop of the multichannel amp. Now, is it okay if I connect the right outs of the Strymons into the input (front end) of Amp A? Technically, I am slapping the front end of Amp A with a delayed and reverberated preamp stage of Amp B. Is there going to be a trouble with this setup? I haven't tried it yet since I'm afraid my gear will have problems. I worked hard for all of these that's why I don't want them to go to waste. I am not good at electronics and the likes so kindly help me. Thanks in advance. God bless!


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[steliocore]

Re: "Stereo" Setup

The problem I am seeing here is that there is a "redundant" preamp stage happening in Amp A, the preamp of B going in front of the preamp of A. Can I just lead the right outs of the Strymons into the return of Amp A's effects loop? So that Amp A's preamp is bypassed? Hence, I am using Amp B's preamp solely. Sorry, I am really not good at this. Thanks!


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[dystrust]

Re: "Stereo" Setup

Either way will technically work. The problem I foresee with going into the front end of Amp A is that you won't have enough headroom; the signal will be so hot that your clean amp may no longer be clean. Your other option would work better, but you'd only have the preamp of Amp B running through both power sections. You may want to look into splitting your signal with something else so that you can run a varying mix of the two amps.

For example Dean DeLeo of STP runs a rig where he splits the signal near the input of his board and blends an AC-30 with a couple pedals (chorus / OD) together with a multi-channel rack system. The rack is on all of the time and he blends in the AC-30 with or without the overdrive pedal. OTOH Mike McCready & Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam split their signal after their boards between a Fender or Vox set up clean and something Marshall-ish set up dirty. Since they use a stereo volume pedal to pan between amps, they can get fully clean Fender, fully dirty Marshall, or any combination between.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: "Stereo" Setup

Yes, I would probably just use the second amp as a slave, plug into the FX return and turn the preamp gain all the way down.

Another option, though is to do the wet/dry rig thing, meaning just have effects with one amp while running no effects with the other.

Split your signal for the front end of the amps with your timeline, I use my Boss DD6 in this fashion and it works fine when I feel like running two of my amps together.
So I guess if it were me, I would run it like this: Wah > Boost > MI SBP > Timeline > Both Amps. Then I would put then I would put the Chorus and Reverb in the FX loop of one of the amps. This is assuming that you like the cleans and distortion of both amps. In my case I usually run my Splawn, and my Triple Rec together because they have two distinct sounds. But if you only like the distortion of one of the amps, then slaving one off of the other would be the way to go.

 

[steliocore]

Re: "Stereo" Setup

Wow! Thanks for the reply guys! I clearly see the points of your suggestions. I hope to get my setup to perfectly work for my purposes using your inputs. Thanks! God bless!

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[Demanic]

Re: "Stereo" Setup

Yes, I would probably just use the second amp as a slave, plug into the FX return and turn the preamp gain all the way down.

Another option, though is to do the wet/dry rig thing, meaning just have effects with one amp while running no effects with the other.

Split your signal for the front end of the amps with your timeline, I use my Boss DD6 in this fashion and it works fine when I feel like running two of my amps together.
So I guess if it were me, I would run it like this: Wah > Boost > MI SBP > Timeline > Both Amps. Then I would put then I would put the Chorus and Reverb in the FX loop of one of the amps. This is assuming that you like the cleans and distortion of both amps. In my case I usually run my Splawn, and my Triple Rec together because they have two distinct sounds. But if you only like the distortion of one of the amps, then slaving one off of the other would be the way to go.

This option gets my vote.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: "Stereo" Setup

I just use one of these to split my signal to two amps. I preserve all that I like about each amp...cleans and dirt.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...ng-bones-r800-7115-twin-city-a-b-y-footswitch

I like to keep it simple.