Questions about running 2 amps at once...

[tookermel]

Here's my setup:

Guitar - Antelope FX MDEQ (buffer on) - overdrives - volume - modulations - then I want to run two amps in stereo. A Dr. Z Maz Jr. NR, and a Valvetech VAC. One question is, is it usually a good rule of thumb to use a buffered box to drive the signal to two amps? Or do you think the MDEQ, though it sits at the front of the chain, would suffice? Also, what then would you recommend? I'm thinking about the Barber Launch Pad since you can control the output of both sides out to the amps. I have a Startouch A/B/Y sittin' around.......maybe I should just use this, or at least try it first before ordering the Launch Pad.

Any other thoughts by chance?

Thanks,
-Tookermel

[aziltz]

It wont hurt to try the Startouch, but the rule of thumb is you'll need some kind of buffered signal, otherwise splitting it would load things down. The Barber Launch Pad would be on all the time and serve that purpose.

[takakat]

I like to split from a stereo chorus output.

[buddaman71]

You can always run the ABY first and split running just one amp wet and the other dry, set to a mid-gain tone. Very cool textures to be had that way.

[Sickle]

You could do worse than trying one of these:

http://www.tonebone.com/tb-switchbone.htm

Best AB/Y I've used. Tons of great functions.

[kludge]

Keep an eye on your phase when running two amps. You may need something to switch the phase on one.

[hahavishnu]

Keep an eye on your phase when running two amps. You may need something to switch the phase on one.
"the phase" what is that?..and how to sort.

[Sickle]

Keep an eye on your phase when running two amps. You may need something to switch the phase on one.

The Tonebone I linked to has a phase inversion switch. Its a seriously great tool.

[Sickle]

"the phase" what is that?..and how to sort.

If you have two sound sources that are kicking out identical outputs, you run a chance of experiencing phase cancellation.

Phase cancellation = no sound, or ****ed up sound, in your case, as you probably wouldn't be able to establish perfect phase cancellation, just enough to make your sound dodgy.

[aziltz]

"the phase" what is that?..and how to sort.


in a nut shell, speakers move in and out right? if two amps are "out-of-phase" relative to each other, one speaker moves in when the other is moving out. It can give you the opposite effect of what you are aiming for with two amps. Sound will be thinner, instead of thicker/fuller.

The output phase depends (roughly) on how many gain stages are in the amp. For example: in the old Fenders with one input for normal, and one for Vibrato, the channels are out of phase with each other because the signal paths are a bit different. To correct this you need something that will "flip/invert the phase" of your signal to one side/one amp.

Something like the aforementioned Barber Launchpad or the GigRig HumDinger. http://www.thegigrig.com/acatalog/TheGigRig_HumDinger.html

However this isn't always the case, so it might help when you decide on a splitter to find one with a phase switch, so you can try both configurations.

[hahavishnu]

in a nut shell, speakers move in and out right? if two amps are "out-of-phase" relative to each other, one speaker moves in when the other is moving out. It can give you the opposite effect of what you are aiming for with two amps. Sound will be thinner, instead of thicker/fuller.

The output phase depends (roughly) on how many gain stages are in the amp. For example: in the old Fenders with one input for normal, and one for Vibrato, the channels are out of phase with each other because the signal paths are a bit different. To correct this you need something that will "flip/invert the phase" of your signal to one side/one amp.

Something like the aforementioned Barber Launchpad or the GigRig HumDinger. http://www.thegigrig.com/acatalog/TheGigRig_HumDinger.html

However this isn't always the case, so it might help when you decide on a splitter to find one with a phase switch, so you can try both configurations.

would the stereo outs on the NOVA reverb be adequate for running two amps? ...blues junior & boogie F100

[aziltz]

would the stereo outs on the NOVA reverb be adequate for running two amps? ...blues junior & boogie F100

give it a shot! if it doesnt sound fuller when you add the 2nd amp, then you may have the phase issues.

[tookermel]

Thanks to ALL for the help and great advice!

Aziltz - Right on, that's why I mentioned the MDEQ. I guess my thoughts were, is it enough to have the buffer in this device at the very beginning of the signal, pushing through the board, as well as driving through a "stereo" box out to two amps. Just made me wonder if the splitter should be "buffered" too - or at least be able to control the outputs, instead of just a true-bypass "through-put."

Takakat - I thought about that as the last pedal in the chain is a DD-20, which has mono and stereo outs. Just didn't invision it being the best choice.

Buddaman71 - Thought about that too, man. I still might set it up this way just to try it out and see which way I like best. Thanks for the reminder.

Sickle - Would highly consider if funds were there. Thanks, though!

Kludge - Thanks for the advice, man.


-Tookermel

[aziltz]

Thanks to ALL for the help and great advice!

Aziltz - Right on, that's why I mentioned the MDEQ. I guess my thoughts were, is it enough to have the buffer in this device at the very beginning of the signal, pushing through the board, as well as driving through a "stereo" box out to two amps. Just made me wonder if the splitter should be "buffered" too - or at least be able to control the outputs, instead of just a true-bypass "through-put."


yes and no. a buffer at the begining is good when all pedals after it are off, once one is on, things change, but not necessarily for the bad. It all comes down to how it sounds.

But it can't hurt to try things out. The GigRig Humdinger i mentioned gives you all options you might need. a swiss army knife of sorts.

1) It isolates the two outputs from each other, meaning they don't share the same ground connection from the guitar. (this can help with Noise/Hum)

2) You can flip the phase of one output.

3) The 2nd output is buffered, whereas the primary output is a straight connection.

However, go ahead and try out the DD20 for the stereo output, its a boss so its Buffered. If you find that things sound worse (weak, thin) or you experience more Amp Hum than usually, then look to something like the HumDinger

[tookermel]

You da' man! Will surely do...

Thanks for the advice! Really helps!




-Tookermel